Module 8 Classic Lens Tuners Review - Give Your Lens Some Character - Who Loves Classic Tunes?

[@MichaelBallif]

I really dig the look these tuners produce. Thanks for sharing your tests and insights. Hoping they come out with an e to e mount!

[@ScottBalkum]

It is virtually impossible to come out with an e to e mount. There is no distance to work with.

[@MichaelBallif]

@ The folks at the company told me a while back it was in the works but sounded complicated probably due to flange distance.

[@cogmission1]

Hi Buddy, Glad to be first to comment. Very interesting review - very subtle effects - I think they're interesting. Thanks for covering the extremes, that allows peeps who are unfamiliar with these effects a sense of what you're getting...

[@ScottBalkum]

They really are cool with what they can do. I became hooked once I understood what they did

[@CaseyPreston]

Great review and test. I really like these things. I’m glad you showed the actual results rather than getting caught up in describing the lenses they are supposed to emulate. I’ve seen people dismiss them as being a gimmick, but they are quite sophisticated. They also aren’t comparable to diffusion filters. I really hope they catch on and the line expands some more.

[@ScottBalkum]

@@CaseyPreston Thanks. Yea, they are very different from a filter. I think they will catch on. There’s just too much that they do for the price.

[@seisenbach]

what a character testing the character!

[@ScottBalkum]

Way to characterize that character.

[@erockvaughn2190]

I bought these when they came out. I have yet to test them. Thanks for posting this. I will probbaly be able to start testing mine in October. I am gogint to try them with Zeiss and Leica R lenses to see how they do. I also was thinking of trying them with some Schneider Xenon's as well. I can't wait to play with these.

[@ScottBalkum]

The Xenon are going to be cool. Total transformation of character. The zeiss should be pretty cool. I’ll be interested in hearing what they do with the Leica R’s.

[@erockvaughn2190]

@@ScottBalkum I will keep you updated when I do. I get back to the USA in Oct.

[@manchester8117]

Any idea if these would work with the extending rear element of the Athena PLs?

[@ScottBalkum]

Hmmm, I don’t know. They would need to be tested.

[@Module-8]

Unfortunately, the NISI Athenas protrude too much and cannot be used. The new Nisi (faster) we saw at NAB will work when released.

[@DucatiKozak]

Thanks for this video. I was aware of the tuners but your vid gives the most helpful info. I had discounted them b/c I have an EF BlackMagic 6KPro & EF Irix glass. Am I to understand I can still use it by stacking PL conversions in between?? Is there a way to make it work for me? Help if you can. (ps, just subscribed from this vid!)

[@ScottBalkum]

Thank you. On the BM’s EF mount, it unfortunately won’t work. They are using the sensor spacing from a mirrorless camera to EF for the optics. With the EF, mount, there is no room, even for the PL to have the optics in there. The PL version only works with the mirrorless cameras, like the BM with the L mount.

[@michaelfrymus]

Well, I thought I wanted these, but turns out I dont. Not worth the price

[@brown2840]

$1,000+ to make your image "worse"? I mean it def is a cool effect, but why not just buy an old vintage lens if that's the look you're after?

[@ScottBalkum]

Well, I addressed that very thing. Some of these vintage lenses are quite expensive. Renting a set of Super Baltars is about $600/day. Doesn’t take 2 days to pay for it, “if”, the look with the tuner is close enough to what you want. Module8 didn’t just pick 3 lens looks out of the blue. They picked 3 sought after looks that are very expensive to achieve. So, if the look you’re after is met with a Helios, no need to buy one. But if the look you’re after is a little more spendy, these might just fit the bill.

[@CineDailies]

You’ve missed the point…

[@Superbustr]

You can also pair these adapters with some diy vintage lenses for an even more enhanced look. Example Nikkor AIS 50 F1.2 with AI Tab removed + F to EF adapter + Module 8 L1 EF to E Tuner. The L1 really enhances the natural flaring of the 50MM Nikkor.