Anamorphic lens system by SOM Berthiot (1957) with 2:1 compression, producing oval bokeh and horizontal lens flares.
Technical Details
The Rectimascop system operates with a horizontal compression ratio of 2:1, while maintaining unchanged vertical resolution. The recording optics consist of cylindrical lens elements arranged perpendicular to the film plane. Standard focal lengths range from 35mm to 100mm, with the 50mm version, featuring an aperture of f/2.8, being the most commonly used. The system produces characteristic oval bokeh shapes and horizontal lens flares resulting from the anamorphic compression.
History & Development
SOM Berthiot introduced Rectimascop in 1957 as a French alternative to the American CinemaScope lenses from Bausch & Lomb. The system was intended to provide European productions with more cost-effective access to anamorphic recording. In the 1960s, it was primarily used in French and Italian productions but was largely forgotten with the advent of more modern anamorphic systems like Panavision in the 1970s. Today, vintage Rectimascop lenses are valued by collectors and cinematographers seeking to recreate the specific look of the 1960s.
Practical Use in Film
Rectimascop was predominantly used in European genre productions of the 1960s, including Italian Westerns and French crime films. The lenses produced a softer, less sharp look than modern anamorphic systems, which suited the image style of the era. The system found typical application in exterior shots, where the horizontal compression made landscapes appear particularly dramatic. The lower optical precision compared to CinemaScope led to stronger edge distortions, which were, however, often accepted as a stylistic element.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to CinemaScope, Rectimascop offered a more affordable alternative with a similar aspect ratio but lower optical quality. The French lenses exhibited stronger chromatic aberrations and vignetting than their American counterparts. Modern anamorphic systems like Panavision Primo or ARRI Master Anamorphics today offer significantly higher sharpness and more even illumination. For contemporary productions aiming for the vintage look of the 1960s, Rectimascop lenses are occasionally used as a special effect or emulated digitally.