TLS LEICA R

We’re excited to be able to offer these sought after, newly rehoused, custom-finish TLS Leica R lenses. 

The Leica Rs come from Leica’s line of SLR cameras. While the R-series dates back to 1964, the serial numbers in our set are from the late 80s and 90s within a couple of years of each other (around the time Leica was also producing the glass for Panavision Primos, which share some design sources with the R line). Due to their still-photography origin, the Leica Rs have Full Frame coverage including Alexa LF open gate and Venice / Burano 8.6k.

They have excellent optical performance and correction, and are quite sharp without the intense-feeling overresolution of some modern lenses. The gradual focus roll-off is especially natural and pleasing to the eye. They also feature softer contrast, great multicolored flares, glowing highlights, and interesting blur quality and bokeh, which has a slight swirl/cat’s-eye effect when wide open. They are noticeably cleaner than many other vintage lenses while still having plenty of character, and can really take off in another direction when handling filtration or added texture in-camera or in post.

Leica Rs were used on Joker (90mm), Ozark Season 4, and The Brutalist, but they are also great in commercial/branded settings and are among the only vintage lenses versatile and non-distracting enough to bring even onto corporate shoots.

The new TLS housings are gorgeous. High grade aluminum-alloy and stainless-steel build, increased focus throw, improved close focus from the original lenses, smooth gearing with consistent positions between lenses, PL mounts, and 110mm fronts. TLS intentionally kept the original iris, which preserves that iconic bokeh wide open and a unique 6-bladed shape stopped down (for a more traditional cine style bokeh, consider the S35 Leitz-Cs). TLS also provided us with a custom, classic black finish, distinct from their gold Leica R housings.

Having worked with other cinemodded versions of these lenses, the TLS versions are a huge aesthetic and functional upgrade for rigorous cinema/video use. We really like the look of the images, which is unique compared to both modern lenses and other vintage lenses.