The Cine Lens Manual

by Jay Holben, Christopher Probst

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.

836 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's kind of a weird thing to say with a book this large but I really wish it would have gone into a bit more depth at some parts, for example more closely comparing certain lenses and how the specific coatings and lens element used had an impact on the final image.
I guess one would have to hope for an encyclopedia type book series.

But at this point this is probably the definitive book for learning all the cine lens basics. I found it extremely interesting and will probably keep coming back to it as a reference book.