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Restriction-free music courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Enroll right here: Epidemic When the NiSi ATHENA lenses landed on my desk, I used to be keen to place them by way of their paces for my overview. In any case, these small full-frame primes are promising rather a lot for the worth. With numerous “unified specs” throughout the lens line, like gear positions, weight, massive aperture of T1.9 (however the 14mm lens), and even coloration rendering, may these turn out to be the lenses you could have been ready for? Let’s take a better look. Merely put, at first, there was a digital camera, after which lenses have been created… Sounds logical, doesn’t it? One can say, primarily, that is all you want for creating your subsequent blockbuster. All the things else will be thought-about as an “additional” or a “bonus” in case you like. Trying on the present market state of affairs, it appears many producers have realized this, in any other case, I’ve no different rationalization as to why so many firms have began to supply lenses. So now the market is booming with a bunch of choices. Some are extra fascinating than others, however in the long run, this sort of competitors works greatest for us, the impartial filmmakers, who’re searching for good lens high quality and worth for cash. NiSi ATHENA lenses. Unified focus and aperture rings throughout the road. Credit score: CineDNiSi ATHENA LensesEarlier this yr throughout NAB 2023, NiSi uncovered their ATHENA line of lenses. And now, these lenses have lastly hit the market and are being offered as a set of 5, or, you should purchase the 14mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm individually. In terms of mounts, there’s a selection to select from. For mirrorless cameras, NiSi is at present providing native Canon RF, LEICA/Panasonic/SIGMA L, Sony E, and FUJIFILM G mount choices. As well as, the ATHENA lenses will be ordered to reach with a PL mount. It’s value mentioning that the PL mount model has no drop-in filter choice. So does the FUJIFILM G lenses, whereas the Sony E mount is available in two flavors, with or with out a “drop-in filter” choice. Extra about these “drop-in filters”, is down beneath. On this overview, I paired the NiSi Athena lenses with the Sony a7S III and examined what it’s like working with them whereas filming a mini-documentary. By the best way, in case you have an interest, my major “working horse” for that video was the 25mm lens. It proved to be the focal size that suited my sort of labor throughout that day greatest. In terms of the Sony a7S III, I nonetheless love working with it, however I couldn’t assist however discover that sure “indicators of getting older” have gotten a bit noticeable… Possibly the characteristic that I used to be lacking most was the flexibility to file externally through USB-C in a “ProRes-like high quality” codec. NiSi ATHENA 25mm on the Sony a7S III. Credit score: CineDAs I beforehand talked about, the ATHENA lenses will are available in quite a lot of mounts, and whereas it is rather straightforward to adapt the PL model to connect it to completely different mirrorless cameras, many of the ATHENA native mirrorless mounts have the benefit of getting a drop-in filter characteristic. So far as I’m involved, this can be a welcomed resolution that may assist with decreasing the general digital camera setup dimension, particularly when working and gunning.NiSi upcoming Drop-in filters for ATHENA lenses. Credit score: NiSiDrop-in FiltersAt the time of constructing this overview, no drop-in filters have been out there, however numerous completely different filter choices are speculated to hit the market in early 2024. Speaking about these filters, I checked with NiSi if solely the filter glass component itself will be offered or if it is going to all the time embrace the steel tray, and the reply was, “solely with the steel tray”. I hope that NiSi will think about promoting the filter glass component by itself, as it could perhaps cut back the general product worth and even assist the surroundings a bit. Filter Glass Component. Can it’s changed with out shopping for the complete Drop-in filter tray? Credit score: CineDNow, please enable me to spotlight among the benefits of those new lenses, and I wish to begin with their compactness. One has to like the compact kind issue. They’re good to carry and easily really feel sturdy. As well as, NiSi managed to just about management the load of those lenses and nail it to round 890 grams (however the 14mm) for the Sony E mount model with drop-in filter, so in case you are working with a gimble for instance, altering focal lengths ought to be easy. All lenses are round 890 grams however the 14mm which is 903 grams. Credit score: CineDAll lenses on this household are marked at a most T1.9 aperture, aside from the 14mm which is T2.4. Having such quick lenses certainly helps with attaining stunning bokeh however please consider that when working large open at T1.9, the picture tends to be a bit tender on the edges. Closing the aperture to T2.8 makes issues higher, however for sharper pictures throughout the body, T4.0 is your safer guess. It’s additionally very good to see that focus respiratory is extraordinarily properly managed subsequent to minimalistic chromatic aberration. ATHENA 35mm at T1.9. Credit score: CineDATHENA 35mm at T4.0. Credit score: CineDOne spec that I like to say with these lenses is the picture circle dimension. Having a 46mm Picture circle signifies that the lenses can cowl full-frame sensors and past. For instance, you possibly can mount the PL, or G lens variations on the FUJIFILM GFX massive format digital camera, and relying on the decision you select, you may need minimal vignetting on the peak of the picture however not the width. What else: Lens gears are all lined up in the identical place, markings are clearly seen on either side, and we even have excessive visibility paint which isn’t glowing at midnight, but nonetheless, very helpful in numerous set circumstances. NiSI ATHENA Lens Distortion. Credit score: CineDLens consistency continues with the entrance diameter which is 80mm and the interior filter thread for attaching conventional filters like a vari-ND is 77mm. In any case, these diameter measurements assist with preserving the general compactness of the lenses.In case you decide to purchase the five-piece lens set, you may think about getting the sensible carrying case that may simply accommodate all lenses and even leaves some house for a future lens.In terms of lens distortion, some focal lengths are doing higher than others, however distortion is definitely there. But, it may not be distracting when working within the subject…NiSi Hardshell case for Athena lenses. Is the 135mm coming quickly? Credit score: CineDThings to contemplate and enhance In terms of enchancment, there are two factors I wish to contact. One is the variety of lenses at present provided. After all, it’s important to begin “someplace”, however further focal lengths shall be a welcomed addition. NiSi already hinted at engaged on a 135mm lens, and I assume that that is the rationale for having one further house within the hardshell case. The opposite factor I wished to spotlight is the constructed high quality of these lenses. Normally, I actually like what I see, however, one of many two demo 25mm lenses gave me the toughest time in the case of mechanical and optical reliability. I had some points with the lens focus ring (Stiff focus sooner or later) and drop-in filter tray not locking properly, subsequent to having a single spot within the lens itself which prompted some undesirable reflections. Fortunately, I had no comparable points with the remainder of the lenses within the equipment. (NiSi assured me that these are remoted points with these particular demo lenses). NiSi ATHENA set of 5 lenses. Credit score: CineDFinal ideas All through 2023 we’ve examined a great deal of lenses. Most had some type of “classic look” constructed into them. Now, whereas some will say that the “classic look” is an excuse to supply optically inferior lenses, let’s give the revered producers the good thing about the doubt. On this regard, NiSi selected the alternative manner by introducing good clear, natural-looking optically smart lenses. Let me put it in another way, the optical efficiency of these lenses is constant, nearly scientific, which in some ways is an effective start line as you possibly can alter the look by your self with some good frontal anamorphic adapters or completely different filtersation for instance. One factor that I’m reluctant to speak about is what NiSi calls “Micro Distinction Management“. I don’t wish to discuss a topic that I solely have restricted data of, so I’ll simply say that based on NiSi, you get extra life-like pictures with these lenses. One option to observe that is by turning your picture to black and white and seeing the better commencement with numerous gray shades. For the sake of simplicity, might I dare say that this resembles an 8-bit vs. 10-bit image popping out of a digital camera? (Like a “10-bit lens”)… :)So all in all, for indie filmmakers, this set of lenses represents an awesome steadiness between optical efficiency and worth!At Cadota with Naoyuki-san. Credit score. CineDAcknowledgment: Many because of Naoyuki-san who opened the doorways of his Italian restaurant Cadota for my go to and allowed me to be with him for a couple of hours. Higashi-Nagasaki knighthood in Tokyo is a phenomenal quiet place and I actually suggest this restaurant to anybody who loves french fries. And lots of because of Jay Choma who helped with enhancing this pretty piece! Colour grading made with CineD/fylm.ai LUT builder. Strive it right here. What do you consider this NiSi ATHENA set of lenses? Do you could have expertise working with them? In case you haven’t already, will you think about getting them? Please share your ideas within the remark part beneath.
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