NiSi has released its third line of fast-aperture prime cine lenses, the NiSi Aureus Prime T1.4. The series covers a 46mm image circle, and NiSi says it’ll be a good option for everything from movie and TV production to documentaries and commercial shoots. Eight professional cine lenses are planned for the new line, each priced at a relatively affordable $2,299.
The basic concept of NiSi optics (this and previous lines) is premium-quality images at a relatively low cost (compared to Arri, Cooke, and other lenses). That is, small film crews can afford the new NiSi Aureus Prime.
The initial release covers five focal lengths:
- 18mm Т1.4
- 24mm Т1.4
- 35mm Т1.4
- 50mm Т1.4
- 85mm Т1.4
However, in the future, NiSi will release lenses with focal lengths of 29mm, 65mm, and 105mm. As always with NiSi, the new lenses look stylish, elegant, and strict.
The NiSi Aureus Prime series was developed to complement NiSi’s Athena Prime lenses, which have similar optical characteristics and color rendering.
NiSi claims that the lenses in the new line and the previously released Athena Prime should overlap without problems. All lenses in the NiSi Aureus Prime series weigh 1300 grams and are the same length.
The lenses feature an 11-blade aperture for dramatic bokeh, and NiSi reports that sharpness and contrast remain consistent from T1.4 to T22.
The new cinema lenses’ optical design includes extra-low dispersion elements that help minimize chromatic aberrations and distortions. Advanced coatings reduce flare and ghosting while maintaining the contrast and neutral color rendition of the NiSi Aureus Prime T1.4 cinema optics.
NiSi has minimized the negative effect of focus “breathing.
The NiSi Aureus Prime series features an industry-standard 300° focus ring rotation, a 90mm front diameter, and an 86mm filter thread.
There are also glow-in-the-dark markings, and the lenses come with interchangeable focus scales (feet or meters). The user can change each scale with a tool (sold separately).
Minimum Focusing Distances:
- 18mm T1.4 – 25 cm
- 24mm T1.4 – 33 cm
- 35mm T1.4 – 35 cm
- 50mm T1.4 – 55 cm
- 85mm T1.4 – 90 cm
The cinema lens series is available with a professional PL mount and features another improvement over the NiSi Athena optics released last year.
Most PL-mount adapters with drop-in filters couldn’t accommodate the NiSi Athena lenses (except at 25mm) because the rear mounts protruded too far.
However, the new series of cinema optics immediately has a built-in rear filter holder – in each cinema lens, which supports neutral, diffusion, and creative filters.
NiSi Aureus Prime T1.4 Price and Release Date
The NiSi Aureus Prime T1.4 cinema lenses are available for pre-order on B&H Photo and Adorama for $2,299 each. The ultra-wide 18mm Aureus Prime will cost a little more at $2,599.
You can also purchase a set of 5 lenses in a branded hard case for $9,999.
