Miguel Cármenes and TLS Canon Rangefinder Lenses on Virtual Production for The Edenbound

About Miguel Cármenes

Ecuador-born cinematographer Miguel Carmenes has built an impressive career since relocating to the UK in 2018. Starting out in focus pulling and gaffing, Miguel has since transitioned to a dynamic of work spanning music videos, short films, and commercial projects. Known for his inventive approach to visual storytelling, he thrives on blending technical expertise with artistic experimentation.

Miguel's Journey with TLS Rehoused Canon Rangefinder Lenses

Miguel’s passion for lenses extends beyond their practical use—he is also a love to collect of vintage optics. During the pandemic, he discovered Canon Rangefinder lenses. Rehoused by TLS, these lenses have become an essential part of his creative process, celebrated for their unique character and versatility.

Miguel began using Canon Rangefinders for different type of projects, he recognised the rangefinder potential for commercial work. “People assume you can’t use Canon Rangefinders for commercials because they think they’re too soft or ‘funky,’” Miguel explained. “But I’ve proven otherwise. With the right framing and understanding of their strengths, these lenses deliver a beautiful, polished look without the need for additional filtration.”

He successfully employed them on several campaigns, including a Decathlon project, where their natural flares and organic softness added a cinematic quality. For The Edenbound, Miguel used his personal set of TLS-rehoused Canon Rangefinders for the first time, showcasing their adaptability across different formats.

“There’s more to these lenses than just being fast or dreamy,” Miguel shared. “Each focal length has its own personality. They’re versatile and can produce stunning results if you know how to use them.”

About The Edenbound

The Edenbound is a short sci-fi drama that tells the story of a combat pilot grappling with a moral dilemma in the midst of an unending planetary war. After crashing into enemy territory, she must make a devastating choice—self-destruct her ship or destroy the planet below.

A collaboration between Miguel, director Andrew McGee, and Cube Studio, The Edenbound draws inspiration from Steven Knight’s Locke, with its narrative confined entirely to the spaceship’s cockpit. This is the third project between Miguel and Andrew, who share a mutual passion for the sci-fi genre.

The film has gained recognition, winning Best Drama Short Film at the Horsham Film Festival 2024, and is currently being showcased at other festivals.

Canon Rangefinders in Virtual Production

For The Edenbound, Miguel’s choice of Canon Rangefinder lenses played a pivotal role in shaping the film’s visual style. These vintage lenses complemented the narrative’s themes of isolation and exploration, creating a distinctive look that balanced modern technology with classic aesthetics.

Virtual Production (VP) was crucial to the storytelling, allowing the filmmakers to depict the vastness of space while anchoring the viewer in the confined environment of the cockpit. “A lot of people wouldn’t choose vintage lenses for VP because they think the softer look clashes with the sharpness of the screen,” Miguel explained.

“But I found the opposite. The softness and natural vignette of the Rangefinders actually blended beautifully with the VP background, making everything feel seamless and organic.”

The 50mm lens was instrumental in isolating the protagonist within the tight confines of the ship. Its shallow depth of field heightened the emotional intensity, reinforcing the character’s disconnection from the world outside. Miguel also highlighted the 25mm lens as a standout:

“It’s one of the coolest lenses I’ve ever used, with its sharp close focus and stunning background separation. It added so much character to the shots.”

Additionally, the large format capability of the lenses proved invaluable for the project. “Large format lenses were incredibly useful, especially when shooting in virtual production,” Miguel noted. “By using the open gate on the Alexa, we could expand the field of view inside the small, confined space of the ship. This not only gave us more creative flexibility in framing but also allowed us to make the spaceship feel more immersive without sacrificing detail.”

This combination of vintage optics and large format technology enhanced the VP environment, making the film's space scenes feel more expansive while maintaining the intimate, tense atmosphere inside the cockpit.

Looking Ahead

Miguel’s partnership with director Andrew McGee continues to thrive, with plans already underway for future projects. After the success of The Edenbound, the two are excited to explore new creative possibilities together, with another feature film on the horizon. Miguel is particularly keen to continue using his Canon Rangefinder lenses, having found new ways to make them work in both commercial and narrative projects.

“I love working with TLS—they’re always so supportive. I’m excited to see what new projects they have in store,” he shared, reflecting on his ongoing relationship with True Lens Services.