An Introduction to SLR Magic Microprimes: What You Need to Know

By admin

The SLR Magic MicroPrimes are a series of prime lenses designed for filmmakers and cinematographers. These lenses are known for their small size and lightweight construction, making them ideal for shooting on smaller cameras or gimbal setups. One of the standout features of these lenses is their fast aperture, with most of them having a maximum aperture of T1.5. This enables users to achieve a shallow depth of field and shoot in low light conditions without sacrificing image quality. The SLR Magic MicroPrimes are available in various focal lengths ranging from 12mm to 75mm, providing a versatile range of options for different shooting scenarios.


SLR Magic’s MicroPrime Cine X-Mount lenses are very easy to handle and work with, and build-quality is impressive. In terms of picture quality: if you are looking for optical perfection or absolute sharpness, look elsewhere, yet if you are after a unique look and strong lens characteristics, these lenses certainly tick the box! For their price point, they are good value for money, BUT one has to remember that working with wide open aperture will result in a very noticeable deterioration of picture quality. If the maximum aperture of T4.0 is fine for most of the work you do, then those lenses might be right for you. My personal grief is the 12mm T2.8. As I wrote before, I love wide angle shots and although this particular lens brings interesting results, I still have to learn how to trust it while filming a real, paid project. Although FUJIFILM cameras are gaining popularity and momentum, X-Mount lens offerings are still limited and as I can’t really think of any other brand, which produces modestly priced “Cine” alternatives (I’m not talking photo lenses here) – considering the price vs. build-quality and optical performance – if you are on a budget, those lenses might be worth taking a look at. After all, it is not that we are filming charts all day long…

So, if you have lots of lights at the background, those might not blend smoothly and even be distracting, though this is really a matter of personal taste. Suitable for 4K origination, each lens in the MicroPrime Cine series features a similar size and weight with consistent lens gear positions for rapid lens changes and easier rebalancing when changing lenses on a gimbal.

Slr magic microprimes Slr magic prime lenses

The SLR Magic MicroPrimes are available in various focal lengths ranging from 12mm to 75mm, providing a versatile range of options for different shooting scenarios. These lenses are also known for their high-quality optics, delivering sharp and detailed images with minimal aberrations or distortion. They are built with a focus ring that offers smooth and precise manual focus control, allowing filmmakers to easily achieve the desired focus point.

SLR Magic MicroPrime Cine Lens Kit for Sony E

The SLR Magic MicroPrime Cine Lens Kit for Sony E has some of our favorite SLR Magic MicroPrime Cine lens offerings. It includes:

  • SLR Magic MicroPrime Cine 18mm T2.8 for Sony E
  • SLR Magic MicroPrime Cine 25mm T1.5 for Sony E
  • SLR Magic MicroPrime Cine 35mm T1.3 for Sony E
  • SLR Magic MicroPrime Cine 50mm T1.2 for Sony E
  • SLR Magic MicroPrime Cine 75mm T1.5 for Sony E

Standardized Features. All the lenses in the MicroPrime Cine series feature similar compact size and light weight, and unified gear positions on the focus and iris rings, enabling quick and easy lens change and easier rebalancing when swapping lenses on a three-axis gimbal. Each lens has an 85mm outer diameter that lets you use a range of clip-on matte boxes, and an 82mm front filter thread that lets you use 82mm fixed ND filters.

Fully Manual. These lenses provide no electronic communication with the camera. You must make all aperture and focus adjustments manually on the lens itself. Its geared iris and focus rings let you use follow-focus units or lens motors for focus or iris pulling. The aperture you select won’t be displayed on the camera, and it won’t show up in the EXIF data. The internal-focusing design minimized breathing and keeps the front of the lens from rotating while you’re pulling focus.

Slr magic microprimes slr magic prime lenses

Additionally, the lenses have a robust and durable construction, ensuring that they can withstand the rigors of professional use. Overall, the SLR Magic MicroPrimes are popular among filmmakers for their compact size, fast aperture, and high image quality, making them a reliable choice for various video productions..

Reviews for "SLR Magic Microprimes: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Camera"

1. Samantha - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Slr magic microprimes. The image quality was extremely inconsistent, with some shots being sharp while others were blurry or had a strange soft focus. The build quality also left a lot to be desired, as the focus and aperture rings felt cheap and flimsy. Overall, I found these lenses to be unreliable and not worth the money.
2. John - 1 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for the Slr magic prime lenses, but they ended up being a huge letdown. The image quality was just terrible, with noticeable distortion and vignetting in almost all of my shots. I also had issues with the focus being inaccurate, even when using manual focus. The overall build quality of the lenses was also disappointing, as they felt cheap and fragile. I would not recommend these lenses to anyone.
3. Melissa - 2 out of 5 stars - I found the Slr magic microprimes to be quite frustrating to use. The manual focus was incredibly sensitive, making it difficult to achieve precise focus, especially when shooting in low light. The aperture ring also had a strange resistance to it, making it hard to smoothly adjust the aperture. Additionally, I experienced some chromatic aberration and color fringing in my images. Overall, I was not impressed with these lenses and would not purchase them again.
4. Mark - 2 out of 5 stars - The Slr magic prime lenses failed to live up to my expectations. The image quality was mediocre at best, with noticeable distortion and softness towards the edges of the frame. The focus ring felt loose and imprecise, making it challenging to achieve sharp focus. I also experienced some issues with lens flare and ghosting when shooting in bright light. Overall, I was disappointed with the performance and quality of these lenses.

The Benefits of Using SLR Magic Microprimes for Indie Filmmaking

How SLR Magic Prime Lenses Enhance your Photography Skills