The Canon K35 extended prime lens set (rehoused by TLS) comprises legendary vintage cinema lenses from the 1970s. Renowned for their warm, organic image rendition, pleasing lens flares, and gentle fall-off into soft bokeh, these lenses offer a distinct vintage aesthetic. Often winners of Academy Awards for their optical design, they provide a sought-after, film-like quality to digital cinematography. This extended set typically includes additional focal lengths beyond the original core primes.
Overview
- Legendary vintage cinema primes
- Warm, organic image rendition
- Pleasing lens flares and gentle fall-off
- Soft, creamy bokeh
- Distinct vintage aesthetic
- Designed for Super 35 format (originally) but all lenses in this set (apart from the 18mm) cover full-frame sensors
- Often winners of Academy Awards for optical design
- Extended set includes wider focal length range
| Focal Length | Aperture | Close focus | Front Diameter | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14mm | T3.2 | 25cm | 10″ | 110mm | 0.64 Kg |
| 18mm* | T1.7 | 33cm | 1’1″ | 110mm | 1.4 Kg |
| 25mm | T1.6 | 33cm | 1’1″ | 110mm | |
| 35mm | T1.4 | 33cm | 1’1″ | 110mm | 0.89 Kg |
| 50mm | T1.4 | 33cm | 1’1″ | 110mm | 1.3 Kg |
| 85mm | T1.4 | 91cm | 3′ | 110mm | 0.88 Kg |
| 100mm | T2 | 110cm | 3’6 | 110mm | 1.4 Kg |
| 135mm | T2 | 149cm | 4’9″ | 110mm | 0.83 Kg |
*Super35 Coverage only
1 x 14mm Optex T3.2 (Originally T2.8) – Full Frame
1 x 18mm T1.7 (Originally T1.5) – Super35
1 x 25mm T1.6 (Originally T1.3) – Full Frame
1 x 35mm T1.4 (Originally T1.3) – Full Frame
1 x 50mm T1.4 (Originally T1.3) – Full Frame
1 x 85mm T1.4 (Originally T1.3) – Full Frame
1 x Optex 100mm T2 – Full Frame
1 x Optex 135mm T2 – Full Frame
Embrace the Vintage Look
The K35s are chosen specifically for their unique vintage character. Don’t expect clinically perfect images; instead, appreciate their warmth, subtle softness wide open, and the way they handle highlights and flares. This “imperfection” is their charm.
Flare Management
K35s are known for their beautiful, often colorful, and organic flares. Use practical lights and backlight creatively to generate these effects, or precisely flag them off if a cleaner image is desired.
Focus Fall-off
These lenses tend to have a pleasing, slightly swirly fall-off into bokeh, which can subtly draw attention to your subject. Experiment with depth of field to maximize this characteristic.
“Breathing” Considerations
Like many vintage lenses, K35s can exhibit noticeable focus breathing. Be aware of this during focus pulls and plan your shots to minimize its impact if it’s undesirable for your scene.
Maintenance of Vintage Glass
Handle these lenses with care. While robust, they are older optics. Ensure they are kept clean and stored properly to preserve their delicate coatings and mechanics.