A term from cinematography and camera work.
Definition
A 2x Anamorphic lens is a special camera lens that compresses the image horizontally by a factor of 2:1, thereby creating the characteristic Cinemascope format. These lenses squeeze a wide field of view onto a standard 4:3 sensor or film, resulting in a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1 when later de-squeezed.
The anamorphic process was originally developed to achieve wider aspect ratios on 35mm film without losing image information through cropping. The term "2x" refers to the compression ratio – the image is squeezed horizontally to half its original width.
Practical Application
Anamorphic lenses produce characteristic visual properties: oval bokeh circles, horizontal lens flares, and a specific depth-of-field characteristic. These qualities lend films a distinctive, cinematic look that is particularly valued in feature filmmaking.
Technical Details
Modern 2x anamorphic lenses are available in various focal lengths and can be used with both digital and analog cameras. Post-production requires appropriate de-squeezing software or hardware to restore the compressed material to its correct aspect ratio.