Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 Cinema PL

Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 Cinema PL – fast T1.5 aperture with large format compatibility

Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 Cinema PL is a lens that combines an impressive T1.5 aperture with large format compatibility, providing a classic, cinematic aesthetic that suits modern digital film cameras. This lens is ideal for filmmakers and professionals seeking a blend of vintage feel and reliable technology, designed in collaboration with experienced cinematographers and rental companies.

Optical character and rendering

The Vista-C 105mm features a unique optical adjustment that delivers a vintage, organic image. You can expect mild field distortion, natural light fall-off, and softer edges that contribute to a more expressive and analog feel in your images. The lens offers slightly lower contrast compared to more neutral optics but maintains a high central resolution that is perfect for large format sensors.

With its carefully crafted coatings and optical design, the Vista-C 105mm provides a warm overall rendering with vibrant blue and red flare tones. Furthermore, this lens reduces green tint compared to previous Vista designs and delivers a more balanced color reproduction, which is particularly important for skin tones and highlights. The beautiful bokeh effect, which appears soft and pleasing, is a result of the lens's construction and the shape of the aperture.

Large format compatibility and aperture

The Tokina Vista-C 105mm is designed to cover full-frame and large format sensors with an image circle larger than 46.7 mm. This means that the lens is compatible with cameras using "full-frame plus" formats, including the ARRI ALEXA 65 Open Gate format. The entire Vista-C series is equipped with a fast T1.5 maximum aperture and a T22 minimum aperture, allowing for shallow depth of field and excellent performance even in low light.

Focus behavior and mechanics

The lens exhibits virtually no focus shift during focusing, which helps maintain framing during focus pulls and contributes to smooth and elegant focus transitions. The Vista-C 105mm uses cine-standard mechanics with a robust all-metal housing, 0.8 MOD focus and iris gears, and a focus range of approximately 300°, allowing for precise manual control.

The design consistency within the Vista-C series facilitates production workflows. Each lens has the same outer form factor, including a front diameter of 114 mm and consistent gear positions. This makes lens changes quick and predictable when using matte boxes and FIZ systems. The 9-blade curved iris ensures soft and rounded out-of-focus highlights when stopped down.

Who this lens is suitable for

Filmmakers looking for an expressive and cinematic look while valuing the reliability of modern cine lenses will find the Vista-C 105mm perfect for feature films, TV series, commercials, and music videos. The lens balances characterful rendering with the mechanical standards expected in professional recordings, making it an excellent choice for large format productions that require both aesthetic and operational consistency.

Key features

• Fast T1.5 maximum aperture: allows for work in low light
• T22 minimum aperture: provides great flexibility in exposure
• Large format compatibility: suitable for full-frame and large format sensors
• Robust all-metal housing: for long durability and reliability
• Minimal focus shift: for smooth focus transitions
• 9-blade iris: for soft bokeh effects

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum aperture for the Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 Cinema PL?
The maximum aperture is T1.5.

What types of sensors is the Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 Cinema PL compatible with?
The lens is designed to cover full-frame and large format sensors with an image circle larger than 46.7 mm.

How does the lens affect the character and rendering of the image?
The lens provides a vintage, organic image with mild field distortion, natural light falloff, and softer edges, as well as a warm overall rendering with vibrant blue and red flare tones.

What is the focus behavior of the Tokina Vista-C 105mm T1.5 Cinema PL?
The lens exhibits virtually no focus shift during focusing, which helps to maintain framing during focus pulls.