Angenieux Oval IRIS !

SICA with Cineom is organising hands on session on Modern Angeniuex Oval IRIS to explore the future of full-frame cinematography with Angenieux Optimo Primes!
SICA members are requested to Join on July 23rd, 4 PM at Prasad Film Lab, Chennai. Call 9345882906 to confirm.

The Angénieux Oval Iris is a user-swappable iris blade designed exclusively for the Optimo Prime Series, introduced at Cine Gear 2025 in Los Angeles. It’s part of Angénieux’s Integrated Optical Palette (IOP) technology, which allows cinematographers to customize the look of their lenses.

The oval iris creates a unique, elliptical bokeh reminiscent of anamorphic lenses, combining the characteristics of modern high-end spherical lenses with an anamorphic-style aesthetic without the typical constraints of anamorphic lenses.

This feature enables creative flexibility, producing distinctive out-of-focus highlights that enhance the artistic quality of the image.

The Optimo Prime Series, which includes focal lengths from 18mm to 200mm, supports interchangeable iris assemblies, including the oval iris, a three-blade iris for triangular bokeh, and a standard nine-blade iris. The oval iris is available in different subassemblies to cover the full range of Optimo Prime lenses (e.g., D26 for 18mm and 21mm, D38 for 28mm, 40mm, 100mm, 135mm, and 200mm). The iris integration is designed to be straightforward, allowing quick modifications by qualified optics technicians, typically in about 15 minutes at the bench. This customization, combined with options for internal glass elements and rear filters, enables cinematographers to craft bespoke visual styles for their project.

Here are the technical specifications and features of the Angénieux Oval Iris module for the Optimo Prime cine lens series, listed as bullet points for easy reference:

🔧 Technical Specifications – Oval Iris for Angénieux Optimo Prime

• ✅ Iris Shape: Oval (vertically elongated diaphragm)
• ✅ Aesthetic Purpose: Creates anamorphic-style bokeh with spherical optics
• ✅ Iris Type: Mechanical, not digital or post-processed
• ✅ Rotation Range: 75° smooth iris rotation
• ✅ Interchangeable: Part of the Integrated Optical Palette (IOP) system
• ✅ Compatibility: Fits all 12 Optimo Prime focal lengths (18mm to 200mm)
• ✅ Consistent Look: Oval bokeh shape remains constant at all iris values and focal lengths
• ✅ Image Circle Coverage: 46.3 mm (supports Full Frame and VistaVision)
• ✅ Maximum Aperture:
  • T1.8 on most lenses
  • T2.0 on 18mm
  • T2.2 on 200mm
• ✅ Focus Rotation: 300° (mod to inf), 320° (end to end)
• ✅ Front Diameter:
  • 95 mm standard
  • 114 mm on 200mm lens
• ✅ Weight: Approx. 1.7 kg (varies slightly by focal length)
• ✅ Lens Mount: PL mount with Cooke /i technology support (lens metadata)
• ✅ IOP Customization:
  • Swappable iris blades: Oval, 9-blade round, 3-blade triangle
  • Optional rear/internal filters (e.g., Black Pro Mist, Glimmerglass)
• ✅ Maintenance: Fully serviceable and field-swappable without optical shift

🎬 Creative Benefits

• 🌟 Provides anamorphic-style oval bokeh using spherical lenses
• 🌟 Delivers cinematic vertical highlight stretch in out-of-focus areas
• 🌟 Allows artistic lens personality without distortion or focus breathing
• 🌟 Excellent for portraits, dramatic close-ups, stylized visual

🔧 Integrated Optical Palette (IOP)

🎯 What the Oval Iris Delivers Creatively

📊 Quick Specs at a Glance

🎥 Ideal Use Cases

The Oval Iris is perfect for cinematographers seeking anamorphic-esque aesthetic freedom using spherical primes, without the edges, distortion, and focus breathing of traditional anamorphic lenses.

Angeneiux has long tradition on manufacturing High quality optics for Film and Television production.

Few years back Cinematographer Santosh Sivan ASC ISC was awarded Pierre Angeniuex Award at Cannes film festival.

Drafted by

CJ Rajkumar

Author/ Cinematographer