NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 25mm T1.9 E-Mount (Without Drop-in Filter)

NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 25mm T1.9 E-Mount (Without Drop-in Filter) – T1.9 aperture for soft bokeh and cinematic background separation

This NiSi Athena Prime 25mm is part of the Athena Cine Lens family and comes in the Sony E-mount version without the rear Drop-In filter. It offers a maximum aperture of T1.9, which enables shallow depth of field and soft bokeh for clear subject separation in motion picture and video work. The lens shares many design and handling characteristics with the rest of the Athena Prime series to simplify lens changes on set.

Key optical features

• Maximum aperture T1.9 on the 25mm model, enabling attractive background separation and low-light flexibility.
• Designed to minimize focus breathing so the change in field of view during focus pulls remains very small.
• Ultra-low chromatic aberration and micro-contrast control for finer image details.
• Image circle of 46mm, making the lenses suitable for full-frame and large-format sensors.

Mounts, filter system and the E-mount version

The Athena Prime series is available in ARRI PL, Canon RF, Sony E, Panasonic/Leica L and Fuji G mounts. Some mounts offer a Drop-In filter option while others use a rear filter:

• RF-, L- and G-mount lenses have a Drop-In filter option.
• PL-mount lenses use a rear filter.
• The Sony E-mount is offered in two versions; this listing is for the E-mount without the Drop-In filter.

Important: NiSi states that you should use the Drop-In clear filter on RF-, L-, G- and E-mounts (and the rear filter on PL-mount) with the lens to achieve infinity focus and obtain clear images.

Also note: Sony FX9 cameras cannot use the E-Mount version that includes Drop-In filters.

NiSi also provides weather sealing for the Drop-In filter solution.

Handling, mechanics and system match

The Athena primes focus on consistency and ease of use. They are matched across the range so that switching lenses stays predictable during production:

• All Athena Prime lenses (except the 14mm model) share a 77mm front filter thread.
• Both aperture and focus rings are matched across the range for consistent feel.
• All lenses have a 300° focus rotation and fluorescent focus scales in both imperial and metric units for precise focus pulls.
• Standard 0.8 modulation focus and iris gears ensure broad compatibility with follow focus systems and matte boxes.
• The lenses are similar in weight across the series, so you generally do not need to rebalance a gimbal when switching between Athena lenses.

Accessories and close-up options

For macro work or to reduce minimum focus distance, NiSi offers a 77mm close-up lens (sold separately). This accessory fits Athena lenses that use the 77mm thread and can create pronounced close-up effects when required.

Who this lens is for

This 25mm T1.9 E-mount Athena Prime suits cinematographers and videographers who need a wide, fast prime with consistent handling across a matched lens set. It is appropriate for narrative, commercial and documentary shoots where shallow depth of field, precise focus control and full-frame/large-format coverage matter.

Smart FAQ

Question: Will this E-mount 25mm lens achieve infinity focus without the Drop-In filter?

Answer: According to the provided information, NiSi recommends using the Drop-In clear filter on E-mount lenses to achieve infinity focus and obtain clear images. This listing is for the E-mount version without the Drop-In filter, so follow NiSi’s guidance when planning infinity-focus workflows.

Question: Can I change between Athena lenses on a gimbal without rebalancing?

Answer: Yes. The Athena Prime lenses are similar in weight, and NiSi states they do not require rebalancing on a gimbal when switching between Athena lenses.

Question: Is this lens compatible with standard follow focus and matte box systems?

Answer: Yes. The lens uses standard 0.8 mod focus and iris gears, making it compatible with a wide range of follow focus units and matte box setups.

Question: Does this lens work on full-frame or larger sensors?

Answer: Yes. The Athena Prime series has an image circle of 46mm, which makes these lenses suitable for full-frame and even large-format sensors.

Question: How can I get closer focus or macro-style shots with the 25mm Athena prime?

Answer: NiSi offers a 77mm close-up lens (sold separately) that can reduce the minimum focus distance and create strong macro-like effects when used with Athena primes that share the 77mm filter thread.