Tokina Vista-P 135mm T1.5 Cinema Canon EF

Tokina Vista-P 135mm T1.5 Cinema Canon EF – Fast T1.5 and vintage-style swirly Petzval bokeh

The Tokina Vista-P 135mm T1.5 in Canon EF mount combines a fast T1.5 aperture with a vintage-inspired, lower-contrast rendering. It gives cinematographers a stylized look with strong spherical distortion and characteristic swirly, Petzval-type bokeh while maintaining modern optical control and large-format coverage.

Key optical characteristics

Vista-P primes deliberately shift the optical design to increase spacing between elements. As a result, these lenses emphasize expressive spherical distortion and swirly background rendering, producing a distinct vintage character. At the same time, the lens keeps high resolution in the center and controls chromatic aberration so images remain usable on contemporary large-format cinema cameras.

• Vintage-style, lower-contrast rendering with strong spherical distortion and swirly Petzval-type bokeh
• High center resolution with more stylized rendering toward the edges
• Low chromatic aberration for cleaner highlights and edges
• Near-zero focus breathing for subtle reframing during focus pulls

Aperture, iris and depth of field

The lens features a fast maximum aperture of T1.5, enabling shallow depth of field and flexible use in low light. It also stops down to T22. A 9-blade curved iris produces smooth, rounded bokeh and contributes to the classic rendering that defines the Vista-P look.

• Maximum aperture: T1.5
• Minimum aperture: T22
• 9-blade curved iris for smooth bokeh

Mechanical design and handling

Mechanically, the Vista-P 135mm uses robust cine-oriented construction. The lens has an all-metal housing and standardized gearing and front dimensions across the series to make lens changes and rigging faster and more consistent on set.

• All-metal cine housing for reliable handling
• 0.8 MOD focus and iris gears matched across the series
• Approximately 300° of focus rotation for precise, repeatable pulls
• Matched 114 mm front diameter and 112 mm front filter thread for consistent matte box and filter setup

Large-format coverage and resolution

Vista-P primes offer a large 46.7 mm image circle. Consequently, they cover full-frame, VistaVision and digital 65 mm sensors. The design supports high-resolution capture, and the series is suitable for workflows up to 8K.

• Large-format image circle: 46.7 mm
• Coverage: full-frame, VistaVision and digital 65 mm sensors
• Suitable for high-resolution capture up to 8K

Mounts, compatibility and modification option

This listing is the Canon EF mount version of the Vista-P 135mm. More generally, the Vista-P series is available in multiple mounts. That provides flexibility for a wide range of cinema cameras and rental packages.

• This specific lens: Canon EF mount
• Series mount options: PL, EF, MFT, E and LPL
• Vista-P is available as new lenses or as a one-way modification to existing Vista Primes

Common use cases

With its combination of expressive vintage character, fast T1.5 speed and modern cine mechanics, the Tokina Vista-P 135mm suits productions that want a stylized look. Typical uses include narrative filmmaking, music videos, commercials and any project seeking distinct swirly bokeh while retaining a robust large-format workflow.

FAQ

Question: Will this 135mm Vista-P cover a full-frame or larger sensor?

Answer: Yes. The Vista-P series has a 46.7 mm image circle and is suitable for full-frame, VistaVision and digital 65 mm sensors, supporting high-resolution capture up to 8K.

Question: How does the lens render out of focus areas and highlights?

Answer: The lens is tuned for a vintage-style, lower-contrast look with strong spherical distortion and a swirly Petzval-type bokeh. A 9-blade curved iris produces smooth, rounded bokeh for out-of-focus highlights.

Question: Is the lens practical for precise focus pulls?

Answer: Yes. The lens offers approximately 300° of focus rotation, near-zero focus breathing and 0.8 MOD cine gears, which together support precise and repeatable focus pulls on set.

Question: Does this listing include other mount options?

Answer: This specific product is the Canon EF mount version. The Vista-P series itself is available in multiple mounts including PL, EF, MFT, E and LPL, and can also be supplied as a one-way modification to existing Vista Primes.