Rehousing of vintage Soviet lenses into modern cine-style barrels by IronGlass, combining classic optics with professional mechanics and smooth focus/iris action.
Technical Details
The rehousing casings are made from CNC-milled 6061-T6 aluminum with a wall thickness of 3-5mm. Standardized dimensions include a 114mm front diameter, 95mm filter thread, and 0.8 module gears with a 32-pitch spacing. Focus rotation is standardized to 300°, while the iris mechanism is rebuilt for precise 16-click stops. Internal baffles made of black aluminum minimize stray light by up to 15% compared to the original housing. Weight distribution is optimized through strategic material placement, increasing typical vintage lenses from 800g to 1.2-1.4kg.
History & Development
IronGlass was founded in 2009 by Richard Gale in Los Angeles after Roger Deakins sought a solution for his beloved Canon K35 lenses for "True Grit" (2010). The first rehousing project involved a set of five K35 focal lengths for the Coen Brothers. In 2012, the company expanded to Zeiss Standard Speeds, followed by Cooke Speed Panchros in 2014. Technological milestones included the introduction of LDS-2 metadata transmission in 2016 and the integration of /i Technology for ARRI cameras in 2019.
Practical Application in Film
Cinematographer Roger Deakins used IronGlass-rehousted Canon K35s for "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) to retain their characteristic flare while offering modern handling. Matthew Libatique employed rehousted Zeiss Super Speeds for "Black Swan" (2010), which delivered the desired aberrations at T1.3 without modern corrections. The workflow requires 6-8 weeks of processing time per lens set. Advantages include consistent operation, improved robustness, and follow-focus compatibility; disadvantages are increased weight and costs of $8,000-15,000 per lens.
Comparison & Alternatives
IronGlass differentiates itself from Duclos Lenses or True Lens Services through its exclusive focus on vintage characteristics without optical "improvements." Unlike P+S Technik rehousing, IronGlass retains original iris mechanisms. Modern alternatives like Zeiss Supreme Primes or ARRI Signature Primes offer clinically cleaner imaging, while rehousted vintage lenses preserve organic aberrations and bokeh characteristics. For productions with budgets over $10 million, rehousing justifies itself over adapter solutions through time savings and on-set consistency.