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A NiSi 65 PRIME 16mm T2.9 on a Fujifilm cinema camera, handheld

NiSi 65 PRIME cinema lenses

Large format.
Tiny footprint.

The 16mm T2.9 covers ARRI ALEXA 65/265 Open Gate with a field of view over 122 degrees, in a PL mount lens that weighs 846g.

  • 16mm T2.9
  • 122°+ field of view
  • 846g PL mount
Shop the 16mm

Explore the lens

The lineup

The 16mm T2.9, first in the series.

An ultra-wide large-format prime in PL mount. Key numbers on the left, the full specification on the right.

The NiSi 65 PRIME 16mm T2.9 cinema lens on whitePL mount

65 PRIME 16mm T2.9

Built for large-format digital cinema, from a fully rigged studio camera to a compact large-format body.

  • T2.9to T22
  • 0.25mclose focus
  • 846gwithout caps

On set

  • 0.8 MOD / 32 pitch focus gear, 300° rotation
  • Luminescent focus and aperture markings
  • 10 aperture blades
Shop the 16mm T2.9
Specifications
MountPL (ARRI)
ApertureT2.9 to T22
Image circleClose to 65mm
Construction16 elements in 12 groups, including 3 aspherical
Diaphragm blades10
Close focus0.25m (9.8in)
Maximum magnification0.12x
Focus rotation300°
Focus gear0.8 MOD / 32 pitch
Filter size92mm
Front diameter95mm
Length78.53mm to flange plane
Weight846g (29.84oz), without caps

Why 65 PRIME

65mm coverage without the usual bulk.

Optics that cover a sensor this large are usually much bigger and heavier. The 16mm does it in a lens that is easy to rig and move.

01 / 09

Covers ALEXA 65 Open Gate

An image circle close to 65mm covers the ARRI ALEXA 65/265 and FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 in Open Gate, so you use the whole sensor.

The NiSi 65 PRIME 16mm T2.9 on an ARRI ALEXA 265

02 / 09

Over 122 degrees wide

On ALEXA 65/265 Open Gate the 16mm sees more than 122 degrees diagonally, 117.2 degrees across and 74.3 degrees high.

An ultra-wide view up into a curved steel roof, shot on the 65 PRIME 16mm

03 / 09

Clean edges at T2.9

APO-level control keeps axial and lateral chromatic aberration to a minimum across the image circle, even wide open.

A red spiral staircase under a bright skylight, shot on the 65 PRIME 16mm

04 / 09

Straight lines stay straight

Barrel and pincushion distortion are kept to a minimum from center to edge, for architecture, interiors and structured frames.

A symmetrical corridor of light frames, shot on the 65 PRIME 16mm

05 / 09

Focus down to 0.25m

Close focus of 0.25m (9.8in) lets you push in for bold foreground subjects and still keep the scale of a wide lens.

A classic car headlight at close focus, shot on the 65 PRIME 16mm

06 / 09

Markings you can read in the dark

Luminescent focus and aperture markings stay readable on night shoots and in dark sets, so adjustments stay quick.

The 65 PRIME 16mm luminescent markings glowing green under blue light

07 / 09

Standard cinema gearing

PL (ARRI) mount, 0.8 MOD / 32 pitch focus gear and a 300 degree focus rotation, for follow focus systems and lens motors.

Side view of the 65 PRIME 16mm on a cinema camera, showing the focus scale

08 / 09

846g for large format

846g without caps, a 95mm front diameter and 78.53mm long, compact enough for handheld, gimbal and drone rigs.

A camera operator holding a rig fitted with the 65 PRIME 16mm

09 / 09

First in the 65 PRIME series

Lenses in the series share matched dimensions, focus gear positions and color rendition, so changes on set keep a consistent look.

The NiSi 65 PRIME 16mm T2.9 lens on white

Camera coverage

What the 16mm sees on your camera.

Field of view in Open Gate, as published by NiSi for the two cameras the image circle was designed around.

ARRI ALEXA 65 / 265

Open Gate

  • 122°+diagonal
  • 117.2°horizontal
  • 74.3°vertical

FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55

Open Gate

  • 118°diagonal

Also works with

  • Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 17K 65
  • ARRI Large Format
  • RED V-RAPTOR VistaVision

Sample frames

Shot on the 65 PRIME 16mm.

Our own test frames for the launch, shown whole and uncropped.

A curved steel and glass roof photographed straight up with the 65 PRIME 16mm
Angle of viewLooking straight up into a curved roof: the full 16mm field of view on a large-format sensor.
A long curved gallery with a fine lattice ceiling, photographed with the 65 PRIME 16mm
ResolutionA long curved gallery, with fine structure held out to the edges of the frame.
A red spiral staircase under a bright skylight, photographed with the 65 PRIME 16mm
Chromatic aberrationHigh contrast edges against a bright skylight, where color fringing would show first.
A symmetrical corridor of rectangular light frames, photographed with the 65 PRIME 16mm
DistortionRepeating frames of light down a corridor: the lines stay straight to the edges.
A classic car headlight close to the lens, photographed with the 65 PRIME 16mm
Close focusA headlight close to the lens, with the car behind it still reading as a wide shot.

Questions

Before you buy.

Which cameras does the 65 PRIME 16mm cover?

Its image circle is close to 65mm, which covers the ARRI ALEXA 65 and ALEXA 265 in Open Gate and the FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 in Open Gate. It also works with Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 17K 65, ARRI Large Format and RED V-RAPTOR VistaVision workflows.

What is the field of view?

On ALEXA 65/265 in Open Gate: more than 122 degrees diagonal, 117.2 degrees horizontal and 74.3 degrees vertical. On FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 in Open Gate: 118 degrees diagonal.

What mount and gearing does it use?

PL (ARRI) mount, with a 0.8 MOD / 32 pitch focus gear and a 300 degree focus rotation, so it works with standard follow focus systems and lens motors.

How close can it focus?

0.25m (9.8in), with a maximum magnification of 0.12x.

How big and heavy is it?

846g (29.84oz) without caps, with a 95mm front diameter, a 92mm filter size and a length of 78.53mm to the flange plane.

Are more 65 PRIME focal lengths coming?

The 16mm T2.9 is the first lens in the 65 PRIME series. Lenses in the series share matched dimensions, focus gear positions and color rendition.

What warranty does it come with?

Cinema lenses bought from NiSi USA carry a 24 month warranty, and the 16mm ships free within the USA.

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