Overview of Bausch & Lomb Super Baltars

Released in the early 1960s, the Bausch & Lomb Super Baltars succeeded the original Baltars, accommodating the newer reflex camera systems. The original Baltars’ wider focal lengths were incompatible with reflex 35mm cameras, leading to the adoption of retrofocus optical designs for the wider Super Baltars, ensuring compatibility with reflex film cameras’ spinning mirrors.

The Super Baltars are slightly faster at f2 (T2.3) compared to the original Baltars’ maximum aperture of f2.3 (T2.5). They also offer impressive sensor coverage, surpassing other cinema lenses from that era. For instance, the 20mm T2.3 and 25mm T2.3 cover Alexa 35 Open Gate and Alexa Mini Open Gate, while the 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, and 152mm cover Full Frame.

Super Baltars deliver fairly sharp center performance when wide open, becoming very sharp when stopped down to T2.8. They produce a warm tone with medium/low contrast and softer edges compared to modern lenses. When wide open, they exhibit beautiful, textured bokeh that is consistent across the set. Stopped down, the unique iris design continues to produce lovely bokeh without being distracting. The lenses feature distinctive blue, purple, and amber coatings, resulting in stunning lens flares.

Notably, B & L Super Baltars were used to shoot “The Godfather” parts 1 and 2, and more recently, they were the primary lenses for “Rush” (2013) and “The Witch” (2015).

Our set has been rehoused by TLS, featuring a modern cam drive focus system that is buttery smooth and extremely reliable. Close focus is excellent across all seven lenses, which have matching gear positions and 110mm fronts. These lenses are among our favorites due to their gorgeous character combined with excellent Super 35+ and Full Frame coverage, making them ideal for modern sensors like the Alexa 35 and Alexa Mini LF.

 

BAUSCH & LOMB SUPER BALTAR	20MM	25MM	35MM	50MM	75MM	100MM	152MM
T-Stop Range	T2.3 – T22	T2.3 – T22	T2.3 – T22	T2.3 – T22	T2.3 – T22	T2.3 – T22	T2.3 – T22
Close Focus	18”	18”	18”	18”	22”	4’	6′
Length (IN)	3.55″	5.25”	3.60”	4.30”	4.65”	5.30”	6.63”
Image Circle	31 mm	31 mm	31 mm	31 mm	31 mm	31 mm	31 mm
Total Weight	3.36lb	4.44lb	2.88lb	2.85lb	3.38lb	4.30lb	5.31lb
Front Diameter	110mm	110mm	110mm	110mm	110mm	110mm	110mm

FEATURED HIGHLIGHTS

• Compatibility with Reflex Cameras: Designed for the introduction of reflex camera systems, using retrofocus optical designs for wider focal lengths.
• Faster Aperture: Super Baltars have a faster aperture at f2 (T2.3) compared to the original Baltars’ f2.3 (T2.5).
• Impressive Sensor Coverage:
  • 20mm T2.3 and 25mm T2.3 cover Alexa 35 Open Gate and Alexa Mini Open Gate.
  • 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, and 152mm cover Full Frame.
• Optical Performance:
  • Fairly sharp at center wide open, very sharp stopped down to T2.8.
  • Warm tone with medium/low contrast and softer edges than modern lenses.
  • Consistent, beautiful textured bokeh when wide open.
  • Unique iris design producing lovely bokeh when stopped down.
• Lens Coatings: Trademark blue, purple, and amber coatings create stunning lens flares.
• Cinematic History: Used in iconic films such as “The Godfather” parts 1 and 2, “Rush” (2013), and “The Witch” (2015).
• Versatile Coverage: Ideal for modern sensors like Alexa 35 and Alexa Mini LF, covering Super 35+ and Full Frame.