Vintage glass has made a huge comeback in modern filmmaking. Soft contrast, lower micro-contrast, gentle fall-off and unique flaring characteristics all help create a more organic image - something that digital cameras naturally struggle to replicate. But many vintage cine lenses are either difficult to source or extremely expensive to hire.
That’s where classic Zeiss Distagon and Planar EF lenses come in. They offer a beautiful vintage aesthetic, full-frame coverage, and a tactile manual feel — all at a far more budget-friendly hire price.
At Kit Cabin, we offer a complete EF-mount Zeiss Distagon/Planar set, giving filmmakers a versatile way to achieve a vintage look without stretching the budget.
Our full vintage EF mount set includes:
15mm
18mm
28mm
35mm
50mm
85mm
100mm
135mm
All lenses feature:
Manual focus
Manual iris
Consistent handling across focal lengths
The classic Zeiss contrast curve found in the original stills versions
These lenses adapt beautifully to any EF-capable cinema camera via simple mounts, making them perfect for Sony FX series, Canon cinema bodies, Blackmagic systems and many mirrorless setups.
There’s no single definition of a vintage look, but certain characteristics stand out:
Unlike modern cine lenses designed for maximum sharpness and minimal flare, older Zeiss lenses offer gentler contrast and more forgiving highlights.
Micro-aberrations, minor veiling flare and unique edge behaviour all contribute to a more characterful image.
Zeiss colour rendering has always been popular for skin tones and natural subjects. The older EF designs have a subtle warmth that many filmmakers love.
Manual focus and manual iris encourage a more deliberate shooting style — ideal for narrative, music video and stylised commercial work.
Modern lenses are clinically sharp. For some productions, that’s exactly what you want. For others, it can feel too clean.
Vintage lenses offer:
A more cinematic softness
More character in the highlights
Better separation between digital and filmic imagery
A lower-cost alternative to premium rehoused vintage cine sets
A way to make modern sensors feel less “digital”
If you're shooting a period drama, a dreamy music video, documentary recreations, or simply want a distinctive look, vintage Zeiss lenses are an excellent middle ground.
Vintage cine lenses can be expensive to source, but stills-based vintage lenses like the Zeiss Distagon and Planar series offer enormous creative value at a more accessible hire price.
With UK-wide lens hire, Kit Cabin makes it easy to bring a classic, cinematic feel to your shoot.
Perfect for:
Narrative projects
Music videos
Branded content
Social campaigns with a stylised aesthetic
Independent films
Experimental or creative visuals
If you’re unsure which focal lengths you need, we can help build a set that suits your camera, shooting style and budget.
Our Zeiss Distagon/Planar EF set gives creators a flexible, characterful option for achieving a vintage look on modern cameras — without the cost of rehoused cinema glass.
We deliver nationwide, packed safely and ready for your next shoot.
If you want to test them on your camera, discuss focal lengths or pair them with a specific body, just let us know.
