Which Module 8 Tuner Is Right For You?

L1, L2, L3?

The best always comes in threes. The Tuner isn't just one — but three— variable tuners for your digital equipment. 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 to determine which tuner is right for you.

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 L1 Tuner was inspired by the famous Super Baltar lenses, soft and warm with a lower contrast by removing the hard edges of the digital footage — a distinctive retro look at the tip of your fingers.

The Super Baltar lens has a rich history rooted in cinematography. Developed by the renowned lens manufacturer Bausch & Lomb, the Super Baltar lenses gained prominence in the mid-20th century. Originally designed for 35mm film cameras, Super Baltar lenses were celebrated for their distinctive optical characteristics. They could impart a soft, warm, and dreamlike quality to the captured images, elevating visual storytelling to new heights. This distinct aesthetic was achieved by deliberately reducing contrast and minimizing the harsh edges often associated with digital footage, creating a more organic and immersive viewing experience.

An exemplary use of Super Baltar lenses can be seen in Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece "The Godfather." The lens's softness and lower contrast helped imbue the film with timeless elegance, enhancing the narrative's rich tapestry and enriching the storytelling's visual language. The gentle yet captivating visual quality provided by the Super Baltar lenses played a vital role in creating the film's iconic and immersive atmosphere.

The Tuners allow you to variably control the strength of how much "Super Baltar" look you desire; we'd argue the MAX setting is more like a "Mega Baltar" if you want to crank up the look.

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 L2 Tuner unlocks a world of vivacious warmth and retro tones, allowing filmmaking to evoke the timeless charm and nostalgic allure of the Canon K-35 lenses in their contemporary projects.

During its inception, the Canon K-35 lens disrupted the industry with its revolutionary features, marking a significant milestone in lens technology. With a remarkable T/1.5 speed and the integration of cutting-edge aspherical elements, the Canon K-35 lens heralded a new era of optical excellence. This legendary lens quickly entered cinema, gracing the sets of timeless films like "Rocky" and "American Hustle."

The L2 ingenious design enables users to recreate this tenacious warmth, true-to-life tones, and textured patina that characterized those iconic films. ​​

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 L3 Tuner draws its inspiration from the captivating aesthetic of classic Anamorphic lenses. Designed to replicate the vertical and horizontal depth of field effects synonymous with vintage Anamorphic vibes, the L3 Tuner unlocks characteristic flares for greater detail and depth.

Anamorphic lenses have long held a special place in the world of cinematography, renowned for their ability to ingrain images with a distinct cinematic allure. These lenses introduced a unique aspect ratio and employed cylindrical lens elements, resulting in a compressed picture that was later expanded during projection, delivering a wider field of view and a distinct, stretched bokeh effect.

By simulating the vertical and horizontal expansion of the depth of field, the L3 Tuner imparts an otherworldly quality to scenes, transforming them into immersive experiences by bringing more of your subject into the frame.

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. 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 — I 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.

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