In the field of filmmaking, lenses are essential for getting the ideal picture. But as technology advances, a growing number of filmmakers are using rehoused lenses to achieve a distinctive fusion of contemporary mechanics and antiquated optics. Panavision and Tokina rehoused lenses are among the most sought-after. These lenses are renowned for their excellence, robustness, and the special qualities they offer to the film industry.
This article will dive deep into the world of rehoused lenses, focusing specifically on Panavision and Tokina. We’ll cover everything from what rehoused lenses are, why they’re used, the specific qualities of Panavision and Tokina lenses, and much more.
What Are Rehoused Lenses?
Definition:
Rehoused lenses are vintage or older lenses that have been taken apart and placed into new, more robust housings. These housings are often made of modern materials, making the lenses more durable and easier to use with modern camera systems.
Why Rehousing?
The rehousing process is done to improve the functionality and usability of older lenses without sacrificing their unique optical qualities. Some of the benefits of rehoused lenses include:
- Improved Mechanics: The new housing often includes modern focus and aperture rings, making the lens easier to use with contemporary follow focus systems.
- Durability: Older lenses were not always built to withstand the rigors of modern filmmaking. Rehousing provides a more durable build, often made from metal, that can handle the demands of a film set.
- Compatibility: Rehoused lenses are often made to be compatible with modern cameras, including digital cinema cameras. This allows filmmakers to use classic glass on the latest camera bodies.
Why Choose Rehoused Lenses?
Rehoused lenses offer a unique blend of vintage optics and modern usability. Filmmakers choose rehoused lenses for several reasons:
- Unique Look: Vintage lenses often have a distinct look that can’t be replicated by modern lenses. This includes characteristics like lens flares, bokeh, and color rendition.
- Cost-Effective: Instead of buying new lenses, which can be expensive, rehoused lenses provide a more affordable option while still offering high-quality optics.
- Compatibility with Modern Equipment: Rehoused lenses are made to work seamlessly with modern cameras and accessories, making them a practical choice for filmmakers.
Panavision Lenses: A Legacy of Excellence
History of Panavision:
Panavision has been a leading name in the film industry for decades. Founded in 1954, Panavision initially specialized in anamorphic lenses, which allowed filmmakers to shoot in widescreen formats. Over the years, Panavision has expanded its offerings to include a wide range of lenses, cameras, and other film equipment.
Panavision’s Contribution to Rehoused Lenses:
Panavision lenses are some of the most sought-after in the industry, known for their exceptional quality and unique characteristics. The company’s rehoused lenses maintain the legendary optical quality of the original Panavision lenses while providing modern mechanics and durability.
Key Features of Panavision Rehoused Lenses:
- Optical Quality: Panavision lenses are renowned for their sharpness, color rendition, and overall image quality. These characteristics are preserved in the rehoused versions.
- Anamorphic Options: Panavision is famous for its anamorphic lenses, which produce a unique cinematic look with characteristics like horizontal lens flares and oval bokeh. Many of these lenses have been rehoused for use with modern cameras.
- Build Quality: Panavision rehoused lenses are built to last, with robust housings that can withstand the demands of professional filmmaking.
Tokina Lenses: A Modern Approach to Rehousing
History of Tokina:
Tokina is a Japanese company known for producing high-quality lenses at affordable prices. While Tokina may not have the same long history as Panavision, it has earned a reputation for making lenses that offer excellent value for money.
Tokina’s Entry into the Rehoused Lens Market:
In recent years, Tokina has started offering rehoused versions of some of its most popular lenses. These lenses are designed for use in professional filmmaking, with a focus on providing high-quality optics at a reasonable price.
Key Features of Tokina Rehoused Lenses:
- Affordable Quality: Tokina lenses are known for offering excellent image quality at a fraction of the cost of other high-end lenses. This makes them a popular choice for independent filmmakers and smaller production companies.
- Modern Design: Tokina lenses are designed with modern filmmaking in mind, with features like consistent aperture across the zoom range and minimized focus breathing.
- Durability: Like Panavision, Tokina’s rehoused lenses are built to withstand the rigors of professional use, with durable housings and reliable mechanics.
Panavision vs. Tokina: A Comparative Analysis
When it comes to rehoused lenses, both Panavision and Tokina offer excellent options. However, there are some key differences between the two brands:
Optical Quality:
- Panavision: Known for its legendary optical quality, Panavision lenses are often considered the gold standard in the industry. They are ideal for filmmakers who want the absolute best in terms of image quality.
- Tokina: While Tokina lenses may not have the same reputation as Panavision, they still offer excellent optical quality, especially considering their price point. They are a great option for filmmakers who want high-quality optics without breaking the bank.
Price:
- Panavision: Panavision lenses are typically more expensive, reflecting their premium quality and brand reputation.
- Tokina: Tokina lenses are generally more affordable, making them accessible to a wider range of filmmakers.
Availability:
- Panavision: Panavision lenses are often more difficult to find, especially the vintage models that have been rehoused. This can make them harder to obtain, particularly for independent filmmakers.
- Tokina: Tokina lenses are more readily available, both new and rehoused, making them easier to purchase or rent.
Unique Characteristics:
- Panavision: Panavision lenses are known for their unique characteristics, particularly their anamorphic lenses. These lenses offer a distinct look that is highly sought after in the film industry.
- Tokina: Tokina lenses are known for their modern design and practical features, making them a great choice for filmmakers who need reliable, high-quality lenses that are easy to use.
How Rehoused Lenses Are Made
The Rehousing Process:
Rehousing a lens involves several steps, each of which is crucial to preserving the optical quality of the lens while improving its mechanical performance.
- Disassembly: The original lens is carefully disassembled, with each component being inspected and cleaned.
- New Housing Design: A new housing is designed for the lens, often using modern materials like aluminum or brass. The new housing is designed to be more durable and compatible with modern camera systems.
- Reassembly: The lens is reassembled in the new housing, with each component being carefully placed to ensure optimal performance.
- Testing: The rehoused lens is thoroughly tested to ensure that it performs as expected. This includes testing the focus, aperture, and overall image quality.
Challenges of Rehousing:
Rehousing a lens is a complex process that requires a high level of skill and expertise. Some of the challenges involved in rehousing a lens include:
- Preserving Optical Quality: One of the biggest challenges in rehousing a lens is preserving its optical quality. This requires precise engineering and careful attention to detail.
- Ensuring Compatibility: The new housing must be designed to work seamlessly with modern camera systems, which can be challenging given the wide range of cameras and accessories available.
- Durability: The new housing must be durable enough to withstand the demands of professional filmmaking, which often requires using high-quality materials and precise manufacturing techniques.
The Importance of Lens Testing
After a lens has been rehoused, it must be thoroughly tested to ensure that it meets the required standards. This testing process typically includes:
- Focus Testing: The focus mechanism is tested to ensure that it operates smoothly and accurately.
- Aperture Testing: The aperture mechanism is tested to ensure that it operates correctly and consistently.
- Image Quality Testing: The overall image quality of the lens is tested to ensure that it meets the required standards. This includes testing for sharpness, color rendition, and other optical characteristics.
Popular Rehoused Lenses from Panavision and Tokina
Panavision Anamorphic Lenses:
Panavision is known for its anamorphic lenses, which produce a unique cinematic look that is highly sought after in the film industry. Some of the most popular rehoused anamorphic lenses from Panavision include:
- C Series: The Panavision C Series anamorphic lenses are known for their compact size and unique optical characteristics, including lens flares and bokeh.
- E Series: The Panavision E Series anamorphic lenses are known for their sharpness and consistency across the entire frame, making them a popular choice for high-end productions.
Tokina Vista Primes:
Tokina’s Vista Prime lenses are some of the most popular rehoused lenses in the industry. These lenses are known for their modern design, excellent optical quality, and affordable price point. Some of the most popular rehoused Tokina Vista Prime lenses include:
- 35mm T1.5: The Tokina Vista Prime 35mm T1.5 is known for its sharpness and low distortion, making it a popular choice for a wide range of productions.
- 50mm T1.5: The Tokina Vista Prime 50mm T1.5 is known for its versatility and excellent image quality, making it a popular choice for everything from commercials to feature films.
Choosing the Right Rehoused Lens for Your Project
When choosing a rehoused lens for your project, there are several factors to consider:
Budget:
- Panavision: If you have a larger budget and want the best possible optical quality, Panavision rehoused lenses are an excellent choice.
- Tokina: If you’re working with a smaller budget, Tokina rehoused lenses offer excellent value for money without sacrificing too much in terms of image quality.
Look and Feel:
- Panavision: If you’re looking for a unique, cinematic look, particularly with anamorphic lenses, Panavision is the way to go.
- Tokina: If you want a more modern look with consistent performance across the frame, Tokina is a great choice.
Availability:
- Panavision: If you’re able to find the Panavision lens you’re looking for, it’s a great choice, but availability can be limited.
- Tokina: Tokina lenses are more widely available, making them a more practical choice for many filmmakers.
Maintaining Rehoused Lenses
Regular Cleaning:
Rehoused lenses require regular cleaning to maintain their optical quality. This includes cleaning the front and rear elements, as well as the internal components if necessary.
Careful Handling:
Rehoused lenses are often more delicate than modern lenses, so they require careful handling. This includes using proper lens caps, storing them in protective cases, and avoiding extreme temperatures.
Periodic Servicing:
Like any piece of professional equipment, rehoused lenses require periodic servicing to ensure that they continue to perform at their best. This includes checking the focus and aperture mechanisms, as well as inspecting the housing for any signs of wear and tear.
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Conclusion
Rehoused Panavision and Tokina lenses provide a special fusion of retro optics and contemporary usability. There is a rehoused lens out there that will suit your demands, whether you’re searching for the renowned optical quality of Panavision or the reasonably priced greatness of Tokina.
FAQs
What are rehoused lenses?
Rehoused lenses are vintage or older lenses that have been refurbished and placed into new, modern housings. This process updates the lens to be more durable and compatible with contemporary camera systems, while preserving the unique optical qualities of the original lens. The new housing typically includes improved focus and aperture controls, making the lens easier to use with modern filmmaking equipment.
Why should I choose rehoused Panavision lenses?
Panavision rehoused lenses are known for their exceptional optical quality and unique characteristics. Choosing Panavision rehoused lenses can provide you with:
- Legendary Image Quality: Panavision lenses are renowned for their sharpness, color rendition, and overall image quality.
- Anamorphic Look: Panavision offers iconic anamorphic lenses that create a distinct cinematic look with characteristics like horizontal lens flares and oval bokeh.
- Durability: The rehousing process improves the lens’s build quality, making it more robust and suitable for professional use.
What are the benefits of using Tokina rehoused lenses?
Tokina rehoused lenses offer several benefits, especially for filmmakers on a budget:
- Cost-Effective Quality: Tokina lenses provide excellent optical quality at a more affordable price compared to other high-end lenses.
- Modern Features: Tokina rehoused lenses include updated features such as consistent aperture across zoom ranges and minimized focus breathing.
- Durability: Like Panavision lenses, Tokina rehoused lenses are built to withstand the demands of professional filmmaking.
How does rehousing a lens affect its performance?
Rehousing a lens primarily affects its mechanical performance, not its optical quality. The rehousing process involves:
- Improving Usability: Modern housings include updated focus and aperture controls, making the lens easier to use with contemporary filmmaking equipment.
- Enhancing Durability: The new housing is typically made from more robust materials, which improves the lens’s durability and ability to handle the rigors of a film set.
- Maintaining Optical Quality: Skilled rehousing aims to preserve the original lens’s optical characteristics, such as sharpness and color rendition.
How can I choose between Panavision and Tokina rehoused lenses?
Choosing between Panavision and Tokina rehoused lenses depends on several factors:
- Budget: Panavision lenses are generally more expensive but offer top-tier optical quality. Tokina lenses are more affordable and provide excellent value for money.
- Desired Look: If you want a unique, cinematic look with characteristics like anamorphic flares, Panavision might be the better choice. For a more modern, versatile look, Tokina is a great option.
- Availability: Panavision lenses might be harder to find, whereas Tokina lenses are more readily available.
