Tokina Cinema has announced the latest addition to its Vista Prime range, the 180mm T1.9. This is an impressive feat of optical engineering. The closest lenses to this new offering would be the ARRI Signature Prime 200mm T2.5, Leitz Cine Prime 180mm T2, and Cooke S7/i Full Frame Plus 180mm T2.0.
The 180mm T1.9 Vista Prime lens was specially developed at the request of cinematographers and rental houses. It now joins the 18mm, 21mm, 25mm, 29mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 65mm, 85mm, 105mm and 135mm T1.5 Vista Primes to create a lens set that now numbers 12. This is a very comprehensive set of prime lenses.
The 180mm T1.9 shares the same characteristics as the other Vista primes. Lens distortion and chromatic aberration are claimed to be virtually undetectable. The lens is also said to have practically no focus breathing and the lens exhibits a gentle roll-off from subject to background.
The lens has a minimum focus distance of 4ft 11” / 1.5m, with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:7.91. Images are fully resolved at 8K+ resolution and the lens covers both Vistavision and Super35 formats. The 180mm T1.9 would work well on modern large sensor cameras like the RED V-Raptor, ARRI Alexa Mini LF, Canon C500 mkII, Sony Venice 2 and FX9.
Even though the lens has a fast T1.9 aperture, Tokina has managed to keep a 114mm outside diameter. This allows for easy attachment of a mattebox and filters. The lens is also threaded to accept 112mm filters.
The focus is internal and the lens is 19.5cm / 7.67″ long and weighs 7.19 lbs / 3.26kg (in PL mount). The lens design consists of 17 elements in 14 groups, with a 9 bladed iris.
All Vista lenses have mounts that are interchangeable by a service facility and are available in PL, LPL, Sony E, EF and MFT mounts.
The 180mm T1.9 Vista Prime will retail for $17,999 USD and is available to pre-order immediately. Shipping will commence in Summer 2022.
Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with 30 years' experience working in more than 50 countries around the world. He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010. Matthew has won 43 ACS Awards, including four prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards. Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.
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