Vintage Prime
Ancient Optics / Zero Optik
Tamashii Primes
The “Greatest Hits” of Japanese Optics
- Focal
- 22–110mm
- T-stop
- T1.5–T2.3
- Mount
- PL
Leica R Primes: Elmarit | Summilux
G.L. Optics Rehoused
Vintage Prime Set
G.L. Optics Rehoused
Leica R Primes: Elmarit | Summilux
7 primes 19 – 135mm T1.5 – T2.9 PL
Leica R primes are revered for their creamy, flattering image.
Wide open, they are well-corrected and reasonably sharp, yet have a gentleness in how they draw: sharp but forgiving. They flare beautifully: a pleasant bloom and slight veiling that gives images a romantic touch. Focus fall-off is very smooth, and out-of-focus areas melt away with minimal nervousness. Consistently praised for round, creamy bokeh with background highlights blending softly, a near “Cooke-like” quality.
Character profile
How this lens renders.
Sharp yet forgiving. Romantic highlights.
Five axes plotting how this set behaves wide-open vs a neutral modern reference. Larger area = more pronounced trait.
Focal lengths
7 focal lengths in this set
- 19mm T2.9
- 24mm T2.9
- 28mm T2.9
- 35mm T1.5
- 50mm T1.5
- 80mm T1.5
- 135mm T2.9
| Focal | T-Stop | Close focus | Weight | Front Ø |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19mm | T2.9 | 11" | 1.0kg | 110mm |
| 24mm | T2.9 | 11" | 1.0kg | 110mm |
| 28mm | T2.9 | 8" | 0.9kg | 110mm |
| 35mm | T1.5 | 19" | 1.4kg | 110mm |
| 50mm | T1.5 | 11" | 1.2kg | 110mm |
| 80mm | T1.5 | 19" | 1.4kg | 110mm |
| 135mm | T2.9 | 2'6" | 1.9kg | 110mm |
Talking points
Why DPs pick this set
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The famous “Leica glow”: sharp but forgiving, with a romantic softness to highlights
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0.9–1.9kg per lens, most of the set under 1.5kg.
Ideal for handheld and gimbal work
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Three Summilux T1.5 in the set: the 35, 50 and 80mm
-
Close focus dramatically improved over original Leica specs.
28mm focuses at just 8"
Technical
Full specifications
- Mount
- PL (EF available)
- Coverage
- Full Frame: no vignetting on any focal length
- Housing
- G.L. Optics Mk IV: 110mm fronts, 330° focus throw (120° on the 19mm), matched gears
- Iris
- 15-blade, rounded
Heritage
-
Origin
From Leitz (Leica) Wetzlar’s R-series SLR lenses (1960s–80s), the German optical heritage that defined still-photography “glow” for half a century. “Summilux” denotes f/1.4 designs, “Elmarit” denotes f/2.8.
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Filmography
Long beloved by still photographers: Salgado, Ferdinando Scianna, and countless reportage and editorial shooters built careers on Leica R glass. Leica stopped making R lenses in 2009; their cinema legacy lives on through rehoused sets like this.
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Build
G.L. Optics did a full Mk III/IV rehousing to turn the R primes into true cinema lenses. Close focus dramatically improved over original Leica specs: the 28mm now focuses at just 8 inches. Most of the set is under 1.5kg (0.9–1.9kg per lens), which makes it ideal for handheld and gimbal work. PL mount, matched fronts, 0.8M gears.
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