Angenieux 35-70 mm f/ 2.5-3.3 Lens

This French zoom was designed for still photography but it has a lot of cinema characteristics so it can be used on both still photography and HD digital video. In fact it reminds me of Angenieux cine zooms made for Arriflex, Bolex, Eclair ...ect movie cameras. I have one of these lenses in mint condition so since it is brand new in packaging and I am the first owner I can give a fair and accurate review of this unique lens. Here is a overall review:

Usability: Film/TV Fashion, Portrait, Headshot, Macro, Landscape , Product, Commercial

Pros: For portrait or still life it has the absolute perfect color palette neither too warm (Cooke lenses) or cool (Zeiss) and perfect softness not too (clinical) sharp.
 58mm filter
Lens shade that looks cool and works
Works well with Canon EOS digital (with adapter)
fast f2.5 at the 35mm end
true parfocal zoom
 clickless iris control, and the zoom, focus, and iris are all the correct direction for cinema

Angenieux 35-70 f2.5-3.3 zoom lens kit comes with (NEW) in packaging:

Angenieux 35-70mm f2.5 lens

Angenieux plastic rear and rubber front cap. The front cap is a rubber push on type, It fits very well and I actually prefer this to plastic lens covers.

Angenieux square lens shade (to reduce lens flare)

Angenieux filter holder (this seems to hold Series 8 filters but I havent used it yet)

Angenieux filter - This is the only filter included with a new Angenieux kit. But thats better than nothing as most lens kits do not include a filter. Its a Angenieux made screw in 58mm UV filter. I do NOT like this filter because it does not accept other filters. So you end up have to get another UV filter if you use other filters like NDs, polarizer, not too mention B&W filters! The good news its  a very common 58mm size not a odd size or the more expensive 72mm size!

Angenieux hard case. It is a rectangular scarlett red case with a orange-gold  velvet interior! Very classy and stylish. Very Euro, reminds me of high fashion like Armani or Prada.  It has room for the zoom lens and all the accessories that fit perfectly in the case.

Angenieux soft case-  black with the red Angenieux logo on it and is also a orange-gold velvet inside, very classy.

Angenieux manual: It is in 6 languages and it is pocket size.

Angenieux de-humidifier bag! I have never seen a bag like this with any new lens that  highly recommends its use at all times in a humid enviroment. I suspect haze is a problem with this lens in humid regions. Luckily I live in a dry climate so I do not have to use it.

Angenieux QA (quality assurance), serial number and MTF data card. Just when you thought Angenieux provided more than enough accessories to make sure you know they "made the perfect lense" they include a "hand signed" inspection signature by one of the French lens technicians! Very few lens manurfactures do that. They also include a "MTF" curve info on card. Dont feel bad if you do not know what a MTF curve is, I had to research that one, but its more for lens and optical engineers regarding lens resolution.

Angenieux lifetime warranty card. Yes this lens was designed for life ... the caveat is as long as you took care of it. And no they dont repair these lenses anymore if you damage it. I checked with Angenieux in 2012 and they only repair cinema lenses!

Angenieux box. This box has "Angenieux" in scarlet red san serif font against a black background. Black and red are great colors together so even the box looks stylish!
 

Overall the Angenieux 35-70mm f2.5 is one of the best manual zooms ever made for 35mm film photography or DSLR. The bokeh is incredible , the best of any zoom including Canon L or Olympus OM ED glass, and the "Angenieux " look is unique. It is not as sharp as a Zeiss and it is warmer than a Zeiss as well so it really depends on your taste. It can be used for cinema because as its a parfocal zoom, on a HD DSLR or HD camera but keep in mind it wont be as "precise" as a dedicated cine lens like the  Zeiss Compact Prime CP2 lenses but it is operational after a cine modification with focus rings.

Weaknesses:

The only thing I do not like about this Angenieux lens is the rarity, price and durability. Everyone is probably aware its a rare zoom, probably no more than 50 today are around in Olympus OM mount (other mounts like Nikon, Leica, Canon FD, Sony/Minolta are more common...) althought Canon, Sony and Nikon AF mount are even more rare and those exist in 28-70mm range. It is not weatherproof so you need to use the lens with care. It wasn't designed for heavy use or in harsh weather. This zoom is prone to humidity and haze if not kept in a dry place. It also is prone to dust so most the time it should be shot in a studio or in good weather. The plastic on the barrel is a bit soft so it scratches too easily, so its not near as durable or weatherproof as Canon L zooms. Because of this Angenieux included a "Angenieux anti-humidity and anti-dust plastic bag" in the lens kit. It even has a warning label  that says to keep the lens sealed in the bag (to keep out moisture leading to haze/fungus) in case of a humid environment. It is also prone to lens flare which can either be good or bad depending on your style. Again Angenieux was ahead here and included a Angenieux lens shade and filter also with the kit which reduces flare a substantial amount but not completely.

Cons: Price, super rare zoom. A white buffalo is easier to find than this lens.

Weatherproof/Durability. Horrible. Scratches and dings very very easily because of the early plastic made design barrel (1980s) , not weather proof sealed at all. Vulnerable to shock. Very vulnerable to dust, sand, water and humidity. Basically a "studio" lens or outdoors on a perfect day (no rain/snow/sand...)

Vignettes at 35mm

Prone to lens flare (can be good or bad depending on your style)
 

Comments:

I use this lens on professional shoots and it definitely delivers. It has a unique look that rivals Canon L lenses , Olympus OM ED lenses and Zeiss lenses. But a durable pelican case is needed to transport the lens because it is that fragile.