At IBC 2025, Johnnie met with Steve Johnson from NiSi to speak concerning the latest addition to the ATHENA lineup, the ATHENA Tuned Glow lenses. They hold the sharpness, clean bokeh, and minimal focus respiration of the originals, however introduce a hotter golden flare. This replace responds to filmmakers who felt the earlier version leaned too cool and had been in search of a hotter possibility, whereas nonetheless staying true to NiSi’s philosophy of fresh, sharp optics.

Final 12 months noticed the limited-edition ATHENA Tuned sequence, all at T1.9 with cooler-toned flares; 199 units had been made, and all 199 had been bought worldwide. Whereas appreciated for his or her look, some customers expressed curiosity in a hotter aesthetic. The brand new Tuned Glow version responds on to that suggestions, making it a pure continuation of the sequence.

Optical design and character

The Tuned Glow lenses stay very sharp and in line with NiSi’s design strategy. Huge open at T1.9, they deliberately soften, however cease down and the sharpness returns shortly. Steve emphasised that the change shouldn’t be in coatings or building, however in flare coloration, giving customers a hotter possibility with out lowering readability. The consequence continues to be a really clear lens, however one with a barely completely different persona when it catches mild.

Construct and mount

The lenses are full-frame, protecting the identical picture circle because the earlier ATHENAs, and have strong all-metal building with a silver end.They’re presently obtainable solely in PL mount, following NiSi’s determination to maintain these particular editions restricted in format. Adapters will nonetheless enable them to be paired with a variety of cinema cameras.

Value and availability

The ATHENA Tuned Glow set consists of 14mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm, all at T1.9. Pricing is simply over €6,000 for the five-lens set, with no particular person lens gross sales confirmed right now. NiSi expects to formally announce the set in early October, with transport deliberate for late October or early November. For extra details about the ATHENA lenses, please see the NiSi web site.

What do you assume? Does the hotter flare of the Tuned Glow lenses make them extra interesting, or do you like the cooler look of final 12 months’s particular version? Tell us within the feedback!