Discover Old Fast Glass: The Story Behind Statera, Tamashii, and Fuji EBC

What makes Old Fast Glass a standout in the world of film camera rentals? Let’s unravel the intriguing story behind this Los Angeles-based rental house and their exceptional cine lenses, including Statera, Tamashii, and Fuji EBC.

The Essence of Old Fast Glass

Old Fast Glass specializes in high-end digital film cameras, as well as 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm film cameras, along with an extensive range of cine lenses and accessories. They maintain the highest standards, ensuring all equipment is regularly tested, cleaned, and inspected. With a vast inventory, they can provide quick replacements if needed, making them a reliable rental house for cinematographers.

The Magic of Statera Lenses

Old Fast Glass, in collaboration with Ancient Optics, created the Statera lenses. The name "Statera" means "balance" in Latin, reflecting the perfect harmony these lenses achieve between vintage character and modern performance. This project took three years, resulting in a set of FF+ anamorphic lenses with a 1.5x compression ratio, delivering a classic look with modern resolution.

Statera lenses combine old spherical lenses with new anamorphic optics, offering excellent close focusing distances while maintaining full-frame coverage. Inspired by legendary lenses from the 1970s and 1980s, Statera lenses produce natural, flattering close-ups and maintain focus across the frame. The classic single-coat coatings ensure an organic, timeless character.

Tamashii: A Blend of the Best

Tamashii lenses represent a unique collaboration between Old Fast Glass, Zero Optik, and Ancient Optics. These lenses combine the best features from various iconic lenses, such as the bokeh of LOMO Super Speeds and the sharpness of Zeiss Super Speeds, but without chromatic aberration. Designed to shoot wide open, these lenses are perfect for full-frame sensors, delivering stunning images with excellent subject-background separation.

After two years of research and testing, the Tamashii lenses emerged as compact, lightweight, and highly functional, offering close focusing and beautiful imagery. They provide consistent character across all focal lengths, making every shot special.

Fuji EBC: Vintage Excellence Reborn

Originally introduced in 1971 for Fujica SLR cameras, the Fuji EBC lenses were rediscovered by Ancient Optics and TLS. Known for their consistent character across the set, these lenses offer excellent center sharpness with gradual fall-off, subtle spherical aberration, and bold, controllable flares. The textured bokeh adds to their appeal.

To complete the set, a 70mm f2 lens was developed using Fujinon source glass. These lenses cover a generous image circle, making them ideal for Old Fast Glass’s OFG Customs 65 camera system.

Why Old Fast Glass?

With their dedication to quality and innovation, Old Fast Glass provides filmmakers with top-notch equipment and unique lenses like Statera, Tamashii, and Fuji EBC. Their extensive inventory, meticulous maintenance, and on-site testing facilities ensure cinematographers can achieve their creative vision with confidence.