Picture this… you’re on a buzzing film set, lights blazing, cameras rolling, and the director calls for that perfect focus pull. The camera operator reaches for a Nikon cine lens—sharp, reliable, and built for the job. For years, Canon and Zeiss dominated the scene, but now, Nikon cine lenses are stepping up, ready to shake things up.
In this article, we’re sharing complete details of the Nikon cine lens likely to get released soon for filmmakers and videographers.
The leading photography camera manufacturer, Nikon, is leaping into cinematography and developing its cinema lenses. These lenses would help photographers, content creators, videographers, and cinematographers. You’ve used Nikon lenses primarily for photography. Ready to leverage its upcoming cine lens?
The strategic shift for Nikon from Photography to Cinematography
While you can make use of existing photography lenses for videos, this would be the first time the company is designing and developing lenses specifically for cinematic applications.
This move was evident after Nikon’s recent acquisition of RED Digital Cinema. The company is known for its high-end cinema cameras used in professional filmmaking. This acquisition has expanded Nikon’s technological capabilities and provided them with the expertise needed to create lenses that meet the rigorous demands of professional cinematography.
Nikon’s upcoming cine lenses represent an exciting opportunity for photographers venturing into video or filmmaking. By leveraging RED’s cutting-edge technology alongside Nikon’s renowned optical precision, these new lenses could offer features that appeal to still and video shooters.
What to expect from Nikon cine lens
Although specific details about Nikon’s cine lenses are still under wraps, there are several aspects that creators can anticipate:
High optical quality: Nikon already produces high-quality lenses with superb sharpness, color accuracy, and minimal distortion. These qualities are even more critical in cinema lenses, where even the slightest optical imperfection becomes glaringly evident on a large screen. Hoping Nikon continues its legacy with cine lenses to provide optical excellence to filmmakers.
A broad range of focal lengths: Can Nikon significantly fill gaps in the current cinema lens market? Specifically in the telephoto range. Many cinema lenses from other brands have caps around 200mm in length. Nikon has the potential to introduce longer focal lengths that offer unique perspectives. Will be really handy in genres like wildlife and sports cinematography.
Advance features: Nikon’s collaboration with RED Digital Cinema could improve these lenses’ capabilities, such as dual gain sensors or specialized coatings that reduce flare and ghosting. These advancements would ensure that the lenses function extraordinarily well even under difficult lighting situations, which is an important factor for filmmakers.
Branding and design evolution: Speculation around the branding of these lenses suggests that Nikon might incorporate elements from RED’s design language while maintaining the iconic Nikon logo. This could result in lenses performing well and visually appealing to traditional Nikon users and new customers.
Robust build quality: Given the demanding environments in which cinema lenses are often used, Nikon should focus on making these lenses durable and reliable. Build quality helps shoot in harsh outdoor conditions or under the intense lighting of a studio. Cine lenses will need to withstand rigorous use while maintaining performance.
Current alternatives of Nikon cine lenses in the market
Before Nikon’s foray into the cinema lens market, filmmakers relied on a few key brands known for their cine lenses. Here’s a look at some of the available alternatives:
Canon CN-E Series: With its CN-E series, Canon is a major player in the cinema lens market. It includes a range of prime and zoom lenses designed for cinematic use. Canon cine lenses are known for consistent color matching, high resolution, and rugged construction.
Zeiss Compact Prime CP.3 Lenses: Zeiss has long been a trusted name in optics, and their Compact Prime CP.3 lenses are performing well. These lenses are available in various mounts, including Nikon F-mount. Highlights of these lenses are sharpness, contrast, and precise manual focusing—essential capabilities for professional cinematic work.
Cooke S4/i and Anamorphic/i Lenses: Cooke lenses are known for their distinctive “Cooke Look,” which delivers gentle sharpness and pleasing skin tones. These lenses are famous for narrative filmmaking. The images look cinematic straight out of the box.
Rokinon Xeen Cine Lenses: Rokinon, also known as Samyang, offers the Xeen series, which has gained popularity among indie filmmakers due to its affordability and high-quality optics. These lenses are available in various mounts, including Nikon F-mount, making them accessible to a wide range of users.
Sigma Cine Lenses: Sigma has also ventured into the cinema lens market, offering a range of cine primes that deliver excellent image quality. These lenses are known for their high resolution, consistent color rendering, and durable construction, making them a strong contender for filmmakers.
For Nikon users, these lenses provided viable options for cinematic work, either through native mounts or with adapters. However, Nikon’s upcoming cine lenses promise to bring a new level of integration and performance, potentially making them the go-to choice for users of Nikon cameras.
Nikon Cine Lenses: compatibility with Nikon DSLR and Mirrorless cameras
One of the key questions surrounding Nikon’s new cine lenses is their compatibility with existing Nikon cameras. Given the extensive user base of Nikon’s DSLR and mirrorless systems, it’s likely that these cine lenses will be designed to work seamlessly with both camera models.
For Nikon’s mirrorless Z-mount cameras, such as the Nikon Z6, Z7, and Z9, the new cine lenses are expected to be a natural fit, taking full advantage of the advanced technology in these bodies. The Z-mount’s wide diameter and short flange distance are particularly well-suited to high-quality cine lenses, allowing for greater flexibility in optical design.
For Nikon’s F-mount DSLRs (e.g., D850 and D6), some of the new cine lenses may be offered in F-mount or adaptable through Nikon’s FTZ adapter. This would allow photographers and videographers to use the new lenses with their existing gear without investing in a whole new system.
Nikon’s ambitious vision for new-age creators
Nikon’s entry into the cinema lens market significantly shifts the company’s vision and strategy. By developing lenses specifically for cinematography, Nikon acknowledges the growing demand for video content and the increasing overlap between photography and filmmaking.
This move is particularly timely as more photographers are expanding into video, and videographers are seeking lenses that can deliver both still and moving images with equal proficiency. Nikon’s cine lenses could cater to this growing demand, offering a versatile tool for creators who want to excel in photography and filmmaking.
For cinematographers, the potential benefits are clear. Nikon’s entry into the market could drive innovation and competition, leading to better products at lower prices. It could also push other lens manufacturers to step up their game, benefiting the entire filmmaking community.
Challenges and Opportunities ahead for cine lenses
While the excitement around Nikon’s new cine lenses is evident, the company faces significant challenges as it enters a highly competitive market. Established brands like Canon, Zeiss, and Cooke have set a high bar for cinema lenses. Nikon needs to deliver products that meet these standards and offer value to the creators.
Nikon’s strengths in optics and collaboration with RED provide a solid foundation to build. If they combine the best of both brands—Nikon’s optical precision and RED’s cinematic technology—they could create a product line that appeals to a wide range of users. Independent filmmakers to large studios.
The Future of Nikon cine lenses
As Nikon continues to develop its cine lens, creators across photography and filmmaking should keep a close eye on the brand’s announcements. Early adopters of these new lenses could gain a competitive edge in their work.
For those already invested in Nikon’s gears, cine lenses provide new opportunities to expand into video and filmmaking. No need to switch systems and tools. And for those considering a move into cinema, Nikon’s upcoming lenses offer the perfect combination of quality, innovation, and value.
*****
Here are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about cine lenses:
What is a cine lens?
A cine lens, short for cinema lens, is designed for video and film production. Unlike standard photography lenses, cine lenses are engineered to handle the unique requirements of filmmaking, such as smooth Focus pulling, consistent aperture settings, and minimized optical aberrations. These lenses often feature manual Focus rings with longer throws, geared rings for use with follow focus systems, and consistent aperture controls to ensure smooth exposure transitions during filming.
How is a cine lens different from a photography lens?
Cine lenses differ from photography lenses in several key aspects:
Focus Mechanism: Cine lenses have smoother and more precise focus rings, which allow for gradual adjustments that are critical for filmmaking.
Aperture Control: They often feature de-clicked aperture rings, enabling smooth changes in exposure during a shot.
Build Quality: Cine lenses are generally built more robustly to withstand the rigors of production environments.
Geared Rings: The focus and aperture rings on cine lenses are geared to be compatible with follow focus systems.
Optical Consistency: Cine lenses are designed to provide consistent color and exposure across different lenses within the same series.
Why are cine lenses more expensive than photography lenses?
Cine lenses are more expensive due to their specialized construction and features tailored to professional filmmaking. The precise engineering required for smooth Focus pulling, robust build quality, consistent aperture settings, and high optical performance contribute to their higher costs. Additionally, cine lenses are often manufactured in smaller quantities than photography lenses, adding to the overall price.
Can I use a cine lens on a DSLR or mirrorless camera?
Yes, cine lenses can be used on DSLR and mirrorless cameras, provided the lens mount is compatible with the camera. Many cine lenses are available in standard mounts, such as Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, and Micro Four Thirds. Some cine lenses are also designed specifically for mirrorless systems, such as the Sony E-mount or Nikon Z-mount.
What are the benefits of using a cine lens for video production?
Using a cine lens offers several benefits for video production:
Smooth Focus Pulling: Cine lenses allow precise focus adjustments, crucial for maintaining sharp Focus during complex shots.
Consistent Aperture: Smoothly adjusting the aperture without noticeable clicks or steps helps maintain a consistent exposure while shooting.
Durability: Cine lenses are built to last, making them suitable for professional environments where equipment is subjected to heavy use.
Image Quality: Cine lenses are designed to minimize optical distortions and maintain high-quality image reproduction across various focal lengths.
What focal lengths are commonly available in cine lenses?
Cine lenses are available in a wide range of focal lengths, from ultra-wide to telephoto. Typical focal lengths include:
Wide-Angle: 14mm, 18mm, 24mm
Standard: 35mm, 50mm, 85mm
Telephoto: 100mm, 135mm, 200mm
Many cine lens series offer a set of primes covering a broad range of focal lengths, ensuring that filmmakers have the right lens for each shot.
What is a “T-stop,” and how does it differ from an “F-stop”?
A T-stop (Transmission Stop) measures the actual light transmission through a lens, accounting for the light lost due to reflections and other factors. It provides a more accurate representation of the light that reaches the camera sensor, making it a critical specification in cine lenses. On the other hand, an F-stop (Focal Stop) is a mathematical calculation of the lens’s aperture size and does not account for light loss. T-stops ensure more consistent exposure across different lenses, which is essential in filmmaking.
Are there any cine lenses that are compatible with Nikon cameras?
Yes, several cine lenses are compatible with Nikon cameras. Brands like Zeiss, Rokinon, and Sigma offer cine lenses in Nikon F-mount, which can be used with Nikon DSLR cameras. Additionally, with the introduction of Nikon’s Z-mount mirrorless cameras, more cine lenses are expected to be available or adaptable to this mount, expanding the options for filmmakers using Nikon systems.
Are cine lenses only used for professional filmmaking?
While cine lenses are designed with professional filmmaking in mind, they are also used by independent filmmakers, content creators, and videographers who seek high-quality optical performance and the specific features that cine lenses offer. They are not exclusive to big-budget productions and can be a valuable tool for anyone serious about video production.
Can I adapt a photography lens to function like a cine lens?
Yes, it is possible to adapt photography lenses to function more like cine lenses through various modifications. This process, known as “cine-modding,” can include adding gear rings for Focus and aperture, de-clicking the aperture ring, and even rehousing the lens in a more durable body. While this can provide some of the benefits of cine lenses, true cine lenses are designed from the ground up to meet the specific demands of filmmaking, offering superior performance in areas like focus smoothness and optical consistency.
