Tokina Vista-C 135mm T1.5 Cinema PL

Tokina Vista-C 135mm T1.5 Cinema PL – Fast T1.5 for large format with vintage-inspired rendering

Tokina Vista-C 135mm T1.5 Cinema PL is a professional lens that combines vintage aesthetics with advanced cine technology. Developed in collaboration with experienced cinematographers and rental companies, this lens offers characterful image rendering without compromising reliability. It is ideal for filmmakers seeking an expressive tool to create stunning images with a unique style.

Optical character and image rendering

With carefully adjusted optics to provide a vintage feel, the 135mm Vista-C delivers soft field distortion and natural vignetting. This contributes to giving images an organic and classic feel. The lens also has a slightly lower contrast and softer edges, making it perfect for modern large format digital film cameras while maintaining high central resolution. This combination allows filmmakers to create visually appealing images with a nostalgic touch.

One of the most prominent features of the Vista-C 135mm is its ability to produce beautiful bokeh, achieved through its optical design and the 9-blade curved diaphragm. Additionally, the lens provides expressive blue and red flare tones, contributing to a warmer overall rendering with reduced green dominance compared to earlier versions of the Vista series.

Large format coverage and aperture

This lens is designed to cover full-frame and large format sensors, with an image circle exceeding 46.7 mm. This allows it to support sensors up to 65 mm, making it perfect for use with ARRI ALEXA 65 Open Gate. The fast maximum aperture of T1.5 enables work with shallow depth of field and soft focus pulls, while the lens also has a minimum aperture of T22 for more control over light intake.

Mechanical design and handling

Mechanically, the Vista-C 135mm is constructed with a robust metal housing that follows a standardized outer shape within the series. The lens uses an ARRI PL mount with 0.8 MOD cine gearing for focus and iris, providing filmmakers with precise manual control with about 300° focus rotation. The shared front diameter of 114 mm and consistent gear positions make it easy and quick to change lenses on set, which is crucial during hectic shooting conditions.

An important feature for cinematographers is that the Vista-C 135mm has close to zero focus breathing. This characteristic is essential for maintaining consistent cropping during focus pulls, supporting production workflows and ensuring stable optics throughout the shoot.

Main features

• Fast T1.5: maximum aperture with T22 minimum aperture across the series
• Large format coverage: image circle >46.7 mm, suitable for sensors up to 65 mm and ALEXA 65 Open Gate
• Vintage-inspired rendering: softer edges, reduced contrast, natural vignetting, and subtle field distortion
• Color tones: warm red and blue flare tones with redesigned coatings to minimize green dominance
• Focus breathing: close to zero focus breathing and high central resolution for modern film production
• Mount: ARRI PL mount with 0.8 MOD focus/iris gears and about 300° focus rotation
• Front diameter: shared 114 mm and consistent gear positions for quick lens changes
• Aperture: 9-blade curved diaphragm for smooth and beautiful bokeh

Frequently asked questions

Does the lens require phantom power?
No, the Tokina Vista-C 135mm T1.5 Cinema PL is a passive lens and does not require external power supply.

What type of mount does the lens have?
The lens uses an ARRI PL mount.

What is the maximum aperture for this lens?
The maximum aperture is T1.5.

What image circle does the lens cover?
The lens has an image circle that exceeds 46.7 mm, making it suitable for sensors up to 65 mm.