NiSi Athena 40mm T1.9 Cine Lens - Sony E

Name: NiSi Athena 40mm T1.9 Cine Lens - Sony E
Brand: NiSi
SKU: at7uvdvj2b
Price: 1199.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

The NiSi Athena 40mm T1.9 Cine Lens is a high-performance full-frame cinema lens designed to deliv...

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NiSi Athena 40mm T1.9 Cine Prime Lens for Sony E

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Product Information

Full details

The NiSi Athena 40mm T1.9 Cine Lens is designed for professional cinematographers and videographers seeking high-performance optics for full-frame sensors. Its standout benefit is the combination of a fast T1.9 aperture for artistic bokeh and minimized focus breathing for precise storytelling; however, users should note that as a dedicated manual cine lens, it requires familiarity with manual focus and iris control during production.

All features

Brand	NiSi

Extended Product Information

FAQs

Does this lens have autofocus?

No, the NiSi Athena 40mm is a fully manual cine lens designed for precise manual focus control.

Can I use front-mounted filters with this lens?

Yes, it features a 77mm front filter thread in addition to the integrated drop-in filter slot.

Will this lens work on an APS-C sensor?

Yes, it is designed for full-frame sensors but can be used on APS-C cameras, where it will provide a narrower effective field of view (approx 60mm equivalent).

Are the focus gears compatible with industry-standard follow focus systems?

Yes, the lens features standard 0.8 MOD focus and iris gears compatible with almost all cine follow focus systems.

What is the purpose of the fluorescent focal scales?

The scales glow in low-light conditions, allowing focus pullers to read distance markings easily on dark sets without using a flashlight.

Troubleshooting

Camera does not recognize the lens

This is expected as the lens is fully manual. Enable 'Release without lens' in your Sony camera settings to allow shutter operation.

Gimbal balance is off after a lens swap

While the Athena series is designed for consistency, slight variations may occur. Perform a quick gimbal auto-calibration after mounting to ensure optimal motor performance.

Focus pull feels too stiff or loose

Check if your follow focus motor is correctly tightened to the gear ring; if manually operating, ensure no grit has entered the focus barrel.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Extremely smooth bokeh and subject separation at T1.9
Near-zero focus breathing for cinematic focus changes
Consistent weight and gear placement across the Athena prime lineup
Drop-in filter system adds creative flexibility
Highly tactile 300-degree focus throw for professional focus pulling

Cons

Manual focus only, which may be challenging for solo run-and-gun operators
Lack of electronic communication means no lens metadata in camera
Requires manual adjustment of aperture which may be difficult in rapid lighting changes

Setup, Compatibility & Care

To begin, ensure your Sony E-mount camera is set to 'Release without Lens' in the menu, as the lens lacks electronic pins for AF or EXIF data. For gimbal stabilization, calibrate your camera and lens combination while the lens is set at a neutral focus distance. When attaching filters, only use designated NiSi drop-in filters to ensure proper optical fit. For maintenance, keep the rear element clean by using an air blower and a micro-fiber cloth. Always store the lens in a dust-proof case with the lens caps secured to prevent debris from entering the mechanical elements, and avoid contact with the fluorescent focal markings to preserve their longevity.