Fit Super 35mm PL Lenses to Full-Frame Sensors with the New Tokina 1.6x Expander

Tokina has created a 1.6x Expander to allow cinematographers can use their favourite Super 35 PL lenses on the latest full-frame 6K/8K cameras. The Tokina 1.6x Expander increases the diameter of image circle by 1.6x on Super35 PL prime and zoom lenses. This allows for a greater variety of lens choices when filming with cameras like the RED Dragon that has a 46.31mm (8K) diagonal sensor. The 1.6x expander is said to be currently shipping for about $1,899 USD from authorised resellers such as B&H. With more and more camera manufacturers making full-frame high-end cinema cameras such as RED and Sony with their latest VENICE CineAlta, it makes sense for products like the 1.6x expander to find a market. There are a lot of S35 PL lenses out there, but very few of them cover larger sensors.

As some of you may recall lens manufacturer Tokina added new 18mm and 25mm cine prime to their exciting Vista prime lens lineup earlier this year at NAB 2017. They also showed off the new revamped Cinema 16-28mm T3.0 Mark II wide angle zoom which has been shipping since February. The new Tokina 16-28mm has been re-engineered to use the optical formula of the award winning still lenses and is also is parfocal. Available in PL, Canon EF, MFT, Sony E, Nikon F mounts and the 16-28mm T3 MK II is currently priced at $4500.

Back to the new 1.6x expander – Tokina engineers have been working hard to give special attention to the 7-element optical design to ensure the integrity of the original lens’ performance and to keep light fall-off to a manageable 1.36 stops. The all mechanical design is robust, durable, and lightweight.

Tokina are currently offering a PL to PL option, as well as an PL to EF and a PL to E mount expander option.

PL to PL Tokina Expander

According to the Duclos Cine Lens blog, this Tokina 1.6x Expander performs optimal when used with lenses that have a T2.0 or larger aperture and when the lens is stopped down to about T2.8 or smaller.

tokina 1.6x expander PL to E

PL to E mount 1.6x Expander

Tokina 1.6x Expander Specifications

SPECIFICATIONS:
EF- PL
PL- PL
PL- E
Focal Extension
1.6x
1.6x
1.6x
Optical Structure
4 Groups 7 Elements
4 Groups 7 Elements
4 Groups 7 Elements
Maximum Diameter
φ68.6mm
φ83mm
φ83mm
Weight
Approx. 0.22kg
Approx. 0.3kg
Approx. 0.47kg
Max.Image Input
φ29.3
φ29.3
φ29.3
Max.Sensor
φ46.9
φ46.9
φ46.9
Max.Input T-Stop
2.0
2.0
2.0
Lens Mount
EF
PL
PL
Camera Mount
PL
PL
E
Length
45mm
23.76mm
57.76mm

To learn more about the Tokina Cine Primes head over to our prior blog post here. You can order the Tokina 1.6x Expander from Duclos Lenses, who are also authorised dealers for the Tokina Cine Primes and Zooms, as well as B&H via this link here.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.

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