Angenieux 6X Zoom by GL Optics Rehoused, Zoom (vintage), available for cinema lens hire at The Front in Sydney Angenieux 6X Zoom, view 2Angenieux 6X Zoom, view 3
Vintage Zoom

GL Optics Rehoused

Angenieux 6X Zoom

20 – 120mm zoom T2.9 PL

A quintessential 1960s zoom look: warm, low-contrast, with bold blue and magenta flares.

Fully rehoused by GL Optics with internal focus (eliminating the impractical rotating front group) and custom Optica Magnus rear elements that let you switch between A35, S35, and FF formats in minutes, like a vintage Angenieux EZ system.

Character profile

How this lens renders.

Warm. Low-contrast. Multi-format zoom.

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. True multi-format: one lens covers Academy 35, Super 35, and Full Frame

  2. Internal focus replaces the original rotating/telescoping front group

  3. Signature 1960s Angenieux character: warm, low-contrast, with blue/magenta flares

  4. Pairs with vintage primes from the 50s and 60s.

    Baltars, Kowa Prominars, Cooke Panchros

Technical

Full specifications

Focal Range
20–120mm T2.9 (A35) · 24–144mm T3.6 (S35) · 33–198mm T4.9 (FF)
Coverage
Multi-format via user-swappable Optica Magnus rear elements
Front Diameter
136mm
Weight
7.8–8.2 kg (varies by format configuration)*
Close Focus
3'1"
Focus
Internal (original rotating/telescoping front group eliminated by GL Optics)

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.

Shot on these

Notable credits

  • The Graduate (1967)

    DOP Robert Surtees ASC Dir Mike Nichols

  • Easy Rider (1969)

    DOP László Kovács ASC Dir Dennis Hopper

Credits reflect productions historically shot on this lens family. Specific units may vary.

Heritage

  1. Origin

    The original Angenieux 6X zoom from the 1960s–70s, a high-end professional zoom designed by Pierre Angénieux. The 6× range made it a workhorse of news, documentary, and feature work in the era when zooms were still novel.

  2. Filmography

    Famously used on The Graduate (1967, DOP Robert Surtees ASC) and Easy Rider (1969, DOP László Kovács ASC).

  3. Build

    Rehoused by GL Optics with custom Optica Magnus rear elements enabling format-switching between Academy 35, Super 35, and Full Frame in minutes. Internal focus replaces the original rotating/telescoping front group. Standard 80mm cinema housing with PL mount and modern gear positions.

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