New Sirui Aurora lenses bring fast, wide autofocus to full frame

Sirui has expanded its Aurora series of full-frame autofocus prime lenses. The new 15 mm F1.6 and 24 mm F1.4 join the 35 mm F1.4 and 85 mm F1.4 models released earlier. Aurora lenses come in Sony E, Nikon Z, L and Fujifilm X-mounts, but only E and L versions of the new lenses are available at launch. Sirui says the Z and X mount models should arrive in the first quarter of 2027.

Design

Both lenses measure about 4.2 inches (106.6 mm) long in Sony E mount. The L-Mount versions are a little shorter at around 4.1 inches (104.6 mm). Weight is close too, ranging from 19.1 ounces (542 g) to 19.8 ounces (560 g) depending on the lens and mount.

Switches on the barrel handle manual and auto focus, iris lock and the aperture ring click. A customizable function button doubles as an autofocus lock.

Optical design

The 15mm uses 17 elements in 12 groups. Three are aspherical and three are ED (extra-low dispersion). The 24mm packs 14 elements into 11 groups, with three aspherical and four ED elements. Both designs also use high-refractive-index glass. Together, these help correct spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, and color fringing. Sirui also says the lenses control wide-angle distortion to keep straight lines straight.

Sirui Aurora 15mm prime lens sample image
Aurora 15mm [Image courtesy: Sirui]

Autofocus

An STM stepping motor drives autofocus on both lenses. Sirui promises fast, accurate and quiet focusing. With a compatible camera body, you get subject detection and tracking for stills and video.

Focus breathing is low, so your image should not change size as you pull focus. The 15 mm focuses as close as 11.8 inches (30c m). The 24 mm gets closer at 10.2 inches (26 cm).

Fast maximum apertures

The 15mm has a maximum aperture of F1.6. The 24mm is a little faster at F1.4. That should help in low light and give you a shallow depth of field when subjects sit close to the lens. Each lens has 11 iris blades for smooth, rounded bokeh. You can also switch off the click stops on the aperture ring to adjust exposure smoothly while recording video.

Sirui Aurora 24mm prime lens sample image
Aurora 24mm [Image courtesy: Sirui]

Other features

The 15 mm takes 77 mm screw-in filters. The 24 mm uses a 62 mm thread. Each lens ships with a small petal-style lens hood. Sirui backs them with a three-year replacement warranty.

What we think

Sirui’s new Aurora primes promise sharp images and fast autofocus. Their wide apertures help in low light, and they offer about as shallow a depth of field as you can expect at such wide focal lengths.

Screw-in filter support is a nice surprise. Lenses as wide as 15mm often have bulging front elements that rule out this type of filter. The de-clickable aperture ring matters for video shooters too. Both lenses are priced well below most rivals, so anyone shopping for a wide-angle prime should take a closer look.

Pricing and availability

The Sirui Aurora 15mm F1.6 costs $599 and the 24mm F1.4 costs $499. Both are available to order now in Sony E and L-Mount. Nikon Z and Fujifilm X versions should follow in the first quarter of 2027.


Pete Tomkies
Pete Tomkies
Pete Tomkies is a freelance filmmaker from Manchester, UK. He also produces and directs short films as Duck66 Films. Pete's horror comedy short Once Bitten... won 15 awards and was selected for 105 film festivals around the world. He also produced the feature film Secrets of a Wallaby Boy which is available on major streaming platforms around the world.

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