Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 Cinema PL

Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 Cinema PL – fast T1.5 cine prime with large-format coverage

The Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 Cinema PL combines a fast T1.5 aperture with large-format compatibility to deliver a classic, filmic look for modern digital cinema cameras. Built as part of the Vista-C series, this lens pairs a refined vintage aesthetic with professional cine mechanics designed after consultation with working DPs and rental houses.

Optical character and rendering

The Vista-C 105mm is optically tuned for a vintage, organic image. Expect gentle field distortion, natural falloff and softer edges that give images a more expressive, analogue feel. The lens renders slightly lower contrast compared to more neutral optics, while preserving high central resolution suitable for large-format sensors.

Coatings and optical design produce warm overall rendering with expressive blue and red flare tones. The Vista-C line reduces green cast compared to earlier Vista designs, producing a more balanced color response for skin tones and highlights. Bokeh appears smooth and pleasing thanks to the lens design and iris shape.

Large-format coverage and aperture

The 105mm covers full-frame and large-format sensors with an image circle larger than 46.7 mm. As a result, it supports “full-frame plus” cameras and is compatible with ARRI ALEXA 65 Open Gate formats. Across the Vista-C series, lenses share a fast T1.5 maximum aperture and a T22 minimum aperture, enabling shallow depth-of-field work and strong low-light performance when needed.

Focus behavior and mechanics

The lens exhibits virtually no focus breathing, which helps preserve framing during pulls and contributes to smooth focus transitions. The 105mm uses cinema-standard mechanics: robust all-metal housing, 0.8 MOD focus and iris gears, and approximately 300° of focus throw for precise manual control.

Design consistency across the Vista-C series speeds production workflows. Each lens shares the same exterior form factor, including a 114 mm front outside diameter and consistent gear positions. Consequently, lens swaps are fast and predictable when using matte boxes and FIZ systems. A 9-blade curved iris maintains smooth, rounded out-of-focus highlights as you stop down.

Who this lens suits

Filmmakers seeking an expressive, filmic look with the reliability of modern cine lenses will find the Vista-C 105mm well suited to narrative features, television series, commercials and music videos. The lens balances characterful rendering with the mechanical standards expected on professional sets, making it appropriate for large-format productions that require both aesthetic and operational consistency.

Key features

• Fast T1.5 maximum aperture with T22 minimum aperture across the series
• Full-frame and large-format coverage with image circle >46.7 mm, suitable for sensors up to 65 mm and ALEXA 65 Open Gate
• Vintage-inspired rendering with softer edges, reduced contrast, natural falloff and subtle field distortion
• Warm red and blue flare tones with redesigned coatings to minimize green bias and enhance color reproduction
• Near-zero focus breathing and high center resolution for modern cinema production
• ARRI PL mount with 0.8 MOD focus/iris gears and approximately 300° focus rotation
• Shared 114 mm front outside diameter and consistent gear positions for quick lens changes across the set
• 9-blade curved iris for smooth, rounded bokeh

Technical specifications

FAQ

Question: Will the Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 cover large-format sensors such as ARRI ALEXA 65?

Answer: Yes. The Vista-C series offers an image circle larger than 46.7 mm and explicitly supports “full-frame plus” sensors and ARRI ALEXA 65 Open Gate formats, so the 105mm is suitable for large-format shooting.

Question: How does the 105mm render skin tones and highlights compared to earlier Vista lenses?

Answer: The Vista-C optics provide a warmer overall rendering with reduced green cast and redesigned coatings. You can expect pleasing skin tones, warm red and blue flare characteristics, and slightly lowered contrast for a filmic look while keeping high central resolution.

Question: Is this lens practical for production use with matte boxes and follow focus systems?

Answer: Yes. The lens uses a consistent exterior form factor across the series—114 mm front outside diameter and standardized gear positions—plus cinema-standard 0.8 MOD gears and approximately 300° of focus rotation to facilitate fast swaps and precise manual control on set.

Question: What types of productions benefit most from the Vista-C 105mm?

Answer: The 105mm suits narrative features, series work, commercials and music videos where a filmic, expressive look is desired but production efficiency and large-format coverage remain essential. Its blend of characterful rendering and professional mechanics supports creative and technical demands on modern sets.