Gear of the Year: Lenses

Posted on Jun 19, 2026 by bright_oliver

Gear of the Year is here – cast your vote and back the best lenses of 2026

Lenses and their accessories are at the very heart of the Pro Moviemaker Gear of the Year Awards. It doesn’t matter if you are filming a documentary, branded content or cinematic YouTube videos, the right lens can transform your visuals.

This year has seen a huge range of standout optics, from compact all-round zooms to specialist cine glass. Canon’s RF 7-14mm f∕2.8-3.5L STM introduced an ultra wide fisheye zoom unlike anything else currently available. Fujifilm’s recent XC 13-33mm f∕3.5-6.3 OIS gave creators a lightweight, all-purpose option, while Nikon pushed superzoom tech further with the 28-135mm f∕4 PZ power zoom.

Tamron continues to grow with its 35-100mm f∕2.8 Di III VXD and Sigma continued its impressive run with the 300-600mm f∕4 DG OS Sports telezoom and 28-105mm T3 AF Cine hybrid, while the Zeiss LWZ.3 21-100mm T2.9-3.9 is a benchmark choice for serious production.

Prime lenses were also impressive throughout the year. Canon’s RF 45mm f∕1.2 STM offers a fast standard option at a cut price, while Laowa expanded its unusual optics line-up with the 17mm f∕4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift, 35mm f∕2.8 Zero-D Tilt-Shift, 90mm f∕2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO, as well as the 200mm f∕2 AF FF.

Sigma’s Aizu Prime 65mm T1.5 cine lens, 35mm f∕1.2 DG DN Art, 135mm f∕1.4 DG Art and 200mm f∕2 DG OS Sports all delivered premium performance across multiple mounts. Also, with the relaunch of the iconic Otus ML 35mm f∕1.4 and set of Aatma cine lenses, Zeiss is still at the forefront of optical innovation.

Lens accessories also played a major role this year. Irix’s PL to Sony E adapter with magnetic filters proved especially useful, the Tamron-Link system simplified customisation, Polar Pro introduced some new close-up filters with its Shift Diopter Shortstache set and the Vocas MB-260 Matte Box proved the traditional filter sets are still the ultimate flex for many.

Cast your vote here!