Cinematographer
Sphärische Objektive sind mein Standard-Werkzeug. Sie bieten natürliche Bildgeometrie, rundes Bokeh und einfacheren Workflow – die Vielfalt an verfügbaren Optiken ist enorm.
Standard lens without horizontal compression. Projects 1:1 onto sensor or film, round bokeh, natural image geometry. Opposite of anamorphic, which squeezes the frame horizontally.
What is Spherical?
Spherical refers to standard lenses with non-anamorphic optics that project a proportionally undistorted image onto the sensor. Unlike anamorphic lenses, they do not horizontally compress the image.
Basic Principle
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Optics | Non-compressing |
| Projection | 1:1 proportional |
| Bokeh | Round |
| Prevalence | Standard |
Spherical vs. Anamorphic
| Aspect | Spherical | Anamorphic |
|---|---|---|
| Squeeze | None (1x) | 1.33x, 1.5x, 2x |
| Bokeh | Round | Oval |
| Flares | Spot-like | Horizontal streaks |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Optical Properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Geometry | Natural |
| Distortion | Minimal (with quality) |
| Sharpness | Uniform |
| Focus Fall-off | Standard |
Bokeh Characteristics
| Aspect | Spherical |
|---|---|
| Shape | Circular |
| Highlights | Round dots |
| Fall-off | Soft, natural |
| Character | Lens-dependent |
Lens Categories
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Prime | Fixed focal length |
| Zoom | Variable focal length |
| Macro | Close-ups |
| Specialty | Tilt/Shift, etc. |
Focal Length Spectrum
| Category | Range |
|---|---|
| Ultra-Wide | 8-18mm |
| Wide | 21-35mm |
| Normal | 40-60mm |
| Telephoto | 85mm+ |
Popular Cine Sets
| Manufacturer | Series |
|---|---|
| ARRI | Master Primes |
| Zeiss | Supreme, Ultra Prime |
| Cooke | S4/i, S7/i |
| Leitz | Summilux-C |
Vintage Options
| Series | Character |
|---|---|
| Cooke Speed Panchro | Classic warm |
| Zeiss Super Speeds | 70s/80s Look |
| Canon K35 | Soft, characterful |
| Bausch & Lomb | Vintage Flares |
Aspect Ratio Workflow
| Ratio | Method |
|---|---|
| 1.33:1 | Full Sensor |
| 1.85:1 | Crop/Mask |
| 2.39:1 | Hard Matte/Crop |
| Variable | Flexible Post |
Sensor Usage
| Format | Usage |
|---|---|
| Full Frame | Entire area |
| S35 Crop | Standard area |
| APS-C | Compact sensors |
| Open Gate | Maximum resolution |
Field of View
| Focal Length (FF) | FOV (horizontal) |
|---|---|
| 24mm | ~74° |
| 35mm | ~54° |
| 50mm | ~40° |
| 85mm | ~24° |
Depth of Field
| Aspect | Factor |
|---|---|
| Aperture | f/1.4 = shallow DOF |
| Focal Length | Longer = shallower |
| Distance | Closer = shallower |
| Sensor | Larger = shallower |
Lighting Considerations
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Flares | More subtle than Anamorphic |
| Breathing | Depends on the lens |
| T-Stop | Light transmission |
| Coating | Contrast/Flare Control |
Workflow Advantages
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Simpler | No Desqueeze |
| More Flexible | More choices |
| Cheaper | Rental costs |
| More Compatible | Universal |
Post-Production
| Aspect | Spherical |
|---|---|
| Desqueeze | Not necessary |
| Reframe | Standard |
| VFX | Easier track |
| Stabilization | Standard |
Genre Preferences
| Genre | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Drama | Very frequent |
| Documentary | Standard |
| Horror | Predominantly |
| Epic | Anamorphic often preferred |
Projectors
| Aspect | Spherical |
|---|---|
| Cinema | Standard projection |
| Home | All displays |
| Conversion | Not necessary |
| Quality | Native resolution |
Combinations
| Element | Possible |
|---|---|
| Filters | Standard sets |
| Matte Box | Universal |
| Follow Focus | Standard gears |
| Support | Easier |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Match Sets | Consistent look |
| Test First | Know the character |
| Lens Chart | DOF planning |
| Clean Optics | Best quality |
Today
Spherical lenses remain the standard in cinematography. The variety of available optics – from technically perfect modern glass to characterful vintage lenses – offers cinematographers immense creative possibilities. While anamorphic has its place, spherical remains the foundation of visual filmmaking.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Director
Sphärisch versus Anamorphic ist eine fundamentale ästhetische Entscheidung. Sphärisch wirkt oft natürlicher und weniger stilisiert – perfekt für Dramen und dokumentarische Ansätze.
Producer
Sphärische Objektive sind generell günstiger zu mieten als anamorphotische und bieten größere Auswahl. Der Workflow ist einfacher, was Post-Kosten reduzieren kann.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Camera · Technique
Anamorphic
Lens system that compresses a wide image onto a standard sensor, then decompresses during…
Camera · Equipment
Prime Lens
Camera · Equipment
Zoom Lens
Camera
Focal Length
Camera · Terms
Aperture
Variable lens opening controlling light transmission and depth of field measured in…
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Was beschreibt „Sphärisch / Sphärisches Objektiv / Nicht-Anamorphotisch" am besten?
2. Zu welchem Department gehört „Sphärisch / Sphärisches Objektiv / Nicht-Anamorphotisch"?
3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?