Panavision
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History

Panavision is the world's leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of precision film and digital camera systems, lenses and accessories for motion pictures, television series and television commercials. Winner of numerous global awards, including Oscar® and Emmy® awards, Panavision camera systems and technology have been widely used in filming major motion pictures for over 50 years, from legendary films including LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and BEN-HUR to today's features including IRON MAN and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT. In television, Panavision film and digital camera systems are used on U.S. prime time episodic network and cable television productions such as CSI, all three versions of LAW & ORDER, LOST and 24.

In addition, the Company is a leading worldwide rental house of film and digital systems available from virtually every major manufacturer, with offices throughout the world. It also manufactures and sells lighting filters and other color-correction and diffusion filters through its Lee Filters operation.

Panavision's Panalux™ global lighting business supplies lighting systems to filmmakers around the planet with offices in the United Kingdom, Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The Panalux group provides lighting, lighting grip, power distribution, generation and related transportation equipment. Recently, Panalux supplied the lighting needs of major films such as CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN, MADE OF HONOR, and the QUANTUM OF SOLACE, the James Bond film.

Panavision is the leading voice in motion pictures produced on film and digital media. Over half of all films awarded Oscars® for Best Picture of the Year since 1990 have been shot with Panavision's cameras and lenses. In addition, over 80 percent of Oscar-winning cinematographers since 1990 have used Panavision cameras for their award-winning work.

With the debut of the Panavision Genesis® digital camera system in 2004, Panavision is the leader in digital motion picture production. In May, 2008, for example, of the Daily Variety top 10 box office films, nine of the ten films were shot with Panavision camera systems, and two of those productions were shot with the Genesis digital system.
 
2000s
  2009   Digital Transfer Station (PDTS) is introduced.  
  2008   Anamorphic Relay Tube (ART) is released, enabling the use of all Panavision’s spherical lenses on anamorphic productions. Its high performance relay optics convert the spherical image to a 2x anamorphic image at the film plane.  
  2007   Genesis® Display Processor (GDP2) released, bridging the gap between production and post, enabling better on-set visualization and communication of image intent to post.  
  2007   Panavision® Compact Zoom (PCZ) lens introduced, a spherical lens, providing 19 to 90mm zoom range, in about half the size and weight of comparable zooms.  
  2007   Introduction of the Solid State Recorder (SSR) for the Genesis digital camera, a small, lightweight solid-state recorder.  
  2007   G-Series Anamorphic Lenses are developed, a complete new set of anamorphic primes: 35, 40, 50, 60, 75, and 100mm.  
  2007   Anamorphic Telephoto Zoom (ATZ) 70-200mm introduced.  
  2007   Millennium® Advanced Video (MAV) released  
  2007   HD Modular Accessory Kit for 2/3" digital video cameras introduced, a new way to “Panavize” digital video cameras, allowing the use of standard Panavision accessories to be used, which stay with the camera when transitioning to handheld mode.  
  2007   Remote Systems introduces the PanaMount™, providing three Mitchell mounts, always available for underslung, overslung and front-mounted positions at the end of a crane.  
  2005   Genesis Display Processor (GDP) released  
  2004   Development of the Anamorphic Three-Perforation Imaging System for film or electronic sensors, allowing a 2.40 image on a 1.78 shaped sensor via 1.34x anamorphic squeeze.  
  2004   Anamorphic Wide Angle Zoom Lens (AWZ2) 40-80mm is released  
  2004   Introduction of the Panaflex® Millennium XL2 (XL2), with faster speeds, better video, improved ergonomics and new mechanics.  
  2004   300x Compound Zoom Lens (300X) 7-2100mm is introduced, a high performance lens system with an unprecedented 300:1 optical zoom ratio for digital high definition applications.  
  2004   Panavision Introduces the Genesis (GCB) digital camera system.  
  2004   Hylén Lens System (HSMU) is released, allowing on-set users the ability to manipulate the intermediate image with a wide range of organic optical effect “plug-ins” prior to image capture.  
  2003   Philo T. Farnsworth Corporate Achievement Engineering Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmy Award). The award was given for Panavision's technological achievements in the advancement of cameras, lenses, lighting, video assist, cranes, specialty camera items and grip equipment.  
  2002   Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Academy Award of Merit) for continuing development and innovation in the design and manufacturing of advanced camera systems specifically designed for the motion picture entertainment industry [Oscar® statuette].  
  2002   Introduction of the Remote Digital Control (RDC)  
  2002   Remote Systems releases the Automatic Pan & Tilt Telescope Compensation for telescopic cranes.  
  2001   Panavision introduces the Panavision Smartlens® (SLCD) system for reading and displaying lens data, including  focus distance, T-stop, focal length and depth of field in real time.  
  2001   Primo Macro® Zoom (PMZ) 14.5-50mm is released  
  2000   Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development for the development of the Primo lens series [Emmy® statuette].  
  2000   Panavision Introduces the HD-900F High Definition Camera System (HD900F). In 2004 Panavision and Sony jointly received the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Engineering Award, for the Panavised F900, the first digital 24p imaging system that gives the appearance of film shot in 35mm. [Emmy® statuette].  
  2000   Remote Systems introduces the Fourth Axis Head  
1990s
  1999   Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Scientific and Engineering Award) plaque for the development of the Millennium Camera System Viewfinder (MFT, MEPX, MEPP). This unique and versatile viewfinder with two independent viewing positions provides a very high-resolution video assist image, greatly enhancing its application for on-set compositing or non-linear editing.  
  1998   Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Scientific and Engineering Award) plaque for the concept and development of the Primo Series of spherical prime lenses for 35mm cinematography. The Primo Series of lenses for 35mm cinematography represents a thorough and comprehensive approach to prime lens design, development and manufacture. This family of lenses has a wide range of focal lengths, all color matched, with improved modulation transfer function characteristics.  
  1997   Introduction of the Millennium Camera System (PFX-M), a light, quiet camera that easily converts between studio, handheld and Steadicam modes. In 1999, Panavision received an Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development statuette for the development of the Millennium XL camera system (PFXMXL). [Emmy ®statuette].  
  1996   Frazier Lens System (FLS) is introduced, an extremely versatile lens system with image rotation centered about the optical axis (through 360°).  
  1996   Remote Systems releases Automatic Back-Pan Compensation for cranes.  
  1994   Introduction of Primo® 3:1 zoom lens (SLZ3) 135-420mm. In 1995, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Scientific and Engineering Award) plaque for the development of the Primo 3:1 zoom lens.  
  1994   Release of the Focus, T & Zoom controller (FTZSAC).  
  1993   Introduction of Primo 11:1 zoom lens (SLZ11) 24-275mm. In 1994, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Scientific and Engineering Award) plaque for the development of the Primo 11:1 zoom lens for motion picture photography.  
  1993   Release of the Panaflex Lightweight II Camera (PFXLW-II)  
  1992   Release of the Panatape II (PT2), an ultrasonic range finder, measuring the distance from the film plane to a selected solid object.  
  1992   Release of the Panalite II (PL2), a camera-mounted eye light.  
  1992   Slant Focus Lens (SR24-SF, SR45-SF) 24 & 45mm and Anamorphic Slant Focus Lens (AR90-SF) 90mm introduced.  
  1991   Macro Lens Series (Spherical & Anamorphic) developed.  
  1991   Panavision System 65 (65SPFX) studio camera is released.  
  1991   150mm Primo Prime Lens (SL150) introduced.  
  1991   Smart Shutter (SSCB2) introduced.  
  1990   Release of the Pedestal System.  
  1990   Primo series of spherical prime lenses becomes available, which received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Technical Achievement Award) certificate for the concept and development of the Primo Series of spherical prime lenses for 35mm cinematography. In 1991, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Scientific and Engineering Award) plaque for the concept and development of the Primo Zoom Lens (SLZ).  
  1990   Release of the Remote Focus and T-Stop Controller (RFT).  
1980s
  1988   Introduction of Primo® 4:1 zoom lens (SLZ) 17.5-75mm.  
  1987   Panastar® II (PSTR-II) and Panaflex GII (PFX-GII) are released.  
  1986   Panaflex Platinum (PFX-P) is introduced.  
  1984   Introduction of Panaflex 16 (PFXEL)  
  1982   The release of the Eyepiece Leveler (EPL), revolutionizing the use of gear and fluid heads.  In 1998, the Eyepiece Leveler received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Technical Achievement Award), issued to Tak Miyagishima and Albert Saiki for the design and development of the Eyepiece Leveler. This leveler keeps the camera eyepiece at the same level, regardless of whether the camera position is tilted up or down, enabling the camera operator to concentrate on the composition of the image. [NOTE: This was awarded to the actual employees of the Company; this record is included as a reference].  
  1980   Introduction of Panacam® (PCAM) video camera. Panavision’s first electronic cinematography camera design that incorporated state of the art video camera technology with motion picture reflex viewfinding and optics.  
1970s
  1977   Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class III) academy citation for the design of Panalite (PL), a camera-mounted controllable light for motion picture photography.  
  1977   Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class III) academy citation for the engineering of the Panahead (PH) gearhead for motion picture cameras – first newly engineered Gear Head in over 20 years.  
  1977   Panastar (PSTR) high speed camera is released.  
  1976   Super Speed Lenses released. Later that year, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class III) academy citation for the design and development of the super-speed lenses for motion picture photography.  
  1976   2000 -foot Magazines developed.  
  1976   Introduction of the Panaflex Gold (PFX-G) camera system.  
  1975   Panaflex Lightweight (PFXLW) is released.  
  1974   Introduction of Panaflex X (PFX-X) camera.  
  19724   Panaglow introduced, an illuminated ground glass frameline system which enabled camera operators to see their framelines in low light situations.  
  1972   Panaflex camera introduced, the first truly silent hand-held studio camera, top or rear mount magazine. Later that year, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class II) plaque for the development and engineering of the Panaflex motion picture camera. In February of 1973, the first production camera was used in the filming of “Sugarland Express.”  In 1977, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class II) plaque for the concept and engineering of the improvements incorporated in the Panaflex Motion Picture Camera. Then in 1978, Panavision received another Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Academy Award of Merit) statuette for the concept, design and continuous development of the Panaflex Motion Picture Camera System.  
1960s
  1969   First use of Low Inertia Motor/Basket Motor to drive a motion picture camera.  
  1969   Panagraphic/Variable Power Printing Lens, the only non-cinematography lens manufactured and designed by Panavision. It was used by the printing industry.  
  1968   Panaspeed Motor, the first crystal-controlled motor in the Industry. In 1969, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class III) academy citation for the design and development of the Panaspeed Motion Picture Camera Motor.  
  1968   65mm hand-held motion picture camera (65HR) is released.  
  1967   Panavision Silent Reflex (PSR) 35mm camera is introduced.  
  1967   Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class III) certificate of honorable mention for a Variable Speed Motor for Motion Picture Cameras.  
  1966   Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class III) certificate of honorable mention for the design of the Panatron Power Inverter and its application to motion picture camera operation.  
  1960  

Mirage Lens developed and used in “Lawrence of Arabia”.

  
1950s
  1959   Ultra Panavision 70 released, (65mm Camera Blimp, 1.25x Anamorphic Lenses, 1.25x Projection Attachments).  
  1958   Ultra Speed Panatar™ 35mm taking lenses released.  
  1958   Super Panavision 70 released (70mm Projection lenses, Sphero Panatar lenses, Silent Camera). The first movie shot in this system was "The Big Fisherman" (released in 1959).  
  1958   Introduction of the Auto Panatar™ 35mm anamorphic taking lens. Later that year, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class II) plaque for the design and development of the Auto Panatar anamorphic photographic lens for 35mm CinemaScope photography.   In 1993, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Academy Award of Merit) for the Auto Panatar anamorphic photographic lens. [Oscar® statuette].  
  1955   Introduction of Ultra Panatar™ 35mm projection lens, an anamorphic projection attachment which could be mounted directly on the objective lens.  
  1955   Introduction of MGM Camera 65; the first Film made in MGM Camera 65 was "Raintree County"; then in 1959, the inventors of Camera 65, Robert Gottschalk and John Moore of Panavision and Douglas Shearer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class II) for the development of a system of producing and exhibiting wide-film motion pictures known as Camera 65. [NOTE: This was awarded to the actual employees of the Company; this record is included as a reference.]  In 1968, Panavision received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Scientific or Technical Award (Class II) plaque for the conception, design and introduction of the 65mm hand-held motion picture camera.  
  1954   Introduction of Super Panatar® variable 35mm anamorphic projection lens, a prismatic variable projection attachment, the Super Panatar started selling at $895.00 per pair.  
  1954   Introduction of Micro Panatar™, an optical unit for the conversion of anamorphic negative to conventional prints, or for the conversion of conventional negative to anamorphic prints in the laboratory.  
 
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