NiSi has announced their F3 cinema prime lenses set for full frame sensors. The set includes 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm lens which all have the same physical dimensions. The company will present them at NAB 2018.


NiSi F3 cinema lens set. Source: nisifilters.com


Chinese company NiSi – so far rather known for their optical filters – has just announced a line of full frame cinema prime lenses. NiSi named the set F3 and it includes the 25mm T2.1, 35mm T2.0, 50mm T2.0, 75mm T2.0 and 100mm T2.0. In summer 2018 NiSi will complete the lineup of F3 lenses by adding the 18mm prime ultra-wideangle full frame lens. The lenses come with PL mount, Canon EF-mount and Sony E-mount, so it should accomodate the needs of most filmmakers.

They cover the 46.5mm format sensors which means they are compatible with all recent full frame cinema cameras like the ARRI Alexia LF, Red Monstro VV, Panavision DXL2, SONY Venice and Canon C700FF. NiSi claims that the F3 lenses will also be compatible with other film cameras to come in the future.


NiSi F3 75mm cinema lens. Source: nisifilters.com


NiSi claims their F3 lenses offer advanced resolution and dispersion control as well as optimised image contrast and flare. “Sensed presence” technology allows filming with a soft bokeh. Very practical aspect of the NiSi F3 lenses is that they all have the same physical attributes to save time when changing lenses on set. Front diameter is 95mm and length (front to PL-mount flange) is 117mm. All lenses have 12 blade aperture with 70° IRIS ring rotation. Focus ring rotates 270°. The lenses weigh in at 1120 till 1330 grams.


NiSi F3 Cinema Lenses Specs. Source: nisifilters.com


Further NiSi states that their F3 lenses have an apochromatic optical design which gives them an excellent axial aberration and transverse aberration performance. The purple/green fringing has been kept to minimum both within focus and in bokeh. Along with the F3 cinema lenses NiSi releases new allure mist white/black and allure streak filters.

The company stated they will be present at the NAB 2018 (booth C12721) and they will have the F3 set there. That might be a good opportunity to see the lens set in person and maybe get some hands-on with them, we will definitely try to cover those lenses in our upcoming NAB coverage. The pricing of these lenses according to the mftservices website in the UK is £2,099 (approximately $2,950) without tax for the 35mm, 50mm and 75mm lens each and £2,499 (approximately $3,514) without tax for the 25mm and 100mm lens each. That gives us the final price for the whole set of roughly £11,295 (approximately $15,879). The lenses can be preordered to be delivered in may 2018.


NiSi F3 Cinema Lenses Set. Source: nisifilters.com


I am curious how the lenses really perform in real life on set situations and how they perform in terms of optical quality which is yet to be tested. Especially comparing them with other cinema lens sets will be interesting.

What do you think of the new NiSi F3 cinema prime lens set? Could this be interesting price/performance set? Let us know in the comments below.

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