INDIE LENS SPECIAL GEAR
SUPER SIGMAS For a proper cinema-style manual focus prime or zoom, look no further than these superb optics
SIGMA’S ARTFUL OPTIONS S igma has a lens range of full-frame primes and zooms that borrow from its Art prime lenses but re-housed in a traditional all-manual, metal body with a clickless aperture ring. The 11 prime lenses, from 20mm-
AF stepping motor. They are compact, light and dust- and moisture-resistant. The aperture ring can be clicked into the A position to allow you to control the iris settings from the camera body, or you can use the metal aperture ring itself, adjustable in 1/3-stop increments. The only other control is an AF/ MF selector switch. The lenses are not all the same size and even the filter threads are different. Other lenses in the family include 24 and 85mm f/2 versions plus a 24mm f/3.5 as well as 90 and 45mm f/2.8 lenses. sigmauk.com “Sigma also offers lenses in a Classic range which has non-coated elements to give a low- contrast, vintage look”
D esigned in Switzerland, but made in the Far East, Irix lenses offer the premium look and feel of a cine lens without the huge price tag. Many have unique features to make them easier to handle. On some, Irix uses a second focusing ring – the Adaptive Ring – for easier handheld use, but others do not. In terms of performance, all lenses are designed for 8K shooting, with minimal vignetting, virtually no focus breathing and the rounded aperture blades giving smooth bokeh. 135mm, are all T1.5 while the 14mm is T2. They all come in PL, Sony E or Canon EF mounts. The markings can be specified in feet or metres and the nine-bladed iris produces smooth bokeh while ghosting and flaring are minimised. Each offers consistent lens-gear positioning and 180° of focus-barrel rotation. The FF High-Speed Primes also feature a clickless iris with linear markings, dampeners on each gear ring for silent operation, industry-standard 0.8M gear pitch and engraved markings in luminous paint for easy visibility in low light. Filter size is a consistent 82mm while the front diameter of all lenses is 95mm. Sigma also offers the lenses in a Classic range which has some non-coated elements to give a low-contrast, vintage
look. This can be quite extreme so it’s best to rent (or try) before you buy. At launch, the lenses were only available in a full set, but now they can be bought individually. Sigma also has DSLR and mirrorless AF lenses to rival camera manufacturers’ own. But perhaps the best for filmmaking is the retro-styled Contemporary I-series, which are AF and come in Sony E-mount and L-Mount. There is a seven-strong range and the latest is the 20mm f/2 DG DN lens. The lenses share similar design, with a mechanical aperture ring, knurled metal components, matching lens hood and an
INTERCONTINENTAL IRIX
Irix has six stunning-quality cine primes. There is an 11mm T4.3 super- wide, as well as a 15mm T2.6 wide- angle option. There are also three fast T1.5 lenses, in 21, 30 and 45mm focal lengths. And at the long end is a 150mm T3 macro lens, which can give 1:1 reproduction for close-ups. It’s also a great short telephoto. The lenses offer stunning build quality and some extra features like magnetically attached lens hoods. irixlens.com
PRIME GLASS The Irix brand is fast making a name for itself as a builder of fine, high-quality lenses
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