Samyang Xeen 135mm T2.2 (Nikon AE) – Cine Lens, Full-Frame Coverage, Manual Focus, Low Light Performance
The Samyang Xeen 135mm T2.2 (Nikon AE) is a premium full-frame cinema lens engineered for professional filmmakers and high-end video production. Designed to address the demanding requirements of 4K and higher-resolution workflows, it delivers exceptional sharpness, cinematic bokeh, and consistent color rendition across the Xeen lineup. This lens is ideal for DPs, camera operators, and production houses seeking a versatile telephoto prime that excels in narrative, portraiture, and commercial cinematography, especially in challenging lighting environments. Leveraging Samyang’s advanced optical engineering, the Xeen 135mm T2.2 features a robust all-metal housing, precise manual focus control, and a fast T2.2 aperture for superior low light performance. Its multi-layered coating minimizes flare and ghosting, while the uniform gear positions streamline multi-lens shoots. This lens stands out as a cost-effective alternative to legacy cinema glass, offering comparable image quality and build at a fraction of the price, making it a compelling upgrade from standard photo primes or entry-level cine lenses.
Full-Frame Sensor Coverage
The Xeen 135mm T2.2 is engineered for full-frame sensors, providing edge-to-edge sharpness and minimal vignetting on cameras like the Nikon D850, Z9 (with adapter), and other full-frame cinema rigs. Its image circle supports resolutions up to 8K, outperforming many APS-C or Super 35mm-only cine lenses. This allows filmmakers to maximize sensor real estate for higher detail and creative flexibility in post-production.
Fast T2.2 Maximum Aperture
With a bright T2.2 maximum aperture, this lens excels in low light performance, enabling shallow depth of field and smooth, cinematic bokeh. The fast aperture allows for precise subject isolation and creative control over background defocus, even in dimly lit interiors or nighttime exteriors. This enables professionals to shoot with natural light or minimal artificial lighting, reducing setup time and preserving the scene's ambiance.
11-Blade Rounded Iris
The 11-blade rounded diaphragm delivers smooth, circular bokeh and pleasing out-of-focus highlights, which are essential for portraiture and narrative filmmaking. This aperture design minimizes harsh edges in bokeh, resulting in a more organic, filmic look compared to lenses with fewer or non-rounded blades. This allows cinematographers to achieve a signature visual style that stands out in high-end productions.
All-Metal Cinema Housing
Constructed from precision-machined aluminum alloy, the Xeen 135mm is built to withstand rigorous professional use. Its robust housing features standard 114mm front diameter and unified 0.8 pitch gear rings for focus and iris, ensuring compatibility with industry-standard matte boxes and follow focus systems. This ensures reliable performance on set and seamless integration into professional cine workflows.
Long Focus Throw with Hard Stops
The extended 200° focus rotation provides precise manual control and smooth focus transitions, essential for accurate rack focusing and critical focus pulls. Hard stops at both ends of the focus range prevent over-rotation and facilitate repeatable focus marks. This enables focus pullers to work confidently, even during complex tracking shots or with shallow depth of field.
Consistent Color Matching Across Xeen Lineup
Samyang’s proprietary X-Coating Technology ensures consistent color reproduction across all Xeen cinema lenses, reducing color shifts and simplifying grading in multi-lens shoots. This uniformity is especially valuable for productions using multiple focal lengths, as it eliminates the need for extensive color matching in post. This allows DITs and editors to streamline their workflow and maintain visual consistency throughout the project.
Multi-Layered Anti-Reflective Coating
Advanced multi-layer coatings minimize flare, ghosting, and chromatic aberrations, even when shooting against strong backlight or practical light sources. This optical treatment preserves contrast and color fidelity, outperforming many lower-cost telephoto primes in challenging lighting scenarios. This enables DPs to capture clean, high-contrast images with minimal post-production correction.
Interchangeable Mount System
The Xeen 135mm T2.2 features an interchangeable mount system, allowing users to switch between Nikon AE, Canon EF, PL, Sony E, and Micro Four Thirds mounts. This future-proofs the investment and supports cross-platform workflows, ideal for rental houses or productions using multiple camera systems. This gives filmmakers the flexibility to adapt the lens to evolving gear requirements without purchasing new optics.
Dual Calibrated Focus Scales (Imperial & Metric)
The lens barrel is engraved with both imperial and metric focus scales, providing clear, accurate distance markings for international crews and ACs. The markings are laser-etched and filled for high visibility in various lighting conditions. This ensures fast, error-free focus pulls and efficient lens swaps on set.
De-Clicked, Smooth Aperture Ring
The continuously variable, de-clicked aperture ring allows for silent, step-less exposure adjustments during takes, critical for maintaining smooth transitions in dynamic lighting. The aperture ring is damped for tactile feedback and precise control, mirroring the feel of high-end cinema glass. This enables operators to adjust exposure fluidly without introducing noise or abrupt changes to the recorded image.
Summary
The Samyang Xeen 135mm T2.2 (Nikon AE) stands as a professional-grade telephoto cine lens, combining full-frame coverage, robust manual controls, and advanced optical performance at an accessible price point. Its fast T2.2 aperture, 11-blade iris, and consistent color science make it an essential tool for narrative, commercial, and documentary filmmakers seeking cinematic results without compromise. Compared to legacy cinema lenses and photo-based primes, the Xeen 135mm offers superior workflow integration and optical quality, making it a top choice for demanding productions.Available now at ebphotovideo.com, the Xeen 135mm T2.2 empowers filmmakers and DPs to elevate their visual storytelling with reliable, high-performance optics. Whether upgrading from entry-level cine glass or expanding an existing Xeen kit, this lens delivers the precision, durability, and creative control required for professional cinema production.
