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It is the camera that separates cinema from other art forms and the lens that allows a scene to be captured by the camera. The cinema lens, therefore, is at the heart of filmmaking. All aspects of a production are carefully crafted with the intention of being captured by the lens and camera to create a visual story. The Cine Lens Manual is a comprehensive examination of the art and science of cinema optics. Written in clear, easily-digestible language, and extensively illustrated, The Cine Lens Manual is designed for readers of all levels of experience from novice to expert. With more than 60-years of experience between them as cinematographers, technical journalists and educators, authors Holben and Probst break down the most complex concepts into easy-to-understand ideas, without requiring a mastery of calculus or physics.
This manual is not just for cinematographers, but for all individuals with an interest in the lens — directors, visual effects artists, camera assistants, animators, technical journalists, historians, students, rental house technicians — anyone looking for a deeper understanding of cinema optics. It is unlike anything else that has ever been written on the subject.
The chapters explore:
•A primer on cinema lenses
•Introduction to optical design
•Investigation of advanced optical design and early photographic lenses
•Examination of optomechanical design
•Evolution of motion picture formats
•History and genealogy of 140 years of purpose-built cinema lenses,
detailing more than 300 series
•Modifying existing lenses for use in cinema or to creatively custom-tune
their performance
•Testing and evaluating lenses
•Care and maintenance of cinema lenses
The Cine Lens Manual is a journey through the world of cinema lenses investigating every possible aspect from the formation of glass itself into today's top cinematographic optical tools. It is a must-read for all visual storytellers working in the cinematographic world.
