Canon EF Du Review
The Dulens APO Mini 6-Lens Set offers a uniform vintage look for video, but its optical performance and price make it a niche choice.
The 30-Second Version
The Dulens APO Mini 6-Lens Set is a specialized tool for filmmakers who need focal-length consistency and a vintage look. It's not optically stellar, but it delivers a uniform image across all six primes. At $4,199, it's a niche purchase for a specific workflow.
Overview
The Dulens APO Mini Prime 6-Lens Set is a niche kit for filmmakers who want a specific look. It's a set of six full-frame primes (21, 31, 43, 58, 85, and 110mm) with a consistent T2.4-ish aperture, identical 72mm filter threads, and matching 11-blade irises. The whole point is uniformity across focal lengths for video work.
You're not buying these for bleeding-edge sharpness or autofocus. They're coated for a smooth, vintage look, and the interchangeable EF mount system is a clever way to future-proof your investment. This is a tool for a specific job, not a do-it-all lens collection.
Performance
Performance is a mixed bag, which is exactly what the specs suggest. The optical quality lands in the 35th percentile in our database, so don't expect clinical sharpness. That's by design—the vintage coating is meant to soften things up. The T2.4-2.6 aperture isn't super fast, sitting in the 29th percentile, so low-light shooters might feel a pinch. There's no stabilization either. But for its intended use—consistent, characterful video across a range of focal lengths—it delivers. The bokeh is decent (56th percentile) thanks to those 11 blades.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A full six-lens set with consistent look and handling.
- Interchangeable EF mount system adds flexibility.
- Uniform 72mm filter threads across all lenses.
- Designed specifically for vintage-style video work.
Cons
- Optical sharpness is average by modern standards. 22th
- T2.4 aperture isn't particularly fast for the price. 30th
- No image stabilization on any lens. 35th
- Macro performance is notably weak.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 21 |
| Focal Length Max | 21 |
Aperture
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | Interchangeable Mount with Included Canon EF |
| Format | Full-Frame (46 mm Image Circle) |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.2 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Value & Pricing
At $4,199, the value proposition is... specific. You're paying for six matched lenses, not six individual optical marvels. If you need a uniform set of primes for a video rig and love the vintage aesthetic, the price might make sense as a package deal. But if you're a stills photographer or someone who prioritizes sharpness and speed, this kit will feel wildly overpriced. You're buying a system, not just glass.
vs Competition
This set doesn't really compete with modern stills lenses like the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S or Viltrox primes. Those are sharper, faster, and cheaper individually. The real comparison is to other cine prime sets, like the DZOFilm Pictor or Sirui lenses. Those often offer faster apertures (like T1.9) for similar money, but might not have the same curated vintage look or the interchangeable mount system. The Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro, for example, is a sharp, fast AF lens for a fraction of the cost of one Dulens prime—but it's a different tool for a different job.
| Spec | Canon EF Du | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox Air VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Nikon NIKKOR Z Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 21mm | 55mm | 35mm | 17-70mm | 24-70mm | - |
| Max Aperture | - | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | Interchangeable Mount with Included Canon EF | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-M | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 550 | 281 | 400 | 544 | 676 | 320 |
| AF Type | - | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM |
| Lens Type | Prime | - | - | Wide-Angle Zoom | Wide-Angle Zoom | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF Du | 46.4 | 56.1 | 62.7 | 21.7 | 34.6 | 29.7 | 37.5 | 37.9 |
| Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF STM Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 81.1 | 89.1 | 67.5 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 87.8 |
| Viltrox Air 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Compare | 95.6 | 73.6 | 63.4 | 93.2 | 74 | 80.5 | 37.5 | 87.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 -A VC RXD Compare | 46.4 | 59.2 | 64.3 | 77.4 | 90.8 | 54.6 | 92.5 | 87.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Compare | 46.4 | 71.6 | 72.1 | 72.4 | 97 | 54.6 | 85.4 | 87.8 |
| Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus Standard Prime Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 88.8 | 85.3 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 87.8 |
Common Questions
Q: How sharp are these lenses?
Our data puts optical performance in the 35th percentile. They're designed for a smooth, vintage look, not clinical sharpness.
Q: Can I use these on other mounts besides Canon EF?
The kit includes interchangeable EF mounts, but that's it. You'd need separate mount systems from Dulens for Sony E, RF, or L-mount.
Q: Is the T2.4 aperture fast enough for low-light work?
It's decent, but it's in the 29th percentile for aperture speed. You'll want good lighting or a camera with great high-ISO performance.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're a stills photographer or a hybrid shooter. The optical scores are middling, there's no autofocus or stabilization, and the vintage look might not suit every project. For the price of this kit, you could assemble a far more capable set of modern stills primes with faster apertures and better sharpness.
Verdict
Buy this if you're a filmmaker building out a dedicated EF-mount video rig and you absolutely must have matching lenses with a vintage character profile across a wide focal range. The consistency is the selling point. For everyone else—stills shooters, hybrid creators, or anyone on a budget—there are far more versatile and higher-performing options for the money.