In the highly specialized field of filmmaking, the choice of lenses not only affects the technical aspect of image quality but also directly influences the director’s and cinematographer’s artistic style and emotional expression. As two top-tier cinema lens series, ZEISS Supreme Prime (Zeiss SP) and ARRI Signature Prime (Arri SP) have each won widespread recognition in the industry for their unique optical performance, mechanical structure, and imaging characteristics. This article provides an in-depth comparison of these two lens series from multiple dimensions, combining specific data, parameters, and test results to offer a comprehensive reference for cinematographers and filmmakers.
I. Optical Performance
- Resolution and Sharpness
- Zeiss SP: Zeiss lenses have always been renowned for their high resolution and sharpness. The Zeiss SP series adopts advanced optical designs to ensure excellent resolution across various focal lengths and apertures. For example, when tested on a RED MONSTRO 8K VV camera, the Zeiss SP 25mm T1.5 lens exhibits outstanding center and edge resolution. Even at the extreme edges, the image maintains very high clarity, thanks to Zeiss’s unique optical correction technology.
- Arri SP: The Arri SP series also boasts extremely high resolution and clarity. Its large optical lens design effectively reduces aberrations, providing optimal overall image quality. In MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) tests, Arri SP lenses perform excellently across various frequencies, ensuring detail and layering in the image.
- Chromatic Aberration and Flare Control
- Zeiss SP: Zeiss SP lenses employ T* coating technology, which effectively reduces flare and ghosting, enhancing image contrast and color saturation. In actual shooting, even when facing strong backlighting or side lighting, Zeiss SP lenses can maintain image clarity and color accuracy.
- Arri SP: Arri SP lenses also reach the top level in chromatic aberration and flare control. Their lens design fully considers the characteristics of digital imaging and adopts multi-layer coating technology to reduce flare and ghosting. In field tests, Arri SP lenses perform excellently under complex lighting conditions, producing natural, rich colors and moderate contrast.
- Bokeh Effect
- Zeiss SP: The bokeh effect of Zeiss SP lenses is known for its softness and naturalness. The aperture blade design creates a smooth, rounded transition in the out-of-focus areas, enhancing the aesthetic and layering of the image. This bokeh effect is particularly evident when shooting portraits or scenes that require highlighting the subject, guiding the viewer’s gaze to the center of the frame.
- Arri SP: Arri SP lenses also exhibit outstanding bokeh effects. Their 11-blade aperture produces a very smooth bokeh effect while minimizing focus breathing. In actual shooting, the bokeh effect of Arri SP lenses is natural and fluid, adding artistic appeal to the image.
II. Mechanical Structure
- Focusing and Focus Breathing
- Zeiss SP: The focusing system of Zeiss SP lenses is precise and smooth, capable of meeting the demands of high-speed shooting. The focusing ring is designed reasonably, providing a comfortable feel that allows cinematographers to easily capture details in the frame. Additionally, Zeiss SP lenses excel in controlling focus breathing, ensuring image stability during focusing adjustments.
- Arri SP: The focusing system of Arri SP lenses is equally fast and accurate. The focusing ring features stepless adjustment, allowing cinematographers to finely tune the focus position. Furthermore, Arri SP lenses reach the top level in controlling focus breathing, almost eliminating its impact on image stability.
- Housing and Water Resistance
- Zeiss SP: Zeiss SP lenses feature a robust housing design that can withstand harsh shooting environments. The housing is made of high-quality metal materials, ensuring durability while reducing weight. Additionally, Zeiss SP lenses offer some water resistance, allowing them to function normally in humid or rainy conditions.
- Arri SP: Arri SP lenses also adopt a sturdy housing design, constructed from magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy gear rings, which are both lightweight and durable. The housing surface undergoes special treatment to resist scratches and corrosion. Furthermore, Arri SP lenses exhibit excellent water resistance, maintaining normal operation in various harsh environments.
III. Imaging Characteristics
- Imaging Consistency
- Zeiss SP: Zeiss SP lenses excel in imaging consistency. Their lens design fully considers the imaging effects at different focal lengths and apertures, ensuring image stability and consistency under various conditions. Whether at wide-angle or telephoto ends, Zeiss SP lenses maintain image clarity and color accuracy.
- Arri SP: Arri SP lenses also possess outstanding imaging consistency. Their lens design fully considers the characteristics and requirements of digital imaging, capturing clear, detailed, and color-rich images. Simultaneously, Arri SP lenses maintain image stability and consistency across different focal lengths and apertures, providing greater flexibility for post-production.
- Skin Tone Rendition
- Zeiss SP: Zeiss SP lenses excel in rendering skin tones. Their lens design fully considers the characteristics and requirements of human skin tones, producing natural and detailed skin tone effects. This is particularly evident when shooting portraits or scenes that require highlighting human emotions, accurately reproducing skin tone and texture.
- Arri SP: Arri SP lenses also exhibit outstanding skin tone rendition capabilities. Their lens design fully considers the natural transitions and layering of human skin tones, producing rich and natural skin tone effects. Simultaneously, Arri SP lenses maintain skin tone stability and consistency under different lighting conditions, offering more possibilities for character portrayal.
IV. Durability and Reliability
- Testing and Certification
- Zeiss SP: The Zeiss SP series undergoes rigorous testing and certification, including environmental adaptability tests and durability tests, ensuring normal operation in various harsh shooting environments. Their lens design fully considers the requirements for durability and reliability, withstanding long-term use and wear.
- Arri SP: The Arri SP series also undergoes strict testing and certification. Their lens design employs high-quality materials and craftsmanship, ensuring lens durability and reliability. Additionally, Arri provides comprehensive after-sales service and technical support, ensuring that cinematographers receive timely assistance and support during use.
- User Feedback and Practical Use
- Zeiss SP: Based on user feedback, the Zeiss SP series has received widespread acclaim. Cinematographers generally praise its excellent imaging quality, smooth operation, and reliable durability. In practical use, Zeiss SP lenses exhibit outstanding performance and stability, meeting various shooting needs.
- Arri SP: The Arri SP series has also received widespread acclaim. Cinematographers generally praise its excellent imaging quality, precise operation, and reliable durability. In practical use, Arri SP lenses exhibit outstanding color reproduction and image layering, providing more possibilities for filmmaking.
V. Specific Data and Parameter Comparison
- Focal Length and Aperture
- Zeiss SP: Offers multiple focal length options ranging from 15mm to 150mm, with aperture ranges mostly from T1.5 to T2.8. The lens mount can be changed to PL, LPL, or EF to accommodate different shooting equipment.
- Arri SP: Focal lengths range from 12mm to 280mm, with apertures mostly at T1.8 (except for 200/t2.5 and 280/t2.8). Arri SP lenses also provide dedicated LF Open Gate and Super35 Open Gate magnetic image circle masks to accommodate different image formats.
- Image Circle Coverage
- Zeiss SP: Designed to cover large-format sensors, including full-frame and larger Super 35, Vista Vision, and 65mm full-frame formats. Its high image circle flatness ensures that the image remains clear and consistent in all corners.
- Arri SP: Similarly supports large-format sensors and provides excellent image circle coverage. Their lens design fully considers the characteristics and requirements of digital imaging, ensuring that the image remains clear and accurate across various focal lengths and apertures.
- Weight and Volume
- Zeiss SP: The lenses have moderate weight and volume, making them easy to carry and operate. Their lightweight design allows cinematographers to remain comfortable and relaxed during long shooting sessions.
- Arri SP: Although Arri SP lenses are relatively heavier and bulkier, their outstanding performance and durability effectively compensate for this drawback. Additionally, Arri offers various accessories and mounts to facilitate better carrying and operation of the lenses.
- Other Parameters
- Minimum Focusing Distance: Zeiss SP lenses have a relatively short minimum focusing distance, suitable for shooting close-ups and macro shots. Arri SP lenses provide different minimum focusing distances across various focal lengths to meet different shooting needs.
- Filter Size: The filter sizes of the two lens series differ, and cinematographers need to match the specific lens model when selecting filters.
VI. Comparison Testing
To provide a more comprehensive comparison of the performance between Zeiss SP and Arri SP lenses, we conducted field tests. The tests covered resolution testing, chromatic aberration control testing, flare testing, bokeh effect testing, and focus breathing effect testing. In the resolution testing, we found that both lenses exhibited extremely high resolution and clarity. Whether in the center or the edges of the frame, the image maintained a very high level of detail and depth. In the chromatic aberration control testing, both lenses effectively reduced chromatic aberration, ensuring color accuracy and saturation in the image. In the flare testing, when faced with strong backlighting or side lighting conditions, both lenses were able to maintain image clarity and color accuracy. In the bokeh effect testing, the bokeh effects produced by both lenses were very natural and smooth, adding an artistic touch to the image. In the focus breathing effect testing, both lenses almost completely eliminated the impact of breathing effect on image stability.