65mm camera system by Panavision designed for ultra-widescreen capture, projected on 70mm film at a 2.76:1 aspect ratio.
Technical Details
The system utilizes Panavision's spherical 65mm lenses, specifically calculated for the large negative format. The standard camera speed is 24fps, with high-speed shooting up to 120fps possible. Film transport is handled by a dual-claw system with registration pin-controlled image steadiness. The lenses cover focal lengths from 35mm to 500mm, with 50mm considered the standard focal length. The film runs vertically through the camera, allowing for a more compact design than horizontal 65mm systems like VistaVision.
History & Development
Panavision developed Ultra 70 in the late 1980s in response to the growing demand for large-format cinema projections. The system debuted in 1990 with Ron Howard's "Far and Away." Unlike earlier 65mm systems such as Todd-AO, Panavision focused on improved optical quality and more practical handling on set. After the digital transition, Ultra 70 experienced a renaissance through Christopher Nolan's consistent use of the format, beginning with "The Dark Knight" (2008), which first combined 65mm footage with IMAX projections.
Practical Use in Film
"Dunkirk" (2017) was shot over 70% in Ultra 70, with the aerial combat scenes demonstrating the format's exceptional detail resolution. Paul Thomas Anderson used the system for "The Master" (2012) to enhance the psychological intensity of the character studies through the immersive large format. The workflow requires special projectors and screens for optimal playback. Exposure time per frame is more critical than in smaller formats due to the large negative area, making precise light measurement essential.
Comparison & Alternatives
Ultra 70 differs from IMAX 70mm through its vertical rather than horizontal film format and its smaller image size. Compared to standard 35mm, it offers four times the negative area, resulting in significantly higher resolution and improved color saturation. Modern digital alternatives like RED 8K or ARRI ALEXA 65 achieve similar resolutions but cannot fully replicate the characteristic film grain and color saturation of analog 65mm material. For productions with sufficient budgets, Ultra 70 remains the premium format for maximum image quality.