Lens test: Angenieux EZ-1 and EZ-2 Zoom Lenses

The Angenieux EZ-1 and EZ-2 zoom lenses are modern cinema zooms designed for film productions that demand precision, flexibility, and reliability. Both lenses offer a constant T2.8 (S35) or T3 (FF) aperture across their zoom ranges, providing consistent exposure and depth of field control. They are highly versatile and engineered for both Super 35 and full-frame formats. We have optical conversion kits available to cover full-frame sensors on cameras such as the Sony FX6 or FX9, but can cover S35 sensors as well.

Design and Build

The EZ-1 and EZ-2 feature robust, all-metal constructions designed to withstand heavy use on hectic sets. Their compact and balanced form factors make them suitable for handheld work, gimbals or traditional tripod setups. Both lenses include smooth, precise focus, zoom, and iris controls, with standard 0.8 pitch gears, ensuring compatibility with follow focus systems.

Optical Characteristics

In our tests, both the EZ-1 and EZ-2 produced clean, neutral images with strong contrast and faithful color reproduction. The lenses deliver sharpness at the center of the frame, even wide open at T3, with minor softness toward the edges typical of Angenieux zoom lenses. Stopping down slightly enhances uniform sharpness across the frame without compromising the natural texture of the image.

The EZ series lenses maintain consistent optical character throughout their zoom ranges. Highlights are rendered smoothly, and bokeh is unobtrusive yet natural, allowing subjects to separate cleanly from the background. Chromatic aberration is minimal, though high-contrast edges in the corners may reveal slight fringing at wider apertures.

One of the defining strengths of the EZ lenses is their minimal breathing. This makes them ideal for dynamic shots where in rare cases, zooming occurs during focus pulls. Both lenses maintain reliable contrast, color, and sharpness throughout the zoom range, which makes them highly suitable for high-end narrative and commercial work.

Performance and Handling

Both the EZ-1 and EZ-2 are designed with a professional team in mind. They handle smoothly on a wide variety of rigs. The precision of the zoom, focus, and iris mechanisms allows operators to make rapid adjustments while maintaining consistency in the shots.

Final Thoughts

The Angenieux EZ-1 and EZ-2 zooms are highly versatile tools for productions that require high-quality, consistent imaging Their neutral optical character, smooth handling, and robust design make them ideal for a wide variety of shooting scenarios, from narrative films to commercials and documentaries.

You know the drill! Both lenses are available in S35 or FF mode for testing in our prep space.