Arri Standard vs Bayonet mount for Wide Angle lenses

[George Hill]

Currently shopping for a wide angle lens, probably the 5.9 mm angenieux, and I am wondering if it is a huge advantage to have the b mount over the s mount for these smaller lenses. I understand the b mount is more stable especially with big heavy zooms but with a lighter lens will it be a big difference? I’m going to be using it for handheld work

[Steve Switaj]

One thing to remember with wide angle lenses is that while they have great depth of field, they have shallow depth of focus, so holding correct backfocus can be very important with a short lens.

And, of course, 5.9mm  is about as short as short gets.

That said, it's been a long time since I handled either an Angenieux 5.9 or an S mount Arri other than to move it to dust the shelf, so hopefully someone with more recent experience can offer an better answer.

[George Hill]

6 hours ago, Steve Switaj said:

One thing to remember with wide angle lenses is that while they have great depth of field, they have shallow depth of focus, so holding correct backfocus can be very important with a short lens.

And, of course, 5.9mm  is about as short as short gets.

That said, it's been a long time since I handled either an Angenieux 5.9 or an S mount Arri other than to move it to dust the shelf, so hopefully someone with more recent experience can offer an better answer.

I’ve read on another thread on here that the aluminum standard sockets can get worn down and cause issues with the backfocus so I could always put the lens in the steel b socket if that’s an issue. I think my camera is in decent shape though

What I’m really wondering about is how snugly the lens will be held in place, especially if I’m moving the camera around a lot

[Simon Wyss]

Simple check: pull on the mounted lens and feel any longitudinal play. If snug, leave everything alone. If wiggly, give camera to service together with the lens.

[Duncan Brown]

I don't think I've ever seen the 5.9 in a B-mount, so that may be your answer right there (nobody thought it necessary?)  I will say that I've bought and sold several of the Angenieux 5.9mm Arri-S lens trying to find one I was happy with and never did.  The image just wasn't sharp or clear enough for my liking.  To my eye it was an optical design thing, not a backfocus thing.  The image was overall sharp, but had all kinds of smeary/flare-y places in it. 

The Kinoptik 5.7 is, in my opinion, a vastly superior lens.  I've also not seen it in B-mount, though it certainly is big and heavy enough to justify it, so I bet they made some that way.  The fact that it typically sells for a lot more than the 5.9 would indicate I'm not the only one who thinks it is a better choice!

Duncan

Edited June 20, 2025 by Duncan Brown

[George Hill]

3 hours ago, Duncan Brown said:

I don't think I've ever seen the 5.9 in a B-mount, so that may be your answer right there (nobody thought it necessary?)  I will say that I've bought and sold several of the Angenieux 5.9mm Arri-S lens trying to find one I was happy with and never did.  The image just wasn't sharp or clear enough for my liking.  To my eye it was an optical design thing, not a backfocus thing.  The image was overall sharp, but had all kinds of smeary/flare-y places in it. 

The Kinoptik 5.7 is, in my opinion, a vastly superior lens.  I've also not seen it in B-mount, though it certainly is big and heavy enough to justify it, so I bet they made some that way.  The fact that it typically sells for a lot more than the 5.9 would indicate I'm not the only one who thinks it is a better choice!

Duncan

Du-all has a bayonet one for sale right now, they do seem pretty rare though. I’m sure you’re right that the kinoptik is better but I’m really looking for something compact. I would rather have the zeiss 8mm or Cooke 9.5 over the kinoptik, but I do really want a super wide, almost fisheye look. I’ve looked at a bunch of footage taken with the angenieux 5.9 and I definitely understand what you mean about the smearing but I think I might be ok with that

[Duncan Brown]

Hey, lookie there, they do have one in Arri-B  So now I have seen one that way!

The Zeiss 8mm is a very very sharp lens, no problems there at all, but as you note, it's only "wide" not "crazy wide" (and I do love me some crazy-wide lenses, as you might have figured out.)

Duncan

[Khyber Jones]

I had the Angie 5.9 in b-mount at one point. The b-mount will be a bit more solid and easy to adapt to PL if you want. Since the lens is fixed focus and you won't be touching it unless to change iris it's probably fine in Arri-s mount 

I have a Kinoptik 5.7 now and do prefer it over the Angie 5.9 - the angie has a distinct look and flares that can be a bit much but not necessarily a bad thing. Mine also didn't cover S16 but I know some do if the front has been modified

[Duncan Brown]

There's an Arri-B mount 5.7 Kinoptik on ebay right now, so there's proof that those exist too.

Duncan

[Duncan Brown]

And now an Arri-B Angie 5.9 shows up on ebay too - they're everywhere all of a sudden!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236198604963

Duncan

[George Hill]

On 7/15/2025 at 8:50 AM, Duncan Brown said:

And now an Arri-B Angie 5.9 shows up on ebay too - they're everywhere all of a sudden!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236198604963

Duncan

Ended up going for one in standard mount, I figure since it’s a small light lens it shouldn’t make a huge difference. I will be using it in the bayonet port though to try to avoid any potential backfocus issues, plus you it’s so wide you can’t mount any other lenses simultaneously so why not. The one I got is pretty much mint but not gonna lie this one you linked looks pretty decent considering they’re asking half as much as most other sellers

[Duncan Brown]

Haha yeah good point, the ultrawides don't play well with others on a turret.  Hope you have two port caps for the other holes 🙂

Duncan