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 Super Speed
7 primes 18 – 135mm T1.3 – T2.1 PL
We run this family as standard 5 and 7-lens kits. Bespoke focal mixes are built on request.
Beloved 1980s Zeiss optics with high speed and a classic cinematic look.
Wide open at T1.3 they offer extremely shallow depth of field and a soft glow around highlights: low-contrast and dream-like. Stopping down to T2+ yields a sharp, crisp image with more contrast. Colour rendition is neutral-cool and consistent. TLS rehousing solves every original shortcoming: new 16-blade irises for round bokeh, internal cam-driven focus (no more telescoping fronts), and improved close focus across the set.
Character profile
How this lens renders.
Clean. Round bokeh. Vintage softness.
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
- 18mm T1.3
- 25mm T1.3
- 35mm T1.3
- 50mm T1.3
- 65mm T1.3
- 85mm T1.3
- 135mm T2.1
| Focal | T-Stop | Close focus | Weight | Front Ø |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18mm | T1.3 | 11" | 1.5kg | 95mm |
| 25mm | T1.3 | 10" | 1.0kg | 95mm |
| 35mm | T1.3 | 14" | 1.1kg | 95mm |
| 50mm | T1.3 | 19" | 1.0kg | 95mm |
| 65mm | T1.3 | 2'3" | 1.1kg | 95mm |
| 85mm | T1.3 | 3'0" | 1.4kg | 95mm |
| 135mm | T2.1 | 3'9" | 1.6kg | 95mm |
Talking points
Why DPs pick this set
-
Classic Zeiss cinematic look: high resolution, clean but not clinical, with vintage softness
-
TLS eliminated telescoping fronts.
Clip-on matte boxes now work perfectly
-
16-blade irises replace the original mix, ensuring round bokeh at all stops
-
50mm close focus improved from 27" to 19".
The 135mm from 5' to 3'9"
Technical
Full specifications
- Mount
- PL
- Coverage
- Super 35: 50mm covers ~41mm, 85mm and 135mm cover ~55mm (usable on Full Frame)* sources disagree
- Housing
- TLS Rehoused: 95mm fronts, internal cam focus, matched gears
- Iris
- New 16-blade circular (replacing original mix of 6/7/9 blades)
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
Produced by Carl Zeiss. The line evolved across three generations, making them the industry-standard high-speed primes for over a decade. Classic Zeiss cinematic look: high resolution, clean but not clinical, with vintage softness wide open.
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Filmography
Used on countless features from the 1980s through today, one of the most rented prime sets in cinema history. The T1.3 wide-open look became the visual signature of an era.
-
Build
TLS rehoused them, solving longstanding mechanical issues while preserving the legendary optics. New 16-blade irises ensure round bokeh at all stops; internal cam-driven focus eliminates the original telescoping fronts so clip-on matte boxes work perfectly. Close focus improved across the set: 50mm from 27" to 19", 135mm from 5' to 3'9".
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