Blazar APEX 50mm Anamorphic AF

[Nevyn72]

Just found out about a very interesting lens, the 50mm ANAMORPHIC AUTOFOCUS for Blazar.

Right now only for sony, but more platforms coming in 2025. For this price a very interesting lens:

Apex 50mm T1.8 1.33X S35 Auto-Focus Anamorphic Lens PRE-ORDER

The Apex 1.33x T1.8 AF is the world’s first autofocus anamorphic lens, featuring a focus-by-wire system for seamless switching between autofocus and manual focus. Designed to work with an APS-C sensor. Please note that our product prices do not include any VAT or customs duties.

store.blazarlens.com

YT vlogger with interesting character (the person, the video & the lens ):



Interesting: it's a 35mm lens, but he is using it FF.

If it comes out for L-mount, I will probably buy it. Im hoping for such a lens for years.

 

[CharlesH]

Just found out about a very interesting lens, the 50mm ANAMORPHIC AUTOFOCUS for Blazar.

The autofocus is very interesting. I haven't liked 1.33x that much, it is useful for 4:3 cameras but for me doesn't add that much for 3:2 cameras. However, the lens is available for E mount; I've never used anamorphic with my Sony cameras so I'll take a further look to see if it is something to consider.

 

[Nevyn72]

The autofocus is very interesting. I haven't liked 1.33x that much, it is useful for 4:3 cameras but for me doesn't add that much for 3:2 cameras. However, the lens is available for E mount; I've never used anamorphic with my Sony cameras so I'll take a further look to see if it is something to consider.

I already expected that you would find this lens interesting. I also agree with the 1.33x, however this lens is still light enough for handheld shooting.

 

[Nevyn72]

Here another video about the same lens:


Also interesting: I understand also Sirui has a autofocus anamorphic lens...

 

[Nevyn72]

The Sirui: but don't really like the look, for me the Blazar looks better:

 

[CharlesH]

Here is a video about the Sirui with autofocus. It is also Sony E mount. I'd say it is not to impressive but it will be interesting to see if this eventually evolves into very usable autofocus anamorphic lenses.

 

[CharlesH]

The Sirui: but don't really like the look, for me the Blazar looks better:

I agree. When it is available for the s5IIx I may take another look.

 

[pdk42]

Can someone explain what the point of anamorphic lenses is when using digital 3:2 sensors?

 

[CharlesH]

Can someone explain what the point of anamorphic lenses is when using digital 3:2 sensors?

The effective focal length of an anamorphic lens image that is de-squeezed is wider at the edges than in the middle. Compared to a conventional lens this allows a cinematographer to keep subjects near the center of the screen larger while showing a wider image.

 

[pdk42]

The effective focal length of an anamorphic lens image that is de-squeezed is wider at the edges than in the middle. Compared to a conventional lens this allows a cinematographer to keep subjects near the center of the screen larger while showing a wider image.

Thanks for the explanation Charles. Is the effect significant?

 

[CharlesH]

Thanks for the explanation Charles. Is the effect significant?

An example, if you use a 1.33x anamorphic lens with a 4:3 sensor, the de-squeezed image aspect ratio is 16:9. That is, it starts with an older TV aspect ratio and converts it into a modern HD TV aspect ratio. So the "wider focal length" effect is about 33%. To me the effect at 1.33x is nice but not too dramatic. But at 1.6x or 1.85x you really start to appreciate it. The popular wide screen aspect ratio for anamorphic movies is 2.39:1. If you film with a 3:2 aspect ratio sensor (like our LUMIX cameras) and a 1.6x anamorphic lens you get this anamorphic movie aspect ratio. It seems like most popular movies are anamorphic these days; examples include Dune: Part Two and Wicked.