Phénix 28-70mm T2.7 Zoom by Iron Glass Rehoused, Zoom (vintage), available for cinema lens hire at The Front in Sydney Phénix 28-70mm T2.7 Zoom, view 2Phénix 28-70mm T2.7 Zoom, view 3
Vintage Zoom

Iron Glass Rehoused

Phénix 28-70mm T2.7 Zoom

28 – 70mm zoom T2.7 PL

Based on the legendary Tokina/Angenieux 28-70mm, optically identical designs long considered impossible to rehouse due to their 16-element, 12-group complexity with up to five simultaneous internal movements.

Iron Glass cracked it. Sharp, character-rich, with gorgeous red/amber flares and very low chromatic aberration.

Character profile

How this lens renders.

Parfocal vintage zoom. Multi-mount.

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. Once considered impossible to rehouse.

    Iron Glass engineered a custom cam system

  2. Now fully parfocal with dramatically improved close focus (1'9")

  3. Perfect companion zoom for Canon FD, Minolta Rokkor, Leica R, Nikon, and Konica primes

  4. New 15-blade iris for beautifully round bokeh

Technical

Full specifications

Focal Range
28–70mm T2.7
Mount
PL (stainless steel, shimmable)
Front Diameter
110mm
Weight
1.6 kg
Coverage
Full Frame
Close Focus
1'9" (53.3cm)
Iris
15-blade circular (upgraded from original 8-blade)
Focus Rotation
300°
Parfocal
Yes: holds focus throughout zoom range

Heritage

  1. Origin

    Based on the legendary Tokina ATX 28–70mm f/2.6 (early 1990s), an optically identical co-design with the Angenieux 28–70mm f/2.6, both built around the same 16-element, 12-group formula with up to five simultaneous internal movements. The complexity made it impractical to rehouse for cinema for decades.

  2. Filmography

    The original Tokina/Angenieux 28-70mm was a hidden favourite of 1980s–90s commercial and music-video work, prized for its sharpness and the warm character of its coatings.

  3. Build

    Iron Glass cracked the rehouse problem with a custom cam system addressing the multi-element internal movements. Now fully parfocal with dramatically improved close focus (1'9"). New 15-blade iris for round bokeh at every stop. PL mount, standard cine housing with 0.8M gears.

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