Xenon FF-Prime lenses from Schneider-Kreuznach

These Full-Frame Primes have been developed from scratch for last generation digital film- and photo cameras and have highest resolutions outperforming current 4K sensor chipsets. With Xenon FF-Prime the engineers of Schneider-Kreuznach have revolutionized lens building, in such a way that pristine optical quality can be offered to you at amazingly low price levels.

Good cameras deserve good glass, and Xenon FF-Prime is damn good glass! Schneider-Kreuznach, for more than hundred years manufacturer of sublime photo lenses, projector lenses, industrial optics, and eye optics, only a few years ago decided to develop quality product for the exploding market of cinematographic digital cameras and DSLRs, from scratch. No continuation or redesign of photo lenses, no, lenses specifically designed for the sensor chips of today, up to full frame sizes.

All Xenon FF-Prime lenses have exactly the same housing, so it's extremely easy to exchange them on a rig with follow focus and matte box.The nonlinear cam transport is a unique feature of Xenon FF-Prime, making focusing way more efficient than the commonly used helical transport. The Xenon FF Prime lenses can be purchased separately or as a complete set.

Highlights

Suitable for use with DSLR and cine-style cameras
Cover full frame sensors
Designed for 4K resolution
14 iris blades for an outstanding Bokeh
Rugged mechanics which use standard follow focus systems and other common cine- and video accessories
Uniform dimensions and performance throughout the set
Color-matched
Minimized breathing
Spread and calibrated focus scales for easy and reliable sharpness adjustment
Canon EF-, Nikon F-, Sony E-, or PL-mount
M95 filter thread

Click here to learn more about the Schneider Xenon FF-Prime lenses.

Click here for the price list .

Reviews

The Schneider Xenon FF-Prime lenses are well received worldwide. Below is a summary of the firs reviews.

http://vimeo.com/63264408
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?97629-First-Look-Schneider-Xenon-FF-Prime-Lenses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpHsdmF2PX0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urBi8MgrO88
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8ohVVY0TmY
http://matthewduclos.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/xenonff/
http://wideopencamera.com/cameras/schneider-optics-xenon-full-frame-lens-test-molly-miller-music-video/
http://wideopencamera.com/cameras/first-look-schneider-xenon-full-frame-prime-lenses-wide-open-camera-nab-2013/
http://blog.abelcine.com/2013/04/08/nab-2013-schneiders-cine-xenar-iii-xenon-ff-primes/
http://canonbody.com/news-shooter-new-xenon-ff-primes-from-schneider-optics/
http://vimeo.com/63703119
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOUctW3zDvg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDPJQuVfaNk
http://www.ryanewalters.com/Blog/blog.php?categories=2013

FAQ

What is “Xenon FF-Prime”
Xenon FF-Prime is a family of prime lenses with fixed focal lengths. The “FF” stands for Full-Frame and means that the lens covers the full 36 mm x 24 mm sensor format. “Xenon” is a Schneider Kreuznach expression for a lens design with a high aperture.

What is this lens family made for?
Xenon FF-Prime is a lens family made for professional filming application. It can be used on HDSLR full frame sensor cameras with a good video mode like Canon D5 MK II + III or Nikon D 800 as well as on Blackmagic Ursa, Cinema Camera, Production Camera 4K and the other professional cine PL-mount cameras from ARRI, RED, Sony, Panasonic…

Which focal lengths does the range include?
The range includes the focal lengths 18 mm, 25 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm and 135 mm.
All of them T 2.1, except 18mm T2.4

Are the lenses available?
25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm FFPs are available
Expected release date of the 18 mm is Q1 2017
Expected release date of the 135 mm is Q4 2017

What is the price for the lenses?
35 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm and 100 mm: € 2998 /pc.
25 mm: € 4320
18mm: € 5498
135mm: t.b.d.

What is the difference between Xenon FF –Primes and Cine Xenar lenses?
Cine Xenar lenses are professional cine lenses in a price class of around €5.500/pc. They are designed and optimized for the S35 sensor format (24.9 mm x 18.7 mm) which is used in professional cine PL-mount cameras. The Cine Xenars have no visible breathing due to a telecentric design.
The Xenon FF-Primes are professional purpose-build cine lenses. They are designed for full-frame sensors (36 mm x 24 mm) and 4K resolution (the video mode of full-frame HDSLR cameras is typically 2K). The Xenon FF-Primes can also be used on PL-mount cameras with S35 and larger sensor formats.

What can you tell us about: robust mechanics, easy to use, reliable?
All Xenon FF Primes (25, 35, 50, 75, 100 mm) have the same T-Stop of T 2.1 and the exact same outer dimensions (diameters, length) and position of iris and focus gears. All lenses are color matched.
All those things are done to exchange the primes (focal length) as quick and easy as possible without any re-adjustment of light and accessories like follow-focus and matte box.
Compared to other lenses in a similar price range and that also cover full frame 36mmx24mm sensors, FF-Primes are purpose-build Cine lenses that cover a larger than S35 format with complete new optical and mechanical designs optimized for filming. It is NOT a rehoused photo lens design that is not optimized for filming, where the focusing process itself becomes visible (e.g. breathing). Designed for 4K resolution all FF-Primes perform a sharp image with high contrast. They have uniform dimensions, diameters and T-stops.

What is the optical performance of the lens?
The lenses are designed for full-frame 36x24mm and 4 K resolution, that means 40 line pairs. Fully open they have a “flary”, soft look, but stopped down to T 2.8 they have a sharp, high contrast picture. Due to their 14 iris blades they create a harmonious Bokeh. The breathing is optimized to a minimum. As menitioned earlier: all lenses are color matched.

What is the difference between other lenses in focus?
The focus of all focal lengths has a 300° rotation angle for precise working. This is realized by a cam, like in many professional cine lenses. The scale is spread in the longer distance marks and compressed in the shorter range for a continuous, regular movement over the whole distance without any image drop, jump or shift. The focus scales, feet or meter, are precise and readable from both sides.

What mounts are available?
The lenses are available with PL, Canon EOS or Nikon F bayonet. There is no electronic interface on any of the three mounts. The mounts can be exchanged and can be ordered additionally. The mount sets will include a shim set, screws and a mount cap. The back focus has then to be re-adjusted with shims, similar to the Zeiss CP.2 interchangeable mounts.