IronGlass and Ancient Optics Achieve the 'Impossible' with Tokina 28-70mm Lens Rehousing

In a recent report of Cined, IronGlass and Ancient Optics announced that they had successfully completed a feat that many had written off: the correct rehousing of the Tokina 28-70mm lens for use on set.

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As a result, the IronGlass Phénix 28-70mm T2.7-dubbed the "impossible" zoom-is a full-frame zoom lens.

Talk has revolved around the Tokina 2870mm f/2.6-2.8, an old-school zoom lens that was introduced in the early nineties and shares a lot of similarities with the Angenieux 28-70 F/2.6 AF. Given that IronGlass and Ancient Optics have verified that the two brands utilize the identical optical technique, it is probable that Tokina made the Angenieux duplicates.

IronGlass overcame several engineering obstacles in order to select Tokina for their most recent rehousing project. One of the hardest optical designs to rehouse, it consists of five complex, simultaneous focus and zoom motions and sixteen components arranged in twelve groups. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian team persisted and succeeded in improving the source lens's performance in a number of ways.

Now called the IronGlass Phénix 28-70mm T2.7, the redesigned Tokina 28-70mm is equipped with MODO.8 gears and a Cerakoted aluminum cine housing that may be shimmable for the PL mount. With a front diameter of only 110 mm, the rehoused zoom is lightweight at 1.58 kg/3.5 lbs.

IronGlass Phénix 28-70mm. Image courtesy: Old Fast Glass