TRIBE7 Debuts BLACKWING7 PL-Mount Cinema Lenses with Custom Optical Tunings
TRIBE7 is a lens manufacturer established through the collaboration of American cinematographer Bradford Young, ASC, and lens designer Neil Fanthom. The company is best known for the BLACKWING7 series of full-frame cinema lenses, which are developed with an emphasis on controlled optical characteristics and a high degree of customizability: they offer filmmakers the ability to alter aspects such as contrast, flare behavior and focus fall-off, appealing to those seeking a specific visual language in both commercial and artistic cinematography.
The BLACKWING7 lenses are divided into three core tuning profiles—S-Tuned, T-Tuned and X-Tuned. Each variant reflects a different approach to image rendering. S-Tuned lenses use multilayer coatings to reduce flare while retaining sharp central image quality and gradual edge contrast loss, drawing inspiration from vintage designs such as the Wray Unilite 50mm f/2. T-Tuned lenses incorporate single-coated optics, emphasizing contrast roll-off and flaring with enhanced edge halation. X-Tuned variants are selectively uncoated around lens edges, prioritizing soft contrast and controlled aberration to exaggerate depth-of-field and halation effects.
The lens system includes ten focal lengths, with a six-lens core set comprising 27mm, 37mm, 47mm, 57mm, 77mm, and 107mm options. Additional focal lengths include 17mm, 20.7mm, 23.7mm, and 137mm. All lenses feature a uniform mechanical design: 14-blade apertures, 270-degree barrel rotation, 0.8 MOD gear interfaces and a consistent 114mm front diameter.
degree barrel rotation, 0.8 MOD gear interfaces and a consistent 114mm front diameter.
Beyond the primary tuning categories, TRIBE7 has introduced further refinements such as XT and B tunings. XT lenses combine the flare properties of T and X variants, but with more subdued rainbow and ghost effects. B-Tuned lenses use the same optical prescription as T-Tuned variants but apply the S-Tuned multi-coating for light control while incorporating edge uncoating similar to the X-Tuned models, resulting in lower contrast and blue-green flares.
The BLACKWING lenses are produced with ARRI PL mounts, making them compatible with a range of full-frame digital cinema cameras, including RED V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV, ARRI ALEXA Mini LF, Sony VENICE and Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K. T-Stops across the range vary slightly depending on production generation, typically ranging from T1.8 to T2.0.
The BLACKWING7 T-Tuned T1.9 Cine 6-Lens Set is available either for purchase (or rental) including the six core focal lengths, and is packaged in a waterproof hard case. Lenses outside the core set—specifically the 17mm, 20.7mm, 23.7mm, and 137mm—are also available individually.
Pricing for individual lenses ranges from $14,169 to $19,900, while the six-lens set is listed at $86,110.
