Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 review

The Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 lens delivers cinematic flair and UltraHD resolution for an ultra competitive price

Irix Cine 30mm T1.5
(Image: © James Artaius)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 is a formidable cinema lens, both capable in performance and competitive in price. Offering great sharpness, weather sealing, well controlled distortion and breathing, and an enviable T1.5 aperture for low light shooting and background blur, it packs all the punch of a premium cine lens but without the associated cost.

Pros

  • +

    Great cinematic look

  • +

    Minimal focus breathing

  • +

    Weather sealed

Cons

  • -

    Soft wide open at T1.5

  • -

    No electronic contacts

  • -

    Lens hood not included

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The Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 is the manufacturer's latest addition to its ever-increasing range of competitively priced – and competitively performing – cinema lenses. 

While it's the fifth lens in the lineup, the Irix Cine 30mm T1.5 may actually be the most useful all-purpose optic. It sits bang in the middle of Irix' 11mm T4.3, 15mm T2.6, 45mm T1.5 and 150mm T3.0, lenses, offering a versatile 30mm focal length that's ideal for documentary shooting, news and reporting, location and establishing shots, and of course B-roll. 

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.