Canon FL – GL Rehoused 19mm f3.5
Canon FL – GL Rehoused 28mm f3.5
Canon FL – GL Rehoused 35mm f2.5
Canon FL – GL Rehoused 58mm f1.2
Canon FL – GL Rehoused 85mm f1.8

The GL Optics rehoused Canon FL prime lenses are a set of vintage still photography lenses from the 1960s that have been professionally modified for modern cinema use. By rehousing the original Canon FL optics into new, robust cinema-style housings, GL Optics transforms them into tools that offer a unique “vintage” look while providing the mechanical and physical consistency required on a film set. The Canon FL series predates the more widely known Canon FD lenses and offers a distinct optical character, often compared to the highly regarded Canon K35 primes.

Key Features and Benefits

Vintage Aesthetic: The lenses are known for a warm, organic, and slightly desaturated color rendition, with pleasing lens flares and a subtle halation. This gives a sought-after cinematic feel, setting them apart from the clean look of modern lenses.

Professional Rehousing: GL Optics’ rehousing process provides a durable, modern cinema housing. This includes a standardized front diameter (often 95mm), a uniform position for focus and iris gears across the set, and improved mechanics for cinema-level operation.

Improved Usability: The new housings feature a longer, smoother focus throw (often 330 degrees) for precise focus pulls. They also often have improved close-focus distances compared to the original still lenses.

Full Frame Coverage: The lenses are designed to cover full-frame sensors and in some cases, even Vista Vision (Red VV 8K) formats, making them suitable for a wide range of modern digital cinema cameras.

Mount Versatility: While primarily rehoused for a PL mount, interchangeable mounts such as EF and Sony E are often available.

Comparable to Canon K35: Their optical characteristics, including pleasing bokeh and sharpness, are often compared to the legendary Canon K35 prime lenses, but at a more accessible price point.