CINELUX REDUXA A1 Kickstarter Dates and Pricing Announced – 0.71x Focal Reducer for ALEXA Classic, XT and SXT

Lens Accessories

by Johnnie BehiriToday

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Back in July, CINELUX teased the REDUXA A1, a focal reducer that lets older ARRI ALEXA cameras shoot with full-frame lenses. Now the British company has put dates and prices on it. VIP access opens on October 20, the Kickstarter campaign follows on November 10, and the regular campaign price is $1,995. Here is what has changed since the teaser.

The REDUXA A1 is a 0.71x focal reducer that maps the image circle of full-frame EF and PL lenses onto the Super 35 sensor of the ALEXA Classic, XT and SXT. According to CINELUX, this gives roughly one extra stop of light. The unit is under 2cm deep, comes with a positive-lock EF mount as standard, and accepts a PL mount that fits directly over it. Rear-element clearance is 9.5mm on EF and 17.5mm on PL. Electronic contacts are built in, so compatible EF lenses keep communication with the camera, and their aperture can be set from the ALEXA. If you missed our first report, you can read our July article on the REDUXA A1 teaser. At that point, CINELUX described the product as an early prototype, with no price or availability.

Focal Shift and lens calibration

The most unusual feature is what CINELUX calls Focal Shift. It physically moves the optic inside the focal reducer, letting users adjust sharpness and coverage for each lens they mount. The adjustments can be saved as presets and recalled later. CINELUX also says that Focal Shift can bring a lens closer than its normal minimum focus distance, for example, making a lens that typically focuses at one meter focus “far closer, without diopters or lens changes.” The company gives no figures for this, so the real gain will depend on the lens.

A companion app for iPhone, Android and the web gives access to the calibration presets and to aperture control. That is notable on these cameras, as CINELUX puts it itself: “Alexa Classic was never designed for electronic EF lenses.” The page does not define which EF lenses count as “compatible,” so owners of specific lenses should confirm support with CINELUX before they pledge.

Which ALEXA cameras are supported?

The product page highlights the ALEXA Classic, XT and SXT. Its FAQ gives a wider list: ALEXA Classic, Plus, M, XT and SXT. CINELUX says that the only thing to check when mounting a lens is rear-element protrusion, given the 9.5mm (EF) and 17.5mm (PL) clearance figures.

For lenses with deep rear elements, CINELUX offers a sister product, the PURA A1. It has no optic and no Focal Shift, but it keeps the electronics, so EF communication and aperture control stay available. Clearance is 9.5mm on EF and 32.5mm on PL. Full-frame lenses also fit on the PURA A1, but they are cropped to Super 35.

Pricing and Kickstarter timeline

CINELUX lists three price tiers. The figures below are shown in dollars on the product page, but the company says that the Kickstarter campaign will be priced in GBP and that final amounts may vary slightly with exchange rates. Shipping and import fees are not included.

• VIP (50 units only): REDUXA A1 at $1,795, PURA A1 at $895, PL mount add-on +$325
• Kickstarter: REDUXA A1 at $1,995, PURA A1 at $995, PL mount add-on +$350
• Retail after the campaign: REDUXA A1 at $2,795, PURA A1 at $1,395, PL mount add-on +$400

The product is currently in final prototype testing, which CINELUX says covers optical performance, coverage, calibration accuracy, and mechanical tolerances. VIP access opens on October 20, the Kickstarter campaign runs from November 10 to December 10, and manufacturing is set to start immediately after the campaign closes. CINELUX has not announced a shipping date. As with all crowdfunded hardware, backers pledge money for a product that is not yet in production, and delivery dates and final specifications can change.

CINELUX previously made the NEXA-MAG for RED DSMC1 and DSMC2 cameras and is also working on the REDUXA R2 focal reducer for RED DSMC2. More information is available on the CINELUX REDUXA A1 product page.

Would a full-frame focal reducer bring your ALEXA Classic, XT, or SXT back into regular use? Let us know in the comments below!