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

Tokina Vista-C 135mm T1.5 Cinema Canon EF – Fast T1.5 for shallow depth of field on large-format sensors

Tokina Vista-C 135mm T1.5 in Canon EF mount is designed to deliver exceptional optical and mechanical performance tailored for film production. This lens combines a vintage-inspired rendering with modern cine mechanics, making it ideal for both professional filmmakers and enthusiasts. With its fast aperture and ability to create shallow depths of field, it is perfect for capturing stunning images with a cinematic feel.

Character and Image Rendering

Vista-C primes have been developed with feedback from professional cinematographers and rental houses, resulting in a refined vintage aesthetic. The 135mm model offers softer edges and a subtle field distortion that provides a natural softening to the images. The contrast is slightly lower than that found in more clinical lenses, which helps preserve details in highlights and gives a classic and organic look.

The lens also renders expressive blue and red lens flare tones, thanks to Tokina's improved coatings that reduce green shifts and provide an overall warmer appearance. The soft and pleasing bokeh effect makes the 135mm lens particularly well-suited for portraits and evocative long-distance shots where a cinematic, organic feel is desired.

Optical Coverage and Performance

Vista-C lenses are designed to cover full-frame and large-format sensors, with an image circle exceeding 46.7 mm. This enables use on so-called "full-frame plus" cameras as well as ARRI ALEXA 65 Open Gate. The lens maintains high central resolution, making it ideal for modern large-format digital film cameras. The 135mm version ensures that central sharpness is preserved for critical image areas, which is crucial for professional work.

Another advantage of the Vista-C design is the minimal focus breathing, meaning focus pulls are smooth and without distracting changes in image angle—an important characteristic for professional cine work with shallow depth of field.

Mechanical Design and Handling

The Vista-C series is characterized by a robust all-metal housing and a uniform form factor across different focal lengths. The lenses feature a 0.8 MOD cine gear and offer approximately 300° of focus rotation, providing precise manual control and finely calibrated focus pulls. The standardized front outer diameter of 114 mm and consistent gear positions make lens changes quick and predictable when using matte boxes, follow focus units, or FIZ systems. The 9-blade curved iris helps maintain soft, rounded out-of-focus highlights when stopped down.

Specifications

• Maximum aperture: T1.5
• Minimum aperture: T22
• Image circle: >46.7 mm
• Compatibility: Full-frame and large-format sensors, up to ARRI ALEXA 65 Open Gate
• Optical design: Vintage-inspired with softer edges and reduced contrast
• Focus breathing: Almost none
• Material: All-metal housing
• Focus rotation: Approx. 300°
• Iris: 9-blade curved iris

Frequently asked questions

Does the product require phantom power?
No, the lens does not require any external power supply.

What type of sensors is the lens compatible with?
The lens is compatible with full-frame and large-format sensors, up to ARRI ALEXA 65 Open Gate.

What is the maximum aperture of the lens?
The maximum aperture is T1.5.

How many blades does the iris in the lens have?
The lens has a 9-blade curved iris.