After exploring the cameras that used to shoot 72nd Emmy Awards’ Outstanding Cinematography Nominees, now it’s the time to analyze the data regarding lenses. Although were are not surprised about Panavision leading the way, there are some wonderments. Watch the charts below to reveal the insights.

Emmy 2020: The nominees for “Outstanding Cinematography” categories

For the purpose of this survey, we’ve collected the data regarding cameras and lenses being used to shoot by the DPs nominated for three “Outstanding Cinematography” categories: Limited Series or Movie, Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour), and Single-Camera Series (One Hour). Here is the list of these categories. (Read the article focusing on the cameras: The Cameras Behind 72nd Emmy Awards’ Outstanding Cinematography Nominees: Sony VENICE Leads the way).

Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie

1. Defending Jacob: DP Jonathan Freeman. Camera: Panavision Millennium DXL2. Lenses: Panavision G-Series.
2. Devs: DP Rob Hardy, BSC. Camera: Sony VENICE. Lenses: Panavision C- and E-Series.
3. The Plot Against America: DP Martin Ahlgren. Camera: Sony VENICE. Lenses: Spherical Kowa Cine Prominar Primes.
4. Watchmen: DP Xavier Grobet, ASC, AMC, and DP Gregory Middleton, ASC, CSC. Camera: ARRI Alexa Mini. Lenses: Cooke 5/i.

Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour)

1. Homecoming: DP Jas Shelton, ASC. Camera: Panavision Millennium DXL2. Lenses: Panavision G Series Anamorphic.
2. Insecure: DP Kira Kelly and DP Ava Berkofsky: Camera: ALEXA Mini. Lenses: Cooke 5/i.
3. The End Of The F***ing World: DP Benedict Spence. Camera: ARRI ALEXA LF. Lenses: Zeiss Supreme Prime.
4. The Mandalorian: DP Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS, and DP Baz Idoine. Camera: ARRI ALEXA LF. Lenses: Panavision T-Series and Ultra Vista.

Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (One Hour)

1. Mindhunter: DP Erik Messerschmidt. Camera: XENOMORPH with HELIUM 8K S35. Lenses: Leitz SUMMILUX-C.
2. Ozark: DP Armando Salas, ASC, and DP Ben Kutchins. Camera: Sony VENICE. Lenses: Leica R (rehoused). (Read more on Ozark Cinematography: From Super 35 (Varicam) to Full Frame (VENICE)).
3. Tales From The Loop: DP Jeff Cronenweth, ASC. Camera: Panavision Millennium DXL2. Lenses: Panavision Primo 70 and Panaspeed.
4. The Crown: DP Adriano Goldman, ASC, BSC, ABC. Camera: Sony VENICE. Lenses: Cooke Speed Pancho and Zeiss Super Speed.
5. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: DP M. David Mullen, ASC. Camera: ARRI ALEXA Mini. Lenses: Panavision Primo.
6. Westworld: Paul Cameron, ASC. Camera: Sony VENICE and ARRICAM. Lenses: ZEISS Supreme and ARRI Master Prime. (Read more on Westworld was Shot on 20 Years-Old Film Cameras: A Reference for the Supremacy of Celluloid).

Initial discussion

Based on the data above, we’ve created a chart that shows the segmentation of the lenses been used. You can explore the chart at the end of this article. However, we’d like to discuss the data by comparing it to similar charts. For instance, when examining last year’s Pre-Oscar Lenses Chart which showed the lenses behind 2019’s top films and the Oscar 2020- 92nd Academy Awards nominees-Lenses Chart (let’s exclude other lenses charts related to film festivals that are more relevant to independent projects), we can reveal a clear significance regarding the reduction in the usage of ARRI’s lenses. For instance, the mighty Signature Primes are excluded from the Emmy 2020 list. However, the Panavision glass continues to dominate even more compared to last year’s charts. Check the slide below that demonstrated these initial conclusions. Click on the image for a full resolution view. Go here to read the whole article: The Lenses Behind Oscar 2020: Panavision, ARRI, and Cooke.

Emmy 2020: Lenses Chart

Explore the Emmy 2020: 72nd Awards Nominees – Lenses Chart below. As explained, this chart is based only on the data above. Click on the image for a full resolution view:

Why do you think is the cause for the usage reduction of ARRI lenses? Let’s know your thoughts!