836 pages, 140 years of cinema lens history

With more than 60-years of experience between them as cinematographers, technical journalists and educators, authors Jay Holben and Christopher Probst, ASC break down the most complex concepts into easy-to-understand ideas, without requiring a mastery of calculus or physics.

Detailing 300 lens families, this uniquely comprehensive hardback is written for anyone looking for deeper understanding of cinema optics. Its 836 pages cover 140 years of cinema lens history filled with 1500 full-color illustrations including photographs, diagrams, and graphics. Meticulously indexed chapters explore a primer on cinema lenses, introduction to optical design, advanced optical design and early photographic lenses, optomechanical design, evolution of motion picture formats, the history and genealogy of purpose-built cinema lenses, modifying lenses, testing and maintenance.

The chapters in The Cine Lens Manual explore:

• A primer on cinema lenses
• Introduction to optical design
• Investigation of advanced optical design and early photographic lenses
• Examination of optomechanical design
• Evolution of motion picture formats
• History and genealogy of 140 years of purpose-built cinema lenses, detailing more than 300 series
• Modifying existing lenses for use in cinema or to creatively custom-tune their performance
• Testing and evaluating lenses
• Care and maintenance of cinema lenses

“The Cine Lens Manual is my new Bible… engrossing and immensely graspable for all filmmakers” says Reed Morano, ASC, and he is not alone, as. Markus Forderer, ASC, BVK, adds to the comments about the new guide that “I can’t put the book down. It’s brilliant what Holben and Probst have created. This is a must for every cinematographer.”