TLS has launched its new rehoused Nikon AI/AI-S cinema lens series, bringing the distinctive optical character of Nikon’s legendary vintage lenses into a purpose-built cinema housing designed for today’s productions.
Building on Nikon’s long-established lens heritage, which began with the introduction of the iconic F-mount in 1959, the Nikon AI and AI-S lenses have become highly regarded among filmmakers for their balanced image quality, natural rendering and timeless character.
Originally introduced in 1977, Nikon’s Automatic Indexing (AI) system represented a significant evolution in lens design, followed by the AI-S generation in 1981 with further refinements to aperture control. Today, these lenses continue to attract cinematographers looking for vintage character without the unpredictability that can sometimes accompany older optics.
TLS has carefully re-engineered the original Nikon optics into a professional cinema lens system, retaining the qualities that have made the lenses so desirable while introducing the mechanical precision, reliability and usability required for modern filmmaking.
A Distinctive Cinematic Look
The TLS rehoused Nikon AI/AI-S lenses deliver a clean, controlled image while retaining the organic qualities associated with classic vintage optics.
Wide open, the lenses offer excellent centre sharpness alongside smooth transitions from focus to defocus. As the aperture is stopped down, sharpness and contrast increase naturally, giving cinematographers two distinct creative looks from the same lens.
The overall image remains natural, balanced and organic without excessive softness or overly modern sharpness.
Re-engineered for Beautiful Bokeh
As part of the TLS rehousing process, the original polygonal iris is replaced with a custom-made circular iris, creating a smoother and a subtly enhanced character. The replacement iris blades also feature a flat black anti-reflective coating to minimise unwanted reflections.
The resulting rendering provides smooth background separation, soft focus transitions and pleasing highlight definition, making the lenses particularly effective portraits, dialogue scenes or intimate close-ups, the bokeh enhances storytelling without overpowering the image.
Natural Depth & Focus Fall-Off
The Nikon AI/AI-S lenses create a gentle transition from sharp focus into softer backgrounds.
Instead of abrupt focus separation, they deliver gradual depth that feels natural and immersive.
This subtle rendering helps subjects stand out while maintaining detail and texture throughout the frame, making the lenses particularly well suited to narrative filmmaking.
Controlled Flares
Unlike some vintage optics that flare aggressively, Nikon AI/AI-S lenses produce controlled, elegant flares. They retain excellent contrast while introducing just enough flare to add atmosphere and emotion without overwhelming the image.
This gives cinematographers greater creative flexibility without sacrificing image quality.
Low Light Performance
With fast maximum apertures from T1.3 across core focal lengths, the TLS Nikon AI/AI-S range performs exceptionally well in available light.
Wide open, the lenses maintain:
Excellent centre sharpness
Smooth contrast
Beautiful subject isolation
Cinematic rendering
This makes them ideal for:
Night exteriors
Interior practical lighting
Documentary work
Natural light cinematography
Natural Colour & Skin Tones
One reason Nikon AI/AI-S lenses remain so popular is their colour reproduction.
They produce:
Natural skin tones
Slightly cooler colour rendition
Gentle contrast
Low chromatic aberration
The result is an image that feels clean and realistic while still retaining the character and personality associated with classic vintage optics.
An 11-Lens Cinema Set: Key Features
The complete TLS Nikon AI/AI-S series comprises 11 focal lengths from 15mm to 135mm, providing cinematographers with a versatile set for a wide range of applications.
Fully covers full frame sensors including LF whilst also great for S35 work
Improved close focus for greater shooting flexibility and detail capture
Circular iris for beautiful bokeh
Lightweight housing design for easier handheld and gimbal operation
Gentle contrast and controlled flare for a natural cinematic look
Soft cinematic character wide open, with sharper detail when stopped down for added versatility
The TLS Difference
Every rehoused Nikon AI/AI-S lens undergoes TLS’s renowned engineering process to deliver exceptional mechanical precision while preserving the unique optical personality that made these lenses legendary.
The result is a lens set that feels equally at home on high-end feature films, television drama, commercials and independent productions. Classic Nikon. Engineered by TLS. Ready for modern cinema. Classic Nikon. Engineered by TLS. Ready for modern cinema.
For further information about the TLS Rehoused Nikon AI/AI-S Cinema Lens Series, please contact sales@truelens.co.uk or visit https://www.truelens.co.uk/nikonai
There is also the option to buy a fully rehoused 9 lens set for under £50,000, enquire now.
About TLS:
TLS specialises in the manufacture, rehousing and servicing of professional cine lenses for the filming industries. With extensive experience in transforming vintage photographic optics for modern cinema applications, TLS combines traditional lens character with contemporary mechanical precision, ensuring classic lenses can meet the demands of today’s productions.
Alongside its specialist rehousing and servicing capabilities, TLS designs and manufactures its own professional cine lenses, including the Vega and most recently the Vega65 range, developed to deliver distinctive optical character across large-sensor digital camera formats.
Based in Leicestershire, UK, TLS brings together decades of optical expertise, innovative engineering and advanced manufacturing techniques to preserve the character of classic lenses while unlocking their potential for modern filmmaking. Its approach is rooted in collaboration with cinematographers and filmmakers, creating tools that combine heritage, performance and creative versatility.
