Tokina Cinema 180mm T1.9 Vista Prime Lens Unveiled

Lens News

by Francesco AndreolaApril 21^st, 2022

The Cinema division of Tokina has just announced the latest addition to their Vista Prime family of cinema glass. The new Tokina Cinema 180mm T1.9 Vista Prime lens is the longest focal length in the series. It covers VistaVision and S35 sensors and inherits the organic look of the other family members. The lens is now available for pre-order for $17,999.

First announced in 2019, the Tokina Cinema Vista Prime series is one of the most comprehensive sets of cinema lenses. It already includes 11 fast focal lengths, ranging from 18 up to 135mm.

With the introduction of the new Tokina Cinema 180mm T1.9 Vista Prime lens the family is growing. This new super-telephoto cinema prime represents the longest focal length of the set, thus offering an additional option for capturing motion from a distance. Let’s take a closer look.

Tokina Cinema 180mm T1.9 Vista Prime: overview

As part of the Vista Prime set, the new 180mm T1.9 features an image circle of 46.7mm, enough to cover both VistaVision and Super35 sensors. This makes the lens compatible with many popular large-format cameras, including the RED V-RAPTOR, ARRI ALEXA Mini LF, and Sony VENICE 1 and 2.

The lens mount is interchangeable and users can choose between different options: PL, LPL, Sony E, Canon EF, and MTF. However, if you wish to change the lens mount, you’ll need to send the lens back to a dedicated facility for service.

While all other lenses in the series sport a maximum aperture of T1.5, the new 180mm is “limited” at T1.9. This is still a great transmission value for such a long focal length and will prove to be a good ally in low-light scenarios. This new entry has a close focus distance of 1.5m/4ft 11”.

Optical and physical design

Like most lens manufacturers, Tokina claims this new model will deliver supreme sharpness and 8K-ready image quality with “virtually undetectable” optical flaws. In fact, according to the company, distortion, aberrations, and focus breathing are kept to a minimum. However, such statements always need proper testing in the field to be confirmed.

What’s certain is that the optical scheme includes 17 elements in 14 groups with an internal focusing system. Moreover, the wide T1.9 aperture has a 9-blade design that will result in a round (and hopefully smooth) background bokeh.

The PL version of the lens is 19.5cm long and weighs 3.26kg. Its standard 114mm outer diameter is consistent with all other lenses in the series and ensures compatibility with most matte boxes out there. Nonetheless, filtration can also be achieved using 112mm threaded filters.

Tokina Cinema Vista Prime set

• 18mm T1.5
• 21mm T1.5
• 25mm T1.5
• 29mm T1.5
• 35mm T1.5
• 40mm T1.5
• 55mm T1.5
• 65mm T1.5
• 85mm T1.5
• 105mm T1.5
• 135mm T1.5
• 180mm T1.9

Price and availability

The new Tokina Cinema 180mm T1.9 Vista Prime lens is now available for pre-order and should start shipping in June. As was to be expected for such a high-end product, this lens isn’t exactly cheap. Indeed, its official retail price is $17,999.

For more information, please visit Tokina Cinema’s website here.

Have you ever shot on Tokina Cinema Vista Prime lenses? How do you like the look of this lens series? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!