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Modula Optical builds a 33mm pancake lens with a difference

By Marcus Wong - on 16 Dec 2015, 2:56pm

Modula Optical builds a 33mm pancake lens with a difference

Modula Optical’s CM33 is a 33mm pancake lens that’s built without any autofocus electronics, just like the classic lenses so many mirrorless camera users buy and enjoy. The company says that their CM33 was built to rectify the greatest problem with these older optics – a long focal flange distance that necessitates a larger lens design.

Using a full custom in-house mechanical design, the CM 33 has a focus ring that connects your hand directly to the motion of precision machined aluminum and brass parts that move the various optical elements rather than to electronic focus-by-wire sensors, thus removing a sense of lag, and giving you a real feel for focus. According to the company, every unit will be built using their in-house CNC (computer numerical control) lathe and mill, allowing for optimal precision with minimal variation between copies.

The lens

The CM33 compared to other 35mm lenses in the market.

The lens design allows for really close focusing.

The CM33 has a five-element lens design that allows it to get optimal image performance on par with some of the most highly-regarded prime lenses available today, but in a smaller package that still gets you the build of mechanical lenses. The 33mm focal length gives you a 50mm equivalent (in 35mm terms) on these APS-C cameras, and the maximum aperture of f/2 should work to give you a lens that’s fast, flexible and widely usable for a variety of situations. That’s especially so considering the lens has a minimum focusing distance of just 140mm, making it flexible enough to use for close-up work too.

It has a fully custom and proprietary optical design, and has been developed specifically for Fujifilm X-mount, Sony E-mount, and Canon M-mount systems because these three systems have virtually the same sensor size and flange focal distance, allowing one design to work for all three.

MODS — Modular Optical Image Effects

The Mods concept takes a different approach to using filters.

The first mods work to give you controlled blurring effects.

Unique to the CM33, is the concept of Mods – small specialized optical elements that you slot into the lens near its stop to modify the image on the fly. Think of it as adding a lens filter right at the sweet spot of the lens where all the light rays mix together. The difficulty in doing this normally is that usually isn’t a way to access that area easily. Also, the extra thickness of glass in the middle of the lens can cause a loss of image quality, and a reduction in the light gathering capabilities of the lens.

With the CM33 though, Modula Optcal has developed special optical elements mounted in small form factor (smaller than an SD card) that can be inserted into the CM33 at any time to alter the image capture without affecting the quality – a concept that’s patent pending. The first few mods - SF Mods -seem to be diffusers providing a controlled halo around strong highlights and colors while still preserving detail, and some sample images have been provided below.

Focus finder

When the aperture is wide open, you'll only see the most critical parts, making it easier to get focus.

Another unique feature on the CM33 is what the company calls “Focus Finder”, an external switch that holds the aperture fully open. When combined with focus peaking in mirrorless cameras, this will show only the details that are in ideal focus as you’ll be looking at the lens at maximum aperture. (i.e. The center focal point of focus) The Focus Finder switch is said to be used with just your right hand, while a variety of switch parts can be used to adapt the size to fit your hands.

Modular Filter rings

A size comparison with the different filter rings added.

Finally, those who want to use standard filters will want to note that the CM33 doesn’t have a threaded front ring by default. That’s an adapter you can add on later, and it will be made to accept a standard 52mm filter size. There’s also an option for a deeper adapter that acts as a lens hood. Machined out of aluminum, the lens hood also accepts 52mm filters or caps, but provides a smaller form factor than most lenses in the market overall.

The CM33 is up for funding on Kickstarter now, and perks for the lens start from US$799 onwards. For more information or image samples, head over to the Modula Optical website

Source: Modula Optical, Kickstarter

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