Our Thoughts

The TLS Petzval lenses are a stunning rehousing of the classic 19th-century Petzval lenses, offering a unique swirling bokeh, dramatic focus falloff, and a beautifully vintage cinematic aesthetic. Rehoused by True Lens Services (TLS) for modern professional filmmaking, these lenses maintain the distinctive, dreamlike rendering of the donor Petzval lenses, while incorporating precise mechanical engineering for contemporary production workflows. Their soft, glowing highlights, rich color rendition, and painterly depth of field make them an exceptional choice for narrative films, fashion shoots, music videos, and avant-garde projects where a truly artistic look is desired.

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Built with robust modern housings and smooth focus mechanics, the TLS Petzval lenses offer a seamless blend of historical optical character and professional usability. They allow cinematographers to achieve expressive, ethereal imagery with bold subject separation and stunningly unique bokeh effects. Whether you're aiming for a romantic, period-piece aesthetic or an experimental, dreamlike visual language, these lenses bring an unmistakable artistic flair to any production, making them a standout choice for filmmakers looking to push creative boundaries.