When you purchase through links in our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Specialty optics manufacturer NiSi has just unveiled the NiSi Athena Tuned Cine Prime Lens Set, a new limited edition set film lens which changes the optical structure of its successful Athena prime cine series.

The Athena Prime Cine lens range is the first bio-specific full-frame lens line created from NiSi, with a focal length of 14mm to 135mm, a wide aperture, and a more affordable price than similar film lenses on the market. This has made Athena film lenses popular with aspiring filmmakers, and the new edition aims to build on this success.

NiSi has taken the existing range and given it a good shake up, producing a limited set of 5 lenses consisting of a 14mm T2.4, 25mm T1.9, 35mm T1.9, 50mm T1.9 and 85mm T1.9 with a modified optical design.

The Tuned series is designed to offer users a more cinematic look through features such as lower contrast and controlled blooming highlights. To further create a modern cinematic aesthetic, NiSi has introduced specialized lens coatings that produce distinct blue and purple flares, giving an “artistic flair” and distinctive character to the lenses.

Modern cinema has leaned towards using lenses with character, such as vintage, or even in some cases, imperfect glass to enhance the story. The NiSi Athena Tuned set provides this unique element while facilitating modern optics and control.

Speaking about the changes, NiSi says: “Redesigned optical elements contribute to a beautifully soft, round bokeh, enriching out-of-focus areas with depth and a cinematic feel. Together, these features give filmmakers the tools to create visually compelling scenes that stand stand out for its unique structure and expressive style”.

Despite sharing the same lightweight construction and mechanics as the regular Athena Cine Prime lenses, the lens exterior of the new Tuned series has been redesigned to feature a silver barrel inspired by classic cinema lenses.

The NiSi Athena Tuned Cine Prime Lens Set is a limited edition set with only 199 sets available worldwide. The kit is available in PL mount and will begin shipping in December 2024, although pre-orders are available now.

Despite being a limited edition set, which includes all 5 film lenses, the NiSi stays true to its value values, with the whole set coming in at just $6,798 / AU$11,499 (UK price to be confirmed) – cheaper than some individual primes -lenses with similar features!

For more information on cinema equipment, check out our guides to best film lens and that best cinema cameras.