ARRI Rental | DNA lenses

DNA is an innovative and influential concept in lens development, pioneered by ARRI Rental in collaboration with visually ambitious cinematographers. Sourcing vintage optics from different historical periods, we embrace unusual image attributes that arouse an emotional response.

Selected optics are rehoused into modern lens casings, with the manufacturing carried out in-house at ARRI Rental. Each lens has its own personality, often customized for individual filmmakers, allowing stories to be told with a new visual boldness. Having evolved over several years, the Prime DNA series for 65 mm provides an exciting and characterful complement to the ALEXA 65 camera.

2017 12-20 ARRI Rental - Prime DNA Lenses Group_whited

Crafted through collaboration

The origins of DNA lie in the artistic drive of cinematographers who were early adopters of our exclusive ALEXA 65 camera. They all played a part in shaping the DNA concept and harnessing its creative possibilities; the DNA in the lenses is theirs.

Cinematographer Robert Richardson ASC ("Breathe")

There were moments of magic in the search that led us to decide upon a path together - meaning ARRI Rental and myself.

bradford-young-on-the-set-of-solo-a-star-wars-story-copy

Cinematographer Bradford Young ASC ("Solo")

DNA glass is a revelation and revolution in my journey to anchor my artistic residue into a particular story... no other glass has afforded me this opportunity.

Cinematographer Dante Spinotti ASC, AIC ("Ant-Man and the Wasp")

I was asked how I felt about the DNA lenses...what the feeling of the fall-off and everything else was, and I said I'd compare it to a beautiful bottle of wine, so soft and smooth.

Cinematographer Greig Fraser ASC, ACS ("Mary Magdalene")

Working closely with ARRI Rental we were able to develop lenses that had the right look and feel for the film...so we had a really nice and rounded mix of glass.

Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel ASC ("Bohemian Rhapsody")

Each DNA lens has its own personality. We aimed to create a film that wasn't perfect technically, but had an organic, handmade quality.

DNA credits

3 Body Problem

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live

The Kitchen

The Brothers Sun

Cabrini

Technical data

	Prime DNA 28 mm	Prime DNA 35 mm	Prime DNA 36 mm	Prime DNA 45 mm
Lens mount	LPL	LPL	LPL	LPL
LDS	LDM-2*	LDM-2*	LDM-2*	LDM-2*
Aperture	T2.8 - T22	T2.3 - T22	T2 - T22	T2.3 - T22
Close focus	45 cm / 18"	45 cm / 18"	33 cm / 13"	45 cm / 18"
Front diameter	114 mm / 4.49"	114 mm / 4.49"	114 mm / 4.49"	114 mm / 4.49"
Weight (lens only)	1.35 kg / 2.98 lb	1.53 kg / 3.37 lb	2.5 kg / 5.51 lb	1.43 kg / 3.15 lb

* LDM-2 chip carries LDA metadata and is compatible with LDS-2

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DNA news

Dec. 4, 2023

Michael Fimognari shoots 65 mm on Netflix’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”

Edgar Allen Poe’s classic tale is reimagined by DP/director Michael Fimognari and co-director Mike Flanagan using ARRI Rental’s ALEXA 65 camera with two contrasting lens series.

Nov. 8, 2023

“Boston Strangler” shot with ALEXA 65 and DNA lenses

Cinematographer Ben Kutchins brings the true crime story of the “Boston Strangler” to life with ARRI Rental’s exclusive ALEXA 65 camera and DNA lenses.

May 23, 2023

DNA lenses on "Meet Cute."

Cinematographer John Matysiak shoots Peacock's dark comedy “Meet Cute” in large format with ARRI Rental DNA LF and Prime DNA lenses on the ALEXA Mini LF.

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