Elitescreen anamorphic lenses from 1985 in four focal lengths (40–100 mm, T/2.8) that compress horizontally and produce a distinctive vintage aesthetic through soft rendering and pronounced aberrations.
Technical Details
The Elite Anamorphic series comprised four focal lengths: 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm, all with a maximum aperture of T/2.8. The lenses feature an asymmetrical optical design with cylindrical lens elements that compress exclusively horizontally, while vertical resolution remains unchanged. The flange focal distance is 52mm for PL mount systems. The minimum focus distance for all focal lengths is 0.9 meters. The characteristic oval bokeh shape is created by the different focal lengths in the horizontal (compressed) and vertical directions (normal). The filter thread measures M95x1.
History & Development
Elitescreen developed the Elite Anamorphic series in 1985 as a cost-effective alternative to established Panavision and Technovision systems. Danish engineer Lars Møller conceived the lenses specifically for European independent productions. In 1989, Elite Video Systems expanded the series to include close-focus variants with a minimum focus distance of 0.6 meters. Production ended in 1992 when the company focused on digital video technology. Today, the approximately 200 sets produced are considered rare collector's items.
Practical Use in Film
Elite Anamorphic lenses were primarily used in Scandinavian and German arthouse productions. Lars von Trier used a complete set for "Europa" (1991) to achieve the characteristic horizontal lens flare structure. The lenses require special ground glasses with de-squeeze markings and compatible viewfinders. Unlike modern anamorphic systems, Elite Anamorphic lenses exhibit noticeable distortion at the image edges and a perceptible drop in sharpness, giving them a distinctive "organic" look.
Comparison & Alternatives
Elite Anamorphic lenses differ from Panavision Ultra Panatar or Kowa Anamorphic through their softer rendering and stronger chromatic aberration. Modern alternatives like Atlas Orion or ARRI Master Anamorphic offer sharper imaging and more consistent performance but do not achieve the characteristic vintage look of the Elite series. While Hawk V-Lite or Cooke Anamorphic/i are suitable for precise commercial productions, Elite Anamorphic lenses remain the choice for projects with a nostalgic 1990s aesthetic.