ARRI has released a short video that demonstrates some interesting bits of information regarding its flagship lenses: The Signature Primes. Let’s explore what Art Adams, Cinema Lens Specialist at ARRI, has to say about this unique piece of glass. 

The rise of the Large Format glass

Cameras don’t last long, but cinema lenses don’t become obsolete. However, old lenses may become less relevant since they are not covering large sensors anymore. For that reason, there is a need to know the large-format glass solutions in the market, to make the best cinematography choices for telling the story. Y.M.Cinema Magazine has created a simplified and educational recapitulation of almost all options regarding large format lenses. Go to this article to learn more, or explore the high-level Large Format Cinema Lenses Filmmakers’ Chart below (click for a larger view). 

The lenses behind 1917

ARRI Signature Primes are the lenses behind 1917. The lenses were paired with the Mini LF to shoot the film. According to the cinematographer, Roger Deakins,  the main characteristic of the Signature Primes is minimal breathings and distortion, together with a clean and sharp image. “I don’t like vignetting; I don’t like breathing…. Can’t stand flares,” said Deakins when he describes the main benefits the Signature Primes. Head to this article to learn more about the making of 1917.

ARRI Signature Primes: 4 things you have to know

Dedicated to HDR and 8K imagery

According to Adams, The Signature Prime’s capture very flattering skin tones, but they don’t do it by artificially softening them the way a lot of other lenses do. They capture all the resolution and all the details, but they don’t make it artificially sharp but rendering it naturally. The Signature Primes introduce more of a filmic quality which is needed in UHD and 8k imagery, which means capturing all that resolution but in a very natural way.

The Signature Primes introduce more of a filmic quality which is needed in UHD and 8k imagery, which means capturing all that resolution but in a very natural way

Art Adams, Cinema Lens Specialist at ARRI

Preserving the art of the bokeh

Bokeh is the quality of the out-of-focus image. Adams emphasizes that every Signature Prime rolls out of focus very quickly. Furthermore, the backgrounds softened immediately in a very smooth artistic look, lack of hard edges. That is crucial because hard edges are artifacts that may attract the audience eye from the main subject.

Zero lens distortion

One of the Signature Primes advantages is the elimination of distortion even when shooting on an ultra-wide glass. Most of us are well familiar with those distortions that we get when using ultra-wide lenses, especially when shooting close to the subject. It seems that those artifacts have been minimized in the Signature Primes. Adams claims that even the widest Signature Prime (12mm) has less than 1% distortion.

Even the widest Signature Prime (12mm) has less than 1% distortion

Art Adams, Cinema Lens Specialist at ARRI

Preserving lens flares

The Signature Primes offer minimal but elegant lens flare, which allows a beautiful soft glow without over-flaring. 1917’s cinematographer Roger Deakins has mentioned that as well (see above).

By the way, the price of the Signature Primes is $25,000- $30,000 per lens. Read this article to get a comparison with other large format lenses. 

Watch the video down below, which explains the concepts behind the Signature Primes: 

Also, check out ARRI Signature Prime Showreel 2019:

Education regarding large format

To dive deeper into the details, you should consider taking the ARRI’s Certified Online Training for Large-Format Camera System, which we reviewed here. The course educates and demonstrates the Signature Primes, lens mounts, and how lens design has changed to accommodate large-format sensors.

Furthermore, you will be educated regarding ARRI’s large-format cinematography options and how to operate it correctly and Professionally. Go here to ARRI’s certified course, or read our review before.