It’s time for another @ancientoptics rehouse and another vintage full frame cinema zoom. The Voigtlander Zoomar 36-82mm f2.8 now carries on its legacy as a beautiful and convenient mid-range zoom. It features a parfocal design, brilliant warm flares, and expressive character and bokeh. A perfect fit for vintage primes from the same era!

This lens hails from 1960 and was created by Austrian engineer Frank G. Back, who was not only an incredible lens designer but also a savvy marketer and socialite. He was known to rub shoulders with the likes of Albert Einstein and he gained notoriety by getting his products to photographers who filmed famous people and events, like President John F. Kennedy. The Zoomar was incredibly innovative for its time, being the widest zoom lens ever made with the fastest ever f2.8 constant maximum aperture.

If you crave an even deeper dive on lens history and unique optics we recommend following @bokehsommelier for some truly fascinating and educational storytelling!