An interview from the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas with David Warner of ZEISS at the B&H booth.

Ahead of NAB 2026, ZEISS introduced the new Aatma, set of nine high-end full frame T1.5 cinema primes (18mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 65mm, 85mm, 100mm, and 135mm) designed to marry the benefits of modern optical design with the nostalgic image characteristics that are popular today. Drawing inspiration from some of the most beloved ZEISS lenses of the 20th century, Aatma combines an emotion-driven look with the mechanical reliability, data integration, and workflow compatibility that's expected for current production.

“With Aatma, we wanted to give cinematographers an expressive and characterful choice within the ZEISS offering,” says Jeanfre Fachon, Senior Product Manager Cinema at ZEISS. “Over the years, we have come to acknowledge how much some of our legacy lens lines are still appreciated. But Instead of simply remaking them, we looked at their most appealing characteristics and drew inspiration to incorporate into a new optical design.”

The name "Aatma" was derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “innermost essence,” “self,” or "soul". So, it is fitting that ZEISS Aatma lenses are designed to evoke emotion while maintaining consistency across the set. Their image character recalls classic ZEISS optics, offering softly painted skin texture with reduced contrast, smooth and vibrant focus transitions between planes, and a rich bokeh with subtle soap bubble effect. This carefully created aesthetic allows cinematographers to achieve a nostalgic yet refined look that supports storytelling without compromising control and repeatability.

Aatma lenses balance character with versatility. They produce an organic, emotionally resonant image while remaining suitable for a wide range of cinematic applications. Their rendering enhances texture and atmosphere, enabling filmmakers to infuse personal style into each frame while retaining the precision required for contemporary productions.

While Aatma’s optical design draws from the past, its mechanical design reflects ZEISS’ modern high-end cinema lens standards. The lenses retain the proven form factor, size, weight, and operability of ZEISS’ current premium cine lenses. "Extensive positive feedback on ergonomics meant there was no need to reinvent the wheel—only to adapt what is already known and trusted to work seamlessly with Aatma’s optical design," Fachon adds. Like all modern high-end ZEISS cinema lenses, Aatma comes equipped with ZEISS eXtended Data (XD) technology and is fully integrated into the ZEISS CinCraft ecosystem, supporting efficient workflows for visual effects, camera tracking, and virtual production.

For more information please visit: www.ZEISS.com