On March 20 and 21, the 2026 Pacific Northwest Lens Summit (PNWLS), hosted by Koerner Camera, was held in Portland, Oregon. Billed as “A Celebration of Cinema Optics,” the event drew more than 600 registered attendees and more than 40 exhibitors.
Dan Kanes of Atlas Lens & Co and DP Bill Bennett ASC
The event – the brainchild of ASC Associate Member Michael Koerner – was the latest iteration of an idea born in 2017. The Lens Summit comes to Portland every other year, with CVP in London hosting a European edition in the off years.
David Heuring and Nick Kelling, Train Dreams 1st AC
Among those on hand was Bill Bennett ASC, who said, “I can tell you that this is the best show I have ever been to. Better than Cinegear, better than BSC Expo, and way better than NAB. Every single person who has come up to our booth is either a lens manufacturer, DP, industry professional or film student. There are no lookie-lou’s; everyone here is serious. Michael Koerner should do this show every year. I can’t wait to come back.”
DP Bobby Bukowski taking-in the panel discussion about Train Dreams
Held on the campus of Portland State University, the 2026 PNWLS offered attendees face-to-face interactions with some of the finest minds in cinema optics. Lens aficionados – pro and amateur alike – came from South America, Europe and all over North America.
“The beauty of the Lens Summit is that it’s small enough, focussed enough, and casual enough for attendees and vendors to have a real opportunity for a one-on-one interaction,” said Jon Fauer of Film & Digital Times.
DP Jasmine Karcey and Caesar the No Drama Llama
Presentations included a Q&A with master cinematographer Bobby Bukowski and a panel with three of the crew members behind the Oscar-nominated cinematography of Train Dreams. Jay Holben ASC Associate Member and co-author of The Cine Lens Manual, led panels featuring Mark LaFleur of Old Fast Glass, Stephen Gelb of Lensworks, Gavin Whitehurst of True Lens Service, and Dan Kanes of Atlas, among others. Brian LeGrady, Senior Lens Technician at Hawk Anamorphic LA, led a packed breakout session on Hybrid Anamorphics, and local freelance camera assistant Gabe Twigg presented a hands-on introduction to working in the camera department.
The Selfie Bot
Technical training led by a dozen master lens technicians representing leading manufacturers was available to vetted rental house lens techs a day prior to the main event. More than 50 techs took advantage.
Gavin Whitehurst from TLS – True Lens Services
“Trade shows can be so overwhelming,” said Koerner. “We conceived of the lens summit as a more focussed, less formal event, with more time for human interaction and maybe even some fun. We began at the Koerner Camera facility in Portland, and the event has grown each time out. In fact, this year Tina Kotek, the governor of Oregon, stopped by and spent some time. Maybe she even learned a little about lenses!”
Michael Koerner and Koerner Camera Co head lens technician Kari Fouts
Michael Koerner with a lens
Michael Koerner talking with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek
