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A look at recent lenses of the post-IBC period, including the NiSi Athena Limited Edition Tuned Cine Prime Lenses, two new lens sets from BLAZAR, and much more.
NiSi ATHENA TUNED: limited edition full frame cine prime lens
NiSi has unveiled a limited edition and tuned set of its ATHENA lenses that will feature a different look than the previously announced versions of the line. The five lenses include 14mm T2.4, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm (all at T1.9), the same focal lengths which debuted in 2023. The only supported mount is PL.
The difference with this limited edition set of NiSi ATHENA TUNED Cine Prime lenses will have a different look, thanks to different coatings and elements: Softer bokeh, blue and purple flares (albeit subtle), and lower contrast. These lenses also come in silver.
NiSi first introduced the ATHENA full frame cine prime lenses way back during NAB 2023, debuting a set of five lenses at the focal lengths above (14mm T2.4, plus 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm [all T1.9]). Then at NAB 2024, NiSi added three more lenses, 18mm T2.2, 40mm T1.9, and 135mm T2.2. Mounts include PL and those for mirrorless cameras (Canon RF, Sony E, FUJIFILM G, and Leica L).
The original NiSi ATHENA lenses had a cleaner look; and while there’s nothing wrong with that, NiSi listened to feedback and designed these limited edition ATHENA Tuned Full Frame Cine Prime lenses to have a little bit more of a vintage and slightly softer feel.
The limited edition of five NiSi ATHENA TUNED lenses plus a case will be available by the end of the year and will retail for $6,798. Visit NiSi’s site for more information.
Laowa adds Ranger 16-30mm T2.9
Laowa has added the 16-30mm T2.9 to its Ranger Compact Cine Zoom Series for the full frame market. With the additional 16-30mm, the Ranger series now boasts an extensive zoom range from 16mm to 180mm with more than 11x zoom ratio in total.
The new 16-30mm is only 799g with 10.7cm long. Focusing distance is 33cm (1’11”).
As with all the other Rangers, the lens comes with an ARRI PL mount as a default and an interchangeable EF bayonet is also provided. Additional mirrorless mounts including Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z and L mount for filmmakers with mirrorless systems are also available.
As ever, the Ranger series is available in Standard (black lens body) and Lite versions (space-grey lens body). The Lite version features a magnesium alloy design “with a smooth and refined texture,” making the lens even lighter and more durable.
Pricing is $2999 per lens (Standard) and $3499 (Lite). There is a 3-lens set for $8699 and $10,199 respectively.
BLAZAR REMUS and CATO lenses
BLAZAR’s APEX 1.33x, its anamorphic lens with autofocus, got all the attention at IBC 2024, and deservedly so, but the company also announced more lenses. These were the REMUS and CATO lines. Although the latter had been previously introduced, but BLAZAR had lenses on hand.
BLAZAR’s REMUS lineup of 1.5x anamorphic full frame cinema primes have gained new focal lengths, 33mm T1.8, 50mm T2, and 125mm T4, making it a total of 8 lenses
What’s interesting is that the REMUS line is split into A and B sets, which include 45mm T2, 65mm T2, and 100mm T2.8 in the A set, and 50mm T2, 85mm T2.8 and 125mm T4 in the B set. The 33mm T1.8 is basically part of either set, and we’re not quite sure why they split it into sets to begin with. Either way, the REMUS lineup gives you a great variety of focal lengths for any project needing a cinematic widescreen look.
The new REMUS lens pricing is quite affordable, $999 for the 50mm, 85mm, and 125mm, while the 33mm is $1199. Learn more here.
The CATO line is made up of 2x anamorphic full frame cinema prime lenses, and were previously announced at NAB 2024. BLAZAR took the actual production models to IBC to showcase the new glass. There are four lenses in the set, including 40mm T2.4, 50mm T2, 85mm T2.8, and 125mm T3.2.
The CATO lenses will give a cinematic widescreen look with a silver flare and are available in PL or EF mounts. These are affordable anamorphic prime lenses, although BLAZAR hasn’t released pricing as of this writing. The CATO line of lenses are available now. Get details here.
Ancient Optics Series 65 cinema primes
Ancient Optics has been on a mission to ‘curate and preserve legendary optics,’ and the company showed off their Series 65 Cinema Primes at IBC, with 9 classic lenses at 60mm or larger.
Like other Ancient Optic lenses, these are classics that the company rehoused and come in focal lengths of 25mm, 35mm, 45mm, 55mm, 65mm, 85mm, 125mm, and 175mm. LPL is the supported mount and the lenses feature a 110mm front diameter.
If you’re looking for a lens with a vintage look, the Series 65 Cinema Primes are for you. They work great with large sensor cameras, like the Blackmagic URSA 17K, ARRI ALEXA, and others.
Check out Ancient Optics’ website to learn more.
Viltrox EPIC 35mm anamorphic lenses gain new focal lengths
Two new Viltrox EPIC Macro 1.33x anamorphic cinema prime lenses, a 65mm T2.8 and 135mm T2.4, join a set with focal lengths of 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm, all at T2. These are great for full frame or S35 cameras.
The Viltrox EPIC 1.33x anamorphic lenses give any project a truly cinematic look with 2.39:1 aspect ratio when paired up with a camera shooting in 16:9 (PL mount). And that is a constant 1.33x squeeze ratio. The lenses also feature a constant aperture and a natural blue flare.
The Viltrox EPIC 65mm and 135mm lenses pricing hasn’t been released yet, but will probably cost between $3299 and $3999, which is what the current lenses sell for.
Tags: Production Lenses
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