Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact 37-102mm by Angénieux, Zoom, available for cinema lens hire at The Front in Sydney Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact 37-102mm, view 2Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact 37-102mm, view 3Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact 37-102mm, view 4
Modern Zoom

Angénieux

Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact 37-102mm

28 – 76mm zoom T2.2 PL

Successor to the Academy Award-winning Optimo 28-76mm and the first Ultra Compact announced.

Designed as a matched pair with the 21-56mm. Angénieux guarantees “perfect homogeneity of colour, contrast and resolution” between both lenses. Same contained aesthetic: beautifully balanced moderate contrast, clean resolution, and a cinematic look that adapts to shooting conditions rather than imposing itself. At 2.5 kg, even lighter than its wide companion.

Character profile

How this lens renders.

Soft contrast. Gentle roll-off. Light.

Five axes plotting how this set behaves wide-open vs a neutral modern reference. Larger area = more pronounced trait.

Talking points

Why DPs pick this set

  1. Matched pair with the 21-56mm.

    Identical colour science, contrast, and rendering philosophy

  2. 2.5 kg makes this one of the lightest standard-range FF zooms on the market

  3. No ramping, minimal breathing, low distortion.

    No compromises across the zoom range

  4. Together with the 21-56mm, covers 21–102mm (FF) or 16–76mm (U35) from just two lenses

Technical

Full specifications

Focal Range
37–102mm T2.9 (FF/VV) · 28–76mm T2.2 (U35)
Zoom Ratio
2.7×
Image Circle
46.3mm
Close Focus
2′ / 0.6m
Weight
2.5 kg / 5.5 lbs*
Length
235mm
Front Diameter
114mm
Focus Rotation
310°
IRO
Yes: interchangeable rear optics for FF/VV and U35 formats
Metadata
Cooke /i Technology via 4-pin LEMO
Athermalization
Passive, –20°C to +45°C

Some figures here are marked *. Our sources disagree on those, so we're checking them against the lenses themselves. Ask us and we'll measure it for you.

Heritage

  1. Origin

    Successor to the Academy Sci-Tech Award-winning Optimo 28-76mm, and the first Ultra Compact announced, in September 2021. Angénieux conceived the Ultra Compact line to compress the Optimo character into a Steadicam-friendly weight class for the large-format era.

  2. Filmography

    Adopted across narrative features, episodic, and commercial work since launch. Competes directly with the Fujinon Premista 28-100mm, ARRI Signature Zoom 45-135mm, and Leitz Zoom 55-125mm in the lightweight large-format zoom category.

  3. Build

    Designed as a matched pair with the 21-56mm: Angénieux guarantees “perfect homogeneity of colour, contrast and resolution” between the two lenses. Together they cover 21–102mm in Full Frame from just two lenses. At 2.5kg, lighter than its wide companion. PL native.

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