By technical editor Matt Allard:
At CP+ in Japan Tokina were showing their Cinema 50-135mm T3.0 Lens which is due to be released in April this year. The lens covers Super 35mm Sensors, features a constant T3.0 aperture, has geared focus, aperture, and zoom Rings and a click-Less aperture.
As well as delivering a highly versatile zoom range, Tokina engineers have created a lens that is Parfocal. They have also dramatically reduced breathing and image shift. The 9-blade curved iris creates a pleasing bokeh. It is made in a durable, all-metal cine-style housing with geared manual zoom,
focus, and aperture rings for use with follow-focus systems.
I got to try out the Canon EF mount version of the lens on my Sony a7S . The lens is beautifully made and exhibited almost no breathing. It was nice and sharp and the 50-135mm focal range, despite being an unusual range for a cinema lens, offered a lot of versatility. For $4499 it offers lot of value for money given that lower end PL prime lenses retail for around the same amount.
The 50-135mm uses Super-Low Dispersion Lens Elements and features LDS (Lens Data System) support. It also has a 114mm Front Diameter for use with Matte Boxes and a minimum focus of 39.4″ (100cm). The lens weighs in at a respectable 1.53kg and is available in either PL or Canon EF mount.
