Choosing an anamorphic lens set
Nine anamorphic sets are available at our Saint-Denis depot, from the Kowa 2x to the Cooke Anamorphic/i. The right choice depends on three things: the camera sensor, the target aspect ratio and the look you are after.
The squeeze factor
An anamorphic lens squeezes the image horizontally. It is then desqueezed, on the monitor during the shoot and later in post-production. The squeeze factor, given in the name of each set, sets the width of the resulting image.
The maths is simple: the sensor's width-to-height ratio multiplied by the factor. A 4:3 sensor with a 2x lens gives a 2.67:1 image. A 16:9 sensor with a 1.3x lens gives about 2.31:1, and with a 1.5x lens about 2.67:1. You then crop to the delivery format, very often 2.39:1.
Our sets, from 1.3x to 2x
2x: Atlas Orion T/2 in two three-lens sets (40, 65 and 100 mm, then 32, 50 and 80 mm), Ø 114 mm, marked in metres; Cooke Anamorphic/i T/2.3 (32, 40, 50 and 75 mm, Ø 110 mm); Kowa 2x (40, 50, 75 and 100 mm, Ø 80 mm), for an older look.
1.8x: Cooke Anamorphic/i FF T/2.3, five focal lengths from 32 to 135 mm, Ø 110 mm, covering full frame.
1.5x: Atlas Mercury T/2.2 (36, 42 and 72 mm, Ø 95 mm, marked in feet), DZO Arcana T/2.1 (32, 45 and 75 mm, Ø 80 mm) and Blazar Remus (33, 45, 65 and 100 mm, Ø 80 mm). 1.3x: Blazar Mantis, five focal lengths from 25 to 100 mm.
Matching the set to the sensor
2x sets were designed for the 35 mm format and its Super 35 sensors, ideally in 4:3 mode, as on the Alexa Mini 4:3 or the Alexa 35. On a 16:9 sensor they give a very wide image that has to be cropped further.
1.5x and 1.8x sets labelled full frame cover large sensors: the natural choice for an Alexa Mini LF, a Sony Burano or a RED V-Raptor. If in doubt about coverage, book a camera test: it takes place at the depot by appointment.
The look
Anamorphic is recognisable by its oval out-of-focus highlights, its horizontal flares when a light source enters the frame and a slight curvature at the edges of the frame on wide lenses. The higher the factor, the stronger these traits: a 1.3x stays subtle, a 2x makes them obvious.
Recent sets keep high sharpness and contrast; older sets such as the Kowa give a softer image and more pronounced flares.
On set
Anamorphic lenses are often longer and heavier than spherical lenses of the same focal length, and their minimum focus distance is often longer: plan diopters for close shots.
Check the front diameter (Ø 80 to Ø 114 mm depending on the set) for the matte box and its rings, and choose a monitor that can desqueeze the image. A wireless follow focus is strongly recommended, as depth of field is shallow at wide apertures.