Laowa Ultima FF 25-180mm T3.8 Zoom - Arri PL

Laowa Arri PL 25-180mm T3.8 Ultima FF

The Laowa Arri PL 25-180mm T3.8 Ultima FF is designed to bridge the gap between high-end cinema and fast broadcast production. The 7.2x zoom range runs from a wide 25 mm establishing shot to a 180 mm telephoto close-up, so within a single shot you go from overview to detail without changing lenses. The optical design supports 8K resolution and covers a full-frame image circle across the entire range, allowing you to use the lens on professional full-frame cinematography cameras with ARRI PL mount.

The constant T3.8 aperture is perhaps the greatest strength of this lens: the light-gathering power stays the same across the entire range from 25 to 180 mm, so you do not have to compensate when zooming in and out and you keep your exposure consistent. This is a clear advantage over zooms with a variable light-gathering power, especially when you have to react quickly in changing conditions. The optical design consists of 26 elements in 20 groups.

The parfocal construction keeps focus stable while you zoom, even during fast movements, and focus breathing is suppressed so that your angle of view stays the same during focus pulls. This prevents interruptions on set and delivers smooth, cinematic images. The eleven iris blades also give a round, natural-looking bokeh, with which you make your subject stand out nicely against a soft background.

The lens is fully tuned to professional workflows. Cine-standard gears (0.8 mod) on the focus, iris and zoom ring make it compatible with follow focus units and lens motors, and with a focus throw of 180° you focus precisely and repeatably. The dual distance scale shows both metres and feet. If you want to operate it in ENG style, you purchase the separately available Movcam servo drive. With this range, this light-gathering power and this operation, the lens is exceptionally suitable for cinema, broadcast and documentary productions, live events and reportage work where you work from wide to telephoto in a single movement.