Kowa Cine Prominar 50mm T2.3

Lens · 1960s–1970s · Kowa Cine Prominar (spherical)

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Compare with Cine Prominar Anamorphic 50mm T2.3

amber flareslow contrastcharacterful bokehflattering

Reported to cover or nearly cover full frame; listed conservatively as Super 35. Known for slightly swirly, characterful bokeh. Japanese cine primes from the 1960s with single-layer gold-toned coatings that produce warm amber flares and reduced contrast; they sharpen nicely one stop down. Specs are for the TLS rehousing.

Key specs

Focal length: 50 mm
Max aperture: T2.3
Mount: PL
Image circle: Super 35
Close focus: 0.48 m
Front diameter: 110 mm
Weight: 910 g

Field of view by sensor

Full frame: 39.6° horizontal · frames like 50 mm on full frame
Super 35: 28° horizontal · frames like 72.3 mm on full frame
Micro Four Thirds: 19.6° horizontal · frames like 104 mm on full frame

What it goes on

The common rental form is the TLS rehousing in PL with 110mm fronts; original barrels are small, light (roughly 1–2 lb) and have 87mm fronts, which some operators still prefer for handheld and Steadicam. Originals are usually found PL-converted from Arri Standard or Mitchell mounts.

PL camerasNativeALEXA 265, ALEXA 35, PYXIS 12K, PYXIS 6K +15 more
Sony E camerasWith adapterRonin 4D-6K, Ronin 4D-8K, Alpha 1 II, Alpha 7 IV +13 more
Wooden Camera E to PL · Vocas PL to E · Metabones PL-E. Solid and common. Support the lens — the E-mount is not built to carry a heavy cine zoom on its own.
Canon RF camerasWith adapterEOS C400, EOS C50, EOS C70, EOS C80 +10 more
Wooden Camera RF to PL · Canon PL-RF (C400 / C80) · Kipon PL-RF. Common; use lens support with heavy glass.
L-Mount camerasWith adapterCinema Camera 6K, PYXIS 12K, PYXIS 6K, Ronin 4D-6K +6 more
Leitz L-PL · Wooden Camera L to PL · Sigma MC-31. Common; use lens support with heavy glass.
Micro Four Thirds camerasWith adapterMicro Studio Camera 4K G2, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Lumix BGH1, Lumix GH6 +1 more
Wooden Camera MFT to PL · MTF PL to MFT. Works, with a 2x crop on Super 35 glass relative to full frame.
LPL camerasWith adapterALEXA 265, ALEXA 35, ALEXA Mini LF, URSA Cine 17K 65
ARRI PL-to-LPL Adapter. ARRI's own adapter, passes LDS / Cooke /i lens data.
Nikon Z camerasWith adapterKOMODO-X 6K S35, V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV, V-RAPTOR XE
Wooden Camera Z to PL · Kipon PL-NIK Z. Common; use lens support with heavy glass.
Leica M camerasWith adapter· by flange mathsALEXA 265, ALEXA 35, ALEXA Mini LF, Ronin 4D-6K +1 more
24.2 mm of room for a plain ring. Check rear-element and mirror clearance before buying.
B4 (2/3") camerasWith adapter· by flange mathsURSA Broadcast G2, URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2, AJ-CX4000
4 mm of room for a plain ring. Check rear-element and mirror clearance before buying.
Nikon F camerasWith adapter· by flange mathsURSA Mini Pro 12K, URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF, URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2
5.5 mm of room for a plain ring. Check rear-element and mirror clearance before buying.