Lens test: Fujinon Cabrio 19-90mm T2.9

The Fujinon Cabrio 19–90mm T2.9 is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and reliable cinema zooms in its class. Designed for professional productions that demand flexibility and precision, it combines a broad focal range with a constant T2.9 aperture and covers a Super 35 image circle of 31.5 millimeters. This balance of performance and practicality has made it a standard choice for television, documentary, and commercial work where efficiency is paramount.

Design and Build

The Cabrio reflects Fujinon’s long-standing expertise in optical engineering. Its all-metal construction conveys reliability, while the integrated servo drive provides precise control over focus, iris, and zoom. The servo unit can be easily detached, allowing seamless transition between ENG-style operation and traditional cinema use.

The lens maintains excellent balance, particularly when paired with cameras such as the Sony FX9, or any cinema body that has a high res S35 scanning mode. Its macro focus mode allows close focusing beyond typical zoom capabilities, adding flexibility for product shots or detail inserts.

For productions working with full-frame cameras, we can supply the Atlas 1.6x LF Extender, which enables the Cabrio 19–90mm to cover a full-frame sensor, including the Sony FX6. The extender maintains optical performance with minimal light loss, extending the lens’s utility beyond its native format.

Optical Characteristics

In our tests, the Cabrio produced images that are clean, neutral, and technically consistent. The color rendition leans slightly cooler compared to the warmer, more characterful tones of the Cooke SP3 or the expressive rendering of the Vespid Primes. Contrast remains stable across the zoom range, with only a minor reduction at the long end.

Sharpness is excellent, even wide open at T2.9. The image remains crisp through the center, with only slight softness in the corners, a common trait in Super 35 zooms. Stopping down to T4 or T5.6 yields uniform sharpness across the frame.

The bokeh is smooth and unobtrusive, producing a natural separation without the stylized characteristics of vintage or anamorphic lenses. Chromatic aberration is well controlled, with minimal fringing in high-contrast areas. Breathing is present but subtle, and the mechanical precision of the focus throw ensures reliable, repeatable performance on set.

Macro and Usability

The macro function is one of the Cabrio’s standout features. It allows operators to focus significantly closer than most cinema zooms, making it possible to capture small details or insert shots without changing lenses. The macro mode engages smoothly and integrates seamlessly into fast-paced shooting environments where flexibility matters.

Performance and Handling

Handling and usability are among the Cabrio’s greatest strengths. The servo unit operates quietly and responsively, offering smooth control for both handheld and tripod-mounted setups. When removed, the lens functions as a fully manual cinema zoom, equipped with standard 0.8 pitch gears for focus, iris, and zoom.

Throughout our testing, color and contrast remained consistent across the entire focal range, simplifying grading and intercutting. The lack of focus shift when zooming further underlines the lens’s reliability in demanding production environments.

Final Thoughts

The Fujinon Cabrio 19–90mm T2.9 remains one of the most dependable and practical lenses available for professional productions. Its clean, neutral image, consistent optical behavior, and robust mechanical design make it an ideal choice for crews that prioritize efficiency without sacrificing quality.

While it does not offer the distinct personality or imperfections of vintage primes, its precision and consistency are exactly what make it a cornerstone for modern production workflows. The Cabrio delivers results that are easy to match, easy to grade, and always technically sound.

The Fujinon Cabrio 19–90mm T2.9, together with the Atlas 1.6x LF Extender, is available for testing in our prep space.