Simmod Lens announced its exclusive cine lens series, the Apsara series. Apsara lenses, the latest venture from Simmod Lens founder and cinematographer Ron Sim CSC, has officially launched, introducing two distinct lines of cine lenses that promise to redefine the intersection of vintage individuality and modern reliability.

The Apsara “Lumière” and “Prestige” series are a unique blend of artistry and engineering, made for filmmakers seeking both creative expression and professional reliability.

The Simmod APSARA Lumière Lens Series

The Lumière series is a compact set of four T1.4 super fast lenses featuring vintage-inspired rendering. Initially available in focal lengths of 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 75mm, with more focal lengths to come. These lenses feature a compact and lightweight build optimized for popular mirrorless mounts such as Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z and L-mount, making them ideal for mirrorless cameras as well as cinema cameras such as the Sony FX3, FX6, Canon C80 and C400.

Although it is compact, it covers a wide range of formats, including large format (ALEXA LF Open Gate), full size, VistaVision, and Super 35 sensors, making it suitable for a wide range of shooting scenes.

Vintage Optics

Lumière lenses are artistically crafted to evoke the spirit of vintage optics. They are based on existing lens prescriptions, but have been carefully retuned by expert tuners to introduce subtle and desirable imperfections. The result is a vintage-inspired rendition characterized by soft, creamy skin tones, gentle highlight halation, and painterly focus fall-off that flatters your subject and adds depth to your images.

Chromatic aberration is present but kept under control, adding an analogue charm without crowding the frame. Focus breathing is kept to a minimum, allowing for smooth, cinematic focusing. Importantly, each focal length is meticulously tuned for colour, contrast and flare behaviour, addressing the common challenges faced when using mismatched vintage lenses.

One of the standout innovations in the Lumière series is the patent-pending illuminated lens marking system, which allows photographers to easily read focus and aperture settings in dark environments, a huge advantage for run-and-gun shoots and low-light documentary filming.

The lens is made from a precision machined aluminum barrel, offers a smooth long throw focus ring and stepless, click-free iris control for precise exposure adjustments. The front diameter is 80mm outer diameter and the filter thread is 77mm, ensuring compatibility with popular matte boxes and filters.

Simmod APSARA Prestige Series

The Prestige series is designed for PL and LPL mounts. The series consists of five cine lenses with macro capabilities: 24mm T2.0, 35mm T2.0, 50mm T2.0, 75mm T2.8, and 100mm T2.8. The lenses cover large format, VistaVision, and Super35 sensors and are guaranteed compatible with the latest generation of cinema cameras, such as ARRI Mini LF and 65, RED VV cameras, and Sony VENICE/VENICE 2.

The Prestige series embodies a painterly image character with a vintage soul, balanced with modern optical performance. Like Lumière lenses, Prestige lenses are also carefully retuned using proprietary air gap adjustments and element spacing to create a signature look characterized by vintage warmth, subtle veil flare, and beautifully rendered bokeh.

The focus roll-off is gradual and organic, naturally drawing the viewer’s attention to the subject while giving the background a soft, deep look. Color reproduction is consistent across the set, with a gradual highlight roll-off and rich shadow detail. Chromatic aberration is also tastefully present, adding character without getting in the way of the image. Both the Lumière and Prestige lenses share a similar look, making them easy to use side-by-side and cut together.

Vintage look, modern mechanism

While the images may have a vintage aesthetic, the mechanics of the Prestige series are thoroughly modern. The lens body is custom designed to ensure easy and stable operation. Focus breathing is minimized to support the complex focus pulls required for film and commercials. Unlike many vintage and adapted lenses, Apsara lenses match color, contrast and mechanical feel across a range to ensure a cohesive shooting experience. Flare behavior is suppressed for an aesthetically pleasing look.

Featuring a robust all-metal housing with deep knurling for a secure grip even with gloves on, the lenses are designed to withstand the rigors of professional use. The lenses also undergo rigorous quality control in a controlled darkroom at Simmod’s Windsor factory, including precision optical centering, back focus calibration, and advanced flare and contrast testing. The focus ring provides ultra-smooth long-throw rotation with precise, clickless iris control, and the front diameter is standardized at 95mm with an 86mm filter thread to fit industry-standard matte boxes and accessories.

Collaboration for innovation

Each Apsara lens is the culmination of Simmod Lens’ years of expertise in modifying vintage lenses. Rather than simply reusing old glass, Apsara lenses were developed in collaboration with SIRUI, a global lens manufacturer known for producing high-quality optical designs used by professionals around the world.

Starting with these proven optical formulas, the Simmod team begins by evoking the soul of classic cinema lenses by applying proprietary lens tuning techniques, including precise tuning of air gaps and element spacing. This approach results in optics that capture the subtle and beautiful imperfections of modern cinema glass while maintaining the reliability, consistency, and control expected from modern cinema glass.

Final assembly, calibration and quality control are carried out in Simmod’s new ISO-certified cleanroom facility in Windsor, Ontario, ensuring that all lenses meet required standards for performance and visual characteristics.

Why Apsara?

The brand’s cultural roots and charitable mission are equally important. Named after a celestial dancer from Southeast Asian mythology, Apsara is inspired by grace, artistry and dedication. A portion of the proceeds from each lens sale supports Apsara Academy, a non-profit organization that provides filmmaking education to exceptional talent in developing countries. The program began in Cambodia, with a launch film shot with a self-taught local crew, embodying the brand’s ethos of empowerment through creativity.

For cinematographers seeking lenses that combine the painterly and emotional quality of classic glass with the reliability and ease of use of modern mechanics and Canadian craftsmanship, Apsara’s Lumière and Prestige series offer a compelling new option to the market.

Pre-orders are currently being accepted for both the Lumière series and the Prestige series, with shipments scheduled to begin in mid-August 2025.