ZEISS has announced the Horizon Anamorphic, a seven-lens full-frame 2x series with integrated motors and a swappable rear element for adjustable looks. The first three focal lengths ship in September 2026.
ZEISS's new Horizon Anamorphic series is a set of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses spanning seven focal lengths from 35 mm to 200 mm. ZEISS has been building up to these with numerous teases, and they don't disappoint with some innovative defining features. All lenses in the series have built-in motorized focus and iris drives, and couple this with a swappable rear optical element that lets crews alter lens character without changing the rest of the setup.
Inevitably, that means they're not the most lightweight of lenses, weighing between 2.42 kg (5.34 lbs) and 3.25 kg (7.17 lbs) depending on focal length. But that seems a fairly small price to pay for eliminating the cabling, rigging, calibration, and extended setup times of using external motors.
The integrated motor system is compatible with ARRI and Preston lens control systems via serial or LBUS connections. Factory-calibrated absolute encoders store all lens scales within the body, providing a single consistent metadata source and removing the need to remap scales or re-rig motors between setups. Dual displays and touch panels on the barrel allow direct focus and iris checks.
The interchangeable look-tuning back element, mounted via ZEISS's Interchangeable Mount System (IMS), adjusts sharpness, contrast, and overall character through an eight-screw swap while preserving scale accuracy and calibration. The baseline optical character is designed to be neutral, accepting filtration, LUTs, and varied lighting setups without imposing a baked-in look.
Oval bokeh and anamorphic spatial depth are present across the set. All seven lenses share a 114 mm front diameter, a T2.3 maximum aperture across full-frame coverage (T2.9 at 200 mm), and low distortion figures suited to VFX work requiring clean keying, tracking, and CG integration.
The 40 mm, 50 mm, and 75 mm focal lengths are scheduled to ship in September 2026 through authorized ZEISS cinema dealers. The 35 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, and 200 mm will follow in 2026 and 2027. This is a pre-Cine Gear announcment, so pricing is very much TBA.