Angenieux Zoom-Optimo Anamorphic: anamorphic 2:1 squeeze lenses with 30–72mm and 56–152mm focal lengths, T4.0 constant aperture, distinctive oval bokeh rendering.
Technical Details
The Optimo Anamorphic lenses weigh between 3.8kg (30-72mm) and 4.2kg (56-152mm) with a length of 318mm and 338mm respectively. The front diameter is uniformly 134mm with an M92x1 filter thread. The flange focal distance corresponds to the PL Mount standard (52mm), while the close focus distance is 0.8m (30-72mm) and 1.2m (56-152mm) respectively. The characteristic oval bokeh highlights are created by the anamorphic compression, with horizontal lens flares showing the typical bluish stray light. The optical design is based on 20-22 lens elements in 14-15 groups with special anti-reflective coating.
History & Development
Angenieux developed the Optimo Anamorphic series between 2008-2010 in response to the renaissance of the anamorphic format in digital cinema. The 30-72mm focal length appeared in 2009, followed by the 56-152mm variant in 2010. In contrast to the classic Panavision anamorphics of the 1960s, the Optimos enabled anamorphic zooming without image distortion for the first time. In 2016, Angenieux introduced firmware updates for improved metadata transmission to digital cameras. The latest generation (since 2019) offers optimized coatings for 8K resolution.
Practical Use in Film
Cinematographer Roger Deakins used the Optimo Anamorphics for "Skyfall" (2012) to achieve dynamic camera movements with a consistent anamorphic look. The series is used in high-end productions such as "The Dark Knight Rises" (Wally Pfister, 2012) or "Mad Max: Fury Road" (John Seale, 2015). The variable focal length range eliminates lens changes during action sequences, while the constant T4.0 aperture guarantees even exposure. Typical workflows combine the 30-72mm for wide shots and the 56-152mm for close-ups and detail shots.
Comparison & Alternatives
In contrast to Panavision C-Series or E-Series Anamorphics, the Optimos offer zoom functionality without mechanical compromises. ARRI Master Anamorphics achieve higher apertures (T1.9) but are limited to prime lenses. Cooke Anamorphic/i lenses cost approximately 40% less but exhibit stronger distortion at extreme focal lengths. Modern alternatives such as Atlas Orion Anamorphics (since 2018) or Sigma Cine Anamorphics (since 2020) cater to budget-conscious productions but do not achieve the optical precision of the Angenieux series.