NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 35mm T1.9 L-Mount

NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 35mm T1.9 L-Mount – Fast T1.9 Cine Prime with Drop-In Filter Option

This NiSi Athena 35mm T1.9 in L-Mount is part of the Athena Prime cine lens series designed for cinematographers and videographers. It provides the fast T1.9 aperture found in several focal lengths of the series and supports a Drop-In filter option on L-Mount bodies. The lens shares design and handling characteristics with the rest of the Athena lineup to simplify lens changes on set.

Key optical characteristics

The Athena Prime series delivers consistent T-stop ratings across many focal lengths to ensure predictable exposure. Specifically, the series includes lenses with the following maximum apertures:

• 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, and 85mm – maximum aperture T1.9
• 18mm and 135mm – maximum aperture T2.2
• 14mm – maximum aperture T2.4

In addition, the series offers an image circle of 46mm, making these lenses suitable for full-frame and large-format sensors while maintaining fine image detail and micro-contrast control.

Optical performance and behavior

NiSi designed the Athena Primes to minimise focus breathing. As a result, the change in field of view when you pull focus from minimum focus distance to infinity remains extremely small. The lenses also target ultra-low chromatic aberration and improved micro-contrast control to maintain finer image details across the frame.

Mounts, filter system and compatibility

The Athena Prime series is available in multiple mount options, and the L-Mount version supports the series’ rear Drop-In filter system:

• Mount options available across the series: ARRI PL, Canon RF, Sony E, Panasonic/Leica L, and Fuji G.
• RF, L and G mounts offer a Drop-In filter option.
• E-Mount is offered in two versions: with Drop-In filter and without Drop-In filter.
• PL-mount lenses use a rear filter system (rear filtration).

Important mounting and filter notes:

• Sony FX9 cannot use the E-Mount with Drop-In filters.
• For RF, L, G and E mounts (where applicable), you must use the Drop-In clear filter; for PL-mount use the rear filter. This is necessary to achieve infinity focus and obtain clear images.
• NiSi provides a weather-sealed option for the Drop-In filter to help protect the rear filtration area.

Mechanical design and handling

NiSi matched mechanical characteristics across the Athena series to simplify production workflows and lens swaps on gimbals:

• All Athena Prime lenses are similar in weight, so you do not need to rebalance a gimbal when switching between Athena lenses.
• Except for the 14mm, all lenses share a 77mm front filter thread.
• Aperture and focus rings are matched across the range for consistent feel and operation.
• The lenses use standard 0.8 MOD focus and iris gears, making them compatible with common follow focus and matte box systems.
• Focus rotation is 300°, and focus scales are fluorescent and marked in both imperial and metric units to assist precise focus pulls in varied lighting conditions.

Accessories and close-up options

To reduce minimum focus distance and create strong macro or close-up effects, NiSi offers a 77mm close-up lens that can be used with the Athena primes. This accessory is sold separately and is compatible with the standard 77mm filter thread used by most lenses in the series.

FAQ

Question: Will the L-Mount Athena 35mm need gimbal rebalancing when I swap other Athena lenses?
Answer: No. The Athena Primes are designed with similar weights across the series so you do not need to rebalance a gimbal when switching between Athena lenses.

Question: Do I need to use a specific filter to reach infinity focus with the L-Mount Athena lenses?
Answer: Yes. For RF, L and G mounts you must use the Drop-In clear filter; for PL-mount use the rear filter. Using the correct filter is necessary to achieve infinity focus and clear images.

Question: Can I get an E-Mount Athena lens with a Drop-In filter for my camera?
Answer: The Athena E-Mount is offered in two versions: one with a Drop-In filter and one without. However, note that the Sony FX9 cannot use the E-Mount with Drop-In filters.

Question: How does the Athena series handle focus pulls and focus breathing?
Answer: The lenses feature a 300° focus rotation and fluorescent focus scales in both imperial and metric units for precise pulls. The series is also designed to minimise focus breathing, keeping changes in field of view very small when racking focus.

Question: Are close-up or macro effects possible with the Athena 35mm?
Answer: Yes. NiSi offers a 77mm close-up lens (sold separately) that reduces minimum focus distance and enables strong macro effects when used with lenses that have a 77mm filter thread.