Tokina Vista-P 40mm T1.5 Cinema PL

Tokina Vista-P 40mm T1.5 Cinema PL – Fast T1.5 vintage-inspired large-format prime

The Tokina Vista-P 40mm T1.5 Cinema PL is a large-format cine prime that combines a vintage-inspired, lower-contrast look with modern cine mechanics. It delivers a characteristic swirly, Petzval-type bokeh while maintaining reliable optical performance. The lens fits into the Vista-P series designed for cinematographers who want expressive rendering alongside practical, repeatable operation.

Key optical characteristics

Vista-P optics emphasize a stylized image with reduced contrast and a strong spherical distortion profile. At the same time, the lens preserves high central resolution and controls chromatic aberration.

• Vintage-style rendering: The lens produces lower contrast and a more characterful look toward the edges, creating a classic image aesthetic.
• Swirly, Petzval-type bokeh: The optical design increases spacing between elements to create expressive background rendering and a distinctive swirl.
• High central sharpness: Despite the stylized edges and distortion, the center of the image remains crisp and detailed.
• Low chromatic aberration: The design keeps color fringing under control for cleaner images.
• Near-zero focus breathing: The lens minimizes focus breathing, so reframing during focus pulls stays subtle and predictable.

Aperture, iris and depth of field

The Vista-P series centers on a fast maximum aperture and a cine-style iris that help shape depth of field and bokeh.

• Fast maximum aperture: T1.5 allows shallow depth of field and flexible work in low light.
• Minimum aperture: T22 provides a wide range of exposure control.
• 9-blade curved iris: The multi-blade iris creates smooth, rounded bokeh and contributes to the lens’s distinctive out-of-focus rendering.

Large-format coverage and resolution

Tokina Vista-P lenses suit modern high-resolution capture workflows. They offer a large image circle and are built to work with current cinema sensors.

• 46.7 mm image circle: The lens covers a large image area suitable for full-frame, VistaVision and digital 65 mm sensors.
• High-resolution-ready: The coverage and optical design make the lenses suitable for capture up to 8K.

Mechanical design and ergonomics

Vista-P lenses pair expressive optics with robust cine mechanics for repeatable, production-friendly performance.

• All-metal cine housing: Durable construction for frequent use in production environments.
• 0.8 MOD focus and iris gears: Standard cine gearing supports compatibility with follow focus systems and motorized controls.
• Approximately 300° focus rotation: The long focus throw enables precise, repeatable focus pulls.
• Matched gear positions: Gear locations align across focal lengths in the series, which simplifies lens swaps when using matte boxes and FIZ systems.
• Consistent front diameter and filter thread: The series shares a 114 mm front diameter with a 112 mm front filter thread, making front accessories easier to manage across lenses.

Availability and compatibility

Vista-P primes offer flexibility in how they reach productions and rental houses.

• New lenses or modification: The series is available as new Vista-P lenses and also as a one-way modification to existing Vista Primes, giving productions options to add this look to an existing lens set.
• Mount options: Mount variants for the series include PL, EF, MFT, E and LPL to cover a wide range of cinema cameras and rental workflows.

Suitable use cases

Filmmakers choose Vista-P primes when they want a stylized, vintage character while keeping modern large-format mechanics. Typical applications include:

• Narrative filmmaking where a classic look is desired.
• Music videos that benefit from expressive bokeh and characterful rendering.
• Commercials that need a distinctive visual texture while maintaining reliable focus control.

Technical specifications

FAQ

Question: Does the Vista-P 40mm cover large-format sensors and high-resolution capture?
Answer: Yes. The Vista-P series provides a 46.7 mm image circle that covers full-frame, VistaVision and digital 65 mm sensors and is suitable for capture up to 8K.

Question: How does the Vista-P 40mm handle focus breathing and focus control?
Answer: The lens is designed for near-zero focus breathing and offers approximately 300° of focus rotation, which supports precise and repeatable focus pulls for narrative and commercial work.

Question: Can I use this look on lenses I already own?
Answer: Yes. Vista-P rendering is available both as new lenses and as a one-way modification to existing Vista Primes, allowing productions to add the Vista-P character to lenses they already use.

Question: What mounting options are available for Vista-P lenses?
Answer: The series offers multiple mount options including PL, EF, MFT, E and LPL, which helps ensure compatibility across a wide range of cinema cameras and rental packages.