Bokeh Rentals recently acquired a state-of-the-art lens testing projector for its Los Angeles facility. The P-TP7 II is made by Chrosziel, an international company dedicated to lens technician equipment.

To celebrate, we’re writing about why Lens Testing Projectors are the unsung backbone of professional cinematography.

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Why Lens Projectors Are Important

Lens projectors are the most accurate way to judge the performance of a cinema lens.

The easiest way to test a lens is by simply shooting footage. Even if the image looks great in a monitor, that leaves a lot up to faith. Without a systematic test of your lens through a lens testing projector, you may be surprised when your footage is blown up to a movie screen or even just a television screen. There are plenty of image characteristics that wouldn’t be visible on a small screen, that would be boldly apparent on a large screen. Using a Lens Testing Projector takes any variables from the camera out of the equation, so you can be 100% sure about the quality of your cinema lens.

When you record images through a camera on a film set, the flow of light is through the lens into the sensor. Testing a cinema lens with a lens projector reverses this approach. Light is emanated through the projector, through the lens, and onto a wall. Lens technicians then use that light in conjunction with calibrated charts to assess the lens’ image.

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Testing Characteristics  

Lens testing is a systematic approach to uncovering many characteristics of the image: Sharpness throughout Image Image Circle Size / Sensor Coverage Focus Breathing Depth of Field These testing parameters are crucial to lens performance, especially with regard to lenses with many internal mechanics that can affect performance, such as the inner mechanisms of zoom lenses. The highest-quality zoom lenses, such as the Angenieux Optimo Ultra 12x Full Frame Cine Zoom, undergo the most rigorous lens testing through Lens Testing Projectors. That’s why the Optimo Ultra 12x has superb, consistent performance throughout aperture readings and zoom lengths.

Bokeh Rentals Lens Technician tests P+S Technik Technovision with Chrosziel TP7 II

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Creative Lens Testing

Lens Testing isn’t entirely about testing how well a lens performs. That’s because, when you get down to it, lens characteristics are subjective.

Any imperfections found are creative tools waiting to be exploited; look no further than the wealth of vintage-inspired cinema lenses on the market. These imperfections are embraced at all levels of filmmaking. For example, even the megabudget superhero film, The Batman, employed creative use of focus falloff at the frame’s edges.

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Bokeh Rentals New Lens Testing Projector 

Bokeh Rentals has a new lens projector to test all its equipment! This Lens Testing Projector, the P-TP7 II from Chrosziel, is the newest industry-grade lens testing system out there. In fact, an earlier version of the TP7 II was used by Chrosziel at its Lens Proejction Class at Cinegear back in 2019.

• Capable of fitting lenses with an image circle up to 60mm.
• Large universal mount (PL, LPL, EF, E, and others)
• 3 x 3 filter insert
• Support for 19mm rods
• Multiport for Lens Data & Lens Control

The P-TP7 II is used by Bokeh Rentals to ensure our rental equipment is operating at optimal performance. Contact us to learn more about our lens testing process or for any other inquiries.

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Considering renting? Why not check out Bokeh Rentals’ P+S Technik packages!

•Rent the PS TECHNIK TECHNOVISION ANAMORPHIC 1.5X FF at Bokeh Rentals

Contact us to customize a package to suit your production needs at low prices!