The Call of Adventure: A Cinematic Journey Begins

Cam Riley’s path to cinematography wasn’t a traditional one. Growing up in the picturesque mountains of New England, his childhood was filled with outdoor adventures, especially skiing. What started as a passion for filming his friends’ skiing escapades evolved into a professional ski career, eventually leading to the creation of Stept Studios, a production company specializing in both commercials and documentaries. His deep love for storytelling through the lens found a home in high-octane outdoor filmmaking.

But even as his career expanded, the call of adventure never faded. Every opportunity to capture nature’s raw beauty and the essence of human endurance was something he eagerly embraced.

One such project was Endurance, a documentary chronicling the legendary journey of Ernest Shackleton and his crew as they attempted to traverse Antarctica in 1915. Directed by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the film set out to blend extraordinary archival footage with modern-day recreations. That’s where Cam Riley came in, to visually fill in the gaps while staying true to the grit and spirit of Ernest Shackleton's story.

The Challenge: Recreating History, Capturing Survival

The challenge was monumental. The original footage of Ernest Shackleton’s journey was shot by photographer Frank Hurley on early 16mm film cameras, capturing hauntingly beautiful yet grainy images of the crew's struggle for survival. However, as the mission shifted from exploration to survival, documenting the experience became secondary, leaving a gap in the visual storytelling.

To authentically recreate these scenes, Cam and his team traveled to the rugged landscapes of Iceland, where icy beaches and glacial mountain peaks served as stand-ins for Antarctica. But the question remained: how do you capture these modern-day landscapes in a way that blends seamlessly with archival footage shot on vintage cameras nearly a century ago?

The answer lay in the lenses.

The Lens That Bridged Time: TLS Rehoused Zeiss B-Speeds

For this monumental task, Cam turned to a trusted companion: the TLS Rehoused Zeiss B-Speeds. These vintage Super 35mm lenses have long been known for their distinctive look, sharp yet organic, with a characteristic “triangle iris” that imparts a cinematic, almost nostalgic feel to the image. They were the perfect choice to match the antique aesthetic of Frank Hurley’s 1915 footage.

But the task wasn’t just about creating an old-world look; it was about delivering images that could stand up to the highest standards of modern cinematography. He needed a lens that could capture not only the past but also the rugged present. 

"The TLS rehousing of the Zeiss B-Speeds provided the perfect balance, bringing vintage lenses into the modern world while ensuring they performed flawlessly, even in extreme conditions." 
- Cam Riley

The Alexa 35 camera package from Vault Rentals was the perfect partner for these lenses, capturing sharp, dynamic imagery that could be manipulated in post-production to achieve the look of early 20th-century film. But it wasn’t just the aesthetics that mattered, the production was also filming in some of the harshest outdoor environments, with minimal natural light.

Here, the T1.4 aperture of the B-Speeds became a lifesaver. Shooting in Iceland meant dealing with dim skies and low light, but the fast aperture of the lenses ensured that the crew could capture the rugged beauty of the landscape without compromising image quality.

A Cinematographer’s Confidence: TLS Rehousing in Extreme Environments

As Cam reflects on his choice of lenses for Endurance, his connection to the Zeiss B-Speeds is clear. 

“The B-Speeds have always been a go-to choice when it comes to vintage S35 lenses, they offer a distinctive look, with unique characteristics like the triangle iris. I’ve used them in their original housings for years, but they could sometimes be tricky to work with. The TLS rehousing gives me confidence that these lenses will perform reliably, especially in extreme outdoor environments.”
- Cam Riley

It was this reliability that made the TLS rehoused lenses an essential part of the equation. The outdoors is unpredictable, and when shooting in such extreme environments as Iceland, every moment counts. With TLS’s precision rehousing, he knew he could rely on the lenses to deliver consistent, sharp imagery despite the challenges posed by the weather and rugged terrain.

A Seamless Blend of History and Modernity

For Endurance, the goal was to seamlessly merge modern cinematography with the raw, emotional essence of Ernest Shackleton’s journey. The TLS rehoused Zeiss B-Speeds played a crucial role in recreating scenes that matched the tone of Frank Hurley ’s archival footage while maintaining a crisp, cinematic quality.

“We needed a lens that could offer a vintage feel but still perform well in today’s production environment. The TLS rehoused B-Speeds allowed us to capture the spirit of the original footage while delivering images that felt fresh and powerful.”
— Cam Riley

A Cinematic Triumph

Through Cam Riley’s lens, Endurance transforms Ernest Shackleton’s journey into an immersive experience, capturing the icy desolation and unbreakable spirit of survival. The TLS rehoused Zeiss B-Speeds bridged past and present, ensuring the story remains both visually stunning and historically authentic.

Discover More

You can find out more about Cam Riley on his website (www.camrileydp.com) or instagram page: @cam_riley

Learn how TLS can help you preserve and enhance your cinema lenses. 

Contact us on +44 (0) 1455 848 411 or Sales@truelens.co.uk