ARRI Master Prime 18mm Lens (PL, Metric Units)
The ARRI 18mm is a 18mm f/1.3 cinema lens designed for PL Mount mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
ARRI Master Prime 18mm Lens (PL, Metric Units)
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Lens Overview — ARRI 18mm
Key Features — ARRI 18mm
T1.3 Maximum Aperture: Exceptionally fast aperture allows shooting in low-light conditions and gives cinematographers precise control over depth of field.
18mm Fixed Focal Length: Wide-angle prime delivers a broad field of view suited to environmental establishing shots, interiors, and expansive compositions.
PL Mount: Industry-standard cinema mount ensures compatibility with professional camera systems from ARRI, RED, Sony, and others.
Super 35 Coverage: Designed for the Super 35 format, matching the most widely used sensor size across professional cinema cameras.
Manual Focus Design: Smooth, precise focus ring built for repeatable, accurate focus pulls in professional cinema workflows.
2.22kg Build Weight: Solid, professional-grade construction typical of high-end cinema primes, designed for use on rigged camera setups rather than handheld run-and-gun work.
Lens Specifications — ARRI 18mm
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Documentary, Video / Cinematography |
| Lens Type | Cine |
| Format | Super 35 |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 18mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.3 |
| Camera System | Cinema / Video |
| Lens Mount | PL Mount |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Weight | 2.22kg |
Description — ARRI 18mm
The ARRI Master Prime 18mm (PL Mount, Metric) is a dedicated cinema prime lens built for professional production environments. Operating at a maximum aperture of T1.3, it provides strong light-gathering capability suited to demanding lighting conditions and creative shallow depth-of-field work. The lens is designed for the Super 35 format, aligning with the sensor size found in a broad range of professional cinema cameras.
Mounted via PL Mount, it integrates with the standard cinema camera ecosystem. At 18mm, the fixed focal length places this lens in wide-angle territory, making it a go-to choice for expansive environmental coverage or working in confined spaces. The lens is manual focus only, with no autofocus or image stabilization, reflecting the professional cinema workflow where focus control is managed by a dedicated operator.
Weighing 2.22kg, it has a substantial build appropriate for rigged camera setups. Focus marks are provided in metric units as indicated by this variant. No filter thread size is specified, so front-end accessory compatibility should be confirmed prior to production.
Pros — ARRI 18mm
- ✓Fast T1.3 maximum aperture enables strong low-light performance and shallow depth of field control
- ✓Super 35 format coverage suits the most widely used sensor size in professional cinema cameras
- ✓PL Mount provides broad compatibility with professional cinema camera systems
Cons — ARRI 18mm
- ✗No autofocus — requires a dedicated focus puller or careful manual operation
- ✗No image stabilization, which may limit handheld usability without additional support systems
- ✗At 2.22kg, the lens adds substantial weight to a camera rig
Frequently Asked Questions — ARRI 18mm
What camera mount does the ARRI Master Prime 18mm use?+
The lens uses a PL Mount, which is a standard interface 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 ARRI Master Prime 18mm is designed for the Super 35 format, which is the most common sensor size in professional digital cinema cameras. It is not specified for full-frame or other formats.
What is the maximum aperture of this lens?+
The lens has a maximum aperture of T1.3, measured in T-stops as is standard for cinema lenses. This allows for strong light transmission and the ability to achieve a shallow depth of field.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
No, the ARRI Master Prime 18mm is a manual focus-only lens with no autofocus capability. It is designed for use in professional cinema workflows where a dedicated focus puller operates the focus ring.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 2.22kg. This is worth factoring into rig balance and operator fatigue, particularly on handheld or Steadicam setups.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
No, the specifications confirm that image stabilization is listed as None. Stability must be achieved through the camera support system rather than the lens itself.