NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 135mm T2.2 RF-Mount

NiSi Cine Lens Athena Prime 135mm T2.2 RF-Mount – 135mm telephoto prime with T2.2 aperture and Drop-In filter support

This NiSi Athena 135mm T2.2 is the telephoto member of the Athena Prime cine lens series, offered here in Canon RF mount. It delivers the specified T2.2 maximum aperture for the 135mm focal length and integrates into the Athena ecosystem of matched cine primes.

Key features and intended use

The Athena primes cover a broad focal range from ultra-wide to telephoto, making this 135mm lens suitable for portrait, telephoto and selective-background shots. Use it when you need a longer focal length with the optical characteristics and control expected from the Athena series.

• Part of a focal set spanning 14mm to 135mm, enabling consistent look across a wide range of shooting scenarios.
• The 135mm lens has a maximum aperture of T2.2, matching the design specification for that focal length.
• Designed to work within workflows that require matched gear, standardized focus and iris behaviour, and compatibility with follow focus and matte box systems.

Optical characteristics

The Athena series emphasises consistent exposure and image performance across focal lengths. The series uses T-stop ratings to communicate actual light transmission and ensure exposure consistency when changing lenses.

• T-stop values across the series: 25/35/40/50 & 85mm at T1.9; 18mm and 135mm at T2.2; 14mm at T2.4.
• Ultra-low chromatic aberration and micro-contrast control are part of the series’ design to deliver finer image details.
• Minimised focus breathing keeps changes in field of view very small when pulling focus from minimum focus distance to infinity.
• The T1.9 lenses in the series make it possible to achieve softer bokeh and stronger subject separation; the 135mm at T2.2 also provides controlled background separation appropriate for a telephoto prime.

Mounts, filters and compatibility

The Athena Prime line is available in several mount options and offers a proprietary rear filtration system for flexible creative control.

• Available mounts across the series: ARRI PL, Canon RF, Sony E, Panasonic/Leica L and Fuji G.
• Drop-In filter options: RF-, L- and G-mounts include a Drop-In filter option. E-mount is offered in two versions: with and without Drop-In filter. PL-mount uses a rear filter.
• Important compatibility note: Sony FX9 cameras cannot use the E-mount version with Drop-In filters.
• It is important to use the Drop-In clear filter on RF-, L-, G- and E-mount versions (when equipped) and to use the rear filter on PL-mount lenses with the lens to achieve infinity focus and obtain clear images.
• NiSi provides weather sealing for the Drop-In filter to protect the filter assembly in the field.

Handling, mechanics and system matching

The Athena primes are designed for practical on-set use, with mechanical consistency across the series to simplify swaps and support precise focus control.

• All Athena Prime lenses are similar in weight, so you do not need to rebalance a gimbal when switching between Athena lenses.
• Except for the 14mm lens, Athena lenses share the same 77mm front filter thread, allowing easier accessory changes across the range.
• Aperture and focus rings are matched across the series for consistent feel and operation during lens changes.
• Both aperture and focus gears use the standard 0.8 mod, ensuring compatibility with common follow focus and iris gear systems.
• Focus rotation is 300° for precise pulls; focus scales are fluorescent and displayed in both imperial and metric units for visibility in low light.
• NiSi offers a 77mm close-up lens (sold separately) that reduces minimum focus distance for macro-style effects when needed.

Specifications

FAQ

Question: Will the RF-mount 135mm work with full-frame or large-format sensors?
Answer: Yes. The Athena series provides a 46mm image circle, which is specified as suitable for full-frame and large-format sensors.

Question: Does this 135mm lens include a Drop-In filter in the RF mount version?
Answer: The Athena series offers a Drop-In filter option for RF-mount lenses. Use the Drop-In clear filter with the RF-mount version to achieve infinity focus and clear images, as specified.

Question: Are these lenses matched for quick swaps on a gimbal?
Answer: Yes. All Athena Prime lenses are similar in weight, which means you do not need to rebalance a gimbal when switching between Athena lenses.

Question: Can I use an E-mount Athena with Drop-In filters on a Sony FX9?
Answer: No. The Sony FX9 camera cannot use the E-mount version that includes Drop-In filters; this is a specific compatibility limitation to note.

Question: What gear mod do the focus and iris rings use?
Answer: Both the focus and iris gears use the standard 0.8 mod, ensuring compatibility with common follow focus and matte box systems.

Question: How does the 135mm perform optically compared to other Athena lenses?
Answer: The Athena series is designed with ultra-low chromatic aberration and micro-contrast control, and the 135mm follows this design approach. The series also minimises focus breathing and uses T-stop ratings to ensure consistent exposure across lenses.