Tokina Vista-P 21mm T1.5 Cinema Sony E

Tokina Vista-P 21mm T1.5 Cinema Sony E – Vintage-inspired optics with swirling bokeh

The Tokina Vista-P 21mm T1.5 Cinema lens for Sony E is designed for filmmakers seeking a combination of traditional aesthetics and modern performance. With a maximum aperture of T1.5, this lens provides a unique image character that is perfect for both film and video production. It also offers a distinct vintage look that is sought after by many filmmakers.

Vintage-inspired optics and image character

The Vista-P series stands out with its stylized image character that offers reduced contrast and a softer rendering of edges. This allows you to capture more character and emotion in your images. The improved optical design, with greater spacing between lens elements, creates a spherical distortion that produces a swirling bokeh similar to that from Petzval lenses. Despite this vintage-inspired character, the lens maintains high resolution and effectively controls chromatic aberration, making it useful in modern film productions.

Large-format coverage and resolution

With a large image circle of 46.7 mm, the 21mm Vista-P lens covers full-frame, VistaVision, and digital 65 mm sensors. This makes the lens ideal for shooting in high resolution, including up to 8K, ensuring compatibility with modern large-format cine cameras and workflows. Whether you are filming a large production or a smaller one, this lens provides you with the flexibility and quality you need.

Aperture, bokeh, and optical performance

With a fast maximum aperture of T1.5 and a minimum aperture of T22, the lens allows for shallow depth of field and excellent performance in low light. The 9-blade curved iris produces a soft and rounded bokeh that enhances the lens's swirling rendering. The optical construction emphasizes increased spherical distortion and a clear background to give your images a distinct feel. Focus breathing is close to zero, allowing for smooth and controlled repositioning during focus pulls, which is crucial for professional recordings.

Mechanics, gears and mounting

Technically, the Vista-P 21mm is built with a robust metal housing and 0.8 MOD focus and iris drives, making it compatible with standard follow-focus and iris control systems. The lens offers approximately 300° of focus rotation, allowing for precise and repeatable focus pulls. To facilitate the use of matte boxes and accessories, the series has a uniform front diameter of 114 mm and a 112 mm front filter thread across all focal lengths. This makes switching between lenses quick and smooth, especially when working with matte boxes and FIZ systems.

Mount options and modification availability

This specific model comes with a Sony E-mount system. The Vista-P series is also available in several different mount options, including PL, EF, MFT, E, and LPL, making it compatible with a wide range of film cameras and rental packages. Additionally, Vista-P can be obtained both as new lenses and as a one-sided modification of existing Vista Primes, providing productions already using the Vista ecosystem with an extra creative opportunity.

Specifications

• Focal length: 21mm
• Maximum aperture: T1.5
• Minimum aperture: T22
• Image circle: 46.7 mm
• Focus rotation: 300°
• Number of blades: 9
• Mount: Sony E

Frequently asked questions

Does the lens have a maximum aperture, and if so, what is it?
Yes, the lens has a maximum aperture of T1.5.

What type of image sensors does this lens cover?
The lens covers full-frame, VistaVision, and digital 65 mm sensors.

How much focus rotation does the lens offer?
The lens offers approximately 300° of focus rotation.

What type of bokeh can one expect from this lens?
The lens produces a soft and rounded bokeh that enhances the swirling rendering.