"Lens Breathing"

jambredz

jambredz

Veteran
what does this mean?
I always hear you guys talk about that and focus throw. I know what focus throw is now (after someone here explained it)...but what does it mean when the lens "breathes".

Tryin' to grasp some of these terms. I'm sure i've seen a lens breathe and not even know.
 
Yes, breathing refers to unwanted change of framing when the focus is altered. High end cinema lenses do not breathe (or move).
 
kool. It appears that i've always seen this an didnt even know what it meant. I shoot with my dvx so that doesnt breathe...but the still lenses do. (cuz i've always seen this in conjunction with 35mm adapters).
 
Still lenses are not designed to remain in focus as the focal length changes - the extra internal complication just isn't needed. They usually track sufficiently close to not be a problem, but with video lenses - it's vital. It's always interesting to try this on the cameras on display at the various video shows. I was comparing the Panasonic HPX301 with others - having been buying one/not buying one so many times in the last year, and I compared the new Sony with the 301, and the thing that stuck out wasn't picture quality - it was that the Sony lens remained at a constant focal length as focus was changed, while the Panasonic didn't - the breathing being pretty bad. My two JVCs I use currently have different lenses, one being better than the other in this area.
 
I'm trying to understand this too. If I understand it correctly, prime lens don't have this problem, correct?
 
Lor said:
I'm trying to understand this too. If I understand it correctly, prime lens don't have this problem, correct?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily, it depends on the manufacturer, which depends on the price. A lens from panavision or other high end glass from zeiss, angenieux.....etc probably will not have that problem.

Other lower end primes might still breathe.

As mentioned before still primes will most definitely breathe.
 
Yea Cook, Zeiss, Red Pro Primes, and other high end primes wont exhibit any form of breathing. However if you have ever shot 7d, or 5d, you know that SLR glass tend to do it more so than any other, just because is wasn't made for filmmaking. Because the SLR video cameras are really hot on the presses right now, you are hearing more people talking about breathing issues.

Graham R
 
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