For filmmakers seeking a vintage aesthetic, finding the right lenses can be a challenging quest. While many vintage lenses such as the Canon FD, Nikon AI-S, or Olympus M series offer unique visual characteristics, they were not originally designed for the demands of professional cinematography.
This gap has led to the practice of cinematic rehousing, where vintage lenses are modified for film production use. A recent video by Media Division offers an in-depth look into this process.
ZERØ OPTIK’s Latest Venture
ZERØ OPTIK, a Los Angeles-based company known for its expertise in lens modification and customization, has recently launched a project focusing on the Pentax Super-Takumar lens series. These lenses, named in honor of Takuma Kajiwara, the brother of Asahi Optical’s founder, were initially produced in the early 1960s with an M42 screw mount for 35mm photography. The Super-Takumar lenses are celebrated for their ability to create images with rich colors, warm tones, and smooth background blur.
Project Details
Project DetailsThe project features three specific Super-Takumar lenses: the 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, and 85mm f/1.8. Notably, the 50mm lens is the esteemed 8-element version, sometimes referred to as the “Planar killer.” This lens, known for its complex construction and high production costs, eventually led to a simplified 7-element design due to financial losses on each unit produced by Asahi Optical.
Following the rehousing process, these lenses now have a unified front diameter of 95mm, simplifying the use of accessories such as matte boxes and filters. The rehousing also includes an increase in the number of iris blades to enhance the circular quality of the bokeh and improvements to the minimum focusing distance.
Pricing and Availability
As of now, ZERØ OPTIK has not disclosed pricing information for the rehoused Super-Takumar lenses. The cost of rehousing vintage lenses typically reflects the specialized skill and labor involved. Updates on pricing and availability will be provided when more information becomes available.
News source: https://www.zerooptik.com/
