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
Vintage Prime Set
TLS Rehoused
Zeiss B-Speed Primes
5 primes 18 – 85mm T1.4 PL
The first-generation Zeiss Super Speeds (Mk I, mid-1970s).
The original high-speed cine lenses that started the legend. At T1.4 they deliver low contrast with a mild glow and flattering softness. The signature feature is the 9-blade “rounded triangle” iris: wide open, bokeh is round; by T2, highlights transform into distinctive triangular shapes. One of the most striking bokeh effects in cinema. Made with rare-earth glass no longer in production, contributing to their special rendering and slightly amber tone.
Character profile
How this lens renders.
Amber tone. Minimal breathing. Rare glass.
Five axes plotting how this set behaves wide-open vs a neutral modern reference. Larger area = more pronounced trait.
Focal lengths
5 focal lengths in this set
- 18mm T1.4
- 25mm T1.4
- 35mm T1.4
- 50mm T1.4
- 85mm T1.4
| Focal | T-Stop | Close focus | Weight | Front Ø |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18mm | T1.4 | 11" | 1.5kg | 95mm |
| 25mm | T1.4 | 10" | 1.0kg | 95mm |
| 35mm | T1.4 | 14" | 1.0kg | 95mm |
| 50mm | T1.4 | 21" | 0.9kg | 95mm |
| 85mm | T1.4 | 3'0" | 1.1kg | 95mm |
Talking points
Why DPs pick this set
-
Signature triangular bokeh at T2: round at T1.4, artistic triangles when stopped down
-
Rare-earth glass no longer manufactured gives a unique amber tone and rendering
-
Surprisingly minimal focus breathing.
One of the technical strengths of B-Speeds
-
Used on Taxi Driver (1976).
A defining lens of 1970s American cinema
Technical
Full specifications
- Mount
- PL
- Coverage
- Super 35
- Housing
- TLS: 95mm fronts, internal cam focus, ~300° focus throw
- Iris
- Original 9-blade "rounded triangle" design, 3 layers of 3 (circular option available)
Shot on these
Notable credits
-
Taxi Driver (1976)
DOP Michael Chapman Dir Martin Scorsese
Credits reflect productions historically shot on this lens family. Specific units may vary.
Heritage
-
Origin
Developed by Zeiss in collaboration with ARRI in the 1970s, originally in ARRI Bayonet mount, hence “B” for Bayonet. The first generation of Zeiss Super Speeds, and the foundation for the optical formulas later carried into the Mk II and Mk III sets. Made with rare-earth glass no longer in production, contributing to the signature amber tone and rendering.
-
Filmography
Used on Taxi Driver (1976, DOP Michael Chapman) and across countless 1970s American features, a defining lens of the era’s visual language. The signature 9-blade “rounded triangle” iris produced one of the most striking bokeh effects in cinema, switching from round at T1.4 to artistic triangles by T2.
-
Build
TLS rehoused the B-Speeds in the late 2010s, even manufacturing a new 14mm T1.4 to broaden the set. The rehouse preserves the original optics, the rare-earth glass character, and the triangle-iris signature, adding modern PL housings, 0.8M gears, and durable matte-box fronts.
More to explore
