Canon has announced the launch of two new Super 35mm lenses in its Flex Zoom line-up, the CN-E 14-35mm T1.7 L and CN-E 31.5-95mm T1.7 L.
It is quite ironic that as soon as the ARRI ALEXA 35 came to market there is suddenly a lot more S35 cameras and lenses being announced. The CN-E 14-35mm T1.7 L S / SP and CN-E 31.5-95mm T1.7 L S / SP are the fastest Super 35mm lenses on the market with these focal ranges. Canon claims that they offer incredible optical performance to support a wide range of uses and shooting scenarios.
These two new zooms join the existing full frame CN-E 20-50mm T2.4 and CN-E 45-135mm T2.4 lenses in the Flex series.
![Image 1](https://www.newsshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Image-1-740x402.png)
With the CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L and CN-E31.5-95mm T1.7 L offering a fast constant aperture of T1.7 you will be able to interchange and use them with fast primes on the same production. You could also make a strong case for using them instead of primes for fast-paced productions that need to get through a lot of pages each day.
Canon states that the CN-E 14-35mm T1.7 L and CN-E 31.5-95mm T1.7 L lenses feature a compact and lightweight design, however, they weigh 3.3kg / 7.27 lb and 3.5kg / 7.71 lb respectively. This is not exactly lightweight, but given their fast constant T stop it is still reasonable.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too. If you want a fast constant aperture then that is going to have to be offset with increased weight and a limited focal range.
![Screenshot 2023 04 03 at 3 26 11 PM](https://www.newsshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screenshot-2023-04-03-at-3.26.11-PM.png)
Both lenses feature an 11-blade iris and industry standard 0.8 pitch gears on the iris, zoom, and focus rings.
Switch from S35 to full frame
![Screen Shot 2023 04 03 at 16 31 07](https://www.newsshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-03-at-16.31.07-740x385.png)
The lenses feature an interchangeable mount design that enables them to be switched between EF and PL mounts.
![Screen Shot 2023 04 03 at 22 21 19](https://www.newsshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-03-at-22.21.19-740x524.png)
The flange back can be adjusted when changing lenses. The adjustment mechanism has a cap that prevents unintentional shifting of the flange back. Adjustments can be made using a flat-head screwdriver.
![Screen Shot 2023 04 03 at 16 05 13](https://www.newsshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-03-at-16.05.13-740x430.png)
Additionally, in a first for Canon’s cinema range, these lenses can take advantage of Canon’s new interchangeable relay kits. The new relay kits are the RL-S1, RL-S2, RL-F1 and RL-F2.
The relay kit enables the lenses to be switched from Super 35mm to Full Frame and back again, however, this can only be done at a Canon-authorized service center and it will incur a fee.
![Screen Shot 2023 04 03 at 16 05 56](https://www.newsshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-03-at-16.05.56-740x198.png)
![Screen Shot 2023 04 03 at 22 18 57](https://www.newsshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-03-at-22.18.57-740x303.png)
These relay kits can be used to turn the CN-E 20-50mm T2.4 and CN-E 45-135mm T2.4 lenses into a 14-35 T1.7 and a 31.5-95mm respectively.
This is very similar to what Angenieux does with its EZ Zoom series.
Enhanced Communication
![Screenshot 2023 04 03 at 3 26 03 PM](https://www.newsshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screenshot-2023-04-03-at-3.26.03-PM-740x469.png)
Both lenses support efficient lens metadata workflows including Cooke /i Technology, and ZEISS eXtended Data via PL mount, alongside 4-pin Lemo connectivity. This is invaluable for virtual productions, where positional information is needed to ensure virtual backgrounds react as a natural background would to the perspective of the camera, as well as for post-production VFX workflows. Furthermore, electronic lens communication with chromatic aberration and peripheral illumination correction, as well as a Dual Pixel Focus Guide for manual focus assist via EF mount is available when used with compatible cameras.
Price & Availability
The CN-E 14-35mm T1.7 L S / SP, RL-S1 (CN-E 14-35mm T1.7 L S / SP relay kit) and RL-F1 (CN-E 20-50mm T2.4 L F / FP relay kit) will be available in late June 2023 and the CN-E 31.5-95mm T1.7 L S / SP, RL-S2 (CN-E 31.5-95mm T1.7 L S / SP relay kit) and RL-F2 (CN-E 45-135mm T2.4 L F / FP relay kit) will be available from late October 2023.
The pricing for the lenses is as follows:
![Screenshot 2023 04 03 at 3 26 38 PM](https://www.newsshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screenshot-2023-04-03-at-3.26.38-PM-740x759.png)
Despite their weight and size, these new zooms offer a T-stop that we haven’t seen before on S35 zooms with those focal ranges. While they won’t be for everyone, they are sure to be a popular choice in TV and film productions where fast zooms are required.