$1,500 vs $30,000 Anamorphic Lens 

Great video man! We live in a bloody exciting time where you can practically recreate a $100,000 Hollywood setup using camera/lenses/lighting for under $10,000. Would love to see more recreating movie scenes on a budget style videos!

I think this video is a really good example that lighting makes way more of a difference than the lens or other equipment imo

You’re like 40 now we really watched you grow up

Love your videos so much. Gotta love Sirui too

It's always a pleasure to see you talk about anamorphic without a bias towards the expensive stuff! I also really appreciate the honesty the smaller and cheaper lenses are what works for you and your style of filmmaking! Turning that into a generalization would be a problem! :))

All of the music in this video came from Track Club. Get a free month here: trackclub.com/referral-landing?via=dslrguide (please take a look, I wouldn't have been able to make a video like this without their support) Here are the songs I used: 1. Heel - Joey Cantor 2. Spread Out - Aaron Abernathy 3. Night Blooming Jasmine - Joey Cantor 4. Hiding With Ivy-June - Prairie Ensemble

The video perfectly confirms my recent thoughts about expensive and cheap lenses, that 99% on RU-vid will not see the difference between them. And that 90% of success lies in lighting, color correction, sound and history. And only the remaining 10% are camera body, complex camera movements and lenses. And I'm trying to say that very expensive equipment will not automatically make the picture very professional.

As you stated, if you're on a shoot that costs $25K+ a day then totally the Cookes. Some other reasons for renting expensive anamorphic glass like the Cookes for people to consider are the ability to have an entire set of focal lengths; currently there are 10 focal lengths available in the Cooke anamorphic set + a zoom lens available. You also have much longer focus throws which make the 1st AC happy and more durable housings, unique characteristics and distortions, the flaring is a lot different and of course that 2x squeeze factor makes a big difference in how you compose shots, how much you can see left to right of the frame while being able to gain the advantage of a longer focal length depth compression. All that said I think it's great that companies are coming out with affordable options and options that are more single user friendly. We really live in a world now where the technology is overall so good all around that it's really up to the individual artist to take advantage of it all and be good. Lighting is also so overlooked by people. You did a great job recreating the shot and no matter what lens you put on there, it's not gonna enhance a single shot enough to perhaps warrant the cost difference. Only when you're shooting dozens of shots a day for weeks or months on end will you truly notice the difference in more expensive glass and cameras. So for the no-budget filmmakers out there, use what you got and master those tools.

Forget the glass, that scene recreation was amazing!

I couldn't click the subscribe button fast enough. Thanks for the massive effort you put into this. I'm actually very shocked at the results. I didn't think the Sirui footage would look as good as it did.

The highlight rolloff on the Cooke look so much better in my opinion. That made the image look much better in my opinion, in addition to the out of focus qualities and texture.

Loved the work you’ve done here. Really helpful to me as an indie DoP. It really doesn’t make sense unless you’ve got a budget where the extra 1% quality becomes worth the price. I’d love to see you do a zoom vs primes video. Are primes really that much better?

love your channel dude!!!

Thanks for the video! I love how humble you are about not being surprised. 😅

What I like about cleaner/sharper anamorphic lenses like this Sirui and the 1.8x anamorphics by GreatJoy is you still get the fundamental anamorphic characteristics but you have the choice to layer on the desired extra characteristics with filters and post fx as required for a project.

It reminds me of those tests when the Canon 5DMark II came out. In a studio setup and with the same lens the Canon 5D mark II was "as good as" an Arri Alexa. But of course those comparisons will fall appart with no studio lighting. Same with those lenses here. I think the people on twittel voted for the "cheap lens" because the actor in that frames has his head turned and it has more depht, mor tecture, more wrinkles in the face. I am also not sure if twitter is the best optiojn for comparison. and you have to see images in motion. Not just a single frame. But it is true. You pay a lot for the last 5% percent. I love blackmagic cameras. I like braw and 13 stops and all. But it will never be an Alexa. But you definitely can get close if you do a side by side video.

Most of the footage I've seen from Sirui lenses has looked clinically sharp, but I'm starting to think that's somewhat dependent on the camera it's shot with. As someone who also loves the Cooke look, the little difference was really surprising! A most encouraging comparison indeed.

whoa! same dude still doing great videos. happy to see it!

Excellent review! Congratulations and thanks! 😊

Really great video. Very interesting breakdown of everything

Love ur content mate and the passion u have for filmmaking have been watching ur videos since I was in college keep up the amazing work 🤟🏻

There are several qualities about the Cooke lens I definitely think are amazing, but yes, on a smaller scale it's far from worth it. And the rendering of the Sirui is definitely like a more modern "ultra sharp and flatter" look, which might be more appealing to some. Great comparison, though! And it's a good way for people to realize that they can make really great images without really great bank balances. :)

That was amazing. Liked and sub’d. Thanks for sharing!

I appreciate your approach to rationally compare these lens options based on what’s for your setup.

That was majorly informative and useful. Thanks legend.

I definitely didn’t expect that!! Having used a couple of Cookes briefly for some test shoots and demos, they look incredible. Hats off to Sirui for the quality job with these lenses 😮

Simon this was a great video. Really eye opening. The look you achieved with the cheaper lens was amazing. For me though the star of the show was the set dressing your production designer made from foam and ply. Real Hollywood magic!

Really cool video. Impressed on set re-creation.

well done! a great practical and aesthetically comparison... now you could try out the Sirui 75 2.9 with the additional anamorphic adapter (about 740 € list price), resulting in a squeeze factor of 2x... I could imagine that the difference between both would become much less visible

Great comparison, simple, effective, honest thoughts…Thanks mate !

Awesome video! Just rented the Sirui lenses again. As you mentioned one characteristics of expensive lenses are the soft roll off in the shadows/highlights/subject vs the sharper cheaper lenses. It all depends what you like.

You are taking a lot of efforts, i respect you and thank you for sharing this.

Perfect presentation on the subject, as always. I guess the $30,000 anamorphic lenses suit more the more expensive production cameras, but the recreation part with cheaper setup was just mindblowing👍

I've been contemplating for a few months now if I should get Sirui for my A7IV, but this video sealed the deal. Thank you for this. Also, famous movie shot recreations are brilliant, I would love to see more of that. And who knows, maybe we'll even work together on some project in the future. :)

Great comparison, and great song choice! ❤

nicely done my friend! great comparison. it's insane the cost difference between traditional anamorphics and what all the Chinese manufactures are pumping out now. I'm Very happy to see anamorphics becoming more affordable and accesible to every filmmaker.

Great recreation of the iconic scene. Thanks for the video. Imho the Cooke definitely has better highlights, clarity in the eyes, and crispy bokeh. That look, which is both crispy and fuzzy at the same time, is indescribably beautiful.

Hey Simon! you're my go to guy for the last 10+ years. keep going!

It wasn't a Cooke lens that was used to shoot Blade Runner. It were Super Panavision 70 and C-Series lenses.

Good job man good job honestly ❤

The main difference outside of the sharpness and the different squeeze ratio is the colour. The colour of the skintones on the Cooke are definitely more pleasing to me.

Watching you from your very early video , always liked your sincere and simple approach . Yes you are quite grown up now….

Thx for this comp. Always been curious, shooting sirui myself so it’s good to know the output is quite close …for the price tag that is.

Great video! It would be nice to see more how the set decoration was made. Also, what gel did you use to get that color? Been trying find a gel with that color, but it's hard to find before you try it

Great video bro

NOOOO way people thought the Sirui looked better... Cooke lens ALLLL the way. It looks soooo insanely beautiful to me.

Great vid, dude. Mucho gracious

Really nice shot recreation

nice footage!!

The cooke really looks slightly better in every aspect but considering the price unless you have a big budget project owning a Sirui kit for the price of a few days of renting is a no brainer. I got the 35mm from their small form factor saturn line on their launch price for my R6 and what a beast of a lens for such a small size and weight, best 1200$ I spent on any camera gear so far.

Seems like there are even more impections with the cooke. Beauitufl

I would love to see how you would work with anamorphic adapters and weird taking lenses

been a sub since 10k . great job m8

Cool video bro 🎉

Really enjoyed the comparison, will also check track club looks useful.

Great work! Would be a great test with the Laowa proteus 2x and the Cookes. No one has done it yet - at least I haven’t found it. Maybe I’ll do one. Love the Cooke’s.

Thank you for breaking this down for us.

Hats off for all the efforts and time and money put into making this video!

I do like how shadows more on the Cooke, but of course it could be easily graded on the Sirus

Yes siiiiirrrr. Great video my friend. 💪

a great demonstration on how good lighting is everything... id say along with the composition/angle.., its the most important thing.. ill admit, I obsess over glass.., but its important for ppl to know, its not everything..

Very useful video. Still awesome you shoot in Cooke.

great comparison!

Great video, Simon. I'm actually considering getting the Sirui 35mm FF for my Canon R6 Mark II as a talking head lens. Focusing might be tricky and I'm certain I can't move as much. Think it can be done?

Cook is awesome! You could use runwayml to separate the background and stretch it a bit.

Thanks for the comparison Have you also tried 2 lens breathing? Thanks again!!!

Wholeheartedly agree! Found myself that you get a big step in improvement from cheap 100-400$ lenses to moderately priced lenses in the 2k$ regime, but beyond that you will be the only one noticing the improvements.

All of these tests of Expensive vs Cheap all come to the same conclusion, User, Subject and LIGHTING. If you start your company don't buy an Alexa or RED with a nice lens kit and then struggle on the lights. Buy a few good lights buy a decent Camera (that fits your use) and go, you can always still rent out a nice camera or lens if needed for a project.

The last video I saw was 6 years ago. I remember you always biting into an apple at the end. 😃 Still great content. i will catch up on everything i have missed over all these years . Thank you 👏.

Man, you're one of the few people on youtube that makes sense!

Good job! 🙏

The Cooke look is worth it but not for small budget videography. That’s the video

Probably the first time I've paused and re watched the sponsored bit haha good on ya

The Cooke images look lovely though

That skin tone is so good on Cooke and also movie/filmic look. I can tell the differences, its worth the money if you have the money lol

You also need to take into account the squeeze factor and how much of your sensor is getting cut out compared to the Sirui to match the same aspect ratio. Your image may not even be getting softer due to the lens, but due to the crop imposed on the cameras sensor. However I do agree! I feel there are things way more important things when it comes to increasing the production value to a video than lenses, and renting such an expensive set of lenses, I feel, only makes sense when you are able to allocate more money to things like lighting, production design, locations, camera, etc. Great video!

Very entertaining video. As others have said Bladerunner was shot on Panavision lenses ( Super Panavision 70 Lenses(special effects)Panavision Panaflex Gold, Panavision C-Series and Super High Speed Lenses). These lenses can’t be bought but only rented. Panavision lenses are IMHO the best anamorphics on the planet, end of story. Their look is unmistakable and magical, particularly the T series but also the C series. The other set that comes close are the Atlas Orion lenses. Those guys know how to make lenses. That being said I do own the Great Joy 50 &35 mm. The new 1.33x Viltroxes also look great too as do the forthcoming Mercury series from Atlas. So what I’m saying is if you compared the Panavision to the Siriu I doubt anyone would prefer the Siriu. But a great video nonetheless. Look forward to more.

I once wrapped on a commercial and the airline postponed my flight while the Cooke set continued on to LAX. The case of lenses sat unattended at the luggage pickup for over six hours. It was a very nervous day.

Can you compare HDMI output latency between nikon Z6 and panasonic s1h? Perhaps you just know which manufacturer has the lowest HDMI latency?

Where have you been . Why did RU-vid stop showing me your videos.. it's been about three years since I watched any of your content.. I missed your wholesome approach

If i were to buy a cooke anamorphic, id probably buy the zoom, its most of the focal lengths of the prime set for the price of 2 primes ($60k), surprised more rental houses dont carry them

6:19 let’s rent a 15.000$ lens and tape the filter in front of it. Who needs a matte box? 😂

LOVE the outro hahahaha!!

Investing in a killer lighting gear is probably the takeaway from this test.

I mean you explained it pretty accurately at the end there "Smaller Lenses for Smaller projects". Yes, Cooke lenses are incredible for when you have a large scale production, but Sirui thrives with run and gun work. Awesome comparison!

SIrui is a great lens for the price,, Thanks for the video

The Cooke lens had something different about it that's hard to pinpoint but feels 'right' when the image was moving. But in all honesty I would probably not be able to tell the difference if they were intercut in a scene. At the end of the day, the camera, the lighting, color grading, art direction, location, styling and talent is even more important than the specific brand of lens.

Very nice comparison man! Do you shoot in log?

They usually say that you always get what you pay for, but I don't think so now. thanks for the information..

we don't rent out cooke unless we're filming super35 film. it doesn't resolve nearly as well on super sharp digital. we also actually diffuse the lens with lo-con filters and diffuse lighting alot. going 8k is the wrong direction with cookes.

I think the Cook has this magical, almost indistinguishable creamy, poetic texture that puts it way above the Sirui. You might not think it's noticeable in your conscious mind but I think you unconscious mind notices for sure. This kind of look triggers the dreamy part of your mind and puts it into magical storytelling realm. This might sound crazy to some but that's how creative people think.

It's important to note that the listed 1.6x anamorphic is listed in 3:2 open gate, so a 1.6x anamorphic lens on a 16:9 sensors is equivalent to a 2.0x anamorphic lens with a small crop, which also helps soften the image up. This is another reason to buy this lens over the 1.33x anamorphic. Sony has these really annoy gaps in their software in their cameras that appears like they are trying to protect their cinema cameras.

The Cooke looks so much more dramatic to me. It has contrast in the right places. And seems sharper the right way.

man, I really see a inconsistent look across the different images you took. I don't know if it's a difference between cooke and sirui lenses or if you graded differently. I also saw that in the doc scenes, the hair on cooke first was slightly towards cyan and later, on another scene, it seemed slightly magenta with punchy orange on the girl's sweater. but what was consistent is that cooke's image had more contrast and saturation with a balance between colors as well. meanwhile the sirui had more red, meaning less cyan and so less color contrast. but it's so subtle that I do think it's a color grading mistake on matching the scenes. did you recorded in different cameras or color graded differently?

Great video. I'd love to see this repeated with the Sirui 1.33 adapter designed for the Venus series, that will give 2.0x. Great Comparison. Thx.

There just is something that makes Cooke pop out at 4:03. cant say what but its there.

New sub. Nice comparison video. It is interesting to me that most of the commentators prefer the Cooke while your poll results preferred the Sirui. Why do you think that is so?

As someone who just considered renting a budget anamorphic there is something you missed that is a dealbreaker for the Sirui (at least for most DPs). The Anamorphic look is characterized by a barrel distortion that bows in at the edges. This gives the illusion of the center of frame being bigger. Sirui lenses have pincushion distortion which bows outward at the edges. It just looks bad by comparison. You probably didn't notice this because you had a 75mm which isn't wide enough to notice the difference, but it is a major complaint from the 35mm.

I own a few Ultra primes because you can get used ones for $5k and they're basically light weight versions of the $30k masterprimes... I see a HUGE difference between those lenses in terms of color reproduction and sharpness to most lenses.... but the new sigma art lenses are at around 90% of the ultras...

You didn’t mention it but I saw a difference in the desqueeze which has been an isssue for the Sirius, I have to eyeball the desqueeze depending on my focus depth and aperture and in your doc footage your subject was much skinnier in the sirui than the Cooke when normalized. Just a quirk you have to account for.