Description
A cinematographer’s photography gear is incomplete without the presence of an anamorphic lens. What began as a brilliant technique for capturing and projecting aspect ratios on 35mm film, anamorphic lenses are now an absolute favourite among filmmakers. Merely having an exceptional anamorphic lens in hand is not enough. you need to have an equally capable camera to make sure you get the results you desire.
It is precisely where the reputed brand Panasonic and its impeccable range of cameras come in. Panasonic cameras are the only models out there that support anamorphic shooting in the body. When paired with a high-end body such as the Panasonic LUMIX S5, anamorphic lenses deliver class-apart output. something that every cinematographer dreams.
How Anamorphic Lenses Change The Look Of Your Filmmaking
The whole idea of anamorphic shooting was to make sure that films looked much more significant than television. When filmmakers first used anamorphic lenses, filmmakers could capture a wider field of view at a higher quality. The picture would be extensive and at a higher resolution, but it would appear stretched, giving it a distorted look. It required correction in the post-production stage. But once corrected, the output would be a completely new, widescreen picture. It was much larger and much better than what audiences saw on television.
Today, most filmmakers opt for digital anamorphic options over traditional film. And why not? With an anamorphic lens, you get an incredible depth of field. Plus you get an impressive wide aspect ratio, and an unmissable oval-shaped bokeh. Adding to this, you also get horizontal lens flares and vignettes. Each of these elements forms an impeccable output. and this is the very reason why anamorphic lenses are popular even today. But, you have to choose a perfect camera to make sure the lens delivers optimum results.
Paring the Panasonic LUMIX S5 camera with the Sirui Anamorphic lens – this combination is a match made in heaven. We’ll discuss each of the products individually so that you understand how they fit well together better.
Sirui 50mm f/1.8 1.33x Anamorphic lens for Micro 4/3 (Micro Four Thirds)
Similarly, you also have the same anamorphic lens in the 50mm range. With a similar aspect ratio of 1.33x, the lens uses the anamorphic front element to alter the horizontal axis. As a result, the long edge of any given shot expands by 1.33 times. It can be further rectified and stretched back during editing to deliver much more significant, better video quality.
Summing Up
Anamorphic lenses have a whole range of advantages over traditional lenses – they deliver precision, which conventional aspherical lenses cannot. You will not be able to recreate the magic created by an anamorphic lens by an ordinary aspherical lens. Without any doubt, aspherical lenses have photographic and video graphic applications of their own. but when it comes to class apart, cinema-quality videography, it is best to opt for anamorphic lenses.
Check out the anamorphic lenses we have described in this post right there – the 35mm version and the 50mm version. Also, be sure to check out our video review here.
