Canon Cine lens series (8 focal lengths, 14–135 mm, T2.1) delivering warm vintage aesthetics with soft bokeh; compact design for full-frame sensors.
Technical Details
Focal Lengths
| 14 | 20 | 24 | 35 | 50 | 85 | 100 | 135 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T2.1 | T2.1 | T2.1 | T2.1 | T2.1 | T2.1 | T2.1 | T2.1 |
| 0.80m | 0.65m | 0.60m | 0.50m | 0.45m | 0.45m | 0.45m | 0.40m |
| 2.47kg | 2.25kg | 2.10kg | 2.05kg | 2.00kg | 1.98kg | 1.96kg | 1.95kg |
| 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 |
| 104° | 84° | 74° | 54° | 40° | 24° | 20° | 15° |
| ◀━━━━━▶ | ◀━━━━▶ | ◀━━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ |
PL · 114mm Front · 300° Focus Throw · FF
History & Development
Canon announced the Sumire Prime series at NAB in February 2019, responding to the growing demand for affordable cine lenses for full-frame sensors. They were launched between Fall 2019 and Spring 2020. Canon positioned the series as an affordable alternative to their own CN-E Prime lenses and a direct competitor to Zeiss CP.3 and Sony FX Primes. In 2021, Canon expanded the series with the longer focal lengths of 100mm and 135mm.
Practical Use in Film
The Sumire Primes produce a characteristic "vintage look" with soft bokeh and a slight warm tone that is particularly flattering for skin tones. In the Netflix series "The Umbrella Academy" (Season 3), the lenses were used for close-ups and emotional scenes. Documentary filmmakers appreciate the compact design and low weight compared to traditional cine lenses. The uniform front diameter allows for quick matte box and filter changes, while the consistent T2.1 aperture permits focal length changes without exposure adjustments.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to the more expensive Canon CN-E Primes, the Sumire lenses offer 90% of the optical performance at 60% of the price, but they lack parfocal capabilities and servo zoom compatibility. Sony FX Primes are technically comparable but produce more neutral colors without the warm Sumire character. Zeiss CP.3 Compact Primes offer higher resolution and less distortion but cost significantly more. For low-budget productions, the Sumire Primes often represent the optimal compromise between professional cine equipment and photo lens adapters.