LVX Badalamenti Cinema Optics has unveiled the SUÁREZ optical assortment, a brand new set of spherical, beauty-focused cinema lenses that extends past conventional optics into significant social impression. The gathering represents each a technical achievement and a private journey for the corporate’s founder.
For a bit over a yr, we’ve got been following the story of LVX, a small firm led by Director/DP Peppe Badalamenti Suárez. Initially of 2024, we coated the introduction of the LVX AURORA V2 sequence, and in a while, the introduction of the AURORA LT cine prime lens set. Now the corporate is upping their recreation by bringing a brand new set of lenses to the market, however extra importantly, including a human philanthropic side to the upcoming launch—one which, so far as I can keep in mind, has by no means been explored on such a scale. Is the social initiative that accompanies this marketing campaign an indication of a growing development? Time will inform, however it’s also honest to say right here Ron Sim of Simmod, who only in the near past launched his APSARA line of lenses with a promise to provide again by establishing a brand new movie academy and supporting the younger filmmaking group in Cambodia. (See our pleasant podcast chat with Ron, right here.)
SUÁREZ lenses. Credit score: LVX
The story behind the glass
The SUÁREZ assortment carries deep private significance for LVX founder Peppe Badalamenti Suárez, who devoted the lens set to his mom. The title itself derives from Hebrew etymology – “Shua Resh” which means “the chief who solutions the cries for assist” – a philosophy that extends into the challenge’s philanthropic mission.
“Creating lenses has been a deeply private journey full of trials, errors, and exquisite moments, very similar to life itself,” explains Badalamenti, who launched LVX two years in the past after overcoming years of dependancy. The corporate title, which means “gentle” in Latin, displays each the technical deal with optics and a broader dedication to illuminating constructive change.
Peppe Badalamenti Suárez. Credit score: LVX
Technical growth course of
The SUÁREZ lenses start with Canon Sumire optics as their basis, which the crew then spent almost a yr analyzing alongside traditional and classic glass of their projector room. The event targeted on creating what they time period a “beauty-focused, beauty lens” with particular optical traits:
- Diminished acutance and distinction whereas preserving decision
- Enhanced shade presence and heat on the diffusion level
- Average focus roll-off for creamy separation
- Managed halation that enhances the bokeh traits
- Minimized distortion to take care of picture integrity
The lenses function full-frame protection/massive picture circle, appropriate with 35mm full-frame/large-format cameras (46.7mm picture circle), 8K resolving energy functionality, near-zero lens respiratory by inside focus, and 300° focus barrel rotation.
LVX SUÁREZ on set. Credit score: LVX
Philanthropic integration
Half of all income(!) from the SUÁREZ assortment will help Nova Vita, a company offering take care of infants born in Santa Teresita girls’s jail in Guatemala Metropolis. These kids face extreme challenges, dwelling within the facility till age 4 earlier than separation from their moms, typically with restricted authorities help for fundamental wants or growth packages.
This social mission differentiates SUÁREZ from typical lens bulletins!
Product configurations and availability
LVX gives two variations of the SUÁREZ assortment:
LT Model (Conversion): Makes use of authentic Canon Sumire housing with customized paint and detailing
- When buying a set of 6 lenses: $4,600 per lens.
- When buying a person lens: $5,000
Rehoused Model: Totally machined from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum whereas sustaining light-weight traits
- When buying a set of 6 lenses: $7,000 per lens
- When buying a person lens: $7,500
Further coating elimination service is out there for $1,000 per lens. Manufacturing requires a 50% deposit with a present supply time of 4 months. All models ship from Los Angeles with native pickup out there.
Photographs from the “El Migrante” brief movie. Credit score: LVX
Last ideas
The SUÁREZ assortment enters a aggressive market. Within the final couple of months, we reported on the SIGMA Aizu prime line. Simmod APSARA and Lomography Joseph Petzval (simply to call a number of). Every of those corporations took a unique design strategy and operates at a unique worth bracket, so whereas we may be evaluating apples to oranges, the objective is for example how crowded this lens phase has develop into. And on this regard, the SUÁREZ strategy emphasizes emotional storytelling and social duty alongside optical efficiency.
The pricing positions SUÁREZ under premium cinema lens units whereas incorporating customized modifications and humanitarian impression that distinguish it from normal transformed optics. The four-month supply timeline displays the boutique nature of the operation in comparison with mass-market lens producers. This announcement follows trade tendencies towards specialised, story-driven lens growth that CineD has tracked all through 2024 and 2025. Because the market continues increasing past conventional producers, smaller operations like LVX reveal how private narrative and social mission can differentiate optical merchandise in an more and more crowded discipline.
Launch occasion
LVX will conduct a lens launch occasion at CSLA, Los Angeles, on Thursday, August twenty first, from 4 PM to eight PM. You possibly can reserve your house by clicking right here.
How do you’re feeling in regards to the new initiative of supporting social wants by promoting merchandise? Do you see your self buying these lenses to assist a very good trigger? Please share your ideas with us within the remark part under.
