As DPs, we often decide whether our project should be shot with primes or zooms based on the desired look and logistics of the shoot. However, there are plenty of times when we need to use both. Maybe we are handheld, shooting outside for some scenes, so zooms make the most logistical sense. Yet for other portions, we are shooting portraits or interviews, and we want the added optical quality, control, and stop of a prime. Then, our main objective becomes making sure the lenses match and will cut together cohesively.

Most cinema cameras today can work with lenses designed for cinema use, as well as those designed for still photography, but there are still important differences between these lenses. I teamed up with Snehal Patel from Zeiss to answer the question "what makes a lens a cinema lens"?

For this Tech Talk, Snehal Patel of Zeiss joined us to talk about the different lenses they are exhibiting at NAB, from the popular CP.2s to Compact Zooms, and the new Otus 1.4/28mm.

RED's WEAPON 8K camera, announced at this year's NAB show, has many people excited. RED has always pushed the boundaries of digital cinema, and the WEAPON 8K is another great example of this. The most interesting, and perhaps confusing, aspect of this new camera is the size of its sensor.

Today I stopped by the Zeiss booth at NAB 2015 and talked to Richard Schleuning, National Sales Manager, about new developments in their product line.

At this year's IBC show, Zeiss will be showing off a prototype servo unit that is compatible with all three Compact Zoom lenses. Designed specifically for the CZ.2 15-30 T2.9, 28-80 T2.9, and 70-200 T2.9, the servo features a pressure-sensitive rocker for smooth zoom control and an integrated aperture motor for auto-iris (if supported by camera).

At their NAB booth this year, Zeiss showed off an interesting new option for their Compact Zoom line of lenses.

Zeiss has just starting shipping their new CZ.2 28-80 Compact Zoom lens. This lens joins their family of Compact Zooms, which also contains the 70-200 CZ.2 and their newly announced 15-30 CZ.2. The Compact Zoom lens family is similar to the Compact Primes in that these zooms cover the large full frame sensors that are found on cameras like the Canon 5D Mark III, 1D C, and also the large sensor area of the Red Epic Dragon at 6K. They also have interchangeable lens mount systems (PL, EF, F, MFT, E). These features make the lenses unique in the zoom world, as well as future-proof.

This year at IBC, Zeiss is previewing the newest member of the Compact Zoom family. Joining the award-winning CZ.2 70-200 T2.9 and the CZ.2 28-80 T2.9, the new CZ.2 15-30 T2.9 features a compact and lightweight design at just under 10" long and weighing in at 5.7lbs.