Mark Ellington
Xeen Professional Cinema Lens Bundle for Canon
Introduction
The Xeen 24mm, 50mm, 85mm T/1.5 Professional Cinema Lens Bundle for Canon, manufactured by Rokinon, is designed for serious filmmakers and content creators. This lens bundle is tailored to deliver exceptional visual quality, making it an attractive choice for cinematographers looking for high-performance lenses that cater to Canon mount cameras. With three versatile focal lengths, this kit serves a wide array of shooting scenarios, from sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits.
Product Overview
The Xeen lens bundle comprises three prime lenses: a 24mm, a 50mm, and an 85mm, each with a T/1.5 aperture, suitable for full-frame sensors. These lenses are crafted with internal focus designs and multi-coating to ensure color consistency and minimal flare. Their shared gear positions for focus and iris make switching between lenses during shoots seamless.
Appearance and Design
The Xeen lenses showcase a robust and professional aesthetic, constructed from high-quality materials that offer durability without sacrificing style. The matte black finish reduces reflections, which is crucial for filming. Unique design elements include dual-sided focus and T-stop scales, allowing for easy adjustments from either side, and a 200° focus rotation for precise control. The 11-blade iris contributes to beautiful bokeh, enhancing the cinematic quality of the footage.
Key Features and Specifications
- Focal Lengths: 24mm, 50mm, 85mm
- Aperture: T/1.5 for low-light performance
- Compatibility: Canon EF mount cameras
- Internal Focus Design: Maintains lens length during focusing
- Multi-Coating: Reduces lens flare and ghosting
- Dual-Sided Focus and T-Stop Scales: Convenient for operators
- 200° Focus Rotation: Allows for precise focusing
- 11 Blade Iris: Creates a pleasing bokeh effect
- Front Diameter: 114mm
Experience Using the Product
While testing the Xeen lens bundle in various environments, including a low-light indoor setting and bright outdoor scenarios, the lenses consistently delivered impressive results. The T/1.5 aperture allowed for beautiful shallow depth of field, especially with the 85mm lens, which excelled in portrait shots. The internal focus mechanism proved beneficial, keeping the lens length constant and ensuring stability during handheld shooting.
Switching between the lenses was effortless, thanks to the standardized gear positions. This feature was particularly advantageous while using follow focus units, as there was no need to readjust the gears, allowing for a smooth shooting experience. The color consistency across all three lenses was commendable, making them suitable for multi-camera setups.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional optical quality with minimal distortion
- Robust construction suitable for professional use
- Fast T/1.5 aperture for low-light settings
- Standardized gear positions for efficient lens changes
- Beautiful bokeh from the 11-blade iris
Cons:
- Higher price point may be a barrier for amateur filmmakers
- Weight may be cumbersome for extended handheld shooting
- No autofocus feature, which requires manual focus skills
Conclusion
In summary, the Xeen 24mm, 50mm, 85mm T/1.5 Professional Cinema Lens Bundle for Canon is a standout choice for cinematographers seeking high-quality lenses for their Canon cameras. With their sturdy build, impressive optical performance, and thoughtful design features, these lenses cater to both professional and semi-professional filmmakers. While the investment may be significant, the quality and versatility offered by this lens bundle make it a worthy addition to any filmmaker’s toolkit.
