Comparing "New" Budget Anamorphic Lenses: Sirui, Great Joy, Laowa 

It's amazing that over the last 6-7 years we've gone from one current anamorphic adapter manufacturer to a renaissance in affordable anamorphic lenses. You should feel proud that this channel and the increased visibility you've brought to the lenses helped make that happen. Nice job.

This is exactly how I’m feeling. We need more anamorphic character in these non atlas lenses

My introduction was with the Sirui 35 and 50mm APC lenses, I fell in love (I have always loved the anamorphic look since I was empire strikes back as a child, even though I didn't understand what it was) I recently picked up the Sirui anamorphic adapter as way to get more squeeze and love the results as i use that as the focus ring, though it does make it heavier and not an every day rig, its great fun to see the results I have truly fell down the rabbit hole... And have major gas for things I cannot afford.

I just wanted to say thank you! You answered a lot of questions I had about anamorphic lenses.

Great video, clear info, historic, and a ton of B roll and images of lenses.

I love the look of the Sirui full frames 35mm & 100mm but am also loving the laowa nanomorphs with reduce streaks and nutral colored flairs. My favorites thus far.

Gracias tito por compartir tus conocimientos y tus magnificos mods!. Eres el mayor referente en yt en anamorfico para todos los publicos. Enhorabuena y un fuerte abrazo

Sticking with my Isco 36MC and Iscomorphot 16/2X - good to see there are more options now than 10 years ago..

Again, very balanced and insightful take on these newer additions. I still think adapters have their place, but they do complicate things a bit, when it comes to setup. I personally entered the world of anamorphic through Great Joy this year, and am now getting into adapters, opposite to your journey. As pretty as the Great Joy price and image is, I am looking for a more unique look, T2.9 is lacking separation a bit I feel. Thanks allot for your work Tito, it is very much appreciated :)

I've been using the Sirui Mars set on my BMPCC4K since that set came out. I love these lenses!

I found your channel this evening and have loved binging the content. Wildly informative! Quick question, which camera and lens/adapter did you use for the shots of you speaking outside. It’s gorgeous

Thank you for this video and much appreciated! Wrestling with my next anamorphic investment in regards to one for my bmpcc 6k. I have a Sirui set for my 2 bmpcc 4k cameras for my 3 camera set up. VERY frustrated and disappointed Sirui does not do a EF mount lens! I leaning towards a Great Joy 50mm or 35mm? I didn’t know about the entries of the other 2 companies until this video. Again very appreciated and keep up the great work! Been rockin wit cha for a minute.

A lot of great crop sensor cameras came out this year. I can see demand rising for APS-C and Super 35 lenses. At the same time, I could understand people wanting to use focal reducers on those cameras.

I guess its subjective and each person chooses what look they want based on each scene, as long as any of the characteristics don't become a distraction. To me, the idea of at least watching a movie is to stay focused in the scene, where the look subconsciously connects and not when the look pops out too much or too less. Personally, I love the look when you combine an old Helios lens with a 2x anamorphic and how rotating it rotates the image, that you can use for a certain scene to add those distortions, especially when you pan, it looks dreamy. But when you want a simpler, more clinically perfect scene, you can use a simpler lens. As for size, weight, complexity, it really depends how much you are willing to accept, as long as you're getting what you want from the scene, so I wouldn't try to sacrifice the scene by considering weight and size issues and get an easy to manage set up for my comfort. I'll try to make it work and stabilize and handle it better. The scene is important, not my comfort and after you nail it, it pays off. But that's still a choice of the filmmaker and people can really choose if they want things easy to work with or do what you can to achieve the desired look that the scene demands.

great video as always Tito!

Nice video it has been fun to watch the market change from the adapters. I don't see much use for anamorphic anymore with majority of emphasis being on social and vertical video. Wish clients wanted cinema and not social

Thank you for teaching us so many things!! I would like to ask, what do you think about the new Moment anamorphic lens adapter, I think they are not selling yet but what is your opinion? I loved that they choose to go with the gold flare, still a 1.33x but looks great, and they left some comments saying it’s just the beginning, which makes me think they will come up with something like a 1.5x, 1.6x or 1.8x 🙏

I just want robust modularity, which currently puts me in the adapter camp. I do like that Sirui, Great Joy, and Vazen are skimming the surface of modular lens setups.

i invested in the blazar nero and this is it for me. Sharp, easy to use, lightweight, ... i love it

I got the Sirui 1.25x adapter and, apart from converting the Sirui 1.6x FFs to 2x, was looking for more versatility from it. I think I’ve noticed the 1.25x adapter attached to a spherical (in my case a Meike 85mm T2.1) and shooting 3:2 open gate on the Lumix S1H gives you close to 16:9 aspect ratio de-squeezed. Well 7054.22 x 3968 to be exact, so you’re cropping 90 or so pixels off the sides. Is this right? Whilst not very anamorphic it could be a handy ’interesting look’! For the record the image was too soft above T5.6.

Thinking about pulling the trigger for one of those Sirui 50mm mft 🤔 for a panny gh6. Been a fan of anamorphic look since 2018 using Ulanzi IPhone adapters.

LAOWA - great squeeze factor which doesn’t change on different focus distances, affordable price and low weight

What lens did you film this on?

How do you deal with a variable squeeze factor like it appears the Sirui 100mm has due to how it focuses? If the squeeze factor is variable, how can you pin it down for correct desqueezing in post? Asking as a photographer.

Brilliant breakdown. Well done good sir. Thank you.

Awesome video as usual !! My biggest frustration is that there's almost none for fuji X mount 😢I'm considering buying the Moment Anamorphic Adapter instead, also great because I can use the dirty look of my canon FD

Thank you for posting this! I have a couple of questions; firstly which lens did you use for the first set of you presenting? The bokeh is nasty! Secondly, I'm a full frame stills shooter, would you recommend any of the budget full frame anamorphics for high resolution stills use, if so, which one? I'd prefer 50mm or wider, but I'm open to ideas!

Any recommendations for a ~5" monitor in the $300-400 or under range that will work well with the Sirui FF anamorphic lenses?

I'm sticking with my adapters with Rapido setups until I can switch to Atlas 2x anamorphics. I do have a Loawa 1.5x PL mount coming for gimbal work but I don't expect it to keep up with my adapters as far as the "look" I want to achieve. My theory of having 2 cameras rigged with matching adapters but with different focal length taking lenses has been working quite well on set. I'm still trying to get wider and closer with less distortion. I may have to get a 138mm +1 diopter next to get closer with my 40mm and I'm looking at Rapidos FF 35mm 1.6x setup for the wides. Otherwise, I may just have to cut with spherical wide lenses to appease the directors.

For the price, I think the Aivascope adapter gives amazing result paired with a good vintage lens like a Leica R 50mm. Not a fan at all of Sirui, GreatJoy and other cheap-made brand. I think its great that we have more choices now (and more affordable of course!), but in my opinion, they are not worth it. I hate working with adapters, but the Aivascope gives an incredible look. The only thing is the build quality that doesn't seem constant. Otherwise, great video, I think we are entering a new era of anamorphic lenses that are becoming more and more affordable.

Which lens would you recommend for landscape shooting paired with a Sony FX30? Shooting mostly only in daylight this will be my only lense.

I still shoot with an original blackmagic pocket camera because i love the image, but Im looking for an anamorphic look. Been using the EF speedbooster, but anamorphic options are limited with the protruding rear elements on all of these lenses coming out. Any suggestions?

I would love to know which lens you used to film this video! It may not be the cheapest option on the market but it looks crispy and I’m interested 😅🔥

Any recommendations for Fujifilm? I’m currently looking at the moment adapter but it’s $1,000. Any thoughts on the fuji xh2S I saw in an interview the open gate format of the S version helped with anamorphics but I don’t know enough about that Edit: nm I think you already answered my question at 4:35 with the loawa lenses.

I have been a subscriber for a few years. Good content. Question, I shoot with the GH5. If you could buy a starter anamorphic lens, which focal length would you suggest? Which brand? I value your opinion, and any other feedback is appreciated. 😊

Hey Tito! Would love to see your review of the Xelmus Apollo Anamorphic primes if you can get your hands on a set. Not exactly budget 😅 but they seem very impressive. There’s very little footage/review content out there and would love to hear your thoughts!

what lens are you using for ur A roll??? i love the bokeh

Obrigado for the content Tito!

I'm working towards Sigma 18-35 and 50-100 with vid atlantic rear shape and sirui adapter on the front with a black mist. Should be AF too 😍

What lens you were shooting this video on?

I've been going through all the videos on this channel. So much great info here! But still super confused. What would be a good option for a cheap way to get into anamorphic on Sony FF (A7iv)? I was originally going to go with the sirui aps-c 35mm... But there are so many other options, I don't know what to do now. Any advice would be great! ^^

@anamorphiconabudget Hey, I was wondering, could the DIY anamorfaux be applied both to the back of the lens, as well as the front of the lens, to give it an extra tight squeeze look?

The irony of me preferring the Helios you’re using to all of the anamorphic options. 😂 Thanks for the video!

I wish you did a review of the aivascope 1.5x...it´s so easy to use and tbh the only step up would be the mecury :/

thank you I really like this topic. why did you not mention the vazens? Are these not a good choice for someone who want a 2x squeeze on a m4/3?

Good morning my friend. i have a fujinon t2.9 18-55mm lens. I would like to know what kind of anamorphic adapter could you recommend for this type of lens?

Kowa + Ziess + Rapido combo gives so much better results. I think the Atlas Mercury has the best look as far as dynamic organic flares. On the affordable side Great Joy seems to be the best look across the board. Especially if they come out with a neutral flare option if the 50mm + 85mm

Would love to hear your thoughts on the aivascope

We had this discussion in the office yesterday as I really want to buy a budget set. We decided nothing, as nothing yet fits properly. EF mounts are EF only and can't be adapted. As well as some lenses (laowa) looking ridiculous. Also, no 2x. We'll probably get there, but my concern is that with all of these mediocre lenses they may think that there's no market for budget (around 2k) anamorphics. For now, projector adaptersare still king.

I adapt an old projector lens onto a film lens and it’s a nightmare to use but when it’s aligned and focused right the image is ✨g o r g e o u s✨ As a student it’s also the only option within my budget.

Thanks for such helpful video!

I tried the Sirui both generations. I don’t like the super blue lens flare. Which is only suitable for certain projects. I’d rather get a more vintage look, lower contrast, less sharpness in corners, nice bokeh. For commercial work I’ll shoot a modern lens, for narrative or music video with a vibe I’ll go vintage or cine lens, and to add a step I’d go anamorphic, which needs to have as much character/imperfections as the vintage/cine lenses, not have this modern look of being too sharp. So I guess modern adapter on vintage/cine lenses with character works. Unless some company makes affordable anamorphic lenses with character

What drives me nuts is these long delays of release for these startups with a newby company transitioning to indigogo to the market. I'd like to get the nano's but they aren't out yet till Nov. or sold out.

Hey Tito! Great work as always. Thoughts on the Laowa Nanomorph with the silver flares? seems to be a better way to negate the cheap looking amber and blue flares to have flares that change color depending on the light source if I'm not mistaken

quick question, can you use the new laowa nanomorph on EF with a .71x speedbooster for the BMPCC4k? or will I have to get the MFT version

Hi buddy I have an doubt will u plz clear me that I want to buy the great joy anamorphic but I want to use it with metabones speed booster so pl and ef version I can't use but other mounts like rf version can I use it speedboster

what lens are you shooting this on holy heck

I'm a cheapskate so I still choose adapters since I got one on the cheap as getting new designed lens is still steep for my budget. I can still stomach the double focus as I'm getting great at it. But time is really the essence in production, less friction with the tools means for focus on the story.

Would it be possible to make a good smartphone anamorphic adapter with >1.55x squeeze factor or is there a natural limit around there?

@Anamorphic on a Budget , one thing that I think should be mentioned is that brands like sirui and Laowa tend to have less "anamorphic" traits when it comes to lenses with things like Laowa's lenses having solid flares and lacking a dynamic look, or the "oversaturated/radioactive" flares that Sirui gives. Overall this is a great video but thought I should point that out (btw I know that this is a subjective topic but just wanted the mention it)

have you tried the panasonic la7200 on a full frame camera? whats the widest lens you can use with it? i just got a s1h and i have a la7200, wondering hat lens i should get, ideally as wide as possible

what lens are you filming with on this video?

What if I buy Laowa Nanomorph for Fuji XH2s. With that i can use the full sensor open gate recording and with 1.5x squeeze the output can take in 20.25. is it a good idea ?

what lens do you have in the shot when you talk to the camera?

Any thoughts on Remus Blazar 1.5x anamorphic set from nab 2024

I’d love to get a decent E mount anamorphic for wedding work. I could see it adding a lot of character to the dancing portion of the evening! Would a follow focus be necessary on a handheld rig or would focusing manually be enough?

I gotta ask, how in the heck did you capture your talking head shot, because I am in love with the image. What are the specs used to capture this?

what did you shoot the talking shots with?

Hey Tito, thanks for the video! What lens are you using, when shooting yourself at the beginning (outside in front of all the greenery)? It looks quite a bit different than in your other videos.

Any chance you will be reviewing the AtlasMercury lenses anytime soon? I know they are not out yet, but some people have got their hands on it. Hoping Atlas reaches out to you to review soon! Thanks!

On your talking shot, what lens was that??

Hi everyone, is there a huge difference between the standalone version of the Sirui APS-C MFT mount and the mars edition ? I'd like to buy only 2 of them for a trip but I don't know If i should consider investing in all the mars serie ? Many thanks by advance !

Have you tried out a RAM-16 setup yet? I’d be most curious about that vs these, it seems really well sorted.

out of curiosity, what lens did you use on this video?

I feel like I would steer towards the Sirui just based on the price-point (APSC)

I am looking for a wide, noteable squeeze, strong distortion, no flares, variable squeeze, vignetting. Don't think anything like it exists in the affordable domain? Would love to see it being small, cheap and fast. But you can't never have that. And yes - it will be for stills.

Adapted vintage anamorphic lenses provide the best results. But I personally rather have a good anamorphic lens. I used to use black pro must filters with Sirui 24mm and 35mm. Idk the image just felt too clinical. Looks like Viltox is coming out with a new anamorphic lens. Let’s see how that works out.

Is there any problem/downside in using anamorphic with APS-C vs full-frame?

Thanks!

Which lens did you use to shot this video? Was it a Vazen on a S1H?

The real question is what did you use for your on camera bit? Swirly heaven! 😊

Sirui with a Hollywood Black Magic Filter would be the perfect combination in my book.

Wait a minute, what did you film this video on?

Man if you had to pick one for yourself which would it be? I'm leaning towards either atlas or great joy but can't decide. I'm not a huge fan of heavy flares.

Great video! What lens did you shoot this video with?

Anyone know what lens the talking head was filmed on???

Hey! What lens did you film yourself on? Looks amazing

You’re the man!

Which lense did you use in this video. The look is amazing ❤

As a canon dslr owner, it’s painful that an affordable anamorphic lens with an EF mount option can’t be used on my camera, all because of one simple rear element…does anyone have tried to use great joy lenses on cameras with mirrors? Has anyone ever managed to attempt to make these two things work?

im waiting for the viltrox anamorphics

This is a great review, but lacking a definite personal conclusion as to which brand and kit is the best.

Constant squeeze factor is important for us.

what anamophic lens you used to shoot this talking head video? ,it's bokeh looks so nice 💯😍

What lens did you use in your talking head video? The bokeh looks mesmerizing.

what lens did you use to make this video?

So, Atlas has the best look?

What lens are you using for the talking head section of the video?

What lens did you shoot your talking head segments on? I love the bokeh and OOF character of that

What fstop is the sharpest on the sirui35mm?