Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic Lens Review: A Cinematic Dream on a Budget

The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens has taken the filmmaking world by storm, offering aspiring and seasoned cinematographers alike the chance to achieve a widescreen, cinematic look without breaking the bank. Anamorphic lenses, traditionally associated with high-end productions, squeeze the image horizontally during capture, allowing for a wider aspect ratio (usually 2.4:1) when unsqueezed in post-production. This review delves into the features, performance, and overall value proposition of the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens, providing a comprehensive overview for those considering adding it to their kit.

What is Anamorphic?

Before diving into the specifics of the Sirui lens, it’s crucial to understand what makes anamorphic lenses so unique. Anamorphic lenses optically squeeze a wider field of view onto the camera sensor. This results in several key characteristics:

• Wider Aspect Ratio: The most noticeable effect is the ultra-wide aspect ratio, typically 2.4:1, creating a cinematic, letterboxed look without cropping.
• Oval Bokeh: Out-of-focus highlights are rendered as oval shapes, contributing to the lens’s distinctive aesthetic.
• Lens Flares: Anamorphic lenses are known for their horizontal lens flares, adding a stylized and dramatic flair to scenes.

Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic: Key Features

The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens boasts several features that make it an attractive option for filmmakers. Here’s a breakdown:

• Focal Length: 50mm, a versatile focal length suitable for a wide range of shooting scenarios.
• Aperture: f/1.8, allowing for shallow depth of field and good low-light performance.
• Anamorphic Squeeze: 1.33x, resulting in a 2.4:1 aspect ratio when unsqueezed from a 16:9 sensor.
• Lens Mounts: Available in various mounts, including Sony E-mount, Micro Four Thirds, and Fujifilm X-mount, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of camera systems.
• Build Quality: Aluminum alloy construction provides a solid and durable feel.
• Focus Ring: Smooth and precise focus ring for accurate manual focusing.
• Compact Size: Relatively small and lightweight, making it easy to handle and travel with.

Performance and Image Quality

The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens delivers impressive image quality, especially considering its price point. Sharpness is generally good, particularly in the center of the frame, with some softness towards the edges. The lens exhibits the characteristic anamorphic flares and oval bokeh, adding to the cinematic aesthetic. Chromatic aberration (color fringing) is present but can be minimized in post-production.

Sharpness

Center sharpness is commendable, even wide open at f/1.8. Edge sharpness improves as you stop down the aperture. For critical sharpness across the entire frame, shooting at f/2.8 or f/4 is recommended.

Bokeh

The oval bokeh is a key element of the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens’s appeal. It adds a unique and pleasing aesthetic to out-of-focus areas, separating the subject from the background and enhancing the cinematic feel. The bokeh is most pronounced when shooting at wider apertures.

Lens Flares

The horizontal lens flares are another signature characteristic of anamorphic lenses, and the Sirui 50mm delivers them in spades. The flares are generally well-controlled and add a dramatic and stylized touch to scenes. They are most prominent when shooting directly into a bright light source.

Chromatic Aberration

Chromatic aberration (CA) is present, particularly in high-contrast areas. However, it is generally manageable and can be reduced or eliminated in post-production using software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. It’s something to be aware of, but not a deal-breaker.

Distortion

The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens exhibits minimal distortion, which is a positive attribute. This makes it suitable for a wider range of shooting scenarios, including those where straight lines are important.

Using the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic Lens

Shooting with an anamorphic lens requires a slightly different approach than shooting with standard spherical lenses. Here are some tips for getting the most out of the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens:

• Manual Focus: The Sirui 50mm is a manual focus lens, so accurate focusing is crucial. Use focus peaking or magnification to ensure your subject is sharp.
• Desqueezing: In post-production, you’ll need to desqueeze the footage to achieve the correct aspect ratio. Most video editing software offers a desqueeze function. For a 1.33x anamorphic lens, set the desqueeze ratio to 1.33x.
• Framing: Keep in mind the wider aspect ratio when framing your shots. Consider using the extra width to create more dynamic and visually interesting compositions.
• Lighting: Anamorphic lenses are more prone to flares, so pay attention to your lighting. Use flags or other light control devices to prevent unwanted flares.
• Tripod Use: Because of the wider aspect ratio, stabilization becomes even more crucial. Use a sturdy tripod.

Alternatives to the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic

While the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens is a great option, there are other anamorphic lenses available on the market. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

• Atlas Lens Co. Orion Series: High-end anamorphic lenses with exceptional image quality and performance. These come with a significant price tag.
• Great Joy FF Anamorphic Lenses: Offers full-frame anamorphic options, providing a wider field of view on full-frame cameras.
• Laowa Nanomorph Series: Compact and lightweight anamorphic lenses designed for smaller sensors.
• Vazen Anamorphic Lenses: Known for their sharpness and clarity. They offer a range of anamorphic lenses for different sensor sizes.

The choice depends on your budget and specific needs. The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic strikes a balance between affordability and performance, making it an excellent entry point into the world of anamorphic filmmaking.

Pros and Cons of the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic

To summarize, here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens:

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Good image quality
• Distinctive anamorphic look (oval bokeh, horizontal flares)
• Compact and lightweight
• Available in various lens mounts

Cons:

• Manual focus only
• Chromatic aberration
• Edge softness

Who is the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic Lens For?

The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens is ideal for:

• Independent filmmakers: Those looking to achieve a cinematic look on a budget.
• Videographers: Adding a unique and stylized look to their videos.
• Content creators: Elevating the visual quality of their content.
• Students: Learning the art of anamorphic filmmaking.

Final Verdict

The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens offers an accessible entry point into the world of anamorphic filmmaking. While it has some limitations, such as manual focus and chromatic aberration, its affordable price, good image quality, and distinctive anamorphic look make it a worthwhile investment for filmmakers on a budget. If you’re looking to add a cinematic touch to your videos without breaking the bank, the Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens is definitely worth considering. The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic stands out as a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise too much on quality. It allows aspiring filmmakers to experiment with the anamorphic look and feel without incurring significant costs. The build quality is solid, the anamorphic characteristics are present and noticeable, and the overall image quality is impressive for the price. The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens provides a unique and cinematic aesthetic that can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your projects. The Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic lens is a fantastic choice for those seeking to capture the magic of anamorphic filmmaking without exceeding their budget.

[See also: Anamorphic Lens Guide for Beginners]
[See also: Best Budget Filmmaking Lenses]