NiSi ATHENA Tuned Glow Lenses Introduced – Warmer Flares, Same Clean Look

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 preserve the sharpness, clean bokeh, and minimal focus respiratory 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 on the lookout for a hotter choice, 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.NiSi ATHENA Tuned Glow. Picture credit score: CineDOptical design and characterThe Tuned Glow lenses stay very sharp and in step with NiSi’s design method. Extensive open at T1.9, they deliberately soften, however cease down and the sharpness returns rapidly. Steve emphasised that the change just isn’t in coatings or building, however in flare colour, giving customers a hotter choice with out decreasing readability. The outcome remains to be a really clear lens, however one with a barely completely different character when it catches mild.ATHENA Tuned Glow. Picture credit score: CineDBuild and mountThe 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 at present accessible solely in PL mount, following NiSi’s determination to maintain these particular editions restricted in format. Adapters will nonetheless permit them to be paired with a variety of cinema cameras.ATHENA Tuned Glow set. Picture credit score: CineDPrice and availabilityThe ATHENA Tuned Glow set contains 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 favor the cooler look of final 12 months’s particular version? Tell us within the feedback!