Premium manufacturer of anamorphic and spherical cinema lenses engineered for optical perfection and distinctive visual character.
Technical Details
The Atlas Orion series comprises eight focal lengths: 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 65mm, 80mm, 100mm, 125mm, and 150mm, all with a consistent T2.0 aperture. The front thread is uniformly 95mm, and the lenses weigh between 1.8 and 2.4 kilograms. The focus ring rotates 300 degrees, and the aperture ring rotates 90 degrees. All lenses use PL mount and are compatible with LPL adapters for large format sensors up to 46.3mm diagonal. The optical construction is based on 15-19 lens elements in 11-14 groups, depending on the focal length.
History & Development
Atlas Lens Co. was founded in 2018 through the collaboration of cinematographer Dan Sasaki and lens designer Isaac Jang. The development of the first Orion lenses took three years, with the goal of reproducing the look of vintage anamorphic lenses without their technical limitations. The complete Orion series was launched in 2021. In 2023, the Orion Silver Edition followed, featuring modified coatings for higher contrast images and reduced lens flares.
Practical Use in Film
Atlas Orion lenses were used in "The Batman" (2022, DoP Greig Fraser), where they supported the dark neo-noir look. Netflix used them for the series "Ozark" (Season 4) to create the characteristic horizontal streaks in night shots. The lenses are particularly suitable for low-light situations due to the consistent T2.0 aperture. The close focus of 0.6 meters allows for dramatic close-ups with strong anamorphic bokeh.
Comparison & Alternatives
Atlas positions itself between affordable anamorphic adapters like the Moment Anamorphic Lens (approx. $150 USD) and high-end series like Panavision C-Series or ARRI Master Anamorphic (daily rental from $500 USD per lens). The Orion series costs approximately $120,000 USD for the complete set, while comparable Cooke Anamorphic/i sets start at $200,000 USD. Compared to vintage lenses like the Kowa Anamorphics, Atlas lenses offer modern mechanical precision with authentic optical character. For productions that require a less pronounced anamorphic look, the Orion Silver Editions are the better choice.