Sirui

A T1.4 full-frame cine prime with stabilization and 96th percentile macro chops for under USD 700. Manual focus only, but if you're shooting video, you won't care.

The macro score genuinely surprised us. A 50mm cine prime hitting 96th percentile for close-up work is rare, and that 67mm minimum focus distance means you can get practically intimate with your subject. The T1.4 aperture is a real workhorse too, sitting at the 70th percentile, which gives you that dreamy subject separation and low-light flexibility without pushing ISO into noise territory. But the optical score lands at a middling 42nd percentile, so while the bokeh is pleasant (68th percentile), don't expect clinical sharpness edge to edge. The stabilization is a standout at 81st percentile, which is unusual for a cine prime and a genuine bonus for handheld work. The autofocus score is a 14th percentile, but that's by design, this is a manual focus lens and it's not pretending otherwise.

The Sirui VP-1 doesn't really compete with the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 or Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8, those are autofocus zooms for hybrid shooters who want one lens to do everything. The Sirui is a specialist. If you're comparing it to the Panasonic Leica 12-35mm or Sony 18-135mm, you're missing the point entirely. The real comparison is against other cine primes, and in that space, the Sirui's T1.4 aperture and macro capability make it a standout. The Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 is a fine zoom, but it can't touch the Sirui's low-light performance or close-focus ability. If you need autofocus, buy the Sigma or Tamron. If you want cinematic character and don't mind pulling focus yourself, the Sirui is the more interesting lens.

At USD 699, this lens is a steal for what it does. The EUR pricing is a bit scattered, ranging from EUR 661 to EUR 739 across four listings, so if you're in Europe, shop around and grab the EUR 661 deal. You're getting a full-frame cine prime with T1.4, stabilization, and a mount system that future-proofs your investment across three camera brands. That's a lot of lens for the money, especially when you consider that most cine primes at this aperture cost double or triple this price.

The Sirui Vision Prime 1 50mm T1.4 is a cine lens that punches way above its price class for one specific job: making things look gorgeous up close. It's a manual focus, full-frame prime built for filmmakers who care more about image character than autofocus convenience. The headline here is the T1.4 aperture paired with a 67mm minimum focus distance, which lands it in the 96th percentile for macro performance in our database. That's not just good, it's the kind of result that makes you want to shoot flowers, food, and product details all day.

If you need autofocus for run-and-gun shooting or hybrid photo/video work, this isn't your lens. Go grab the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 or Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 instead. Also, if you're a pixel peeper who demands tack-sharp corners wide open, the 42nd percentile optical score will bug you. This lens is about character and light gathering, not clinical perfection.

Buy this lens if you shoot video, love shallow depth of field, and don't mind manual focus. The T1.4 aperture, stabilization, and macro performance make it a genuinely compelling package at this price. It's not a do-everything lens, and the optical sharpness won't blow your mind, but the image character and versatility across mounts make it a smart buy for indie filmmakers and content creators who want a cinematic look without selling a kidney.