The new SIRUI VP-1 vision prime lenses offer a compact design with a maximum aperture of T1.4 for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Providing focal lengths of 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm (with 15mm and 75mm coming soon), the lenses feature a user-interchangeable lens mount between Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Leica L. The VP-1 lenses will soon be available via Kickstarter for $549 each.
The Chinese camera accessories manufacturer SIRUI entered the world of lens manufacturing relatively recently, about six years ago, starting with the affordable 50mm f/1.8 APS-C anamorphic lens, but has since managed to build quite a wide portfolio.
To demonstrate the level of innovation at SIRUI last year, the company announced a 40mm 1.33x anamorphic lens with autofocus. Make sure to check Johnnie’s review in case you missed it. In fact, SIRUI announced the lens shortly after the world’s first anamorphic AF lens from BLAZAR was introduced at the IBC show.
Today, we get teased with yet another new lens series from SIRUI. This time, we are talking fast full-frame spherical cinema primes. Let’s take a short look at the upcoming SIRUI VP-1 lineup.
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SIRUI VP-1 cine prime set
According to SIRUI, the VP in the name stands for “Vision Prime.” The whole set features a similar size and weight (roughly 500-600g/ 17.6-21.1 oz), a 67mm front filter thread, and the same ring placement.
The click-less iris and focus rings feature standard gears for any motorized lens control system. The focus ring of the VP-1 lenses has a 270° rotation angle. The 12-bladed aperture (18-bladed for the 50mm lens) is available between T1.4 and T16.
Today, the company announces three focal lengths:
- 24mm T1.4 (close focus 0.26m / 0.85ft)
- 35mm T1.4 (close focus 0.30m / 1.00ft)
- 50mm T1.4 (close focus 0.43m / 1.50ft)
In the near future (second half of 2025), two more focal lengths are expected – 15mm and 75mm.
Flexibility of multiple lens mounts
Apart from the fast maximum aperture of T1.4, SIRUI’s VP-1 series has one very interesting trick up its sleeve – a user-interchangeable lens mount. This is a very practical feature to have, in my opinion.
Personally, when considering getting a cinema prime lens set in the last few years, I was never tempted to go for any of the mirrorless mounts (although I switched to mirrorless cameras almost 12 years ago). The reason for this is the limited compatibility.
With cinema prime lenses, there is often no lens-camera communication necessary (except high-end cine lenses for metadata transfer), so it made sense for me to opt for one of the SLR mounts (Canon EF or ARRI PL, for instance), which then can be easily mounted on any mirrorless system via a simple lens adapter. If I were to buy a mirrorless mount cine lens set and switch to a different ecosystem, I would have to sell the lenses.
Therefore, it is nice that SIRUI designed the new VP-1 cine primes with a user-interchangeable system. This makes the lenses compact and lightweight (thanks to a mirrorless design) but still flexible in terms of camera choice. By default, the lenses come with a Sony E-mount pre-installed but include Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Leica L mounts to be switched by the user whenever needed.
Optical design, lens body
Optically, SIRUI VP-1 comprises ED lenses and high-refractive index (HRI) as well as three aspherical elements. This results in a smaller overall lens size, according to the company. SIRUI claims the lenses show minimal focus breathing and distortions.
SIRUI provided a few sample frames so you can be the judge when it comes to the look of the lenses.
The lens barrel is made out of aluminum alloy and has two colors to choose from – black or metal gray.
Price and availability
SIRUI VP-1 Vision Prime lenses will be available via SIRUI’s Kickstarter campaign from February 20th, 2025. The price during the campaign will be $549 per lens, while the full retail price is planned to be $649 per lens. For the three-lens set, SIRUI will charge you $1,599 (the full retail price will be $1,899). Every lens comes with a set of user-interchangeable mounts (E/RF/Z/L). We will add the link to the Kickstarter campaign as soon as we get it.
What do you think about the new SIRUI VP-1 cine prime lens series? Are you in the market for an affordable full-frame cine prime right now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section underneath the article.
