Get to know the Irix 21mm T1.5 Cine lens with commercial director Serj Zotov!
Hi everyone! My name is Serj Zotov. I'm a film and commercial director, cinematographer, screenwriter, and producer. I've always dreamed of making movies since I was a kid. I received my higher education in directing at the Faculty of Film and Television under the guidance of the famous Soviet and Russian director, screenwriter, actor, and producer Vladimir Naumov. When I realized I needed a better understanding of working with images to bring my creative vision to life, I took online courses in cinematography with the well-known Hollywood cinematographer Shane Hurlbut.
As a director, I've worked on over 40 commercial videos and two films, one of which was shot in Cyprus and shown at the 17th Cyprus International Film Festival. I'm also an ambassador for several international film equipment companies.
I run a YouTube channel and an Instagram page where I share my experiences in film lighting and cinematography with young filmmakers around the world.
After getting to know the Irix brand, I suggested creating some experimental videos to showcase the different feelings conveyed by various focal lengths. The Irix Lens team loved the idea, and we started working together.
In this blog post series, I'll be answering questions about the Irix lenses I use regularly. Let's start with the Irix 21mm T1.5 Cine lens.
What makes the Irix Cine 21mm stand out from other wide-angle cine lenses?
The Irix Cine 21mm lens combines great optical performance, solid build quality, and a relatively affordable price. It offers excellent sharpness, minimal distortion, and great color reproduction, making it my go-to choice when I need a reliable and versatile wide-angle lens.
What are the main uses of this lens in film production?
My use of a wide-angle lens is a bit different from the traditional approach. I love shooting close-ups of people with a wide-angle lens, especially when I want to convey confusion or vulnerability in relation to the surrounding environment. It's also great for gimbal shots where you need to show the surroundings and have a decent depth of field. Additionally, I use it for wide shots and landscapes.
Can you tell us about the technical specifications of the Irix Cine 21mm? What are the most important parameters?
To avoid quoting too many technical details that you can find on the official lens page, I'll just mention a few important points for me. First, this lens is really fast with an aperture of T1.5, which is incredibly important for shooting in low-light scenes, especially when you need to shoot quickly and don't have time to set up lights, like in documentary filmmaking. Second, the front diameter is 95mm, making it an industry standard that can be used with many matte boxes without any adapters. This is convenient and saves time during shoots
How does the Irix Cine 21mm handle distortion and vignetting control?
The Irix Cine 21mm lens handles distortion exceptionally well for a wide-angle lens. It has a low level of barrel distortion, which is critical for architectural and landscape shots. Vignetting is minimal, especially when stopped down a bit, making it easy to achieve even illumination across the frame.
What are your impressions of the image quality and sharpness of this lens?
The image quality of the Irix Cine 21mm is outstanding. It delivers sharp and detailed images with excellent contrast. The lens maintains its sharpness from the center to the edges of the frame, which is particularly impressive for a wide-angle lens.
How does the Irix Cine 21mm deal with chromatic aberration?
The Irix Cine 21mm handles chromatic aberration very well. The advanced optical design and high-quality glass elements minimize both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberration, ensuring clean and crisp images even in high-contrast scenes.
Have you used the Irix Cine 21mm in difficult lighting conditions? How did it work?
Unfortunately, I haven't had the experience of using this lens in low-light conditions because I mostly work in controlled environments for advertising and independent films. However, while researching for this text, I looked into the lens's capabilities through videos on YouTube. The T1.5 aperture provides excellent results in low light; it's incredibly beautiful.
What are your feelings about the ergonomics and build of this lens?
The lens has a very sturdy construction, comparable in quality to premium-class lenses. Its ergonomics are excellent: smooth and precise focusing and aperture rings ensure professional and comfortable use during shoots. It integrates perfectly with focus control systems without needing an extra snap-on follow focus gear ring, providing seamless gear motor compatibility.
Can you share your favorite photos or clips shot with Irix Cine 21mm?
I've included a few images from my videos in this article. You can also follow my social media accounts where I'll soon be posting more photos and videos shot with Irix lenses.
How do you rate the value for money of the Irix Cine 21mm compared to other lenses in this category?
The Irix Cine 21mm offers excellent value for money. It provides professional-grade performance and build quality at a price point that is more accessible than many other high-end cine lenses. This makes it a great investment for both amateur and professional filmmakers.
Do you have any advice or tips for filmmakers who are considering purchasing this lens?
Friends, if you're considering getting the Irix Cine 21mm, here are a few points to keep in mind. This lens can shoot wide landscapes as well as specific close-ups - I filmed one of my previous movies entirely with a 21mm lens. You can use it with a gimbal or handheld since the shake is less noticeable with a wide-angle lens compared to telephoto lenses. Also, note that you'll need a follow focus from the start because turning the gears by hand is quite challenging. Additionally, it works with many matte boxes without needing adapters, which is a plus.
How do you rate the ergonomics of using the Irix Cine 21mm during long filming sessions?
The lens is designed for professional use and has smooth, precise control rings that ensure comfort during long shoots. Its very sturdy construction also protects it from moisture, sand, and dust. By the way, I researched the weight of cine lenses similar to the Irix Cine 21mm, and it turned out to be one of the lightest cine lenses in its focal length segment!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sezotov/