Schneider-Kreuznach introduced an entire new Cine-Tilt lens line-up. The new Xenon FF-Prime Cine-Tilt lenses each come with ± 4° tilt to help a cinematographer distort an image just enough to make it more interesting without changing lenses.  Now, these lenses are not like a DSLR’s tilt-shift lens with way more range of tilt and shift motion. Those can create the miniature world we have seen already. No these Xenon FF-Prime Cine-Tilt lenses are much more subtle. Check out the video below showing how a simple shift in the tilt can change the image.

The new lenses combine the similar form-factor and capabilities found in the Xenon FF-Prime lenses but with the added tilt capability of ±4°. This means when the Cine-Tilt is engaged on the Xenon FF-Prime Cine-Tilt lenses the field of view should be sustained during the tilt actions. This should allow for a cinematographer to create great out-of-focus areas in a frame without too much distortion. When the Xenon FF-Prime Cine-Tilt lenses are used with a large aperture the 4° tilt angle at the sensor plane translates into an 80° focal plane which varies with the focal length and aperture setting.

Like Schneider’s standard Xenon FF-Primes, the Cine-Tilt versions cover a full-frame image circle, work for cameras capable of shooting beyond 4K, and are a lightweight compact design. Designed and built in Germany, the new design provides sophisticated mechanics for smooth and accurate tilt action. The lens’ tilt is controlled via a ring closest to the lens mount with a 120° rotation that is just as easy to use as pulling focus. The tilt ring uses a common 0.8  gear meaning the Cine-Tilt is usable with a standard follow-focus or wireless follow focus.

Cine-Tilt lenses offer the multifold benefits of standard Xenon FF-Primes plus tilt functionality, so there’s is no need to swap out lenses during a shot. With the tilt set at 0°, the Cine-Tilt lenses provide identical images as the standard FF-Primes. The consistent set comprises focal lengths of 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm – all at T2.1. Cine-Tilt FF-Primes will be available this spring individually or as a set, but only in Sony E-Mount.