NiSi, a manufacturer of high-quality filters and lenses, has recently unveiled a limited-edition series of prime lenses, the Athena Tuned. These lenses are a unique twist on the popular Athena series, offering a more vintage-inspired aesthetic.
A Nod to the Past
The Athena Tuned lenses are designed to evoke the character and charm of classic cinema lenses. By carefully tweaking the optical formula and coatings, NiSi has achieved a softer, dreamier image with lower contrast and subtle flares. This vintage aesthetic, characterized by blooming highlights and a slightly muted color palette, can add a touch of nostalgia and romance to any project, making them ideal for period pieces, indie films, and commercials.
A Closer Look
The Athena Tuned lenses offer a range of features that contribute to their unique cinematic look. Tuned optical elements (including altered air gap spacing between elements) and specialized coatings produce a softer, dreamier image with subtle blue and purple flares, adding a touch of magic and atmosphere to a scene, especially when shooting with wide apertures. Lower contrast and blooming highlights create a classic cinematic look, which can be particularly useful for achieving a nostalgic or timeless feel in your footage.
The sleek silver anodized finish sets these lenses apart from the standard black finish of the original Athena series, adding a touch of luxury to your filmmaking kit. Covering a range of focal lengths from 14mm to 85mm, these lenses offer flexibility for various shooting scenarios, from wide-angle landscapes to tight portraits. The rear filter mount allows for the use of additional filters, such as ND filters or creative filters, to further customize the image. Minimal focus breathing ensures a consistent field of view during focus adjustments, making it easier to achieve smooth focus pulls and transitions. The lenses are designed to be balanced and easy to use, making them ideal for handheld and gimbal work.
50mm Flare Comparison
35mm Flare Comparison
A quick preface to this comparison – We performed this test with a preproduction model of the 35mm Athena Tuned and therefore want to clarify that there could be changes in the finalized version that customers receive. NiSi has stated that production models will have enhanced flaring characteristics as well as slightly altered bokeh to better match the rest of the set.
While these might not be the final versions, these preproduction models do offer a great view of what direction the Tuned are leaning towards. Personally, I quite like the look of the the 35mm. If NiSi produces other Tuned models in the future, perhaps we can name one the “Duclos Athena Tuned.” Just throwing that out there.
Limited Edition and Exclusive Availability
The Athena Tuned lenses are a limited-edition product, with only 199 sets available worldwide. This scarcity, combined with their unique optical characteristics, makes them a highly sought-after item for cinematographers and collectors.
Pricing and Availability
The Athena Tuned lenses will only be available as a 5-piece set, including the 14mm T2.4, 25mm T1.9, 35mm T1.9, 50mm T1.9, and 85mm T1.9.
Pricing for the 5-lens does come at a slight premium at $6,798.00 compared to the normal Athena kit at $5,798.00. Considering the added R&D and limited availability we feel the premium is at least justified.
Tech Chart
| LENS | Mount | T-Stop | Filter Thread | Focus Rotation | Image Circle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14mm | PL | T2.4-22 | 77mm | 300° | 46mm |
| 25mm | PL | T1.9-22 | 77mm | 300° | 46mm |
| 35mm | PL | T1.9-22 | 77mm | 300° | 46mm |
| 50mm | PL | T1.9-22 | 77mm | 300° | 46mm |
| 85mm | PL | T1.9-22 | 77mm | 300° | 46mm |
In Conclusion
The NiSi Athena Tuned lenses represent a bold step forward for the company, offering a unique blend of technical excellence and artistic flair. While their limited availability and premium price tag may restrict their appeal to a niche market, they undoubtedly provide a powerful tool for filmmakers seeking to elevate their work. For those who prioritize a distinctive cinematic look and are willing to embrace the vintage aesthetic, the Athena Tuned lenses are a compelling choice.