ARRI 21mm Master Lens
The ARRI 21mm T1.3 is a 21mm f/1.3 cinema lens with PL Mount mount. It features T1.3 Maximum Aperture and 21mm Wide-Angle Prime. Check GearFocus for current availability with buyer protection and verified sellers.
ARRI 21mm Master Lens
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The ARRI 21mm Master Lens is a wide-angle prime designed for cinema and video production, built around a PL Mount and covering the Super 35 format. With a maximum aperture of T1.3, this lens delivers strong low-light capability and the potential for a shallow depth of field — qualities that make wide-angle primes in this aperture class highly sought after on professional sets. It is a manual focus lens with no autofocus or image stabilization, which is standard practice in high-end cinema workflows where focus pullers work with precision follow-focus systems.
The lens weighs 2,400g, a figure worth noting when rigging on gimbals, cranes, or shoulder rigs where balance and payload matter. The focal length is fixed at 21mm, making it a dedicated wide-angle tool within a broader lens set. The PL Mount ensures broad compatibility across professional cinema camera platforms that use this industry-standard mount.
Whether you are shooting narrative features, documentaries, or high-end commercial work, the combination of a T1.3 aperture, Super 35 coverage, and the precision of a manual cinema prime positions this lens as a serious tool for cinematographers working at the top of their craft.
T1.3 Maximum Aperture: One of the widest apertures available in a cinema prime, enabling low-light shooting and shallow depth of field even at 21mm.
21mm Wide-Angle Prime: Fixed focal length delivers a consistent, dedicated wide-angle perspective with no optical compromises introduced by a zoom mechanism.
PL Mount: Industry-standard cinema lens mount compatible with professional camera systems from ARRI, RED, Sony, and others.
Super 35 Coverage: Image circle is optimized for Super 35 sensors, the format used by many industry-standard digital cinema cameras.
Manual Focus Design: Smooth, precise focus ring engineered for use with follow-focus systems and repeatable focus pulls on professional sets.
Part of Master Prime Set: Designed as part of ARRI's Master Prime series, ensuring consistent color rendition, breathing characteristics, and front diameter across focal lengths.
Substantial Lens Weight: Build weight worth accounting for when rigging on gimbals, cranes, or shoulder rigs where payload balance is critical.
Minimal Focus Breathing: Master Primes are engineered to minimize focus breathing, keeping the frame stable during focus pulls on camera.
Clickless Iris: De-clicked aperture ring allows smooth, silent exposure changes during a take without audible clicks on set.
ARRI 21mm T1.3 Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Studio, Video / Cinematography |
| Lens Type | Cine |
| Format | Super 35 |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 21mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.3 |
| Camera System | Cinema / Video |
| Lens Mount | PL Mount |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Weight | 2400g |
Description
The ARRI 21mm Master Lens is a prime cinema lens built for professional Cinema / Video camera systems. It features a PL Mount, covering the Super 35 format and offering a T1.3 maximum aperture — a fast rating for a wide-angle prime that supports low-light shooting and shallow focus work. The lens is manual focus only, with no autofocus or image stabilization, consistent with how cinema primes are used in professional productions.
At 21mm, it provides a wide-angle field of view suited to establishing shots, environmental storytelling, or any scenario where broader coverage is needed. The lens weighs 2,400g, which should be factored into rig planning, particularly for operators using gimbals or shoulder-mounted setups where balance is critical. No filter thread size is listed in the specifications, so filtration solutions should be confirmed before production.
As a dedicated fixed focal length lens within the wide angle range, it is best deployed as part of a matched lens set to ensure consistent optical character across focal lengths on a production.
Pros
- ✓Wide T1.3 maximum aperture enables shooting in low-light conditions and supports shallow depth of field at 21mm
- ✓PL Mount provides compatibility with a broad range of professional cinema cameras
- ✓Super 35 format coverage matches the sensor size of many industry-standard cinema cameras
- ✓Fixed 21mm focal length delivers a dedicated wide-angle perspective without zoom compromise
- ✓Manual focus design aligns with professional cinema workflows using follow-focus systems
Cons
- ✗At 2,400g, the lens is substantial and may require careful consideration for gimbal or handheld rigging
- ✗No image stabilization, which is expected for a cinema prime but worth noting for handheld operators
- ✗No autofocus — operators relying on AF-assisted workflows will need to adapt
- ✗No filter thread size listed, which may complicate planning for filtration needs
- ✗Single focal length means it must be part of a larger lens set to cover a range of shots
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Frequently Asked Questions
What camera mount does this lens use?+
The ARRI 21mm Master Lens uses a PL Mount, which is the industry-standard mount for professional cinema cameras. This makes it compatible with a wide range of cinema camera systems that accept PL-mount lenses.
What sensor format does this lens cover?+
The lens is designed to cover the Super 35 format. If you are using a camera with a larger sensor, you should verify coverage before shooting.
What is the maximum aperture of this lens?+
The maximum aperture is T1.3, which allows for strong performance in lower-light environments and the ability to achieve a shallow depth of field even at a wide 21mm focal length.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
No, this is a manual focus lens with no autofocus capability. This is standard for professional cinema lenses, where focus is typically controlled via a dedicated follow-focus system or focus puller.
How heavy is the ARRI 21mm Master Lens?+
The lens weighs 2,400g. This is a meaningful consideration when planning rigs, particularly for gimbal use or extended handheld shooting, where weight distribution and payload limits are important.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
No, the specifications confirm that image stabilization is set to None. Stabilization for cinema work is typically handled at the rig level through gimbals, fluid heads, or other camera support systems.