What is a PL mount lens?

[goldrush]

I know it's a lens for a "35 mm film camera"...but I don't see much mention of PL mount lenses online. Is that a layman's term for something else? I mean, is an Arriflex lens a PL mount lens (most Arriflex lenses don't say anything about PL mount). If a lens is described as being for a "Super 16mm camera" is that a PL mount lens? I've never seen one in real life, nor touched one, so I'm just not sure which lenses are and which are not PL mount.

[Luis Caffesse]

It is actually an Arri developed mount, which is probably why you don't see it specified when Arriflex lenses are mentioned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arri_PL

[goldrush]

I see. So any Arriflex lens is a PL mount lens then? Any other manufacturers?

[Barry_Green]

No. PL mount was designed by Arriflex, but that doesn't mean that all PL lenses are Arri lenses, nor does it mean that all Arri lenses are PL. Arri lenses were also offered in Arri Standard and Arri Bayonet mount.

(and, for that matter there's really no such thing as an Arriflex lens anyway, Arri doesn't make lenses).

[goldrush]

Thanks for that info. Nice and concise! Cheers.

[Andrew Brinkhaus]

PL stands for positive lock, what is most convenient about this mount as opposed to the older bayonet mount, is the ability to "notch" lock the lens in 4 different configurations, so the barrel markings and witness marks can be set on the smart side, dumb side, top, or bottom, which makes it convenient for the focus puller in unique situations. PL pretty much dominates in terms of mounts, all motion picture cameras use PL, though Panavisions PV mount is used quite often as well.

85mm PL mount-
http://www.cinematechnic.com/images/products/Canon_85mmT1,4_K-35_PL.jpg

[Kholi]

Brinkhaus is that your lens? Beautifulz.

[Andrew Brinkhaus]

Haa, I wish! :beer:

[sean90291]

I went to read about CinemaTechnic after seeing the pictures of those lenses Andrew posted above. The CinemaTechnic site has some interesting things to say about PL mount lenses...mainly they're becoming increasingly rare and in demand, as more filmmakers find new uses for them (on newer digital cameras like the Red). But I gotta think it's just a matter of time before more manufacturers start making more of them to meet the demand.

[Kholi]

It's actually a VERY good thing. As these lenses become of use to a larger bracket, that means more people are going to begin producing lenses with the same characterisitics.

Once the supply is larger, the demand decreases and so do prices. =)