ZEISS has unveiled Aatma – a new series of full-frame cinema prime lenses, at the BSC Expo World Premiere. Designed to combine modern optical precision with a nostalgic visual character, the Aatma lineup draws inspiration from some of ZEISS’s most iconic 20th-century lenses while meeting the technical demands of contemporary productions.
The Aatma series comprises T/1.5 prime lenses in nine focal lengths: 18mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 65mm, 85mm, 100mm, and 135mm. The name “Aatma,” derived from the Sanskrit word for “soul,” reflects the lenses’ focus on emotional rendering. ZEISS says the lenses deliver softly rendered skin tones, reduced contrast, smooth focus fall-off, and rich bokeh with a subtle soap-bubble character, offering a refined yet expressive aesthetic suited to narrative filmmaking.
Despite their vintage-inspired look, the lenses are built to ZEISS’s modern cinema standards, maintaining consistent size, weight, and ergonomics for streamlined on-set operation. They feature ZEISS eXtended Data (XD) technology and integrate with the ZEISS CinCraft ecosystem, supporting visual effects, camera tracking, and virtual production workflows.
ZEISS also announced Panoptes 65, a separate 65mm-format lens series scheduled for delivery in summer 2026. The set will include ten T2.2 focal lengths ranging from 25mm to 180mm and is designed for large-format cameras such as the ARRI Alexa 265 and Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65.
The Aatma lenses are available to order now, with deliveries beginning in June 2026 through authorized ZEISS Cinema dealers. More details are available on their website: https://zeiss.com/aatma.
