NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 14mm T2.4 RF-Mount

NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 14mm T2.4 RF-Mount – 14mm ultra-wide with T2.4 and Drop-In filter option

The NiSi Athena Cine Prime 14mm T2.4 in RF-Mount is part of the Athena Prime series of cine lenses designed for cinematographers and videographers. These lenses combine purpose-built optics with design details aimed at professional filmmaking workflows. The 14mm offers an ultra-wide field of view with a T2.4 maximum aperture and is built to integrate with the Athena family for consistent handling and performance.

Key features

• Ultra-wide 14mm focal length with a T2.4 maximum aperture for the 14mm lens.
• Image circle of 46mm, suitable for full-frame and large-format sensors.
• RF-Mount option includes a Drop-In filter system for creative and technical control.
• Matched focus and aperture rings across the Athena range for consistent operation.
• Standard 0.8 mod focus and iris gears for compatibility with follow focus and matte box systems.

Optical performance and image characteristics

The Athena series emphasizes controlled chromatic aberration and micro-contrast management. NiSi specifies ultra-low chromatic aberration and micro-contrast control, which together help render fine image detail. The 14mm shares these design goals and contributes to consistent image behavior across the range.

Additionally, the Athena lenses are designed to minimize focus breathing. In practice, this means the change in field of view when pulling focus from close distances to infinity remains very small, aiding in repeatable focus pulls and smoother shots.

Lens family and aperture lineup

The Athena prime series covers a broad range of focal lengths from ultra-wide to portrait focal lengths, allowing one set to handle many shooting scenarios. NiSi lists the following focal lengths and maximum T-stops across the series:

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

These apertures provide options for shallow depth of field on the mid and longer primes, while the 14mm remains an ultra-wide option with T2.4.

Mounts, drop-in filter system and practical notes

The Athena Prime series is available in multiple mount options to suit different camera systems: ARRI PL, Canon RF, Sony E, Panasonic/Leica L and Fuji G. The series offers a proprietary rear filtration system that adds flexibility for filmmakers.

Specifically:

• RF-, L- and G-Mount lenses include a Drop-In filter option.
• Sony E-Mount is available in two versions: one with a Drop-In filter option and one without.
• PL-Mount lenses utilize a rear filter (rather than the Drop-In system used on some mirrorless mounts).

Important operational notes provided by NiSi:

• The Sony FX9 camera 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- & E-mount versions and the rear filter on PL-mount versions when using the lens.
• NiSi provides weather sealing for the Drop-In filter to improve reliability in challenging conditions.

Handling, compatibility and workflow benefits

NiSi designed the Athena primes to work together as a system. All Athena Prime lenses are similar in weight, which means you typically do not need to rebalance a gimbal when switching between lenses in the series. Both aperture and focus rings are matched across the range to provide consistent hand and rig feel.

All lenses in the series (except the 14mm) share a 77mm front filter thread, making front filter handling consistent for most focal lengths. The 14mm is the exception to this common filter thread and uses the series’ rear or Drop-In filtration approach instead.

The lenses include a 300° focus rotation and fluorescent focus scales shown in both imperial and metric units to support precise focus pulls. The standard 0.8 mod focus and iris gears ensure compatibility with common cine accessories such as follow focus units and matte boxes.

Optional accessories

• NiSi 77mm close-up lens (sold separately) can reduce minimum focus distance and create macro-style effects when used with compatible Athena primes that accept 77mm front filters.

Specifications

FAQ

Question: Will the RF-Mount 14mm work with full-frame or large-format cameras?
Answer: Yes. The Athena 14mm provides a 46mm image circle, which NiSi specifies as suitable for full-frame and large-format sensors.

Question: Do I need to rebalance my gimbal when switching Athena lenses?
Answer: Generally no. NiSi states that all Athena Prime lenses are similar in weight and do not require rebalancing on a gimbal when switching between lenses in the series.

Question: How do the Drop-In filters work and are they required?
Answer: The RF-, L- and G-Mount versions include a Drop-In filter option (E-Mount has two versions). NiSi advises using the Drop-In clear filter on RF-, L-, G- & E-mounts and the rear filter on PL-mounts to achieve infinity focus and clear images. The Drop-In filter is also weather sealed.

Question: Can I use the E-Mount Drop-In version on a Sony FX9?
Answer: No. NiSi notes specifically that the Sony FX9 camera cannot use the E-Mount version with Drop-In filters.

Question: Are focus and aperture controls consistent across the series for follow focus and lens swaps?
Answer: Yes. Both aperture and focus rings are matched across the Athena range, and the lenses use standard 0.8 mod gears and a 300° focus rotation with fluorescent scales to support precise, repeatable control.