Indie Filmmaker Michael Tobin Releases First Look Video Review of Irix 30mm T1.5 Cinema Prime Lens

With all the exciting new affordable hybrid cameras being released over the past year, from Panasonic’s Lumix GH6 through Fujifilm’s X-H2, X-H2S and X-T5 in 2022 to this year’s Panasonic Lumix S5 II and S5 IIX, the question is which are the most affordable yet best quality cinema lenses that can be easily adapted to cameras in either range. 

I vote for the growing range of affordable 8K-capable cinema primes made by Irix for their neutral colour rendering, non-quirky optical designs and thoughtful engineering, and specifically their Arri PL-mount versions for maximum versatility and adaptability across camera mounts and sensor sizes. 

There’s not a huge amount of first-look and longterm reviews of Irix cinema lenses out there right now so I was pleased to come across this one of the Irix 30mm T1.5 by Michael Tobin who has been using Irix’ 45mm and 21mm primes for a while. 

Michael Tobin: The BEST Budget Portrait Lens? IRIX 30mm Cine Lens Review

Irix 30mm T1.5 cinema lens

Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of irix.

Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 cinema prime lens with magnetic lens hood. Image courtesy of Irix.

Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of Irix.

Irix 30mm T1.5 cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of B&H.

Irix 30mm T1.5 cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of B&H.

Optical design, Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of Irix.

Weather sealing, Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of Irix.

For documentary cinematography in Super 35 I recommend considering the 21mm or 30mm as the first one to get then consider adding the 15mm for more width and the 45mm or the coming longer focal length lens that fits in the gap between 45mm and 150mm for more reach.

Irix may be working on adding Fujifilm X-mount versions to their already considerable list of existing mounts so that may be a good option if you are using only X-mount cameras like the X-H2 and X-H2S.

Links

• B&H Affiliate Link – click here to research and purchase or pre-order your choice of cameras, lenses and accessories for stills photography and video production whatever your genre and subject matter.
• B&H Affiliate Link – Fujifilm – X-H2 – X-H2S – X-Pro3 – X-T4 – X-T5
• B&H Affiliate Link – Fujifilm – X Series Lenses
• B&H Affiliate Link – Irix – Digital Cinema Lenses – Arri PL-Mount – 11mm – 15mm – 21mm – 30mm – 45mm – 150mm – 150mm Macro
• B&H Affiliate Link – Panasonic Lumix Digital Cameras  – G Series (M43 aka Micro Four Thirds) – GH6 – BGH1 Box Cinema Camera
• B&H Affiliate Link – Panasonic Lumix Digital Cameras  – S Series (35mm aka “Full Frame”)– S1 – S1H – S1R – S5 – S5 II– S5 IIX – BSH1 Box Cinema Camera
• Irix Global – website
• Irix USA – website
• Michael Tobin – YouTube channel
• Michael Tobin – IRIX 45mm Cine Lens Review | BEST BUDGET Cine lens?! – video
• Michael Tobin – My New Favorite Lens | IRIX 21mm Cine Review – video
• Michael Tobin – The BEST Budget Portrait Lens? IRIX 30mm Cine Lens Review – video