Italian anamorphic lens series (1965–1985) with distinctive blue lens flares and warm skin tone rendering; now available as Cooke Anamorphic/i.
Technical Details
Technovision lenses use cylindrical glass elements for horizontal compression and are available in focal lengths from 35mm to 200mm. The minimum focus distance for most focal lengths is 1.5 meters, and the T-stop ranges between T2.8 and T4. The system operates with a horizontal resolution reduction of approximately 50% during recording. The lenses weigh between 2.8 kg (35mm) and 4.2 kg (200mm) and feature a PL mount system. The close focus distance is, on average, 20 times the focal length.
History & Development
In 1965, the Italian company Technovision S.p.A. developed the system in response to the high licensing costs for Bausch & Lomb's CinemaScope lenses. Sergio Leone first used the lenses in 1966 in "For a Few Dollars More." In the 1970s, Joe Dunton licensed the lenses for his rental company and established them in the British market. In 2014, Cooke Optics took over production as the "Anamorphic/i" series, after the original production ceased in 1985.
Optical Characteristics
The lenses produce blue horizontal flares from light sources and lend skin tones a warm, slightly yellowish hue. In close-ups, the shallow depth of field creates a pronounced 3D effect. The oval-distorted bokeh enhances the horizontal image composition. Films such as "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968), "Quadrophenia" (1979), and "The Dark Crystal" (1982) showcase these characteristic features.
Comparison to Other Systems
Panavision lenses offer higher T-stops (T2.8-11) but less distinctive optical characteristics. Zeiss Master Anamorphics deliver technically more precise results without the organic image quality of Technovision lenses. Cooke Anamorphic/i combines modern coatings with the classic look. Atlas Orion lenses are today the most cost-effective alternative.