Budget Anamorphic Lens -Sirui 50mm F1.8

[@sbsphotographer]

Excellent review! I have been looking forward to learning more about this lens... You have touched on everything and more I wanted to know... Thank You!!!

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks!

[@MrFirstdance2000]

The person on the phone in the booth at 4:50...that was an exquisite shot. Light & shadow, the whole thing, beautiful!

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! That's a friend who was posing for me😀

[@CGT-lu8gw]

Great review, as always, Matti. Learned a lot. Thanks!

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks!

[@cutseencinematics]

great video, really like your editing style and pacing...subscribed!

[@mattisulanto]

Thank you!

[@SeanFisher]

For what it is worth, that paino song that played during the part where you showed your photos shot with that anamorphic lens was very resonate and caught my attention. I have on good headphones and it was very nice. If you have a moment, I'd be happy to know what that is from. If it's part of some music catalog for which I'd have to subscribe I doubt I'd do that to hear it again. Probably just re-watch your vid!

[@mattisulanto]

That music is from KZbin audio library, but unfortunately I can't find the title any more.

I really want to try this lens. :) thank you for the inside.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks!

[@ahmedzx1001]

Nice interview, subscribed

[@mattisulanto]

Awesome, thank you!

[@billzidis2656]

Definately intresting lens for the price,never been done before. Although with my sigma 18-35 and 50-100 with anamorfake mode on the mount i get the flares any colour i decide and also Resolve davinci gives you the option for the ''cinematic'' black bars. I don't really know what to think for the lens,i will buy it because im curious but i don't expect to overpass my sigma 18-35 image quality. Good review, i like that you speak slowly and not over excited like everyone else on YT

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! I can't speak that fast in English and even in Finnish, which is my native language, I speak relatively slowly😀

[@billzidis2656]

Good work. Keep it up 👍

[@JensMHA]

Almost skipped this as I don't do video. Very glad I didn't, the photographs with this lens is stunning.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! Yes, it makes very cinematic looking photos.

[@adrianwhareham8921]

Interesting lens Matti thanks for the review .

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks!

[@tatuparssinen]

Acquired the Sirui 50mm just recently and could not be happier! I found a great use for it on my 'b-cam' g80 when filming the White-tailed Eagle in Helsinki. Anamorphic timelapses! I guess it's quite obvious but I was thrilled to figure out you can do "full sensor readout super hires video" when shooting raw timelapse 4:3 adpect ratio stretched to 16:9 afterwards. And it's doable with cheaper camera bodies like the g80.

[@jacobwarren1985]

Thanks Sulanto, great review. Very informative... Just one point, others have noticed this lens to be quite soft wide open, I think that's why you found focus hard to nail -- it was in focus only quite soft so as to appear slightly out of focus. Thanks again for the video. Will keep an eye out for future ones!😊

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for your thoughts. The lens is not soft, in my opinion, and I also mention that in the video.

[@jacobwarren1985]

Im glad your experience with this lens wide open is not soft. Thanks for your reply😊

[@douglasprior7590]

Nice review. Re the lens I notice that the lens flares seem not to be level which indicates that the anamorphic element is cocked. The flares seem consistently cocked counter-clockwise by about 2°. Is there a way to rotate the anamorphic element? If not, that flaw is not correctable.

[@mattisulanto]

This lens was a preproduction unit, but I got the info so late, that I didn't mention it in the video.

[@steveschnetzler5471]

Yes, I also wish it was a little wider on MFT, but tempting anyway just to play with.

[@mattisulanto]

Yes, it's a bit narrow for MFT, but still a lot of fun.

[@nicklaytonUK]

I've done a lot of looking around at YT and most of the results from this lens look iffy to me. Slightly chromatically challenged, slightly soft, but your work is very very good - particularly the stills which are superb. I think a lens like this on the GFX 100 is going to bring true cinematic wonderment to the masses. But if it works on the Fuji, this is a tempter. Thanks for this.

[@mattisulanto]

Thank you.

[@jorius1170]

Im using a Sony a6100 and I bought this lens came in yesterday I have a hard time using it and figuring out how to use it, do you maybe know any budget monitors that have d squeeze for Sony a6100? I just need help on how to use it, can you make in debth video on how to use it??

[@mattisulanto]

I don't own that lens and I have returned the loaner lens long time ago. It works as any fully manual lens. You just have to de-squeeze the photo/video in post.

[@jorius1170]

@@mattisulanto thank you sir.

[@fullframestudios2540]

I've used a HUGE Russian 5 lb anamorphic lens before and the results were terrible. I did gain muscle mass for my arms though. Since then, I've tried anamorphic adapter on my iphone7+ and Had wonderful results. I've pre ordered this 50m anamorphic lens and I can't wait to get it in a couple of months down the road from Sirui.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for you comment.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Technically the actual image width in pixels will still be that of the sensor -- even after the image is stretched to the wide format -- you are just stretching those pixels as captured as well. In cinema film when using anamorphic lenses, if you examine the grain *as projected* it is not round but sideways oval shaped because of the desqueeze anamorphic lens used when projecting the image as "wide."

[@mattisulanto]

Exactly like that. Thanks for you clarification.

[@denyxrunner]

So If I understand correctly the resolution is still 3840x2160 but the 3840 will be stretched in post to match the 21/9 aspect ratio?

[@mattisulanto]

@@denyxrunner Yes, it's like that. The lens can't increase real pixels, but it retains full resolution of the sensor.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

@@denyxrunner -- Right. The actual image will be the sensor resolution pixel size/count -- but of course when you "stretch" it to widescreen in the video editor, if you check the pixel count, it is now the number of pixels of the widescreen ratio -- but the actual image/data "stretched" to cover that size is just the original sensor (or crop) size. In most cases the viewer won't know the difference by looking at the final image.

[@mikkolarvala3462]

Moi Matti, kiitos hyvästä arviosta. Oli mukava katsella hienoja otoksia tutuista maisemista. Ja vielä aurinkokin löytyi😉 Oma linssi lähti tilaukseen ensimmäisten joukossa 10 minuuttia joukkorahoituskampanjan alusta. Odottavan aika on pitkä😁

[@mattisulanto]

Kiitos! Tämä on hauska lasi ja hinta on ihan kohdallaan myös.

[@OhAlone]

On m4/3 it look like 100mm or not if it is. It s very hard to shoot video.

[@mattisulanto]

I explain in the video what the angle of view is on this lens. It's not like a normal 100mm on MFT, but on the long side, of course.

[@OhAlone]

@@mattisulanto SO the view is look like M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm F1.8 but more wider x1.33 isn't it ?

[@jawbee7]

Using sirui in Fuji xt3 gives more wider area than using 50mm spherical in full frame for photography ?

[@mattisulanto]

No, the angle of view is narrower.

[@deepjyotighosh8806]

I don't even have a camera , nice & informative video.

[@chunmattlai3058]

Deepjyoti Ghosh 😂

[@coolangatta1000]

Thank you for your review, I have been shooting Anamorphic on my GH5 using their internal settings. My feelings are that the current 50mm, which becomes a 100mm in DSLR terms is a little restrictive for practical use and agree with your comments a 25mm and a 12mm would be more practical for Movie & Commercial work. Looking forward to more of your reviews. Roy

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. It is a bit long on an MFT camera and it needs one or two more similar lenses to accompany it to make a practical kit.

[@aarondavid2292]

Can you please explain how you get this aspect ratio that i see here. I have this lens on my GH5 and cannot get it to this output. Seems like I'm losing top and bottom info. How do you desqueeze in post? I use FCPX. Thanks. Love the channel.

[@mattisulanto]

You have to make a custom project in FXCP and set width at 1.33x the normal width. Then you have to stretch the picture horizontally 133% in post to fill the frame. There are tutorials if you google.

[@gerthenriksen8818]

Great info. Thanks. How do you de-squeeze the footage in Final pro?

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! You make a custom project and then horizontally scale to the footage to match.

[@gerthenriksen8818]

Thanks!

[@astrokeneda]

Does the lens need any adaptor of some sorts to be mounted on the GH5?

[@mattisulanto]

It's available for MFT and no adapter is necessary. Please check Sirui web page for more datails.

[@astrokeneda]

@@mattisulanto Thanks for your quick reply, I will check their web site, im new to this 😁

[@adamabele785]

The problem you describe is back focusing or front focusing. I can not explain it technically, but for AF-lenses there is a function in many cameras "AF micro adjustment" or something similar that deals with this problem. The problem sometimes occurs with non native lenses in combination with adapters. Native lenses with this problem can be fixed sometimes with firmware updates. But it works only with lenses that communicate with the camera. In your case, I think there is some kind of adjustment problem within the lens that might be solved by the manufacturer. I´m pretty sure it can be fixed somehow, and it might be just a specific combination of lens and body that makes the problem, so the lens might perform well on other camera models but show this problem only with some specific camera models. So give this lens a try on other bodies too.

[@mattisulanto]

I'm not sure if mechanical manual focus lenses have back or front focusing problem. They are just focused or they are not. Back or front focusing, if I understand correctly, means that an AF lens constantly focuses closer or further compared to the distance the focus point is at.

[@adamabele785]

@@mattisulanto I´d speak with the manufacturer. I think there is a technical problem and a technical solution.

[@1fareast14]

I appreciate the split screen cutaways! Not easy to adapt to a new aspect ratio on short notice!

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! Yeah, I've never made a video with this aspect ratio before😀

[@northislandnow8858]

I have a Panasonic G9. Will this shoot on full 5K on this camera like how the GH5 and GH5s can allow for?

[@mattisulanto]

No, because the G9 does not have the full sensor 4:3 anamorphic option. The 5k is available only on the GH5, not the GH5s, because the s doesn't have enough pixels for 5k.

[@lauromoroder6807]

Nice video!!! I can recognize the Helsinki's streets :)

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks!

[@MichaelGerrard]

It is a very interesting lens. Just out of interest: 1) is it 50mm in m43 or equivalent? 2) you said it makes a 16:9 still image but shouldn't it make a 21:9 image? Is that because it is 4:3 to start with? 3) If you set the camera to take 3:2 images would they come out as 21:9 perhaps? 4) video films in 16:9 in the camera normally, when unsqueezed it should be 21:9 then? Must be... ?

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! 1. It's a 50mm lens. 2,3 and 4. You have to multiply the width by 1,33 and you get the final aspect ratio.

[@morganbaduel]

Hi thanks for your great review ;) did you try the 6k anamorphic mode of the gh5 with the sirui?

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! I have the GH5s and G9, which don't have the 6k mode.

If i can buy the gh5 or the g9 at the same price, what do you recomend? I shoot video and photos.

[@mattisulanto]

That's a hard one. The GH5 is a better video camera and the G9 is a better photo camera. You have to compare both video and photo features and see if there is a deal breaker on either camera. I'd probably take the G9, because of the photo features.

[@tomg8043]

Good Job, Great Video. Thumbs up!

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks!

[@MuwexTech]

I have ordered one for e-mount, gonna use it with Sony FX9 at Super35mm mode :) I would want 50mm, 24mm and 100mm lens in this caliber from Sirui! :)

[@mattisulanto]

I'm sure you'll be happy with that lens.

[@MuwexTech]

@@mattisulanto Btw. very nice and in depth review!

[@narasimmanl9164]

Sir can i use this for Panasonic g85

[@mattisulanto]

It's a native MFT lens and the G85 is an MFT camera, so yes.

[@narasimmanl9164]

@@mattisulanto thank you for your valuable reply

[@shawnmiller8169]

Excellent review, it's always interesting to hear the perspective of photographers on video gear. There's nothing wrong with the lens; anamorphic images aren't as sharp as images captured with spherical lenses. The cost of extreme optical distortion is a loss of resolution. You'll find the same issue when shooting spherical panoramas, no matter how good the glass is, you'll lose detail when un-distorting the picture. It's also worth noting that anamorphic lenses don't focus as closely as spherical lenses.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! I have nothing to complain about the sharpness of this lens, I said it's very sharp.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

You could still use this for a film camera -- take the results and have them scanned and then unsqueeze them in post, just like you do with the digital photos.

[@mattisulanto]

Yes, of course.

[@RSMUSICGROUP-ub8yx]

hello. you dont use any metabones speedbooster for the gh5 with the lens?

[@mattisulanto]

No, it's a native MFT lens.

[@RSMUSICGROUP-ub8yx]

@@mattisulanto oohhh ok... thank you

[@kapax-5]

HELLO, I HAVE PURCHASED MY SIRUI 50MM FOR GH5, I'M RECORDING IN 4K ANAMORPHIC FORMAT, BUT WHEN I UNPLUG AND EDIT WITH PREMIERE THE IMAGE IS SEEN IN 16: 9 AND NOT WITH THE BLACK STRIPES OR LONGER CINEMA TYPE, IS THAT NORMAL ??? THANKS

[@mattisulanto]

NO NEED TO SHOUT, PLEASE! I don't use Premiere and I don't know exactly what you did, so I'm afraid I can't help you. Try looking at some Premiere user groups and post your question there.

[@kapax-5]

@@mattisulanto My intention was not to scream, I don't usually scream when I write, maybe I try to show effusion, thanks for answering, have you recorded with this lens on the gh5 in anamorphic mode? The final result is more panoramic than 16: 9? Excuse so much question, greetings

[@mattisulanto]

@@kapax-5 In the video I was trying to explain what did, please watch it again. I have the GH5s and it works well with the Sirui lens and I get the aspect ration that you can see in the video.

[@kapax-5]

@@mattisulanto Thank you very much I will look at the video again to see if I see that I am doing wrong, I only get that aspect of ratio if I record in normal 4k not in anamorphic mode, and in normal 4k I lose a little image information, thanks again and best regards

[@ArifSarwar]

I didn’t know there is any such thing anamorphic lens. Thanks for sharing!

[@mattisulanto]

Thank you!

[@AhsanHabibReaction]

is this lens supported with Panasonic G85? i am G85 user.

[@mattisulanto]

It's a native MFT lens and works on any MFT camera.

[@AhsanHabibReaction]

@@mattisulanto You can make a video test with G85, G7 and Sirui lens. it will help us.

[@mattisulanto]

@@AhsanHabibReaction I'd be happy, but I don't have the lens or the camera (G85 or G7). Maybe you'll find another video on KZbin.

[@tonygarner4976]

Best review of this lens to date. How difficult is it to decompress the video in Premiere Pro or PowerDirector? One tutorial I looked at seemed quite complex - please elaborate on this post process.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! I don't use either of those editors, so I don't know how to do it. However, I would think that it can't be very complex. In FCPX you make a custom project where you multiply the horizontal pixel count by 1.33 and leave the vertical as it is in your footage. Then you have to scale the clips horizontally 133% to fill the frame. It has to something similar also in Premiere and other editors.

[@jeremiahrounds]

It's simple: you just select the clip and go to modify/interpret footage, then select the pixel aspect ratio of 1.33.

[@Behnam_Moghaddam]

Great! I backed the indigogo campaign and am waiting for it to be sent out. Now i'm eben more looking forward to have it in my hands! Thank you

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

[@alextitz]

Thanks for this great video! Is it sensible to connect this lens to a BMPCC?

[@mattisulanto]

I haven't tried it, but I don't see why it wouldn't make sense, if you need anamorphic lens.

[@Lexington101]

Good question as BMPCC4K isn't compatible with all M4/3 lenses.

[@Lexington101]

forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=104924

[@Kurosakikyon]

I would definitely love if there was something like this for ASP-C

[@mousse4444]

There is. This lens is made for the Sony APSC cameras also. I just ordered one .

[@ryanbennett2650]

It's only for APS-C

[@mousse4444]

It can be used on Sony full frame in super 35mm mode.

[@mrbonent]

can I use this for a Canon 60d?

[@CaptainMyCaptain33]

Nice video. I would have noted just how revolutionary and important this lens actually is for filmmakers / videographers etc as it is literally the first true anamorphic lens ever made for the consumer market. It’s only 700$. Which is insane. I can’t wait to get mine. It’s been a wait. But well worth it. Because at that price point I’ve got nothing to lose. Not even 2 years ago if I wanted to shoot anamorphic I had to rent 40-50,000$ lenses and adapters just were not cutting it. Get a decent monitor (I love portkeys) to see the desqueeze in real time and your set to shoot. 2020 is going to be a very very fun year! I’ve waited 30 years for this all to finally come together. It’s rad.

[@SamirHSX]

Great video, i learned a lot from this topic. it's always a plaisure to see your photos, i love your style so much, it's inspiring for me when i try taking mines :) The mix of the colors, the point of view and the composition are just beautiful for me. The exposition and contrast and the way you manage it is easily recognizable when i see one of your photos ! Your photos have a true signature that i love!

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks.

[@ninamag1527]

What adapter is need to use this for a GH4?

[@mattisulanto]

This is a native MFT lens as I mention in the video.

[@ninamag1527]

@@mattisulanto If it is native, why then does this lens not autofocus?

[@mattisulanto]

@@ninamag1527 It's a manual focus lens, but it has an MFT mount. There are many other manual focus lenses for MFT, this is not the only one.

[@ninamag1527]

@@mattisulanto Where in Europe can one buy this? My company needs a proper VAT receipt. Thanks.

[@mattisulanto]

@@ninamag1527 Please, check out the manufacturer's website or just google the lens. Then you'll get the correct info.

[@peterferry1646]

Do you recomand it to use it for photography like the xpan film camera?

[@mattisulanto]

I know the Xpan, but I'm not sure what you mean. You can use this lens however you like, I guess. It makes slightly panoramic image, but not as wide as the Xpan.

[@hiopjioo4335]

So this lense will produce 16:9 not the cinema scope look?

[@mattisulanto]

In the video at 2:33 and 6:55, please take a look.

[@hiopjioo4335]

Oh yes, I see now, my bad. Must have been distracted for a moment. Thanks for the heads up!

[@CoscarelliFan]

Great review.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks!

[@lorenschwiderski]

Thanks for the review on something less commonly covered. Will you consider doing a review on a wide angle lens --Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F2.5 ASPH , which is currently only $198 on sale. Appears to be a real bargain, though it is a tad wide, and I do own the little gem - the 12-32mm short zoom, so it is perhaps enough.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! The 14mm F2.5 deserves a review, but I have to find out if I can borrow it, because I don't have it. I'll look into it.

[@habbekrats123]

Nice review Martin as always, my itch for this lens increased based on what you indicated...still a bit on doubt on the focal length op mft, 35 mm would have been better suited imho.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! Yes, the focal length is an interesting choice and I think SIRUI must be planning more of these, because only one lens is a bit lonely😀 They just wanted to launch this first, for some reason.

[@tomarch9176]

Hey! Great review, extremely helpful. Do you know if there's anamorphic lenses for analogue photography? Or does that not work at all?

[@mattisulanto]

In the video I explain some of the practical problems with anamorphic and film photography and I think it's easier just to design a panoramic camera, because the width of the film, or the frame, is not limited the way it is in a movie camera. I don't know if there are any anamorphic lenses for film still cameras, but I guess you could modify a cine lens, if you wanted.

[@tomarch9176]

@@mattisulanto Thank you for the quick answer, I think I didn't really get that because I'm fairly new to all of this. Thanks a lot this is really helpful! I'll try it as soon as possible

[@chrisw5742]

@@mattisulanto I don't see why the film could not then be projected on a special projector that re expands the footage?? Or for images the darkroom projector will have a special lens? ahhhh Full frame?

[@mattisulanto]

@@chrisw5742 Of course it can, but it was never really done and I suspect the reason is that there was no need for it. However, in movie production that was the only choice, because it's not possible to increase the size of a movie frame very much. The width is limited by the film stock.

[@Mir1189]

Does this work with High-Res mode? because i just seen some nice portraits made on an olympus, right after i saw this video and it... just "clicked". :D

[@mattisulanto]

I did not try, but I can't see why it wouldn't work as long as you have a tripod or keep the camera steady.

[@Mir1189]

@@mattisulanto For some time i was trying to get a lens with specific bokeh, which was usually seen in movies. Not for videos, for portraits and landscapes. I was thinking of work by Stanley Kubrick and the "movie portraits" he did in Barry Lyndon. This is very close to it when there is soft light. Sharp light turn it into "J.J. Abrams" lens :D. This actually can have its usage for portraits of cosplayers, who might prefer such effects.

[@Mir1189]

@@mattisulanto The lens arrived just today and i tried it just for the first time. The bokeh is really nice, after de-squeeze from m43 sensor it has almost exactly 16:9 aspect ratio. Also even when its lens for movies, i plan to use it just for photos. For now it appears to add certain qualities (or therefore lack of them) of celluloid film.

[@mattisulanto]

@@Mir1189 Thanks for sharing.

[@LeoXD9814]

Anyone knows if this lens goes on the Panasonic g7 ?

[@mattisulanto]

It's a native MFT lens.

[@luizz_k]

but where can you get this?

[@mattisulanto]

I recommend you check out SIRUI's website or google the lens.

[@BestPlayedLoudLtd]

does anyone know if this lens can be used with the BMPCC4k (4/3")

[@mattisulanto]

It can be used on micro four thirds cameras.

[@Termidryna]

Thanks!

[@PatrickChapmanuk]

I see this lens doing the rounds on KZbin lately. Nice effect without actually being anamorphic. I used some vintage lenses some time back, but found them difficult to control for good stills. Although I imagine you could pick a decent still from a 6K burst on the G9 perhaps. Otherwise, I can certainly see all the film students and budget cinematographers salivating over this lens.

[@gauthieralex]

Did anyone try it on an E-m1 ii? Do you like it?

[@rowanstrang8072]

wish they would do a 2x version. 1.33 just doesn’t do the anamorphic look justice

[@DareToEntertain]

Rowan Strang how would that change the look? Would it be a wider view at 2x

[@jordiquintana5448]

So... is not for Canon, is it?

[@mattisulanto]

I think it's best to check Sirui web site for that, so you get the latest info.

[@jordiquintana5448]

@@mattisulanto thanks. i'll do it . i love anamorphic but , for now, i'm using only canon to do video.. I don;t know , maybe sirui will do in the future for canon or an adaptor. Thanks man. Good stuff !!!

[@androidemulator6952]

"Take my money now .... " :)

[@774duke]

Watching this with Sony Xperia 5 so I'm liking the content very much 😃

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks!

[@xanfus]

Hahaha! Love your shirt!

[@mattisulanto]

Thank you!

[@pawfan]

It should work on a Nikon D5100...Hopefully!

[@mattisulanto]

I will work on some mirrorless cameras.

[@JAIL2K]

Спасибо

[@JensChrStrandos]

Nice review! subscribed to your channel too:-)

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks!

[@schnabeltier2279]

You are not gaining any pixels or details. Pixels are defined by your sensor. This lens rather gives you the visual benefits of a zoom lens like a narrow focal depth on a wide angle lens.

[@mattisulanto]

Of course you are no gaining any pixels or more resolution. I don't know if you watched the whole video, but in there I'll explain how this works.

[@schnabeltier2279]

@@mattisulanto thank you for your response. i'll watch it again!

[@ChilatSergiu]

I think, if they build a lens at 25mm, it will be way more expensive.

[@mattisulanto]

Why do you think so?

[@PoroPoro]

SUOMI!! TORILLA TAVATAAN

[@jqbk]

Gary Oldman on anamorphic lenses...

[@crapcbm]

budget ... 700 bugs?

[@mattisulanto]

Typically anamorphic lenses cost several thousands or tens of thousands a piece. If you are making movies $700 is really peanuts, even if your movie is a budget production.