Angénieux Hits the Red Carpet at the Cannes Film Festival
Unveils New Optimo Lightweight Zoom Lens and New Corporate Logo
Saint-Héand, France - Thales-Angénieux was busy at Cannes, unveiling a new lens and new logo with colors that matched the red carpet. Angénieux's new Optimo 45-120mm T2.8 lightweight zoom is the third lens in the line of lightweight Optimo zooms. The new lens joins the Optimo 15-40mm T2.6 and 28-70mm T2.6.
Optimo zooms are the size and weight of many primes: about 8 inches long and 4.3 lbs.They are compatible with all current 35mm film and digital motion picture cameras. The new lens extends the range with longer focal lengths, and is excellent for close-ups.
Pierre William Glenn, AFC, said the new 45-120mm zoom lens was "amazing." He discussed impressive tests conducted the previous week at CST. Mr. Glenn is a former president of the Association of French Cinematographers. He was cinematographer on Truffaut's Day for Night, Costa-Gavras' State of Siege, Joseph Losey's Monsieur Klein, and many other features.
CST is Commision Supérieure Technique de l'image et du son. It is a non-profit
association of professionals committed to testing image and sound from capture to release. It's a technical organization somewhat along the lines of SMPTE or the AMPAS Sci-Tech Committee.
During the presentation, CST and Angénieux also announced the creation of "twin" laboratories in Paris and Saint-Héand for testing digital cameras and their lenses. Using MireAnalysis software, both labs provide real-time viewing of live images with a calibrated monitor or digital projector. The facilities will be made available to cinematographers and professionals to test their cameras and lenses.
Additionally, Kodak and Angénieux hosted a gathering on the yacht Sunny Dream. The Angénieux team showed a group of producers how zoom lenses can decrease production costs by saving time (fewer lens changes, lighter weight).
Meanwhile, back at the red carpet, Angénieux zoom lenses were used on many Cannes films, including this partial list:
Opening Film
Midnight in Paris
Director: Woody Allen. DP: Darius Khondji, AFC, ASC.
Lens: Optimo 17-80.
Official Selection
L'Apollonide
Director: Bertrand Bonello. DP: Josée Deshaies.
Lens: Optimo 17-80.
Rental Company: TSF.
La source des femmes
Director: Radu Mihaileanu. DP: Glynn Speeckaert, SBC.
Lens:Optimo 28-76 and Optimo 24-290. Rental Company: TSF.
L'Exercice de l'Etat.
Director: Pierre Schoeller. DP: Julien Hirsch, AFC.
Lens: Optimo 28-76.
Rental Company: TSF.
Semaine de la Critique and Special Screenings
La guerre est déclarée
Director: Valérie Donzetti. DP: Sébastien Buchmann.
Lens: Optimo 28-76.
Rental Company: TSF.
Out of competition
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Director: Rob Marshall. DP: Dariusz Wolski, ASC.
Lenses: Optimo 15-40 and Optimo 28-76.
For more information on Thales Angénieux in the U.S., call 973-812-3858, fax 973-812-9050, e-mail angenieux@tccus.com or visit www.angenieux.com.
For more information on Thales Angénieux in the rest of the world, call +33 (0)4 77 90 78 00, fax +33 (0)4 77 90 78 03, e-mail angenieux@fr.thalesgroup.com or visit www.angenieux.com.
About Angénieux
Angénieux offers a full complement of high precision lenses for a wide range of broadcast and video production applications, including: Optimo Series Lenses for the most demanding HDTV and 35mm production applications; High Definition (HD) Series cine-style, wide angle and studio lenses; High Resolution (HR) Series wide angle and all-purpose ENG lenses including economically priced HD-e series; Studio and Sports/Outside Broadcast (OB) lenses. Angenieux has achieved worldwide acclaim for its ability to design and manufacture zoom lenses for film and television, surveillance and security applications, and for its outstanding range of night vision goggles. The company is also a pioneer in 3D imaging and a major player in the development of this technology.
