GL Optics 100mm T3.0 Lens
The GL Optics 100mm T3.0 is a 100mm f/3 cinema lens designed for PL Mount mount cameras. Used copies start from $875 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
GL Optics 100mm T3.0 Lens
Used GL Optics 100mm T3.0 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — GL Optics 100mm T3.0
Key Features — GL Optics 100mm T3.0
100mm Prime Focal Length: A fixed 100mm perspective well-suited for interviews, portraiture, and medium close-ups in narrative and documentary work.
T3.0 Maximum Aperture: Provides a usable stop for controlled or well-lit environments while maintaining a manageable lens size and weight.
Full-Frame Image Circle: Covers full-frame cinema sensors without vignetting, suitable for modern large-format and full-frame cinema platforms.
PL Mount: Industry-standard cinema mount ensures broad compatibility with professional camera bodies from ARRI, RED, and others.
Manual Focus Design: Dedicated manual focus ring allows focus pullers to execute precise, repeatable focus transitions in professional production workflows.
1,200g Build Weight: Solid construction at 1,200g is suited to rigged cinema setups, shoulder mounts, and gimbals without adding excessive load.
Lens Specifications — GL Optics 100mm T3.0
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Video / Cinematography |
| Lens Type | Cine |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 100mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/3 |
| Camera System | Cinema / Video |
| Lens Mount | PL Mount |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Weight | 1200g |
Description — GL Optics 100mm T3.0
The GL Optics 100mm T3.0 is a prime cinema lens designed for full-frame camera systems within the cinema and video camera ecosystem. It features a PL Mount, the standard mount for professional cinema cameras, ensuring wide compatibility across production-grade bodies. With a maximum aperture of T3.0 — expressed in cinema-standard T-stop notation for accurate light transmission measurement — the lens provides a reliable exposure baseline for controlled shooting environments.
Focus is entirely manual, with no autofocus capability, which aligns with professional cinema practice where dedicated focus pullers use follow focus systems for smooth, repeatable transitions. The lens covers a 100mm focal length in the standard range, making it well-suited to portrait framing, medium close-ups, and compressed background work. Weighing 1,200 grams, it is built for use on rigged cinema setups, fluid head tripods, and shoulder mounts rather than lightweight handheld configurations.
No image stabilization is present, so stable support is recommended for critical work.
Pros — GL Optics 100mm T3.0
- ✓Full-frame coverage (lensFormat: Full Frame) ensures compatibility with large-format and full-frame cinema sensors
- ✓Industry-standard PL Mount (mount.lens: PL Mount) provides broad compatibility with professional cinema cameras
- ✓T3.0 maximum aperture (maximumAperture: 3) gives cinematographers a workable stop for controlled lighting conditions
Cons — GL Optics 100mm T3.0
- ✗T3.0 maximum aperture is relatively modest for low-light cinema work compared to faster prime alternatives
- ✗No image stabilization (imageStabilization: None), requiring stable rigs or gimbals for smooth handheld operation
- ✗Manual focus only (autoFocus: false) means no autofocus option for run-and-gun or single-operator shooting styles
Videos — GL Optics 100mm T3.0
Fantastic vintage 100mm lens!! — Vintage Optiks
Frequently Asked Questions — GL Optics 100mm T3.0
What camera mount does the GL Optics 100mm T3.0 use?+
The lens uses a PL Mount, which is the industry-standard mount for professional cinema cameras. This is specified under mount.lens in the product data. Always verify your camera body accepts PL Mount lenses before purchasing.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
No. The GL Optics 100mm T3.0 is a manual focus only lens, as indicated by autoFocus: false and focusType: Manual. This is standard for professional cinema lenses, where focus pullers use follow focus systems for precise control.
What sensor sizes does this lens cover?+
The lens is rated for Full Frame coverage (lensFormat: Full Frame), meaning it is designed to cover full-frame and large-format cinema sensors without vignetting. Smaller sensor formats will also be covered.
How heavy is the GL Optics 100mm T3.0?+
The lens weighs 1,200 grams, as specified in the weight field. This is a solid, professional-grade weight suitable for rigged cinema setups but worth factoring into gimbal payload calculations.
What is the maximum aperture of this lens?+
The maximum aperture is T3.0, expressed in T-stop notation as is standard for cinema lenses. T-stops measure actual light transmission rather than the theoretical f-stop value, making them more precise for exposure matching across a lens set.
Is this lens suitable for a cinema production rig?+
Yes. The PL Mount, manual focus design, full-frame coverage, and 100mm prime focal length all align with professional cinema production workflows. Its 1,200g weight means it is best suited to supported rigs rather than lightweight handheld operation.