In Memoriam: Steven Manios Sr. (1938-2021)
The founder of Century Precision Optics, his career in Hollywood spanned five decades, resulting numerous optical devices that became standard equipment in film and television production.
Just a few of the optics offerings from Century Precision include the (from top, left) Athenar 150mm lens, 0.3x Ultra Fisheye, 8mm Nikkor Fisheye and the Tele-Athenar F5.6 500mm.
A longtime ASC associate member, Steven Manios Sr., former owner and president of Century Precision Optics, known for his groundbreaking work in camera optics, died January 3, 2021 from complications of COVID-19. He was 82.
During a career in Hollywood spanning five decades, Manios developed numerous optical devices, including wide-angle and telephoto lenses, that became standard equipment in film and television production. He was awarded several U.S. patents and earned the patronage and friendship of many of the industry’s top cinematographers. His work in adaptin
Camera Optics Pioneer Steven Manios Sr. Dead at 82 from COVID
January 7, 2021 10:02 | By Staff
Steven Manios Sr.
Another in a long line of tragic stories of a life taken via complications from COVID-19, as it was announced that
Steven Manios Sr., the former owner and president of
Century Precision Optics, died on January 3, 2021 from the deadly virus. Manios was a pioneer in the world of camera optics with a Hollywood career that spanned five decades. In that time, he developed numerous optical devices, including wide-angle and telephoto lenses that have become the standard in film and television production.
Manios was awarded several U.S. patents and earned the patronage and friendship of many of the industry’s top cinematographers. His work in adapting the
Steve Manios Sr.
At Century Precision Optics, he developed devices used for Star Wars, Hawaii Five-O and Endless Summer.
Steven Manios Sr., the former owner and president of Century Precision Optics who developed wide-angle and telephoto lenses for film and television production, died Sunday from COVID-19 complications, his family announced. He was 82.
During his five decades in Hollywood, Manios was awarded several U.S. patents and earned the patronage of many top cinematographers and rental houses. His work in adapting the Canon 150-600 zoom lens for professional use brought Century Precision Optics a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1992.