Just the other day I was daydreaming about which types of lenses one might want to use for a documentary on the late, great Australian feature film cinematographer Robert Krasker.
I found myself wondering whether Fujifilm’s Fujinon broadcast and cinema lens division, makers of the highly-regarded HK Premier, MK, Premista, XK Cabrio and ZK Cabrio cinema zoom lenses series and co-designers of Fujifilm’s Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills and movie zoom lens, might be persuaded to consider designing and making a series of matched-colour and size cinema prime lenses for Fujifilm X-mount cameras including the Fujifilm X-H2, X-H2S and X-T5.
Would such a Fujinon X-Mount cinema prime lens series be manual focus-only or would it have autofocus and a manual focusing mechanism superior to that in Fujifilm’s current XF prime and zoom lens line-up, Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 aside?
And why did Fujifilm stop using the excellent manual clutch focus mechanism in its Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R, XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR and XF 23mm f/1.4 R prime lenses and that works so well for video?
Then I came across this video by ProAV TV:
ProAV TV: Autofocus Cinema Lenses, but what does that mean? – Samyang V-AF Primes
“Samyang’s new V-AF range, a new set of affordable cinema primes to sit alongside their popular VDSLR range but these ones have autofocus. In fact Samyang say[s] this is the world’s first cinema lens lineup with autofocus.”
Samyang Cine AF 75mm T1.9 FE Sony E-Mount autofocus cinema prime lens
Samyang Cine AF 75mm T1.9 FE Sony E-Mount autofocus cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of B&H.
Samyang Cine AF 75mm T1.9 FE Sony E-Mount autofocus cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of B&H.
Samyang Cine AF 75mm T1.9 FE Sony E-Mount autofocus cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of B&H.
Samyang Cine AF 75mm T1.9 FE Sony E-Mount autofocus cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of B&H.
Samyang Cine AF 75mm T1.9 FE Sony E-Mount autofocus cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of B&H.
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.
ePHOTOzine – Samyang V-AF 75mm T1.9 Lens Review – “John Riley has been putting the Samyang V-AF 75mm T1.9 video lens through its paces on the Sony A7R III camera.”
Samyang – V-AF T1.9: The World’s First Cine AF – 75mm, 35mm, 24mm, 45mm and 20mm T1.9 autofocus cinema prime lenses, to be released from 2022 Quarter 3 through to 2023 Quarter 4 in FE Sony E-Mount versions. Will they be released in other lens mounts including Fujifilm X?
Irix introduces the all new full-frame 30mm T1.5 cine lens.
Irix, the manufacturer of high-class optics for photo and film industry, expands its Cine line by introducing the new 30mm T1.5 lens. This new model is joining the line of full-frame cinematographic lens designed for shooting with Ultra HD 8K cinema cameras. The Irix 30mm T1.5 is based on a completely new optical design which includes 3 Extra-low Dispersion glass elements, 2 High Reflective elements and one Aspherical lens. Total 13 elements in 11 groups deliver crisp details, vibrant colors and an ultra-low – 0,95% distortion. An image circle of 43,3mm (diagonally), is completely covering every sensor size from Full Frame 35 down to 1/3” sensors. The circular, 11-blade iris construction, provides a pleasant background blur and a smooth adjustment in range from T1.5 to T16. With practically no focus breathing (below 1,5 degree in full range from 0,3m to infinity) , the Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 is the perfect lens for filming scenes with a natural character.
New 30mm fits right in between wide end with 11/15mm lenses and the narrow 45mm and 150mm of current Irix lin[e]up. Thanks to this, it becomes a very universal lens, that can be used for multiple types of production: Documentary/report – it involves mainly interviews and b[-]roll. Both can be easily shot with just 30mm lens. Commercials – mainly shots of product or location, depending on company it’s produced for, again using just one lens, a very satisfying production can be made. Music videos – they either involve staged scenes or the band/singer. This can be also produced using just one lens. This focal length can easily be used as an entry prime lens for any filmmaker, for someone who already owns other lenses, this will be a go to lens, when trying to stay lightweight.
Irix Cinematic Design
The 30mm T1.5 is another lens in the Irix Cine line which stands for a perfect combination of advanced technology and modern design. Planned in accordance with the standards of the professional film industry, combines traditional lens solutions and modern innovation. Irix Cine 30mm lens has a front filter thread size of 86mm and geared Mod 0.8 M rings, which ensure compatibility with most accessories available on the market. Irix is a young brand, but thanks to the fifth lens in its lineup, it’s closing the set covering most of the common focal lengths. All of our lenses are carefully tested, to meet the highest standards. And we don’t play around with them – we make sure, that all of our lenses are compatible! The focus and aperture rings of all the lenses are aligned at the same distance and have the same rotation angle. With the exception of the Irix 150mm T3.0 Macro 1:1, where a longer 270 degrees focus throw is necessary, the rest of the Irix Cine range lenses have ring rotations of 180 degrees for the focus ring and 75 degrees for the aperture ring.
Magnetic Mount System
All the Irix Cine lenses are equipped with Magnetic Mount System – which allows you to connect accessories such as magnetic filters from the Irix Edge line up or a lens hood (not included in the kit). This unique and pioneering solution ensures quick and safe mounting of the accessory to the front of the lens without the need for additional elements. This feature allows you to swap and combine the filters or accessories quickly and easily during recording and save your valuable time.
Rain or shine? READY for ANY weather conditions
With Irix lenses You can take your next adventure in a desert or jungle if your camera can handle those environments. We guarantees that you can keep on working with whatever weather throws at you. The lenses are resistant to rain, sand, and dust. Engraved markings on the lens have been filled with UV-reactive paint, thanks to which filming in difficult lighting conditions becomes much easier.
Compact but durable
Cine lenses designed by Irix are one of the most compact and lightest film lenses covering the full frame format. The housing of the new 30mm T1.5 is made of a lightweight but resistant aluminum-magnesium alloy. It’s the same construction that we’ve used in our Blackstone line of stills lenses and our cine line. Thanks to the low weight (every Irix Cine lens weighs about 1.1 kilograms / 2,4lbs), they can be used on smaller cameras on handheld rigs or stabilizers as well as with the professional equipment. All the Irix Cine lenses are equipped with a lens support foot – to provide bigger stabilization and comfort while working with follow focus systems. Depending on your needs, this support foot can be attached to the lower or upper part of the lens.
New and improved lens cover
We have listened to requests from our customers and decided to redesign our lens cover. The previous cap didn’t allow for leaving the lens standing on it. The new and improved one has a flat top and slides on the lens. Thanks to this, you can now leave the lens upside down on a table and not worry about it wobbling!
Key features of the Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 lens:
Ultra HD 8K resolution ready and full-frame sensor coverage.
Perfect for crop sensors providing 45mm.
Compact and lightweight construction.
Very low lens breathing.
Weather-sealed construction.
The magnetic accessory mounting system.
Adapter ring for easy use of follow focus.
The possibility of mounting an additional support foot in two places.
Front filter thread 86 x 1.0 mm.
Standardized 95mm front diameter for optional accessories.
Available mounts
The Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 lens will be available in the seven most popular industry mounts: Canon EF, Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, Olympus MFT/ Panasonic MFT and Arri PL-mount
Price and availability
New Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 lenes will be available withing next few weeks. Starting from today it’s possible to preorder the lenses at selected dealers and Irix online Store. The prices are set at 1195 Euro (1295 Euro for PL Mount version) and 1195 USD (1295 for PL Mount version).
Technical Data:
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.
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.
Irix Edge Magnetic Mount filters can be stacked on top of each other. Image courtesy of Irix.
Irix Edge Neutral Density filters mount on Irix cinema lenses magnetically. Image courtesy of Irix.
IRIX 11mm T4.3 Cine Lens, Canon EF-mount, feet. Image courtesy of B&H Photo.
IRIX 15mm T2.6 Cine Lens, Canon EF-mount, feet. Image courtesy of B&H Photo.
IRIX 45mm T1.5 Cine Lens, Canon EF-mount, feet. Image courtesy of B&H Photo.
IRIX 150mm T3.0 Cine Lens, Canon EF-mount, feet. Image courtesy of B&H Photo.
IRIX 11mm T4.3 Cine Lens, M43 mount, attached to Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5; lens is equivalent to 22mm in 35mm sensor format. Image courtesy of B&H Photo.
MTF Services Ltd Arri PL mount to Micro Four Thirds mount adapter. Image courtesy of B&H Photo.
Metabones Arri PL-mount to Fujifilm X-mount T Cine adapter. Image courtesy of Metabones.
Metabones PL to M43 Mount T Cine adapter. Image courtesy of Metabones.
Sigma Classic Art Primes for the look of vintage lenses. Available for rental from rental houses worldwide. Image courtesy of Sigma USA.
Sigma 18-35mm T2.0 and 50-100mm T2.0 high-speed cinema zoom lenses with case, available in Arri PL, Canon EF and Sony E mounts. Image courtesy of Sigma USA.
Commentary
European lens maker Irix has been been pulling out all stops to produce affordable 8k-ready matched cinema primes and recently added 30mm, making five lenses in the set at time of writing.
More focal lengths, no doubt, are on their way. and I would love to see new ones in sizes in-between 15mm and 30mm, and longer than 45mm.
Irix first came to my attention with its affordably-priced but reportedly very high quality manual-focus prime lenses for stills photography in a range of “full frame” DSLR camera lens mounts and in some less than common focal lengths.
Those lenses looked interesting but I had given up on DSLRs well before then and was concentrating on autofocus-capable OEM-made lenses for mirrorless Micro Four Thirds and Fujifilm X Series cameras.
Irix 45mm f/1.4 GFX lens with Fujifilm GFX mount, equivalent to 36mm in 35mm format, on Fujifilm GFX50S. Image courtesy of Irix.
Irix broke out of the DSLR thing with its Irix 45mm f/1.4 GFX manual focus lens in January 2021 and piqued my interest even though I have yet to take on Fujifilm’s GFX large format sensor system.
After watching some reviews of Irix cinema lenses by working cinematographers it became clear that these lenses were meeting the demands of professional work and were well worth considering.
Irix has yet to produce Fujifilm X-mount versions of its stills or cinema lenses so, for now, best to consider which native lens mount may suit your needs then adapt it to fit your cameras.
The cameras we use, however, change all the time and few of us remain loyal just to one brand and one lens mount.
MTF Services Ltd. – Lens Adaptors – “The World’s Finest Lens Adaptors. Designed and Manufactured in the UK by MTF Services.”
Sigma USA – Cine – Besides its renowned and affordable stills photography primes and zooms, Sigma makes Classic Art cinema prime lenses for rental and cinema prime and zoom lenses for purchase and that cost more than those by Irix.
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