Canon Rangefinders Lens Set (TLS)

The Canon Rangefinders set is a TLS rehouse of Canon dream lenses from the early 1960s, led by the 50mm f0.95. They have a unique look, with plenty of flare and lower contrast than modern glass.

The project began with the Canon 50mm f0.95, which had single-coated, amber-tinted elements and was the fastest lens made for commercial use at the time. Wide open it gives a creamy bokeh, improved by the circular iris added in the rehouse. TLS then built a matching set from Canon lenses of the same era with single-coated elements.

The set has 10 focal lengths from 19mm to 135mm and is consistent in front diameter and in focus and iris gear position. The rehouse improved close focus, with the 19mm, 25mm and 28mm reaching under 8 inches (20cm) from the film plane. Fall-off towards the edge is more pronounced on full-frame sensors, and the LPL mount gave TLS the freedom to rehouse them.