The tradition goes on. After the Pre-Oscar Camera Chart, now is the time to explore the glass. So we have created a simplified chart of the lenses used to shoot 2019’s top films. The results were unequivocal and showed that Panavision rules with ARRI breathing down its neck. The Cooke Look is in 3rd place. What with the others? Let’s find out.

References

The data was collected from IndieWire’s article: “Oscar Cinematography Survey: Here Are the Cameras and Lenses Used to Shoot 42 Awards Contenders”. Furthermore, the chart only shows the lenses regarding their manufacturers. If you’d like to dive more into the details, head to IndieWire article where you can read further about the directors, cinematographers, and what they have to say about shooting those films.

Glass diversity

It’s very refreshing to see a variety of lenses. Those are the lenses and DPs behind 2019’s top films:

1. “1917” – DP: Roger Deakins – Signature Primes
2. “Ad Astra”- DP: Hoyte van Hoytema- ARRI Master Prime
3. “The Aeronauts” – DP: George Steel – Panavision G class Anamorphic, Panavision Primo 70
4. “Atlantics”- DP: Claire Mathon- Angenieux Optimo
5. “Avengers: Endgame”- DP: Trent Opaloch- Panavision Sphero 65,  Ultra Panatar
6. “A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood”- DP: Jody Lee Lipes- Angenieux Optimo, ARRI Master Prime
7. “Bombshell” – DP: Barry Ackroyd- Angenieux Optimo Zooms, Cooke S4i
8. “Booksmart”- DP: Jason McCormick- Panavision T-Series Anamorphic
9. “Cats”- DP: Christopher Ross- ARRI Prime DNA, Signature Prime
10. “Clemency”- DP: Eric Branco- Cooke Anamorphic
11. “Dark Waters”- DP: Ed Lachman- Cooke Speed Pancho, Cooke S4/i
12. “Dolemite Is My Name”- DP: Eric Steelberg- Panavision Primo Artiste, Panavision H Series, Panavision Primo Zooms
13. “The Farewell”- DP: Anna Franquesa Solano, ARRI Master Primes
14. “Ford v Ferrari”- DP: Phedon Papamichael- Panavision Anamorphic C-Series and T-Series
15. “Harriet”- DP: John Toll- Panavision Sphero Primes, Panavision Super Speed Primes
16. “A Hidden Life”- DP: Jörg Widmer, ARRI Master Primes
17. “The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao” AKA “Invisible Life”- DP: Hélène Louvart- Lomo Anamorphic
18. “The Irishman”- DP: Rodrigo Prieto- Cooke Panchro/i Classics
19. “Jojo Rabbit”- DP: Mihai Malaimare Jr.- HAWK V-LITE 1.3x anamorphic, Vantage One T1 spherical
20. “Joker”- DP: Lawrence Sher, ARRI DNA
21. “Just Mercy”- DP: Brett Pawlak- Panavision Artistes, Panavision H-Series
22. “The King”- DP: Adam Arkapaw- Panavision Ultra 70
23. “Knives Out”- DP: Steve Yedlin- ARRI Master Primes, Panavision Primo Zooms
24. “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”- DP: Adam Newport-Berra, ARRI Master Primes
25. “The Lighthouse”- DP: Jarin Blaschke, Bausch and Lomb Original Baltars
26. “Marriage Story”- DP: Robbie Ryan, Panavision Primo Prime
27. “Midsommar”- DP: Pawel Pogorzelski, Primo Artiste
28. “Motherless Brooklyn”- DP: Dick Pope- Cooke Panchro/i Classics
29. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”- DP: Robert Richardson- Panavision Anamorphic – E, C, T series
30. “Pain and Glory”- DP: José Luis Alcaine- Cooke S4/i
31. “Parasite”- DP: Kyung-Pyo Hong- Prime DNA
32. “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”- DP: Claire Mathon- Leica Thalia
33. “Queen & Slim”- DP: Tat Radcliffe- Panavision G series
34. “The Report”- DP: Eigil Bryld- Master Primes
35. “Richard Jewell”- DP: Yves Bélanger- Primo Anamorphic C and T Series
36. “Rocketman”- DP: George Richmond- Panavision G Series Anamorphic Primes, Panavision E Series Anamorphic Primes, AWZ and ATZ Anamorphic Zooms
37. “Seberg”- DP: Rachel Morrison- Panavision C Series Anamorphic
38. “The Two Popes”- DP: César Charlone- Angenieux super 35 mm zooms
39. “Uncut Gems”- DP: Darius Khondji- Panavision C series
40. “Waves”- DP: Drew Daniels- Panavision USZ primes, Panavision Ultra Speed primes, Panavision Primo primes, Panavision 24-275 Primo zoom

Insights

Panavision dominates

The data clearly shows significant domination of Panavision as a major lens manufacturer. The Panavision anamorphic lenses are the most used above these films, especially the C and G anamorphic series. Furthermore, it’s fascinating to explore some other unique glass, like the  Ultra Panatar, which was used to shoot Avengers: Endgame.

ARRI Master Primes as the most used lenses

With Panavision as the primary manufacturer, the ARRI Master Primes are the most utilized glass upon those films. This lens was used to shoot “Ad Astra,” “A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood,” “The Farewell,” “A Hidden Life,” “Knives Out,” “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” and “The Report.” Check out the chart to explore more.

Pre-Oscar lenses chart: The glass behind 2019’s top films

Important note! We are working hard on those original charts and infographics for the filmmaking community. Thus, you can download the image for your personal use. In case you desire to embed the chart on your social media or website, please give proper credit to Y.M.Cinema Magazine linked to this article.

Explore the chart below. The chart is high definition, so press on the image to get a larger view.