ZEISS, the global German optical enterprise, has officially announced the "Horizon Anamorphic" full-frame 2x cine prime lens series—an entirely new technological platform optimized for modern video production workflows. This new product line is generating significant anticipation within the industry by combining a classic cinematic look with cutting-edge technology.
The newly unveiled Horizon series consists of seven focal lengths ranging from 35mm to 200mm (35, 40, 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200mm). The entire lineup features a fast aperture of T2.3 (T2.9 for the 200mm), allowing creators to achieve beautiful anamorphic effects with a shallow depth of field, even in low-light environments. Notably, it perfectly captures the distinct oval bokeh and the expanded sense of space and depth characteristic of anamorphic lenses, without introducing unwanted distortion.
Innovative Integrated Design with No External Motors and a 'Look Tuning' System
The most remarkable evolution is 'technological simplification.' Instead of using externally mounted rings, the Horizon series completely integrates the focus and iris control motors directly into the lens body. This eliminates the hassle of rigging external motors and allows for quiet, precise compatibility with ARRI and Preston Lens Control Systems (LCS) via LBUS or serial connections. Furthermore, the lens barrel is equipped with a dual display and touch panel, enabling operators to quickly and intuitively check focus and aperture values during a shoot.
ZEISS has also introduced a proprietary 'Look Tuning rear element' to fulfill the concept of "One lens, multiple looks." By default, Horizon lenses deliver a neutral, baseline flat look with minimized distortion and chromatic aberration, making them ideal for CG and visual effects (VFX) work. However, if a cinematographer desires a more distinct creative mood, they can easily swap out the rear optical element using the ZEISS Interchangeable Mount System (IMS) by loosening just eight screws. This allows for fine adjustments to the lens's character—such as sharpness and contrast—while maintaining its inherent scale accuracy and calibration.
Excellent Compatibility for VFX and Solo Creators Alike
All lenses share the industry-standard LPL mount and a uniform 114mm front diameter. The consistent size and weight balance across the lineup make transitions between various rigging setups—such as handheld, gimbals, drones, cranes, and vehicle rigs—incredibly seamless. The lenses also feature built-in internal memory and processing units, leaving the door open for future metadata expansion and autofocus (AF) integration.
"The Horizon Anamorphic represents the next chapter in ZEISS cine optics, blending a human, emotional cinematic film look with state-of-the-art technology," said Christophe Casenave, Head of Cinema Products at ZEISS. "By embedding internal motors and data systems, it will set a new standard that dramatically shortens end-to-end production workflows."
The key focal lengths—40mm, 50mm, and 75mm—are scheduled for initial global shipping through authorized ZEISS cinema dealers in September 2026. The remaining 35mm, 100mm, 150mm, and 200mm lineups will follow sequentially from late 2026 into 2027. Pricing is yet to be announced.
[Editor's Note] "Operating anamorphic lenses used to be a laborious chore, requiring bulky external motors, heavy equipment cables, and tedious re-mapping processes. Now that ZEISS has packed the motors right into the lens body and added a touch panel, video creators can breathe a sigh of relief. On top of that, the 'Look Tuning' feature—which lets you get multiple flavors out of a single lens by just swapping the rear glass—is a stroke of genius that satisfies both budget-consciousness and artistic expression."
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