IBC2025
ELYSAS, a company founded by cinematographers in Amsterdam, Netherlands, announced its new cinema lens series, the MUSE PRIME, at IBC. Pre-released at NAB, the lenses are now in full production and available for purchase.
This lens is relatively compact and lightweight, yet boasts an image circle larger than full frame. It fully covers the 16×9 mode of the Fujifilm GFX sensor. It features image quality that combines vintage softness with modern sharpness. The bokeh blends smoothly and creates a subtle swirling effect that naturally highlights the subject.
The current lineup consists of seven lenses: 25mm T1.8, 32mm T1.8, 40mm T1.8, 50mm T1.8, 75mm T1.8, 100mm T1.8, and 135mm Macro T2.8.
Focus on the Image
ELYSAS responds to the idea that cinematographers in the digital age place more importance on emotional expression than on MTF curves. The depiction known as “blending bokeh” is intended to draw the viewer in by individually controlling five areas within the frame (foreground, focal plane, background, center, and periphery) and adjusting aberrations.
ELYSAS MUSE PRIME Development
Lightweight was a key requirement in the lens development process. At the same time, the goal was to create a lens with a robust and reliable mechanism and an industry-standard 95mm front diameter. The in-house development team reduced weight through mechanical design, optical design, and material science. The result was a lens weighing less than 900g at each focal length while maintaining a comfortable feel. This makes MUSE PRIMES one of the lightest 95mm front diameter T1.8 PL mount large format cinema lenses on the market, making it suitable for use with gimbals, Steadicams, shoulder mounts, and drones.
All focal lengths cover the 16:9 aspect ratio of the Fujifilm GFX sensor and large format (LF) sensors. While some lenses on the wide-angle side exhibit slight vignetting, ELYSAS explains that this is acceptable for many cinematographers, even with the GFX’s open gate shooting.
The combination of the large format image and the “blending bokeh” makes it possible to create layered, three-dimensional images that were difficult to achieve with conventional cameras of the same format.
ELYSAS places importance not only on weight and performance, but also on customizability. MUSE PRIMES lenses can be individually customized at the factory, allowing owners to create lenses that are unique to them. For an additional fee, the lens body can be painted in a custom color to create a unique look.
Logo Optional
It is also possible to choose not to include the “Melted Bokeh” logo. Furthermore, adjustments can be made to the sharpness, bokeh shape, contrast, and flare characteristics. It is also possible to change the lens coating according to the cinematographer’s requests. These customizations are an additional service charge, and prices are negotiable.
MUSE PRIMES has a suggested retail price of US$2,399 per unit, but for a limited time they are being offered at a special price of US$1,999.
