Dog Schidt Optics (DSO) Flare Factory lenses are highly sought after for their distinctive character, customizability, and unique optical effects, making them a favorite among filmmakers and photographers who seek a vintage, artistic look. These lenses are designed to produce dramatic flares, swirly bokeh, and a dreamy aesthetic that stands apart from modern, clinically sharp glass.

Key Features:

• Optical Design: Flare Factory lenses are modified vintage Soviet optics, primarily the Helios 44-2 58mm f/2, designed to enhance flare characteristics and rendering. Custom coatings, aperture tweaks, and internal alterations shape contrast, color, and flare effects. Users can choose from warm gold, cool blue, or multicolored flares for greater artistic control.

• Aperture Range: These lenses feature a maximum aperture of f/2, allowing for excellent subject isolation and a shallow depth of field. The aperture mechanism is often de-clicked for smooth adjustments, making them ideal for cinematographers who require fluid exposure changes. The vintage design ensures a soft yet pleasing bokeh that enhances the organic, film-like look of the image.

• Focus Throw: Designed with manual focus in mind, the Flare Factory lenses offer a smooth and well-dampened focus throw, ensuring precise control for video and still photography. The classic helicoid focus mechanism allows for gradual and controlled focus pulls, which is essential for cinematic storytelling. While autofocus is not available, the tactile nature of the focus ring enhances the hands-on shooting experience, providing a connection between the photographer and the image.

  Advanced Optical Design: The Dog Schidt Optics Flare Factory lenses includes modified vintage glass with custom coatings, aperture tweaks, and internal element adjustments to enhance flare, contrast, and bokeh. Users can choose different coatings for warm, cool, or multicolored flares, while the optical imperfections add a dreamy, artistic character. These modifications give the lenses a unique, film-like aesthetic that sets them apart from modern, clinically sharp optics.

• Build Quality: Each Dog Schidt Optics Flare Factory lens is crafted with a robust metal construction, ensuring both durability and a tactile, mechanical feel reminiscent of traditional manual lenses. These lenses are individually modified and hand-assembled, making each one distinct in its characteristics. Users can further personalize the exterior, selecting from a variety of finishes, including sleek, distressed, or battle-worn styles, highlighting their custom, bespoke nature.

Image Quality:

The Dog Schidt Optics Flare Factory lenses embrace a vintage character over perfect sharpness. While the center's sharpness is solid, the edges feature a soft, dreamy quality that enhances the artistic feel. Flare, ghosting, and contrast shifts are intentionally designed and customizable, allowing for a personalized look. The swirling bokeh, especially at wider apertures, adds distinct depth and texture to portraits and creative shots.

Physical Characteristics:

Despite their vintage design, Dog Schidt Optics Flare Factory lenses are compact and easy to mount on various camera rigs. The metal construction provides a sturdy, well-balanced feel with moderate weight. Cine-style features like de-clicked apertures and focus gears make them ideal for filmmakers integrating them into professional setups.

For more detailed specifications and availability, please visit the Dog Schidt Optics website.

2 Lens Kit