Tokina VISTA 21MM T1.5 CINEMA PL

Tokina VISTA 21MM T1.5 CINEMA PL – Fast T1.5 for low-light shooting and shallow depth of field

The Tokina VISTA 21mm T1.5 Cinema PL is a fast 21 mm cinema lens designed for filmmakers. It offers a bright T1.5 aperture for low-light situations and for achieving a very shallow depth of field. The lens uses an internal focus design and covers an image circle large enough for full-frame capture and high-resolution workflows such as 8K video.

Design and compatibility

This lens shares the same form factor as the other Tokina Cinema Vista prime lenses. It matches the lens gear position, focus rotation, and front barrel diameter of the Vista series. That consistency makes lens changes faster and simplifies the use of accessories across a matching set of Vista primes.

Optical characteristics

The VISTA 21 mm features a T1.5 maximum T-stop, which is ideal for filming in low light and for producing scenes with pronounced background separation. Tokina uses aspherical elements and modern coatings in the optical formula to reduce chromatic aberration and to deliver sharp images even when recording at 8K resolution.

Like other lenses in the Vista line, this 21 mm lens exhibits nearly no breathing during focus pulls. It also maintains a consistent length during focus changes and shows no image shift when pulling focus, which benefits professional cinema workflows and focus pulling techniques.

Handling and image rendering

The lens includes clearly marked focus and iris scales on both sides of the barrel to support right- or left-handed operation and quick readouts on set. A 9-bladed iris produces round out-of-focus highlights, contributing to a natural-looking bokeh. The construction is described as robust to withstand professional use.

Features

• Fast T1.5 T-stop – good for low light filming and creating very shallow depth of field.
• Image circle of 46.7 mm – covers full-frame sensor size as well as VistaVision and Red Dragon formats.
• Pleasing image character – usable across the iris range and intended to deliver good results even wide open.
• Consistent lens length – maintains the same physical length during focus pulls for stable rigging.
• No image shift – the image remains stable during focus pulls.
• 9-bladed iris – produces natural, round out-of-focus highlights for attractive bokeh.
• Robust construction – built for professional use on set.
• Focus and iris scales on both sides – marked scales improve usability from either side of the camera.

Technical specifications

FAQ

Question: Does the Tokina VISTA 21mm cover full-frame sensors?

Answer: Yes. The lens produces an image circle of 46.7 mm, which covers full-frame sensor size as well as VistaVision and Red Dragon formats, making it suitable for high-resolution recording such as 8K.

Question: Is this lens suitable for low-light filming?

Answer: Yes. The fast T1.5 maximum T-stop lets you shoot in lower light and helps you achieve a shallow depth of field when required.

Question: How does the lens perform during focus pulls?

Answer: The Tokina VISTA 21mm has nearly no breathing and maintains a consistent physical length with no image shift during focus pulls, which supports precise focus work for cinema production.

Question: Are focus and iris markings accessible for follow focus operation?

Answer: Yes. The lens features clearly marked focus and iris scales on both sides of the barrel, improving usability for both right- and left-handed operators and for teams using follow focus systems.