Why "The Studio" Was Shot on a 21mm Lens, And Why the Irix 21mm Is Your Best First Cine Lens

What if we told you that the entire Apple TV+ new series "The Studio”, created by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, was shot with just one lens: a 21mm?

Sounds wild, right? But it's true.

Cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra captured every scene using a single Arri Signature Prime 21mm lens on an Alexa 35 camera. And the result? A cohesive, immersive, beautifully natural look that pulls you straight into the chaotic world of Hollywood.

Check out the trailer below and notice how every frame is shot on a 21mm lens.

The team behind the new hit series embraced a bold "one camera, one lens" philosophy, relying entirely on this setup to craft the show's fast-paced, anxiety-inducing style. This choice brought visual consistency, intimacy, and efficiency to the production.

Now, while the Arri Signature Prime 21mm is a gorgeous piece of glass, it comes with a price tag north of $28,000. Luckily, there's a lens that captures that same immersive magic at a fraction of the price: the Irix Cine 21mm T1.5.

In fact, if you're looking for a professional 21mm cine lens that's affordable and readily available, the Irix 21mm is your only real choice. No other brand offers a 21mm cine lens at this level of performance, build quality, and price.

Why Shoot an Entire Production on a 21mm?

First, let's talk about why a 21mm prime lens was the perfect choice for Apple TV+ series The Studio:

• Consistency: Every shot feels connected. With the same wide perspective across the series, the audience experiences a seamless visual flow. Scenes maintain a natural rhythm, making transitions feel smooth and organic.
  
  
• Immersive Perspective: A 21mm lens is wide, but not distorted. It replicates the way we see the world, giving scenes a "you're right there" feeling. Viewers feel like they’re a part of the action, not just passive observers.
  
  
• Dynamic Blocking: Instead of relying on different focal lengths, actors and camera movement become the stars. It's cinematic choreography at its best, allowing directors to get creative with space and movement.
  
  
• Simplicity on Set: No constant lens changes. Everyone knows what the frame captures, making complex shots easier to plan and execute. This speeds up production and fosters more natural performances from actors.
  
  
• Budget-Friendly: Shooting with one lens slashes rental costs and simplifies the gear load. Less gear means lighter setups, faster resets, and more time spent capturing the perfect performance.

Enter the Irix Cine 21mm T1.5: Your Perfect Starting Lens

If you're building your first cine lens kit, or looking for the ultimate wide prime to anchor your arsenal, the Irix 21mm is exactly what you need.

Here's why:

• Superb Optical Quality: The Irix 21mm delivers near-zero distortion, excellent corner-to-corner sharpness, and beautiful, cinematic color rendition – easily rivaling lenses many times its price. Perfect for productions that demand high visual standards without the blockbuster budget.
  
  
• Fast T1.5 Aperture: Whether you're shooting low-light interiors, dreamy golden-hour exteriors, or chasing that shallow depth of field, the wide T1.5 gives you full creative control over exposure and depth.
  
  
• Full-Frame Coverage: Designed for modern cinema cameras, the Irix 21mm covers full-frame sensors and beyond – perfect for large-format shooters who want that immersive "big cinema" look.
  
  
• Available in Every Major Mount: The Irix Cine 21mm is available in all 8 popular mounts: PL, EF, RF, Z, L, MFT, Sony E, and Fuji X. Whatever your camera system, there's an Irix 21mm ready to go.
  
  
• Rock-Solid Build: Made with a rugged aluminum-magnesium body and a Military Grade Certified Weather Sealing, the Irix 21mm is ready for anything your production throws at it. From dusty deserts to rainy city streets, it keeps performing.
  
  
• Smooth, Precise Focus: With a buttery 180° focus throw and standard 0.8 pitch gears, pulling focus is a dream, even for complex shots where critical sharpness is non-negotiable.
  
  
• Lightweight and Versatile: Despite its solid construction, the Irix 21mm is compact and lightweight, making it perfect for handheld shooting, gimbal work, and even drone cinematography.
  
  
• Affordable Price: At around $1,300, the Irix 21mm T1.5 offers a professional-grade cinema look without destroying your budget. It's an investment that pays off with every frame you capture.

Simply put: if you want a true 21mm cine lens without spending a fortune, the Irix 21mm is the lens to get, because it's the only one of its kind available today.

Get the "Studio Look" Without the "Studio Price”

"The Studio" shows what's possible when you embrace a simple, powerful visual approach – and it all starts with the right lens. The Irix Cine 21mm T1.5 puts that same immersive, natural perspective into your hands.

Whether you're an indie filmmaker, a cinematographer building your personal kit, or a content creator stepping up your production value, starting with a strong, versatile wide prime like the Irix 21mm will set you up for success.

Working with a single, well-chosen lens teaches you to think more creatively. You'll learn to move the camera purposefully, block scenes dynamically, and truly engage with your subject matter. It's a skill set that elevates your storytelling and makes your work stand out.

And let's be honest – mastering one lens is liberating. Instead of juggling multiple focal lengths and stressing about lens swaps, you can focus purely on composition, movement, and emotion. That's where the real magic of filmmaking happens.

Master one great lens. Tell powerful stories. Build your future, one frame at a time.

Ready to start your journey? Check out the Irix Cine 21mm T1.5 – your first step toward cinematic greatness.

Source:

irixusa.com

Original article:

https://www.irixusa.com/why-the-studio-was-shot-on-a-21mm-lens-and-why-the-irix-21mm-is-your-best-first-cine-lens