15 Cheap Cine Lens [2022]

Many photographers will argue that investing in high-quality lenses is more significant than purchasing a high-end camera body.

Lenses have a significantly longer lifespan than camera bodies in general.

Furthermore, while new video cameras are introduced every year, the technology in optics does not progress at the same rate.

There are lenses from decades ago that, when used with the appropriate adapters, may produce astonishing images when mounted on modern cameras.

So, where do you begin when it comes to purchasing lenses?

This article will assist you in comprehending some of the essential characteristics that distinguish different lenses from one another.

But first, let’s take a look at some of the greatest lenses that are currently available on the market today.

Top 3 Cheap Cine Lens

1. SIGMA CINE LENS 18-35MM T2.0- 1st Choice

2. SLR MAGIC 35MM T1.4 CINE II- 2nd Choice

3. ROKINON XEEN 14MM T3.1- 3rd Choice

12 Cheap Cine Lens

All of us are well aware that the cinematic lens you employ is a vital component of recording cinematic film, and that a camera by itself cannot perform the job completely. However, the problem is that, despite the fact that they are extremely necessary, they are frequently prohibitively expensive. Thus, having them available at a reasonable cost will be quite beneficial to your output. As a result, we’d like to present a list of cinematic lenses that are less expensive to purchase than their counterparts in the industry.

1. SIGMA CINE LENS 18-35MM T2.0

All of the lenses in Sigma’s Cine lens collection are waterproof and have luminous paint markings to make them easier to see in low light. For smooth focus pulls, they have 180-degree focus revolutions operated by a cam, as well as typical gear locations for accessories such as follow focus and matte boxes. They also come with a manual linear iris control as well as electronic mounts that store camera metadata on the fly. The 18-35mm lens is available in three different mounts: Canon EF, Sony E, and PL. Its nine rounded aperture blades allow it to focus on objects as close as 11 inches away and stop down to T16 in low light.

The cost is $3,999.

2. MAGIC 35MM T1.4 CINE II SLR CAMERA

This Micro Four Thirds mount lens has a maximum aperture of T16. It’s a manual lens with 12 aperture blades, which helps to create the bokeh effect. You’ll appreciate the all-metal construction, as well as the geared focus and aperture rings, as well as the de-clicked aperture, which allows for seamless exposure transitions.

The cost is $429.

3. Rokinon XEEN 14MM T3.1

Dual-sided focus and iris scales are included in Rokinon’s Xeen brand of filmmaking lenses, allowing operators on either side of the lens to see and operate the lens. The focus and iris gears are industry standard and may be found in the same location on all of the Xeen lenses, which is consistent across the entire line. Both the focus and the aperture of the 14mm are fully manual, and it is equipped with a multi-coating to decrease flare and ghosting. It has a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches and a maximum focusing distance of 30 inches. The lens is available in a variety of mounts, including Canon, Nikon, Sony E, PL, and Micro Four Thirds.

$2,495 is the cost.

4. ROKINON ($399.00)

The Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Cine AS UMC Lens for Canon EF mount is one of the more economical solutions available to you. It has to gear for the focus and aperture rings, and the aperture ring has been de-clicked to allow for smooth iris pulls. In order to make it easier for focus pullers to see and understand the aperture and focus scales, they are located on the side of the lens.

The Rokinon 35 mm is designed to work with cameras that have full-frame sensors, but it can also be used with cameras that have APS-C-sized sensors, where the 35mm-equivalent focal length is 56mm.

5. Meike lenses ($399.99)

Suitable for high-resolution cine cameras, Meike T2.2 Manual Focus Wide Angle Cinema Lenses are a good choice. In addition to low-dispersion glass and a high refractive index, they also feature little to no focus ventilation. Your ability to operate in a variety of lighting settings is made possible thanks to the quick aperture.

The bokeh effect produced by these Meike lenses is pleasing to the eye, and the contrast and color accuracy are excellent. Its lenses are available for E, MFT, and X mount cameras, and its focal lengths are 12mm, 16mm, and 25mm. Its lenses are available in three different focal lengths.

6. FUJINON MK18-55MM ($3,299.00)

This Fujinon MK18-55mm T2.9 Lens in E and MFT mount is a superb lightweight cine-style zoom lens for E-mount cameras having a Super 35mm-sized sensor. It is available in both E and MFT mounts. It has three independent lens control rings: one for focus, one for iris, and one for zoom. The focus ring may be rotated up to 200 degrees, allowing for either wide-angle or precise focus pulls, and the iris is clickless, allowing for smooth iris pulls. An additional feature of the lens is a macro mode that allows for near focusing capabilities.

7. SIGMA T1.5 FF HIGH-SPEED PRIME Lenses ($3,499.00)

There are two Canon EF and PL mounts for the Sigma prime series lenses, which provide full-frame sensor coverage with 6 to 8K resolution and a T1.5 maximum aperture in a compact and lightweight package that is truly cinematic in appearance. They feature stable lens gear locations and 180° of focus barrel rotation, as well as the ability to generate out-of-focus bokeh effects with the camera. Focus marks are in meters with chosen markings in luminous paint to make them more visible in low light conditions. A large range of focal lengths are available, ranging from 14, 20, 24, 28, 35, 40mm to 85, 105, 135, and 50mm, which represents a significant amount of variety.

8. Irix Cine Lenses

Irix Cine Lenses are an excellent choice for beginning to experienced filmmakers, and they cost a fraction of the price of higher-end lenses. They are created with full-frame cameras, which means they cover the entire sensor. In addition, Irix Cine Lenses are available in a variety of mounts, including EF, E, MFT, and PL, for shooting in a variety of situations.

The entire Irix cine lens range is engineered with a durable construction and rubber seals to provide rain and dust protection. Because the Iris has nine blades, the bokeh is smooth and circular. The optical system consists of 11 optical elements organized into 9 groups, including four high-resolution lenses, one ED lens, and one ASP. They help to keep distortions and aberrations to a bare minimum.

11mm, 15mm, and 150mm focal lengths are among the various focal lengths available for Irix cinema lenses.

Another option is to purchase a set of cinema lenses for a fraction of the cost of the Irix Cine Lenses. However, for most filmmakers shopping in that price range, we recommend purchasing a higher-quality stills lens for a comparable price and modifying it with a follow focus and other lens accessories to provide the cinema capabilities you require for your production.

9. Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Optical Zoom

In addition to portraiture and astrophotography, the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G is a wide-angle prime lens with a big maximum aperture that may be used for street and landscape photography, as well as video.

A total of two advanced aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion glass elements are used in the construction of the lens. These reduce chromatic aberration and ensure consistent image quality from corner to corner, as well as little distortion, even at the maximum F1.8 aperture. In terms of minimum focus distance, the lens is only 7.5 inches away and has a maximum magnification of 0.2 times.

For both stills and video shooting, the FE 20mm F1.8 G is equipped with two extreme dynamic (XD) Linear Motors that provide rapid, precise, and quiet autofocus performance.

The lens is only 13.2 ounces in total weight (373g). Because of its compact size, it should be simple to transport. There is a fluorine front element coating on the FE 20mm F1.8 G, which makes it dust and moisture resistant as well. Additionally, it includes a focus-hold button that may be customized, as well as an aperture ring with a click on/off switch. In addition, it is compatible with a wide range of 67mm lenses and filters.

10. Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens

This lens, which has a brilliant maximum aperture and an eight-blade diaphragm, is another that is well-suited for working in low light and produces beautiful bokeh in the process. A challenging lens to master due to its small aperture, which will easily result in overexposure, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 USM provides an unequaled level of control and precision for photographers who are confident in their talents. It is possible to focus manually with the lens due to the lens’ built-in CPU, which allows for speedy autofocusing.

It is possible to get a usable degree of sharpness even while shooting at maximum aperture with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 USM, and filmmakers seeking extremely shallow depth of field will not be disappointed. Color and contrast are also enhanced by Canon’s L-series glass and Super Spectra coatings, which help to reduce flare while maintaining the greatest possible image quality.

Although this lens is not inexpensive, its weather-sealed construction and rugged design make it a sound investment for the discerning photographer.

11. Sony FE G Master 85mm f/1.4 GM (Full Frame)

In addition to being ideal for portraiture, the Sony G Master 85mm has an aperture of up to f/1.4, which results in a magnificent depth of field effect and makes it another lens that performs well in low light conditions. A significant deal of effort was put into correcting a wide variety of spherical and chromatic aberrations in this lens, which results in a clean, sharp image. This lens is part of Sony’s high-end G Master line of lenses.

The 11-blade diaphragm of this lens produces a well-rounded background blur. For video, the Sony G Master 85mm incorporates a manually operated aperture ring that can be configured to function in a smooth and stepless manner, which is vital for adjusting for changes in light levels.

The Sony G Master 85mm has excellent build quality, and while it is not entirely weather-sealed, it does provide dust and moisture resistance.

With its ability to focus quickly and effortlessly while also delivering a high level of control, this lens is an excellent choice for both amateurs and experts alike. The great quality, on the other hand, comes at a hefty price.

12. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Optical Zoom Lens

In addition to being a member of Sigma’s Art family of lenses, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art was designed specifically for use in creative activities. This flexible lens, which has an impressive range of apertures ranging from f/1.8 to f/16, is one of the most popular choices for filmmakers looking for a wide-angle zoom lens with excellent low-light performance. The maximum aperture of f1.8 remains consistent throughout the zoom range, which is important for video.

Its wide focal range of 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens incorporates a number of anti-aberration features that provide crisp, clear images for photographers of all skill levels. The lens is equipped with a Hyper Sonic Motor that provides tremendous focusing capabilities as well as full-time manual focusing override capability. The nine-blade diaphragm creates a well-rounded bokeh effect in your short depth of field photographs, making them more appealing. Important to remember is that the lens is intended for use with APS-C sensors and will vignette when used with a full-frame DSLR camera body.

This versatile lens is well-suited for both photography and video recording, and it can be customized to meet the specific needs of your project or environment. There isn’t much that the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art is incapable of.

Our Final Thoughts

The best lens for you is the one that will help you get the most out of your photography.

We hope you found this list of 15 cheap cine lenses helpful.

Now go out and shoot some awesome videos!

Let us know if we can be of service in helping you find the right cine lenses to make your photos shine!

Frequently Ask Questions

Originally posted on January 22, 2022 @ 10:50 pm