Tokina Vista-P 40mm T1.5 Cinema MFT

Tokina Vista-P 40mm T1.5 Cinema MFT – Fast T1.5 vintage-style rendering with large-format 46.7 mm coverage

The Tokina Vista-P 40mm T1.5 Cinema MFT brings Vista Prime character to a modern MFT-mounted cine lens. It delivers a vintage-inspired, lower-contrast look while preserving the reliability and precision expected from contemporary optics. Built from the updated Vista-P optical design, this 40mm prime emphasizes expressive spherical distortion and a distinctive swirly, Petzval-type bokeh.

Design and image character

Vista-P lenses use increased spacing between optical elements to create a more expressive image. As a result, the 40mm T1.5 produces a classic, characterful rendering with reduced contrast and a more stylized appearance toward the image edges. At the same time, the design retains crisp central sharpness and controlled chromatic aberration so images remain usable on modern large-format cameras.

Optical features

The lens is built around a fast T1.5 maximum aperture, enabling shallow depth of field and greater flexibility in low-light conditions. It also provides a T22 minimum aperture for greater exposure control. A 9-blade curved iris yields smooth, rounded bokeh and contributes to the lens’s vintage look.

With a large 46.7 mm image circle, the Vista-P 40mm covers full-frame, VistaVision and digital 65 mm sensors. This coverage makes the lens suitable for high-resolution capture, including production workflows up to 8K. Optically, Vista-P is tuned for increased spherical distortion and swirly background rendering while maintaining high center resolution and low chromatic aberration. Focus breathing is kept to a minimum for subtle reframing during focus pulls.

Mechanics and operating characteristics

The 40mm T1.5 features a robust all-metal cine housing and industry-standard 0.8 MOD gears on both focus and iris. It offers approximately 300° of focus rotation, allowing for precise and repeatable focus pulls. The lens maintains a consistent 114 mm front diameter across the series and uses a 112 mm front filter thread, which simplifies accessory use across different focal lengths.

Gear positions are matched across the Vista-P series to speed up lens changes when using matte boxes and FIZ systems. Mount flexibility and matched mechanical interfaces make the lens easy to integrate into large-format cine workflows.

Mounts, availability and modification option

The Vista-P series is available in multiple mount options, including PL, EF, MFT, E and LPL. The 40mm T1.5 described here is the MFT mount variant. Additionally, Vista-P optics are offered both as new lenses and as a one-way modification to existing Vista Primes, providing a creative upgrade path for productions already using the Vista ecosystem.

Recommended use cases

Use the Tokina Vista-P 40mm T1.5 for narrative work, music videos, commercials, and any production that wants a stylized, swirling bokeh look. The combination of expressive vintage character, fast T1.5 speed and modern cine mechanics suits filmmakers who need distinctive rendering while remaining within a robust large-format workflow.

Key features

• Vintage-style, lower-contrast rendering with strong spherical distortion and swirly Petzval-type bokeh
• Fast T1.5 maximum aperture with T22 minimum, 9-blade curved iris and smooth, rounded bokeh
• Large-format coverage with a 46.7 mm image circle, suitable for full-frame, VistaVision and 65 mm digital sensors
• High resolution in the image center with controlled chromatic aberration and a more characterful look toward the edges
• Near-zero focus breathing and approximately 300° focus rotation for precise, repeatable focus pulls
• 0.8 MOD cine gears, all-metal housing, and matched 114 mm front diameter / 112 mm filter thread across the series
• Multiple mount options including PL, EF, MFT, E and LPL for broad camera compatibility

FAQ

Question: Is the 40mm T1.5 Vista-P suitable for large-format cameras?
Answer: Yes. The Vista-P 40mm provides a 46.7 mm image circle that covers full-frame, VistaVision and digital 65 mm sensors, making it suitable for high-resolution capture up to 8K.

Question: What kind of look can I expect from this lens?
Answer: Expect a vintage-inspired, lower-contrast rendering with strong spherical distortion and swirly Petzval-type bokeh, while retaining crisp central sharpness and controlled chromatic aberration for modern cinematic use.

Question: How does the lens perform when pulling focus?
Answer: The lens is tuned for near-zero focus breathing and offers approximately 300° of focus rotation, enabling subtle reframing and precise, repeatable focus pulls for cinematic work.

Question: Can I use this lens in a professional cine rig with matte boxes and FIZ systems?
Answer: Yes. The lens has matched gear positions across the series, a consistent 114 mm front diameter and 0.8 MOD gears, which simplifies integration with matte boxes and FIZ systems on professional rigs.