Chinese anamorphic lens series with 1.33x squeeze factor, six focal lengths (24–135mm) at T2.9, under $4,000 per lens for indie productions.
Technical Details
Focal Lengths
| 24 | 35 | 50 | 75 | 85 | 135 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T2.9 | T2.9 | T2.9 | T2.9 | T2.9 | T2.9 |
| 0.85m | 0.85m | 0.95m | 1.20m | 1.40m | 1.90m |
| 1.1kg | 1.2kg | 1.3kg | 1.5kg | 1.6kg | 1.8kg |
| 82 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 82 |
| 96° | 72° | 53° | 36° | 32° | 20° |
| ◀━━━━━▶ | ◀━━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀━▶ | ◀━▶ | ◀▶ |
PL · 82mm Front · 1.33x Squeeze · T2.9
History & Development
Sirui presented the first prototypes of their anamorphic lens series at NAB in 2019, responding to the high costs of established manufacturers like Cooke, ARRI, or Hawk. The series went into production in 2020 with initially three focal lengths (35mm, 50mm, 75mm). The 24mm and 85mm versions followed in 2021, and the 135mm telephoto in 2022. Sirui utilizes modern computer calculations and CNC manufacturing to democratize the traditionally complex production of anamorphic optics, achieving prices below 4,000 Euros per lens.
Practical Use in Film
The lenses are primarily used in independent productions, music videos, and high-end commercials where classic anamorphic optics would be financially unfeasible. Productions like "The Power of the Dog" (2021) experimented with Sirui optics for specific sequences. The 1.33x squeeze requires corresponding camera modes (ARRI Alexa LF, RED) or post-production workflows with 1.33x de-squeeze. The advantage is moderate distortion, meaning less correction effort. The disadvantage remains lower optical quality compared to high-end anamorphic lenses in extreme lighting conditions.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to classic 2x anamorphic lenses (Panavision, Cooke Anamorphic/i), Sirui lenses offer more moderate effects at significantly lower costs. Atlas Orion Anamorphics or ARRI ALEXA Anamorphic De-Squeeze modes compete in a similar price segment. Moment Anamorphic adapters for DSLRs are cheaper but optically limited. For full productions, Cooke, Hawk, or Panavision remain the standard, while Sirui bridges the gap between consumer adapters and professional systems.