Vintage Prime
TLS Rehoused
Fuji EBC Primes
A Treasure of Coating Technology
- Focal
- 19–135mm
- T-stop
- T1.4–T3.8
- Mount
- PL
Vintage Prime Set
Ancient Optics / Zero Optik
Tamashii Primes
9 primes 22 – 110mm T1.5 – T2.3 PL
We run this family as standard 7 and 9-lens kits. Bespoke focal mixes are built on request.
A curated set of secret-identity Japanese vintage primes from the 1960s–80s, selected over five years of head-to-head testing.
Every focal length must meet the same strict framework, regardless of original manufacturer: each lens a star rather than a few standouts padded with filler. The goal: LOMO bokeh, K35 flares, Zeiss sharpness, zero chromatic aberration. Compact, lightweight, and capable of impressive close focus. They make every image special. Used on large-scale productions worldwide since their introduction.
Character profile
How this lens renders.
Sharp wide-open. Secret Japanese DNA.
Five axes plotting how this set behaves wide-open vs a neutral modern reference. Larger area = more pronounced trait.
Focal lengths
9 focal lengths in this set
- 22mm T2.3* sources disagree
- 26mm T2.3* sources disagree
- 29mm T2.2
- 36mm T2.3
- 42mm T2
- 52mm T1.9
- 58mm T1.5
- 88mm T2.1
- 110mm T1.9* sources disagree
| Focal | T-Stop | Close focus | Weight | Front Ø |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22mm | T2.3* sources disagree | 8" | 0.61kg* sources disagree | 95mm |
| 26mm | T2.3* sources disagree | 12" | 0.65kg | 95mm |
| 29mm | T2.2 | 12" | 0.73kg* sources disagree | 95mm |
| 36mm | T2.3 | 10" | 0.73kg* sources disagree | 95mm |
| 42mm | T2 | 15" | 0.59kg | 95mm |
| 52mm | T1.9 | 16" | 0.64kg | 95mm |
| 58mm | T1.5 | 19" | 0.68kg | 95mm |
| 88mm | T2.1 | 22" | 1.01kg* sources disagree | 95mm |
| 110mm | T1.9* sources disagree | 2'6" | 1.06kg* sources disagree | 95mm |
Talking points
Why DPs pick this set
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Strict framework: every focal length must meet the same standard, regardless of original manufacturer
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Near-zero chromatic aberration wide open.
Rare for vintage glass
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Donor lens identities remain secret.
The look is truly unique to this set
-
Compact, lightweight, and capable of impressive close focus.
Lenses that never fight you
Technical
Full specifications
- Mount
- PL
- Coverage
- Full Frame (22–58mm) · 65mm (88mm, 110mm)* sources disagree
Some figures here are marked *. Our sources disagree on those, so we're checking them against the lenses themselves. Ask us and we'll measure it for you.
Heritage
-
Origin
The first Ancient Alliance lens set, a five-year collaboration between Ancient Optics, Old Fast Glass, and Zero Optik. Every focal length had to meet the same strict framework regardless of original manufacturer: LOMO bokeh, K35 flares, Zeiss sharpness, zero chromatic aberration.
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Filmography
Used on large-scale productions worldwide since introduction. The Tamashii look (clean wide open, distinctive yet usable) has found a home wherever DPs want character without commitment to a single era’s signature.
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Build
Each element individually curated and restored, hand-tuned with modern precision to perform better than the original factories managed decades ago. Donor lens identities remain secret. The look is unique to this set, not reproducible from any single vintage source. Compact, lightweight, and capable of impressive close focus.
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