CINEMA // Series promises first commercial-grade mobile lens and filter system

TUSK & ShiftCam have collaborated on the CINEMA // Series, a collection of 7 professional lenses and 8 cinematic filters for mobile filmmaking.

Currently very much doing the business on Kickstarter, the CINEMA // Series is billed as the smallest and most advanced mobile filmmaking system ever created; just add an iPhone to the mounting case and you’re off.

The lenses have certainly got a good-looking spec. Each is crafted with up to seven crystal elements, and boasts an impressive array of up to 98 coatings, strategically placed across each element. These coatings include anti-scratch, anti-reflective, hydrophobic, and UV & IR protection, collectively enhancing image sharpness and effectively preventing glare. The result is ultra-low chromatic aberration, eliminating unwanted colour shifts along high-contrast edges.

The lens housing is built from aerospace-grade recycled aluminium for durability and lightweight design. A secure twist-and-lock mechanism built into the included S-mount iPhone case allows for seamless lens changes in what the developers say is mere seconds.

A magnetic filter adapter features a 72mm diameter and allows for quick filter attachment. It is compatible with five large lenses, enabling filmmakers to switch filters on the fly or stack multiple filters together. 

Here’s what comes in the complete kit. The lenses weigh anything from 29 to 320 grams (1 to 11.3 oz), with the 16mm Wide-Angle Cinema Lens being the chunkiest.

Lenses

• 60mm Telephoto Cinema Lens 
• 75mm Long-Range Macro Cinema Lens
• 18mm 1.33x Anamorphic Cinema Lens 
• 15mm 1.55x Anamorphic Cinema Lens
• 16mm Wide-Angle Cinema Lens 
• 25mm 10x Macro Cinema Lens 
• 8mm 200° Fisheye Cinema Lens 

Filters

• Circular Polarizer (CPL) Filter: Reduces glare and reflections from non-metallic surfaces like water and glass, enhancing color saturation and contrast for clearer, more vibrant images.
• Black Mist 1/2 Filter: Softens highlights and reduces digital sharpness, creating a more cinematic, dreamy look while maintaining fine details.
• Variable Neutral Density (VND) 1-5 Stops Filter: Allows adjustable light reduction without affecting color balance, enabling precise exposure control in varying lighting conditions.
• Neutral Density (ND8) Filter: Reduces light intake by 3 stops, preventing overexposure in bright conditions and allowing for slower shutter speeds or wider apertures.
• Neutral Density (ND64) Filter: Reduces light intake by 6 stops, making it ideal for long-exposure effects such as silky waterfalls or cloud movement.
• Neutral Density (ND128) Filter: Reduces light intake by 7 stops, perfect for extreme daylight conditions, allowing creative control over motion blur and depth of field.
• Neutral Density (ND512) Filter: Reduces light intake by 9 stops, enabling ultra-long exposure photography and cinematic shutter speeds even in the brightest environments.
• Variable Neutral Density (VND) 6-9 Stops Filter: Reduces light from 6 to 9 stops, ideal for extremely bright conditions or long-exposure photography.
  
  

Pricing and availability

The companies say that the CINEMA // Series will ship in August and the project is open on Kickstarter until April 25. Pledge price for the full kit is currently $1949, though that’s going to jump up to $3414 when the kit officially hits the stores. Individual lenses start from $199, again with an easy bird discount. The usual caveat emptor qualifications apply to anything on Kickstarter.

tl;dr

• TUSK & ShiftCam's CINEMA // Series includes 7 professional lenses and 8 cinematic filters, designed for mobile filmmaking with iPhones.
• Each lens features up to seven crystal elements and 98 coatings for reduced glare, enhanced sharpness, and ultra-low chromatic aberration, housed in durable aerospace-grade recycled aluminum.
• The kit includes a secure twist-and-lock mechanism for quick lens changes and a magnetic filter adapter for easy filter attachment, accommodating multiple filter stacking.
• Priced at $1949 for the full kit on Kickstarter, with shipping expected in August; individual lenses start at $199, with a significant price increase upon retail release.