Disclosed herein are through-the-lens tracking systems and methods which can enable sub-pixel accurate camera tracking suitable for real-time set extensions. That is, the through-the-lens tracking can make an existing lower precision camera tracking and compositing system into a real-time VFX system capable of sub-pixel accurate real-time camera tracking. With this enhanced level of tracking accuracy the virtual cameras can be used to register and render real-time set extensions for both interior and exterior locations.