NiSi made a splash at last year’s NAB with the release of its ATHENA PRIME Cinema Lenses. These full-frame manual lenses provide a sharp, detailed image with ultra-low chromatic aberration, soft bokeh, and a consistent look across the set, making them extremely popular with narrative and documentary filmmakers. Now the brand has announced three additions to the ATHENA PRIME lineup—an 18mm, 40mm, and 135mm—available in the same Sony E, Leica L, Canon RF, Arri PL, and FUJIFILM G mounts. The E, L, and RF versions come with drop-in rear filter mounts for easily slotting neutral density or diffusion filters.
The 40mm has the same T1.9 maximum aperture as most of the line, versus T2.2 for the 18mm and 135mm. Expect consistent size and weight across all ATHENA lenses, ideal for swapping them out while using accessories like a matte box or follow focus, as well as maintaining settings on stabilizers like gimbals and Easyrigs. The 18mm, 40mm, and 135mm can be purchased individually, as a 3-Lens Add-On Kit if you have the original 5-Lens Kit, or as part of a new Master Kit with all eight lenses.
These three new focal lengths will help videographers capture a wider range of content and perspective, with the telephoto 135mm being an especially notable addition to a series that originally capped out at 85mm. The operator-friendly 300° focus ring remains, as does the durable, lightweight aluminum alloy construction and 10 aperture blade build for creamy, circular bokeh. These new lenses will help cinematographers capture a larger variety of shots while keeping an identical color palette.
Alongside this new glass, NiSi announced a nine-lens Hardshell Case that can house the full set, plus a PL to Z Adapter for using the ATHENA lenses on Nikon Z-mount cameras. The name of the game here is consistency and reliability in a way that vintage lenses and comparably priced cine lenses rarely provide. The ATHENA line has already brought pro-level cinema optics to the masses, and these additional focal lengths should land them in even more production environments.
For more information, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product pages for the NiSi ATHENA PRIME 18mm, 40mm, and 135mm Cinema Lenses, as well as the new Master Kit and Add-On Kit. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to reply to your comments and questions.
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