Jdc Xtal Xpres

1. Overview

The JDC Xtal Xpres 100mm is a 2x anamorphic prime lens, manufactured in Japan for Joe Dunton Cameras in 1979. JDC was a London-based rental house that developed its own optics for British film production. The Xtal Xpres series arose from the practical need for affordable anamorphic lenses beyond Panavision's exclusivity.

2. Characteristics

Flare characteristics according to CINEFLARES datasheet:

• Types: Streak, Oval, Veiling, Rainbow
• Colors: Blue, Amber, Purple
• Intensity: Strong

Linked pattern entries:

• anamorphic-streak
• oval-flare
• veiling-glare
• rainbow-flare

3. Creative Use

The 2x squeeze delivers the classic anamorphic image: pronounced horizontal streak flares in blue, amber, and purple, oval bokeh shapes, and noticeable veiling glare when shooting into the light. The barrel distortion is measurable and gives wide-angle shots a slight curvature, which is less pronounced on longer focal lengths like this 100mm. It's typically used for close-ups and portrait focal lengths in productions seeking an unpolished vintage anamorphic look without the budget for Panavision or Hawk lenses. The lens can occasionally be found at specialized European rental houses with historical anamorphic inventories; it is not a standard item in large fleets.

4. Specs Overview