Our Mission
Demystifying the lens market through visual data.
Our mission is to demystify the lens market by transforming key optical characteristics into identifiable character traits that then become searchable through our visual datasheets.
We aim to help filmmakers, cinematographers, and photographers decode the characteristics each lens produces — empowering them to filter, compare, and discover lenses that match their creative vision.
By translating optical behaviour into tangible, visual language, we enable storytellers to pair the right lenses to their project's narrative with greater intention and confidence.
We want to help filmmakers find their next optical obsession.
What is CineTraits?
The world's first continuously growing lens database.
CineTraits is the first approach to an ever-growing lens database that combines visual test data shot comparably across both real-world and controlled scenarios alongside our unique character trait system, empowering filmmakers to compare lenses visually from the newest brands to the oldest eras and distinguish the exact look they need for their project.
The fastest explorable database.
And only getting fasterCineTraits uses a hybrid data approach combining still frames and traditional video to create a powerfully fast and responsive user experience, combining still frames when it's needed most to allow for zooming and fast, responsive comparability across frames that dynamically adjust in resolution, and using traditional high-resolution, fast-deliverable video when it's necessary for particular tests, all of which are controlled by our resolution and performance section that dynamically adjusts based on the user's performance and page.
As the database continues to grow, the platform may occasionally experience longer load times, something we'll continue to improve over the coming months.
Comparable real world lens tests.
Our comparable lens data is shot as real-world as possible, allowing users to see the key behaviour characteristics of a lens in both real-world scenarios and controlled environments across, in future, hundreds of different lenses along with our real-world neutral flare tests, torch flare tests, sharpness charts, distortion charts, coma, astigmatism, CA, and the rest.
This is not a one-time bulk comparison of lenses. This is a long-term approach to testing lenses and growing the largest lens database that incorporates the visual test data that filmmakers actually want and need.
For Creators
A database built for the way filmmakers actually think about lenses.
The platform translates complex optical behaviour into a language creators understand — visual, intuitive, and immediately actionable.
The Lens Database
Browse a growing catalogue of cinema lenses — each with lab-tested optical data, character trait badges, and detailed specs.
Lab-Tested Visual Tests
View standardised flare, bokeh, sharpness, vignetting, and chromatic aberration tests shot under controlled conditions.
Character Trait System
Every lens is mapped with character traits — flare warmth, bokeh texture, swirl, field curvature — as colour-coded badges.
Compare Lenses
Place up to four lenses side by side and compare their test imagery and character traits directly.
Discover
Explore test results visually across the entire database. Browse by test category and scroll through F-stop grids.
AI-Powered Smart Search
Describe the look you're after in natural language and let the AI surface matching lenses ranked by fit.
Lens Combo & DeTune
Pair lenses with optical adapters and DeTuners to explore entirely new looks before committing on set.
Custom Lens Sets & Wishlist
Build curated lens packages, get AI style summaries, export wishlists to PDF, and share with your team.
For Manufacturers
A new way to showcase your optics.
CineTraits offers manufacturers a platform to present their lenses through the lens of optical character — the traits that filmmakers actually care about when choosing glass for a project.
Collaborate With Us
Partner with CineTraits to include your lenses on the platform. Ensure your products are represented accurately and reach the cinematographers actively searching for their next lens.
Express Optical Identity
Our datasheet visualisation provides a new vocabulary for communicating the look of your lenses — going beyond specs to showcase the artistic character your optics produce.
Visual Datasheets
Help your audience understand what makes your lenses unique. Our visual format communicates contrast, flare, bokeh, and rendering in a way that resonates with working professionals.
Articulate Lens Personality
Communicate the personality and character of entire lens sets — not just individual focal lengths. Give cinematographers the complete picture of what your glass brings to a production.
Our Brands
Lens manufacturers we use
Stop guessing and start seeing.
For the first time ever you have a single place where you can go to discover lenses on how they actually look in comparable real-world scenarios, powered by our unique character trait system. So you can finally stop guessing or thinking if a lens is right, but finally start seeing if a lens is right.
This is not a one and done database. This is a continuously living and growing database that will showcase the latest and greatest optics against some of the oldest optics on the market. Both photographic and cine glass, both budget and lenses money cannot afford.
Contact Us
Let's start a conversation
Whether you're a filmmaker looking for lens guidance or a manufacturer interested in collaboration — we'd love to hear from you.