The Voigtländer Zoomar is a German zoom lens from 1959 — one of the earliest cinema zoom lenses ever made — rehoused by Ancient Optics into a modern cinema housing (PL).
1. Overview
The Voigtländer Zoomar is a German zoom lens from 1959 – one of the earliest cinema zoom lenses ever made – and has been rehoused by Ancient Optics into a modern cinema housing (GL). With a 36mm focal length as a fixed point and T3.1, it covers the full-frame format. In the rental industry, it is sought after as a rare vintage zoom with a distinct character.
2. Characteristics
Flare behavior according to CINEFLARES datasheet:
- Types: Spherical Spot, Rainbow, Caustic, Ring
- Colors: Amber, Purple, Blue
- Intensity: Strong
Linked Pattern Entries:
3. Creative Use
The Zoomar is used when a zoom is needed that doesn't look like a modern zoom: barrel distortion, reduced contrast, and strong flares – spherical spots, rainbows, caustics, and rings in amber, purple, and blue – noticeably shape the image. This makes it less suitable for clean, controlled setups, but interesting for productions seeking an organic, slightly imperfect look without being tied to a prime lens. At 3.8 kg, it is manageable for a vintage zoom but requires stable shoulder or rig setups. Primarily available through specialized rental houses, rarely in the standard daily rate inventory.
4. Specs Overview
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ancient Optics (GL Rehoused) |
| Type | Zoom FF |
| Year | 1959 |
| Country | Germany |
| Era | Vintage |
| Focal Length (Reference Datasheet) | 36.0mm |
| T-Stop Range | T3.1 – T32.0 |
| Squeeze | 1.0× |
| Weight | 3.8 kg / 8.3 lb |
| Close Focus | 0.84 m / 2' 9" |
| Distortion | Barrel |
Related terms
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Voigtlander Zoomar"?