NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 135mm T2.2 L-Mount

NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 135mm T2.2 L-Mount – Telephoto prime with T2.2 aperture and Drop-In filter option

This listing describes the NiSi Athena Prime 135mm T2.2 in L‑Mount, part of the Athena Cine Lens series. The lens delivers the series’ optical and mechanical features, including a maximum aperture of T2.2 for the 135mm focal length, compatibility with the NiSi Drop‑In filter system on L‑Mount, and design choices that support consistent use across the full prime range.

What this 135mm lens offers

• Telephoto prime focal length: 135mm with a maximum aperture of T2.2.
• L‑Mount option: this listing is the L‑Mount version from the Athena Prime series.
• Drop‑In filter compatibility: the L‑Mount version supports the Athena Drop‑In filter mount for rear filtration.
• Part of a full prime set: the 135mm is one of the Athena focal lengths that span 14mm to 135mm for broad coverage across shooting scenarios.
• Designed for minimal focus breathing: the series minimizes field‑of‑view change when focusing from minimum focus distance to infinity.

Optical circle and sensor compatibility

The Athena Primes provide an image circle of 46mm. Therefore, they suit full‑frame sensors and can cover larger formats where a 46mm image circle is appropriate. This image circle specification applies across the series and therefore to the 135mm as well.

Series aperture overview

The Athena Prime series uses measured T‑stops to ensure consistent exposure across focal lengths. For reference, the series T‑stops are:

• 14mm — T2.4
• 18mm — T2.2
• 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm & 85mm — T1.9
• 135mm — T2.2

Mounts, rear filtration and important usage notes

The Athena Prime series is offered in multiple mount options: ARRI PL, Canon RF, Sony E, Panasonic/Leica L and Fuji G. Specific rear filtration behavior varies by mount:

• RF, L and G mounts: include a Drop‑In filter option.
• E‑Mount: available in two versions — with and without the Drop‑In filter.
• PL‑Mount: uses a rear filter system rather than the Drop‑In option used by some other mounts.

Important notes from the manufacturer:

• Sony FX9 cannot use the E‑Mount version that includes Drop‑In filters.
• To achieve infinity focus and clear images, you must use the Drop‑In clear filter on RF, L, G and E mounts (where the Drop‑In option is present) and the rear filter on PL‑mount lenses.

NiSi supplies weather sealing for the Drop‑In filter assembly, helping protect the rear filtration system when used in the appropriate mounts.

Mechanical matching and rigging benefits

The Athena Primes are designed for workflow consistency across the set. Key mechanical features include:

• Similar weight across the series, so you do not need to rebalance a gimbal when swapping lenses within the Athena range.
• Shared 77mm front filter thread on all lenses except the 14mm, simplifying front filtration needs for most focal lengths.
• Matched aperture and focus ring positioning across all lenses to speed up lens swaps and maintain consistent operator ergonomics.
• Focus rotation of 300° and fluorescent focus scales marked in both imperial and metric units for precise focus pulls.
• Standard 0.8 mod focus and iris gears, ensuring compatibility with common follow‑focus and matte box systems.

Optional accessories

NiSi offers a 77mm close‑up lens (sold separately) that can reduce the minimum focus distance and enable macro effects when used with Athena lenses that accept the 77mm filter thread.

FAQ

Question: Is this listing for a dedicated L‑Mount 135mm lens?
Answer: Yes. This product is the NiSi Athena Prime 135mm in the Panasonic/Leica L‑Mount version, and it carries the series’ specified features such as the T2.2 maximum aperture and Drop‑In filter compatibility available for L‑Mount.

Question: Can I swap Athena lenses on a gimbal without rebalancing?
Answer: The Athena Prime lenses are similar in weight across the series, so you do not need to rebalance a gimbal when switching between Athena lenses. This design reduces downtime when changing focal lengths during a shoot.

Question: Do I need a special rear filter to reach infinity focus with this lens?
Answer: Yes. To achieve infinity focus and clear images, use the Drop‑In clear filter on RF, L, G and the E‑Mount version with Drop‑In. For PL‑mount lenses use the designated rear filter. Using the correct rear or Drop‑In clear filter is required for proper infinity focus behavior.

Question: Is the E‑Mount Drop‑In option compatible with all Sony cameras, such as the FX9?
Answer: No. The manufacturer notes that the Sony FX9 cannot use the E‑Mount version that includes Drop‑In filters. Confirm camera compatibility before ordering an E‑Mount Drop‑In version.

Question: Can I use close‑up or macro accessories with the 135mm Athena?
Answer: Yes. NiSi offers a 77mm close‑up lens (sold separately) which reduces the minimum focus distance and enables macro effects when fitted to Athena lenses that use the 77mm front thread.