Sirui 35mm Anamorphic Lens: A Comprehensive Review for Filmmakers

The Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens has become a popular choice among independent filmmakers and content creators looking to achieve a cinematic widescreen look without breaking the bank. Anamorphic lenses, traditionally known for their high cost and complex mechanics, offer a unique aesthetic that’s highly sought after. This review delves into the features, performance, and overall value of the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens, helping you decide if it’s the right tool for your filmmaking needs.

What is Anamorphic?

Before diving into the specifics of the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens, it’s crucial to understand what anamorphic lenses do. Unlike spherical lenses, which project an image onto the sensor without distortion, anamorphic lenses squeeze the image horizontally during capture. This allows filmmakers to record a wider aspect ratio onto a standard sensor. In post-production, the image is then desqueezed, resulting in the signature widescreen look with distinctive lens flares and oval bokeh. This ‘cinematic’ feel is what makes anamorphic lenses so desirable.

Key Features of the Sirui 35mm Anamorphic Lens

The Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens boasts several features that make it an attractive option for budget-conscious filmmakers:

• 2.4:1 Aspect Ratio: When paired with a 1.33x squeeze factor, the lens delivers a cinematic 2.4:1 aspect ratio, creating a wide, immersive viewing experience.
• Compact and Lightweight Design: Compared to traditional anamorphic lenses, the Sirui 35mm is relatively compact and lightweight, making it easier to handle on gimbals and smaller camera rigs.
• Affordable Price Point: One of the biggest draws of the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens is its affordability. It offers a way to achieve the anamorphic look without the hefty price tag of high-end cinema lenses.
• Compatibility: The lens is available in various mounts, including Sony E-mount, Micro Four Thirds, Canon EF-M, Nikon Z, and Fujifilm X-mount, making it compatible with a wide range of mirrorless cameras.
• Distinctive Lens Flares: The Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens produces the characteristic horizontal lens flares that are synonymous with the anamorphic look.
• Oval Bokeh: Another hallmark of anamorphic lenses is the oval-shaped bokeh, which adds a unique visual texture to the background.

Performance and Image Quality

While the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens offers a compelling set of features, its performance and image quality are crucial considerations. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Sharpness and Clarity

The Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens delivers decent sharpness, especially in the center of the frame. However, sharpness tends to fall off towards the edges, particularly at wider apertures. Stopping down to around f/4 or f/5.6 can improve edge sharpness. It is important to note that anamorphic lenses, in general, are not known for their clinical sharpness but rather for their unique character and aesthetic. The Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens certainly leans into this characteristic.

Lens Flares

The lens flares produced by the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens are a key selling point. They are pronounced, horizontal, and add a distinctive cinematic touch to the footage. While some may find them appealing, others might consider them a bit overwhelming in certain situations. Controlling the flares with proper lighting techniques is essential. The anamorphic characteristics are very pronounced, giving it the classic widescreen feel.

Bokeh

The oval bokeh created by the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens is another defining characteristic. It adds a pleasing visual texture to the background, separating the subject from the surroundings. The bokeh is more pronounced at wider apertures and becomes less noticeable as you stop down.

Distortion and Aberrations

Like many anamorphic lenses, the Sirui 35mm exhibits some distortion and chromatic aberration. Distortion is generally well-controlled, but some barrel distortion may be noticeable in certain scenes. Chromatic aberration, or color fringing, can be present, especially in high-contrast areas. These issues can often be corrected in post-production using editing software.

Using the Sirui 35mm Anamorphic Lens

Shooting with the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens requires some adjustment compared to using standard spherical lenses. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Proper Lighting: Lighting is crucial when shooting with anamorphic lenses. Controlling light sources and using flags and scrims can help manage lens flares and prevent unwanted reflections.
• Focusing: Achieving accurate focus can be challenging with anamorphic lenses due to their unique optical characteristics. Using focus peaking and magnification tools can be helpful.
• Post-Production Workflow: Desqueezing the footage in post-production is a necessary step. Most video editing software offers anamorphic desqueeze options.
• Understanding the Crop Factor: Be mindful of the crop factor introduced by the anamorphic squeeze. This will affect your field of view and composition.

Pros and Cons

To summarize, here’s a list of the pros and cons of the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens:

Pros:

• Affordable price point
• Compact and lightweight design
• Distinctive anamorphic look with horizontal lens flares and oval bokeh
• Available in various lens mounts

Cons:

• Sharpness falls off towards the edges
• Some distortion and chromatic aberration may be present
• Requires careful lighting and focusing techniques

Alternatives to the Sirui 35mm Anamorphic Lens

While the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens is a popular choice, there are other options available in the market. These include:

• SLR Magic Anamorphot Cine: SLR Magic offers a range of anamorphic adapters and lenses that provide a similar anamorphic look.
• Atlas Lens Co. Orion Series: For filmmakers with a larger budget, the Atlas Lens Co. Orion Series offers high-end anamorphic lenses with exceptional image quality.
• Vintage Anamorphic Lenses: Exploring vintage anamorphic lenses can be an option, but they often require adapters and may have optical limitations.
• Software Anamorphic Simulation: Several software plugins and tools can simulate the anamorphic look in post-production. However, the results are often not as authentic as using a true anamorphic lens.

Who is the Sirui 35mm Anamorphic Lens For?

The Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens is best suited for:

• Independent filmmakers and content creators on a budget
• Videographers looking to add a cinematic look to their projects
• Filmmakers who want to experiment with anamorphic cinematography without investing in expensive lenses
• Users who primarily shoot narrative content and are comfortable with the specific look of the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens.

Conclusion

The Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens offers an accessible entry point into the world of anamorphic filmmaking. While it may not match the optical performance of high-end cinema lenses, it provides a unique and compelling aesthetic at an affordable price. If you’re looking to add a cinematic widescreen look to your projects without breaking the bank, the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens is definitely worth considering. It offers a significant creative tool for enhancing visual storytelling.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to invest in the Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens depends on your specific needs and budget. Weigh the pros and cons carefully, consider your shooting style, and determine if the unique anamorphic characteristics align with your creative vision. The Sirui 35mm anamorphic lens brings a distinct visual flair to any production.

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