Los Angeles, California, November 4, 2020 – Tokina has today expanded its range of class-leading superfast aperture cinema prime lenses with the introduction of the new Tokina Cinema Vista 40mm T1.5. The much-requested 40mm focal length is considered by many to be the perfect ‘normal’ lens to portray a natural field of view on a large format cinema camera – and joins the existing seven-strong set of 18mm T1.5, 25mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 50mm T1.5, 85mm T1.5, 105mm T1.5, and 135mm T1.5 high resolution (8K+) Vista prime lenses. The mid-wide image created by the Vista 40mm T1.5 does not distract the viewer and offers a unique perspective when compared to the staple 35mm and 50mm focal length lenses.

unnamed 728x386 - Tokina adds to their Cinema Vista lineup with the 40mm T1.5
The Tokina Cinema Vista lens lineup of 135mm T1.5, 105mm T1.5, 85mm T1.5, 50mm T1.5, 40mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 25mm T1.5, and 18mm T1.5

Tokina Cinema Vista lenses have become an increasingly popular choice for productions, earning a reputation for elegant and highly detailed images. Lens distortion and chromatic aberration are well-controlled, with minimal focus breathing, soft pleasing flare, and gentle roll-off from subject to background. The Vista 40mm T1.5 inherits these characteristics, giving cinematographers more creative freedom to choose their point of view while maintaining complete control of their image.

Having tried the lens, cinematographer Phil Holland said:

“The announcement of the Vista 40mm T1.5 Tokina Cinema Vista truly excites me. The Vista Primes have been my main go-to glass on projects since their release and adding intermediate focal lengths to the series expands what I can do with these lenses. VistaVision is my main filming format and the 40mm feels noticeably wider than a regular 50mm, yet still very appealing as a normal lens. It’s also a bit longer and more intimate than the 35mm which I routinely use for wide mediums and closeups. Cinematographers sometimes look for a single focal length for a hero lens on a shoot and 40mm on Large Format or VistaVision makes so much sense for that. It can be used for all types of framing without perspective ever becoming a distraction and doesn’t feel as tight as a 50mm. I’m happy to see the Vista 40mm T1.5 maintain the optical heritage and character of the rest of the prime set which allows me to use it seamlessly with the other focal lengths as needed. This is a very welcome addition and likely a focal length I may film entire projects with.”

The Vista 40mm T1.5 has an area of definition of 46.7mm which easily covers RED Monstro 8K VV and ARRI Alexa LF Mini 4.5K Open Gate formats. The lens also has an area of illumination that will cover larger formats up to Alexa65 2:1 Open Gate. The lens retains the same form factor as other Vista Prime lenses with a 114mm front diameter and weight of approximately 2.25kg (5 lbs) which is similar to others in the series. It is available in interchangeable ARRI PL, EF, MFT, Sony E, and ARRI LPL mounts.

unnamed 673x575 - Tokina adds to their Cinema Vista lineup with the 40mm T1.5

The Tokina Cinema Vista 40mm T1.5 will be available from Tokina Cinema USA at an MSRP of $7,499.00 USD.

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2 comments

  1. I understand the crazy cost of cine zooms but for a short prime $7500 is pretty hard to choke down. I can get a matching pair of Pictor zooms with case that will cover pretty well this entire range for ~$5000 they are only T2 and S-35. But I have some fast protography primes I can add in if I really need the apature increase. As long as the "full frame" nazis don't succeed in making cinematography more expensive for every one I will be fine with them for years to come.
  2. I understand the crazy cost of cine zooms but for a short prime $7500 is pretty hard to choke down. I can get a matching pair of Pictor zooms with case that will cover pretty well this entire range for ~$5000 they are only T2 and S-35. But I have some fast protography primes I can add in if I really need the apature increase. As long as the "full frame" nazis don't succeed in making cinematography more expensive for every one I will be fine with them for years to come.

    All depends on what league you’re playing in. Sigma has a version for just over half as much and Zeiss has their version that is a little under triple as much. There are people out there that look at lenses like the Tokina’s as an incredible value and others that don’t. We have a crazy amount of choices today that most of us, just 10 years ago, would have never of imagined we would have.

    I have a set of Canon CN-E‘s, but if I was buying from scratch today(pandemic aside), it would be a little tougher. The Sigma’s are great lenses at a good price. The Tokina’s are a little high, price wise, but on paper look incredible. And I’ve heard mixed things about them. The users seem to absolutely love them, but I’ve talked to dealers that tell me they have lots of QC problems with image quality.

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