Compact Dulens cine primes with 46 mm image circle (large-format compatible), apochromatic design delivering intentional vintage aesthetics—halation, rainbow flare at wide apertures. Typically T2.4 (21 mm: T2.6, 110 mm: T2.5).
The APO Mini Prime is a series of prime cine lenses from Chinese manufacturer Dulens. These are particularly lightweight and compact lenses with a large image circle of 46 mm, covering not only full-frame (36 x 24 mm) but also large-format sensors. They deliver a deliberately vintage-oriented look with soft rendering, halation, and a characteristic rainbow flare at wide apertures. Despite their vintage appearance, they are based on an apochromatic (APO) optical design that reduces color fringing (chromatic aberration) in both the in-focus plane and the out-of-focus areas.
The series is aimed at setups where low weight and compact dimensions are crucial, such as gimbal, handheld, and drone applications, without compromising on consistent cine handling (uniform focal length look, identical external dimensions).
Focal Lengths and Aperture:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Dulens |
| Mount | ARRI PL or EF (interchangeable) |
| Front Diameter | 80 mm (consistent across all focal lengths) |
| Filter Thread | 72 mm |
| Weight | approx. 510–550 g per lens (slightly over 1 lb) |
| Iris Diaphragm | 11 blades |
| Image Circle | 46 mm (Large Format capable) |
| Optical Design | Apochromatic (APO) |
Thanks to the consistent housing design (same 80 mm front diameter and 72 mm filter thread across all focal lengths), the matte box and filters can typically be used without modification when changing focal lengths, facilitating quick lens swaps. The low weight makes the series particularly attractive for gimbal, handheld, and drone shots where heavy master primes reach their limits. The large 46 mm image circle also allows for use on large-format cameras.
Aesthetically, the lenses are designed for a warm, softer image impression: at wide apertures, pronounced flares and halation appear around light sources; this effect can be reduced by stopping down. This makes the APO Mini Primes suitable for productions seeking an organic, slightly nostalgic look rather than a clinically sharp image. The interchangeable PL and EF mounts enable operation on both cine cameras with PL mounts and mirrorless/DSLR-based systems with EF adaptation.
Als Kameramann schätze ich besonders die konstante Farbwiedergabe und die präzise mechanische Verarbeitung der Dulens APO Mini Primes. Die kompakte Bauweise ermöglicht es mir, auch in engen Räumen oder bei dynamischen Kamerafahrten professionell zu arbeiten, ohne auf die gewohnte Cine-Haptik verzichten zu müssen.
Für mich als Regisseur bedeuten diese Objektive mehr kreative Flexibilität bei der Bildgestaltung. Ihr natürlicher Look unterstützt authentisches Storytelling, während die kompakte Form es meinem Team ermöglicht, spontaner auf Situationen zu reagieren und auch schwierige Kamerawinkel zu realisieren.
Die Dulens APO Mini Primes bieten ein ausgezeichnetes Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis für das Budget. Ihre Vielseitigkeit reduziert den Bedarf an zusätzlicher Ausrüstung, und die geringeren Transportkosten sowie schnellere Setup-Zeiten am Set führen zu messbaren Einsparungen in der Gesamtproduktion.
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