Mitakon Unleashes New T1 Full-Frame Cine Primes
Zhongyi Optics, operating under the brand Mitakon, has introduced a groundbreaking collection of T1 cinema prime lenses for full-frame cameras. These lenses are meticulously engineered to deliver exceptional speed and a remarkably shallow depth of field, offering filmmakers a powerful new tool to infuse their visuals with an organic, vintage aesthetic, even in challenging low-light environments.
Mitakon's Revolutionary T1 Cine Lens Series: A Closer Look
In a significant move for the cinematography world, Zhongyi Optics, widely recognized as Mitakon, recently unveiled its Zone T1 Cine Lens Series. This highly anticipated collection features three prime lenses—35mm, 50mm, and 75mm—all boasting an exceptionally fast T1 maximum aperture. These lenses are specifically designed for full-frame and VistaVision cinema systems and are available in both PL- and EF-mounts, catering to a broad spectrum of professional cameras.
The development of these lenses, according to Zhongyi Optics, has been a multi-year endeavor, driven by a commitment to meet the stringent demands of cinematographers who prioritize both extreme speed and precise control over depth of field. The company articulates that these lenses serve as an artistic instrument, capable of imbuing the digital sensor's output with an organic and classic warmth. This characteristic aims to counteract the often sterile appearance of modern digital footage, enriching it with a painterly quality.
Mitakon further elaborates on the lenses' ability to profoundly influence the atmospheric qualities of a scene. By operating at such a high speed, they enable filmmakers to capture vivid imagery in dimly lit settings, transforming them into visually rich and evocative canvases. This capability allows for the creation of footage imbued with a natural warmth, effectively softening the sharp, clinical aesthetic often associated with contemporary digital sensors.
Delving into the technical specifications, each lens in the series features a 16-bladed aperture diaphragm, contributing to smooth, circular bokeh. The optical configurations are intricate: the 35mm T1 lens comprises 13 elements arranged into 12 groups, the 50mm T1 utilizes 11 elements across 10 groups, and the 75mm T1 incorporates 11 elements within nine groups.
Regarding close-focusing capabilities, the lenses offer respectable performance for their class. The 35mm and 50mm primes achieve maximum magnifications of 0.12x and 0.16x, respectively, while the 75mm lens offers a 0.05x magnification.
Consistency in design is a key feature, as all three lenses share a unified physical form factor, which is crucial for cinema production workflows. They are equipped with 0.8MOD gears, a standard for cinema accessories, and 110mm filter threads. Each lens maintains identical dimensions, measuring 137.8 millimeters (5.4 inches) in length with a maximum diameter of 132 millimeters (5.2 inches). Furthermore, they share a consistent weight of 3,000 grams (6.6 pounds).
The Zone T1 Cine Lens Series was initially launched via Indiegogo. Early bird pricing started at $1,999 for a single lens or $4,899 for a three-lens set. The projected retail price for a single lens is $2,499, with the three-lens set retailing at $6,999, representing a significant discount for early backers. Zhongyi Optics has confirmed that the lenses are currently available for immediate order through Indiegogo, with availability at authorized retailers slated for August 20.
The introduction of Mitakon's T1 Cine Lens Series marks a compelling development for cinematographers seeking to push creative boundaries. The emphasis on speed, shallow depth of field, and a distinct aesthetic appeal suggests a future where digital storytelling can embrace a more organic and emotive visual language. These lenses challenge the conventional perception of digital coldness, offering tools that can literally paint with light and shadow, transforming technical specifications into artistic expressions. For filmmakers, this series represents an exciting opportunity to craft narratives with an added layer of visual depth and character, encouraging a return to more painterly and evocative cinematography.