Vantage anamorphic lenses with 1.5x compression for 65mm sensors. Focal lengths 25–500mm, reduced distortion versus 2x anamorphic. Featured in Tenet and Dune.
Technical Details
The Hawk65 series operates with a 1.5x anamorphic factor instead of the classic 2x compression, covering a 65mm image circle. The lens system includes focal lengths of 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 150mm, 300mm, and 500mm. Front diameters vary between 95mm and 134mm, with weights ranging from 2.8kg (25mm) to 8.2kg (500mm). All lenses feature uniform 114mm front threads and 0.8 pitch gears for focus and iris. The minimum focus distance for wide-angle focal lengths is between 0.6m and 0.9m.
History & Development
Vantage Film introduced the Hawk65 series in 2019, developed by Christophe Dupouy and his team in France. The system was created in response to the growing demand for large-format cinematography and aimed to transfer the proven Hawk design to modern full-frame sensors. In 2021, Vantage expanded the series with the 300mm and 500mm telephoto focal lengths. The lenses are based on the optical DNA of the original Hawk V series but were completely recalculated for the larger sensors.
Practical Use in Film
Christopher Nolan used the Hawk65 lenses for "Tenet" (2020), particularly for the chase sequences in Tallinn. Greig Fraser used them for "Dune" (2021) to depict the desert landscapes of Arrakis. The 1.5x format allows for more extreme Cinemascope proportions than standard anamorphic and produces less distortion at the image edges. The workflow requires specially calibrated de-squeeze parameters in post-production. The lower compression reduces breathing effects and bokeh stretching compared to 2x anamorphic lenses.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike Panavision's Ultra Vista series (1.65x squeeze) or ARRI's Master Anamorphic (2x), the Hawk65 offers a middle ground between the classic anamorphic look and moderate distortion. The Zeiss Supreme Prime Radiance series operates spherically but does not achieve the characteristic lens flares and bokeh of anamorphic optics. The Atlas Orion lenses serve as a more affordable alternative, but they only cover Super35 sensors. For more traditional 2x anamorphic, the Hawk V-Plus or Cooke Anamorphic/i Full Frame remain the preferred choice.