SIRUI, the Chinese lens company, wants to break the market for anamorphic lenses, by introducing its new 24mm F2.8 1.33x anamorphic glass for APS-C sized sensors. Thus, the price for a complete anamorphic set that includes the 50mm and the 35mm 1.33x lenses, is less than $2,100. That’s your most affordable option to get those cinematic blueish flares into your videos. Read on.

SIRUI launches the 24mm F2.8 1.33x anamorphic lens

This new lens features a 1.33x squeeze factor and has an imaging circle that covers APS-C sized sensors. It is available in native mounts for Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Canon EF-M, Nikon Z, and Fujifilm X cameras and is sturdily built with an all-metal body. The front filter size is 77mm and the lens barrel is non-rotating, which allows for easy use of variable ND and other filters. As stated by SIRUI: “With persistent efforts, the SIRUI R&D team resolved key technical problems to deliver a previously impossible 0.6m minimum focusing distance – all without the need for additional diopters”. Indeed, there are some challenges in making a wide-angle anamorphic glass. The physics is pretty tough on this one, and that’s one of the reasons that wide-angle anamorphic lenses cost so much. “Options for affordable wide anamorphic shooting have been very limited until now. Traditional wide-angle anamorphic cinema lenses have cost tens of thousands of dollars, while DIY anamorphic adapters based on optics designed for projection don’t cover wider angles. In addition, most of these solutions have limited close focus”, SIRUI adds.

With persistent efforts, the SIRUI R&D team resolved key technical problems to deliver a previously impossible 0.6m minimum focusing distance – all without the need for additional diopters.

SIRUI

Here’s the dry data:

• Maximum Aperture: F2.8

• Minimum Aperture: F16

• Lens Structure:13 Elements in 10 Groups

• Aperture Blades: 8

• Maximum Support Frame: APS-C

• Shooting Distance: 0.6m(2f) – infinity

• Focus Method: Manual Focusing

• Maximum Magnification: 1:21.99(V),1:29.07 (H)

• Filter Spec: M72 x 0.75

• Rotation Angle of the Focus Ring: 189.6°

• Max. Diameter: 74mm/2.91inches

• The diameter of the Focus Ring: 64.6mm/2.54inches

Price

SIRUI 24mm F2.8 1.33x Anamorphic Lens is available for Super early bird price on the Indiegogo crowdfunding project at USD 749. Super early bird Orders are estimated to ship by January.

The most affordable anamorphic set was born

The new 24mm joins the company’s existing 50mm and 35mm 1.33x anamorphic lenses to form a set of lenses that share common aesthetics and handling. According to SIRUI: “Cinematographers can now use the lens trio to tell complete cinematic stories with SIRUI’s signature look, switching freely between scenes while maintaining common background rendering”. BTW, It’s interesting to explore the slogan “SIRUI’s signature” as it reminds us of ARR’s Signature lenses. Talking about expensive lenses, the 24mm now completes the set which can be defined as the most affordable anamorphic lens set on the market. For comparison, make sure to read our article about affordable anamorphic primes that cost an “affordable” price tag of $8,000 (per lens).

Options for affordable wide anamorphic shooting have been very limited until now. Traditional wide-angle anamorphic cinema lenses have cost tens of thousands of dollars, while DIY anamorphic adapters based on optics designed for projection don’t cover wider angles. In addition, most of these solutions have limited close focus.

SIRUI

Initial insights

By investing a bit more than $2,000, you can purchase a complete set of anamorphic lenses that deliver exceptional image quality. Till now, reviewers are pretty satisfied with SIRUI anamorphic glass. However, those lenses are not designed to cover full-frame. Nevertheless, if mirrorless cameras on a gimbal are your bread and butter, and you are eager to get the blue streaks then you might consider purchasing a set of those.

Have you been shooting with the SIRUI anamorphic lenses? Would you recommend using them on set? Comment below.

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