MINI TESTS
SPECIFICATIONS Mount: Sony E, Canon EF-M, Nikon Z, FujifilmX, MFT Aperture range: f/2.8-16 Optical construction: 13 elements in 10 groups Image stabilisation: No Focus: Manual Coverage: APS-C Aperture blades: 8 Close focus: 600mm/23.6in
SIRUI 24MM F/2.8 1.33X ANAMORPHIC LENS £900/$999 mtfservices.com
it is now possible to shoot entire projects on Sirui anamorphics. The 1.33x factor basically enlarges the field of view when de-squeezed, except the perspective and depth-of- field is that of a 24mm lens. You can’t get the same look by using a lens and then cropping in post. Unless your camera offers anamorphic settings, the image you see on the screen is squashed up, though you can use an external monitor that offers de-squeezed viewing. This allows you to de-squeeze the final footage in your editing program, which may have a special setting, or you can change the Y-scale to 75%. This renders 2.4:1 aspect video in a 16:9 frame, with black bars at the top and bottom. Like the 50mm version, the optical quality is good, with some vignetting but decent sharpness across the whole frame. There is some softening at the corners, especially at the widest apertures. Colours and contrast are decent, too.
When Sirui launched the world’s first truly affordable modern anamorphic lens just over a year ago, it was a landmark moment. The 50mm f/1.8 1.33x Anamorphic lens to fit Sony E, Micro Four Thirds and Fujifilm X mounts proved to be a big success as filmmakers flocked for the chance to shoot true widescreen Cinemascope- style footage, with blue horizontal flare streaks and ovalised bokeh. Of course, having an image circle the size of APS-C meant it couldn’t be used on full-frame cameras without a crop. And there were other issues, too – it wasn’t as sharp or as wide as the big-name anamorphics with their matched sets of colour-accurate, full- frame 2x lenses. On the other hand, it didn’t cost as much as a decent car. When it came to shooting a full project on the lens, the real issue was that it’s not sensible to stick to just one focal length. Sirui listened, and followed up the 50mmwith a 35mm. And now comes the widest of all: the 24mm. So with a set of three lenses,
ABOVE To use the Sirui lens on a Sony A7S III, you have to use APS-C mode or digital zoom
Filter size: 72mm Dimension (LxD): 127x74mm/5x2.91in Weight: 780g/1.72lb
The horizontal blue flares are typical of this type of lens, but they can sometimes stop before the end of the frame. The lens flares nicely into the sun, and out-of-focus highlights are slightly ovalised. But as it’s only a 1.33x lens, it’s not so extreme. For the money, the Sirui 24mm f/1.8 1.33x Anamorphic lens is solidly built, with a clickless aperture ring, and it’s compact and pretty light. It’s no Cooke Anamorphic, but you wouldn’t expect that at this low price. PROMOVIEMAKERRATING: 9/10 With three affordable Sirui lenses, it’s time to give anamorphic a try Pros: Real anamorphic at a low price Cons: No full-frame, AF or IS
BELOW The lens gives the super- widescreen look and blue horizontal flares, but they stop abruptly
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