SIRUI has teased a new 50mm T2.9 1.6x full-frame anamorphic lens. We have slowly started to see more affordable anamorphic lenses coming to market with varying degrees of optical quality.
UPDATE 10/12/2021
Today the Indiegogo campaign for the 50mm T2.9 1.6x full-frame anamorphic lens went live. The campaign will run through November 14th.
SIRUI first burst onto the scene by releasing very affordable 24mm, 50mm, and 75mm f/1.8 1.33x APS-C lenses. If you are not familiar with SIRUI, they are a Chinese company that primarily makes photographic tripods and accessories.
It was inevitable that at some stage they would step up to making full-frame anamorphic lenses.
What do we know about the lens?
We don’t know a ton about the lens just yet, apart from the fact that it is made out of aluminum, it has an 82mm front diameter, and a close focus distance of 75cm / 29.52″,
The optical design consists of 16 elements in 13 groups.
The lens is available in Sony E, Leica L, Canon RF, and Nikon Z mounts. There is no PL mount available. It is not surprising that this lens isn’t available in PL mount.
SIRUI claims that the 50mm T2.9 1.6x anamorphic lens has smooth oval bokeh, signature blue lens flare, and a wide-screen cinematic look.
I am not personally a fan of the SIRUI anamorphic lens ‘look’ as I find the blue flares to be over the top and too harsh. Again, this is just my personal opinion.
Why 1.6x?
Traditionally we think of anamorphic lenses as having a 2x squeeze, but just like people, they do come in all shapes and sizes. Anamorphic lenses can have a range of squeeze factors such as 1.33x, 1.5x, 1.6x, 1.8x, and 2x. With a 1.6x anamorphic lens when you shoot in a 3:2 aspect ratio you end up with a 2.4:1 aspect ratio. If you are using a 1.6x anamorphic on a camera with a 16:9 sensor, you end up with a much wider 2.8:1 aspect ratio. 2.77:1 is the projection aspect ratio for Cinerama.
Price & Availability
As I previously mentioned, SIRUI is launching an Indiegogo campaign for the 50mm T2.9 1.6x full-frame Anamorphic Lens.
If you sign up, SIRUI is offering an early bird price of $1,199 USD for the lens.
Call me skeptical, but there is no such thing as shortcuts with optics, and I have my reservations about the optical quality you will get from a $1,200 USD full-frame anamorphic. Although I am more than happy to have my reservations proved wrong! It is great to see more affordable lenses coming to market, and at $1,200 USD, even if the lens does have its flaws, for the price is anyone really going to complain?
