Historic 1.25x prism-anamorphic lenses from Panavision from the 1950s, developed for the Ultra Panavision 70 format. Still in use today for authentic vintage look.
The APO Panatar are historical 1.25x Prism-Anamorphic lenses that Panavision developed in the mid-1950s for the MGM Camera 65 system – later known as Ultra Panavision 70.
Unlike cylindrical anamorphics, the APO Panatar utilize a patented prism system (developed by Walter Wallin) that creates a different optical characteristic: softer flares, more natural bokeh, and a unique image quality.
| Focal Length | Aperture | Squeeze | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57mm | T4.0 | 1.25x | 65mm/70mm |
| 75mm | T3.5 | 1.25x | 65mm/70mm |
| 150mm | T3.6 | 1.25x | 65mm/70mm |
Special Features:
The APO Panatar originated as part of Panavision's response to CinemaScope in the 1950s. The 1.25x system enabled an extreme 2.76:1 aspect ratio when projected on 70mm film.
For decades, they were considered "historical" until Robert Richardson, ASC and Quentin Tarantino brought them out of the archives for *The Hateful Eight* (2015) – the first film in nearly 50 years shot in the Ultra Panavision 70 format.
| Film | Year | Camera | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raintree County | 1957 | MGM Camera 65 | Early Use |
| Ben-Hur | 1959 | MGM Camera 65 | 11 Oscars |
| Mutiny on the Bounty | 1962 | Ultra Panavision 70 | Epic Sea Adventure |
| It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World | 1963 | Ultra Panavision 70 | Wide-Screen Comedy |
| The Hateful Eight | 2015 | Panavision 65mm | Revival of the Format |
| Rogue One | 2016 | Panavision 65mm | Select Sequences |
| Avengers: Infinity War | 2018 | Panavision 65mm | IMAX/65mm Hybrid |
| Avengers: Endgame | 2019 | Panavision 65mm | Finale Battle |
The prism design of the APO Panatar creates a look that is fundamentally different from modern anamorphics:
The lenses are exclusively available through Panavision and require special planning, as only a few sets exist worldwide.
Die APO Panatar sind Zeitkapseln – ihr 1.25x Squeeze ist subtiler als moderne 2x-Anamorphics, aber der Look ist unverkennbar. Das Prism-Design erzeugt eine einzigartige Flare-Charakteristik und sanftes Bokeh. Für Period Pieces oder epische Landscapes sind sie unübertroffen, aber die T3.5-T4.0 Lichtstärke erfordert präzise Lichtplanung.
Wenn ich die APO Panatar anfordere, kaufe ich mir Geschichte. Ben-Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, The Hateful Eight – diese Linsen verbinden meinen Film mit dem goldenen Zeitalter Hollywoods. Der Look ist groß, majestätisch und ehrlich – keine digitale Manipulation kann das replizieren.
APO Panatar bedeutet Premium-Rental und logistische Planung – es gibt nur wenige Sets weltweit, alle bei Panavision. Aber für das richtige Projekt ist der ROI klar: The Hateful Eight hat den 70mm-Look als Marketing-Event genutzt. Diese Linsen verkaufen Tickets.
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