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In our latest video, we evaluated the Atlas Orion Series B 2x Anamorphic Lens Set. Our lens reviewvideos are structured to provide end-users with all the crucial information they need to knowwhen choosing a lens. This includes both a scientific breakdown – such as tech specs, in-house tests and evaluation of characteristics such as bokeh, flare and distortion – as well as shooting in a more creative context that allows us to show the lenses perform in a real-world scenario. Visit youtube.com/CVPTV THE SCIENCE AND ART OF A LENS
ABOVE People often want to recreate the distinctive light flares that are possible with anamorphic lenses
Even regular anamorphic lenses aren’t quite as easy to work with as their spherical counterparts. There are a range of factors to be aware of when using an anamorphic on a project. First is size, as these lenses tend to be much bigger and heavier than spherical lenses. This means you will need your camera support kit to be able to work with whichever lenses you choose. Desqueezing the image is also an important part of shooting with anamorphic lenses. Pretty much every modern camera systemwill have a desqueeze setting in-camera. But not all have the full desqueeze options, so you may need to use an on-camera monitor to properly view your image as you shoot. Another common issue that anamorphic lenses suffer from is the centring of the anamorphic element. Unlike spherical lenses, the anamorphic element needs to be as perfectly centred and level as possible. If it is misaligned at all, your image could skew, which can completely ruin your shot. And when using vintage anamorphics, you can run into issues with their mechanics. This isn’t strictly an anamorphic problem, more so a vintage lens problem. Anamorphic shooting is a complex topic and there is no way one article can cover everything. This piece only scratches the surface of what there is to understand when shooting anamorphic. If you can get your hands on some anamorphic glass, it really is worth exploring, as the imagery that you can capture is fantastic.
S1H, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or Z Cam E2 have the ability to shoot in a range of anamorphic modes, how do people shoot anamorphic on a budget? Well, there is a range of more affordable anamorphic lenses popping up onto the market from companies like Sirui, Vazen and Atlas, and I think this is a trend that will continue over the next few years. However, as with most equipment, you will be compromising in at least one area with all of these budget options and some of them are still quite pricey. The Atlas Orion series of 2x anamorphic lenses are around £8000 per lens, but they are incredible value for money when you compare them to the likes of Cooke, whose 2x primes are upwards of £20,000. However, £8000 per lens is still a lot when you compare it to the cost of some of these mirrorless cameras. One option for people wanting to explore anamorphic without breaking the bank is by experimenting with DIY anamorphic lens set-ups. There are several online communities where people share their knowledge on anamorphic lenses and create their own using old vintage anamorphic lenses, which require some tinkering to get working as usable lenses. There is a lot to learn and understand, but you can see examples of people getting some fantastic results from set-ups that cost a fraction of an all-in- one anamorphic solution. Though with this, you will have to compromise on the usability of the lens while on-set. “The versatility to be able to shoot in a range of formats is one huge benefit of full-frame sensors being adopted bymotion picture cameramanufacturers”
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