Tokina Vista-P 29mm T1.5 Cinema PL

Tokina Vista-P 29mm T1.5 Cinema PL – Vintage-inspired low contrast rendering with swirling Petzval bokeh

The Tokina Vista-P 29mm T1.5 Cinema PL lens combines a vintage-inspired optical character with modern cine-mechanical solutions, making it an excellent choice for filmmakers seeking a unique image aesthetic. With its distinctive bokeh and ability to produce expressive images, this lens is ideal for both short and feature film productions.

Optical character and image rendering

The Vista-P lenses are designed with an updated optical construction that increases the distances between lens elements. This results in the 29mm T1.5 producing images with clear, sharp central focus and a more stylized, characterful rendering towards the edges. The intentional increase in spherical distortion contributes to the classic swirling background effect typical of Petzval-style optics. By keeping chromatic aberration under control and maintaining high resolution in the center of the image, the lens provides a perfect balance between vintage aesthetics and modern sharpness.

Aperture, bokeh, and low light performance

The lens features a fast T1.5 maximum aperture and a minimum aperture of T22, providing great flexibility in various lighting conditions. With a 9-blade curved iris, filmmakers can create shallow depth of field and soft, rounded bokeh. The swirling, Petzval-like bokeh is a central creative element that contributes to the unique aesthetic that the Vista-P lens offers, making it perfect for dramatic scenes and portraits.

Coverage for large format and resolution

The Vista-P primes are designed to cover a large image circle of 46.7 mm, making the 29mm suitable for full-frame, VistaVision, and digital 65 mm sensors. The series supports high-resolution recording up to 8K, making it ideal for modern large format film cameras, ensuring that filmmakers can work with the latest technology without compromising image quality.

Mechanical design and professional cine workflow

The lens features a robust all-metal cine construction and standardized 0.8 MOD focus and iris gears, providing a professional feel and durability. The focus rotation is approximately 300°, supporting precise and repeatable focus pulls. With nearly zero focus shift, filmmakers can easily recompose during focus pulls, which is crucial for capturing the perfect shots.

The entire Vista-P series is designed with matched gear positions and a consistent front diameter of 114 mm, along with a 112 mm front filter thread. These standardized measurements make lens changes quicker and easier when using matte boxes and FIZ systems, which is a significant advantage in hectic production environments.

Mounts and options

Tokina offers several mount options to fit a wide range of camera systems, including PL, EF, MFT, E, and LPL. Additionally, the Vista-P lenses are available both as new lenses and as one-off modifications of existing Vista Primes, providing productions with flexibility when integrating this look into their existing kits.

Key features

• Vintage style: low contrast rendering with strong spherical distortion and swirling Petzval-like bokeh
• Aperture: Fast T1.5 maximum aperture for optimal lighting conditions
• Optical design: Updated construction for high resolution and control of chromatic aberration
• Coverage: Large image circle for full-frame and large format recording up to 8K
• Robust construction: All-metal design for long-lasting use
• Mounts: Various options for compatibility with many camera systems

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum aperture for the Tokina Vista-P 29mm T1.5 Cinema PL?
The maximum aperture is T1.5.

What type of bokeh does the lens produce?
The lens produces a swirling, Petzval-like bokeh.

What image circle does the Tokina Vista-P 29mm T1.5 cover?
The lens covers an image circle of 46.7 mm.

How is the mechanical design of the lens?
The lens has a robust all-metal cine construction and standardized 0.8 MOD focus and iris gears.