Which Module 8 Tuner Is Right For You?

What Is "The Tuner"?

It's the first-ever variable cinematic lens, designed to give you that sought-after Hollywood vintage vibe without breaking the bank. This isn't some cheap gimmick either — it's made with high-quality glass and top-tier tech, ensuring every shot looks just right.

The Tuner works seamlessly with standard lenses and mirrorless cameras, letting you tap into the magic of classic vintage glass. Think dreamy blooms of diffusion, cinematic flares, and those subtle, nostalgic touches that make your footage stand out.

Inspired by the legendary Super Baltars, Canon® K-35s and Anamorphics, the three Tuner technologies help capture the essence of these iconic lenses that every modern filmmaker rivals. With Module 8's patent-pending tech, you can dial in the exact look you're after, all while saving on the cost of a traditional rig. It's vintage aesthetics, reimagined for the modern creator.

What sets The Tuner apart from its competitors?

1. Looks - You can give your camera a mesmerizing vintage Hollywood aesthetic that's similarly shown in the most notable Blockbuster favorites.
2. Look Variability - Manually adjust the strength of the "look" on your camera, all while maintaining focus.
3. Practicality - Compatible with autofocus, works in tandem with stabilization, small enough to fit in your pocket, and much lighter than carrying an extra set of vintage primes.
4. Price - Competitive lenses or adapters cost about $50K a set, assuming you can even find them. Priced at under $2K, we are making these coveted classics significantly more accessible to passionate creators everywhere.

L1, L2, L3?

The best always comes in threes. The Tuner isn't just one — but three— variable tuners that each offer a different aesthetic. Each is meticulously tailored with fine-wine techniques for dissecting Hollywood looks to mimic the classic looks everyone knows from their favorite blockbuster hits. Below is a breakdown.

The L1 Tuner

Known For: Similar to the Super Baltar lenses. Includes retro aberrations and mysterious contrast, more ominous and cult-classic.

Current Compatibility: EF to E and EF to RF Electronics, compatible with your autofocus and stabilization on your Canon or Sony cameras. The PL version allows professional and affordable PL lenses from Zeiss, Leitz, Tokina, Sigma, and DZO.

The L1 Tuner was inspired by the iconic Super Baltar lenses. This tool brings you that soft, warm feel with lower contrast, smoothing out the hard edges of digital footage. It's a distinctive retro vibe that's way more impactful than any digitally manipulated LUT.

Super Baltar lenses have a legendary place in cinematography history. Developed by Bausch & Lomb in the mid-20th century for 35mm film cameras, these lenses were celebrated for their unique optical qualities: super soft focus, tasteful warmth, and a dreamy look similar to using a diffusion filter. By intentionally reducing contrast and softening harsh digital edges, they offered a more organic and immersive viewing experience.

You've probably seen Super Baltar lenses at work in Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece, The Godfather. Their softness and lower contrast wrapped the film in timeless tones, emphasizing the storytelling through rich visuals in classic scenes that are darker, richer ambiance.

With the Tuners, you can dial in exactly how much of that "Super Baltar" look you want. Crank it up to the MAX setting, and you're hitting what we'd call "Mega Baltar" levels. This adjustability is perfect for keeping a consistent aesthetic across multiple scenes without overdoing it, no matter the lighting conditions or set.

The L2 Tuner

Known For: Vintage warmth with true-to-life tones and a stunning glow similar to Canon K-35 lenses.

Current Compatibility: EF to E and EF to RF Electronics, compatible with your autofocus and stabilization on your Canon or Sony cameras. The PL version allows professional and affordable PL lenses from Zeiss, Leitz, Tokina, Sigma, and DZO.

The L2 Tuner produces super nostalgic hues and retro tones, allowing filmmakers to mimic the magic of Canon K-35 lenses.

Back when they debuted, Canon K-35 lenses shook up the industry with their insanely innovative glass, marking a major milestone in lens technology. With a fast T/1.5 speed and aspherical elements that added a filmic, moody undertone, these lenses ushered in a new era of optical style. Think iconic films like Rocky and American Hustle.

The L2's smart design lets you recreate a clean yet textured patina. It's the perfect mix of sharpness and a subtle vignette falloff. This look is perfect for sci-fi flicks and moody back alley scenes where the light feels dim yet warm and exciting. Plus, it's not overpowering in close-ups or interviews—you'll keep skin tones natural with a true-to-life dynamic range.

The L3 Tuner

Known For: A modern anamorphic feel, more sci-fi-esque, and profound depth.

Current Compatibility: EF to E and EF to RF Electronics, compatible with your autofocus and stabilization on your Canon or Sony cameras. The PL version allows professional and affordable PL lenses from Zeiss, Leitz, Tokina, Sigma, and DZO.

The L3 Tuner takes inspiration from classic Anamorphic lenses, giving you that vertical and horizontal depth-of-field effect and those vintage flares, but in a way that feels balanced and not over-the-top.

Anamorphic lenses have always held a special spot in cinematography. They introduced a unique aspect ratio and cylindrical elements that compressed the image, which was then expanded during projection to deliver a wider field of view and that distinct stretched bokeh. It’s the secret sauce behind the cinematic look of so many big productions, and it’s become the go-to for high-end film projects.

With the L3 Tuner, you can mimic that epic Anamorphic depth-of-field without shelling out for the crazy expensive gear Hollywood uses. The best part? You can pop it onto any lens you already own. So, if you’re attached to a particular focal length or aperture, there's no need to switch things up. It’s super easy to throw in your camera bag and apply on the go, making it a breeze to get that cinema-quality feel in any shoot.

Lens Compatibility

The Tuner works with any EF mount lens, with or without electronics. Our software has been tested on Canon, Sigma, and Tamron lenses, and we can update the firmware to ensure long-term compatibility with EF lenses.

Our EF to Sony E software is very robust, and here is a list of actual lenses we have tested. If a lens is incompatible, we can usually address it with a simple firmware update.

Camera Compatibility

The Tuner works with Mirrorless Cameras using Sony E Mount and Canon RF Mount. All 3 Module 8 Tuners are now available with a Lens Side PL mount, compatible with many modern PL lenses. For serious cinematography — professional DP's use PL LensesLens Brands, Zeiss, Leitz, Tokina, Sigma, DZO
This means they are also compatible with Sony Venice AND Red Raptor/Komodo systems. See our full compatibility table for more specifics.

While the Tuner is compatible with most Sony E-mount cameras, this tuner version does not work with the locking mount on the Sony Venice camera.

Skipping the Gimmicks

Some creators might suggest that a filter or post-production could replicate a vintage look — but I personally beg to differ. The superior quality of our gear surpasses any AI and standard templates offered by tools like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere.

Module 8 has taken on the challenge of bridging the divide between high-end, costly equipment and more affordable, superior gear for everyday users. In a market dominated by elitism, they've made authentic vintage glass more accessible for purists who don't want to spend $50K. Although it's a niche product, I'm genuinely excited about its potential to revolutionize the cinema industry. I'm a person who likes to rig my camera with added accessories to make the shot look clean out of the camera and not have to rely on digital manipulation. There's still a market for creators who value tangle gear and innovation, and I'll happily be at the forefront of that movement every day.

For more information about Module 8, its origins, and the minds behind this patented technology, check out our article here.