Tokina Vista-C 25mm T1.5 Cinema PL

Tokina Vista-C 25mm T1.5 Cinema PL – Fast T1.5 aperture with PL mount for vintage-inspired large-format images

The Tokina Vista-C 25mm T1.5 Cinema PL is part of the Vista-C large-format prime series. Tokina developed the Vista-C line after consulting working DPs and rental houses. The lenses use completely new optics and coatings compared to the original Vista, Vista One and Vista-P lines. As a result, Vista-C delivers a distinctive, characterful look while keeping professional cine mechanics.

Optical character and rendering

Vista-C primes are optically tuned for a refined vintage aesthetic. They produce gentle field distortion and natural falloff. Edges are softer and the bokeh remains smooth and pleasing. Contrast is slightly lowered, and the lenses create expressive blue and red flare tones.

Overall rendering shifts warmer with a reduced green cast compared to earlier Vista designs. Despite the filmic character, the lenses retain high central resolution suitable for modern large-format digital cinema cameras.

Coverage and aperture

The series covers full-frame and large-format sensors with an image circle greater than 46.7 mm. Consequently, Vista-C supports “full-frame plus” cameras and sensors up to 65 mm, including ARRI ALEXA 65 Open Gate.

Across the range, the lenses share a fast T1.5 maximum aperture. The series offers a T22 minimum aperture. The fast T1.5 enables shallow depth-of-field work, while near-zero focus breathing allows smooth focus pulls without distracting changes in angle of view.

Mechanical design and consistency

Mechanically, Vista-C lenses use a robust, all-metal housing. The series is available in several mounts, and this particular model is supplied in an ARRI PL mount. Lenses feature 0.8 MOD cine gears and approximately 300° of focus rotation for precise manual control.

Each lens in the series shares the same exterior form factor. That includes a 114 mm front outside diameter and consistent gear positions. These shared dimensions make lens swaps 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.

Key features

• 25mm focal length in the Vista-C prime series
• 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

Specifications

Recommended uses

• Narrative features
• Series work
• Commercials
• Music videos

FAQ

Question: Is the 25mm Vista‑C supplied in PL mount?
Answer: Yes. This 25mm Vista‑C model is the ARRI PL mount version, and the Vista‑C series is also offered in several different mounts across the range.

Question: Will this lens cover large-format sensors like ALEXA 65?
Answer: Yes. Vista‑C lenses provide an image circle greater than 46.7 mm and are specified to support sensors up to 65 mm, including ARRI ALEXA 65 Open Gate.

Question: How does the lens behave when performing focus pulls?
Answer: The lens features near-zero focus breathing and approximately 300° of focus rotation, which together enable smooth focus pulls without distracting changes in angle of view and give precise manual control.

Question: How does Vista‑C differ visually from earlier Vista lines?
Answer: Vista‑C uses completely new optics and coatings versus the original Vista, Vista One and Vista‑P lines. It produces a refined vintage aesthetic with softer edges, slightly lowered contrast, warm rendering with blue and red flare tones, and a reduced green cast while retaining strong center resolution.