1.5X vs 2X Anamorphic Lenses: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Lens

[@benjhaisch]

Referring to companies not adding open gate as “gatekeeping” is perfection haha

[@DMProductions]

Not only does Cam make you get anamorphics, I also now want a vintage F150

[@cammackey]

We need memes here so I can send you the sht meme saying “do it”

[@DMProductions]

@@cammackey hahaha yes! I don't need much persuading

[@j.b.7133]

Its so god damn nice. Though, Id check the back for a "reciever" just in caseeeee

[@notaniche]

05:30 “Other companies are gatekeeping it” best pun in a Cam Mackey video intentional or not

[@cammackey]

Honestly, it took me coming back to read this comment for a third time to get it 😂😂😂

[@TJIzzy]

Cam knows what's up. People complain about an anamorphic lens on YT, but then love a movie/show shot on one that has the same characteristics haha.

[@DamirZrno]

This guy pumping out some heat lately ! Really like seeing content from people who actually know what they are talking about. Keep it up

[@gripitandripittv]

I picked up a 35m and 85mm Remus 1.5x for my Alexa XT- shooting open gate is absolutely fantastic. Shooting open gate actually makes the 85 feel closer to a 50- and makes the 35 feel like a 20mm wide angle. Love your content man- keep it up.

[@cammackey]

Ooooo that sounds like an epic setup!!!

[@gripitandripittv]

@@cammackey I love it- a lot. Something about 40lbs on your shoulder that you just don't get out of an FX3 hahaha

[@meeno_the_man]

One of the great tricks to clarity in exposition, is to make your student come up with more interesting questions. Well done.

[@cammackey]

;) learned that from my high school shop teacher

[@andrewkosarko6998]

Using a 6kPro and a Pyxis, I have a 35mm remus for the Pro, was contemplating getting a 85 Cato for the Pyxis but after seeing the 50mm comparison of the Cato vs the Remus on the opengate, I noticed the Cato is a lot more "compressed" of a look where as the Remus feels a little more natural and wider. You definitely just saved me from an impulse buy motivated by the "new is always better" instinct. The remus is the right choice for me. Appreciate you and your work, sir.

[@honig-sammler]

I was fanatically looking for this comparison yesterday - today it's here, thank you for sharing!

[@redbeardproductions-kevind9806]

My Z Cam F6 has a 6:5 crop option too. It has horizontal and vertical desqueeze options as well, it's awesome for anamorphic shooting. I'm waiting for my Catos, but I have my Remus set in the meantime.

[@andyz_w3584]

Great, Z cam f6 is really good, I've never heard they offer 6:5 crop which is awesome.

[@phoenixfunny4517]

​@andyz_w3584 yeah that have 1:1 , 4:3 , 6:5 , 3:2 as well as 1.78:1 , 1.9:1 and 2.37:1

[@pdcorlis]

Feel like I dropped into a 500 level Physics of Optics class… I figure a couple more times through this video I’ll be good… Nice truck BTW!

[@cammackey]

Oh man I’ve talked to lens designers and they run laps around my brain. Slowly learning more and more!

[@AustinHartt]

So close to 100K bro! congrats! Also great info on sensor crops and stretch factors!

[@MoeGunz]

I saw the video posted, and I came here as quick as a virgin on prom night! Let's go, Cam! The decision mainly comes down to what you're shooting and what you're shooting on. The pyxis and the 6kFF from BM have that 6:5 mode and it's glorious.

[@cammackey]

😂😂😂😂

[@doloremmaximus]

Another great video. Thank you and Sedona for all of the valuable information about these lenses! I just got an S5iix, and 7:09 ~ 7:18 gave me a clear answer to the question running through my head for the past few days. Looks like it's the Remus for me.

[@M2008tw]

I have followed you for a long time on your journey with anamorphic and the DJI focus system. Based on your review of the Blazar 1.5X, I have bought their B set. A little later came your YT on Blazar Cato 2X. I was just about to change my mind, but my censor is 16:9, and I'm a bit attracted by their 33mm, I'm really looking forward to shooting on them, so I'm going with 1.5. 1000 thanks for uploading your content, grade, and cowboy style🥰🖤. Best regards from Northern Europe.

[@cammackey]

Yeah honestly I still use the B set a LOT. I go back and forth depending on camera system and what the video is for! But honestly the Remus B Set is the best all rounder

[@timekeepermedia5142]

@@cammackey if you were doing more creative stuff like edgy music videos and shooting with an s5iix/pyxis, you're grabbing the catos tho i'm assuming?

[@cammackey]

@ depends on the concept. For anything narrative, def am choosing anamorphics. Now depends on budget. If I had a crazy budget I’d rent some panavision or hawk lenses. If I was on a tight budget, Cato’s or Remus are a no brainer.

[@ankitjojha]

DOG!!!!!!!!! ANAMORPHICS!!!!!!! two of my favorite things in one video!!!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@cammackey]

😂😂😂

[@E.R.U.42]

Thx for the info! I really like your content man! I'm a huge fan of anamorphic flavor too. I'm shooting my first feature film (post-apocalyptic) this winter, and I'm planning to shoot it entirely on Blazar glass. Your content helped me to map out these lenses. Thank you, bless!

[@cammackey]

Dude that’s amazign!!! Can’t wait to see that haha

[@anicholasfilms]

Awesome Cam! Would you be doing a segment on Blaza's upcoming auto focus 1.33 anamorphic lens ?

[@OsirisDiamonds]

I do t see a real difference between the both final crop. As in I don’t see a deeper width / effect from the 1.5 and 2x at least from the shot you posted. Would you say the Cato has a visual impact in final crop compared to the blazar?

[@BeatsbyNT]

The differenece in the 3:2 crop is insignificant, what would be the advantage of the 2x when most of it its cropped out?

[@TitanViews]

Your videos will make me buying S5IIX finally from A7IV with Blazar set man! At first i thought that the thing you talked about with more of s35 2x on 16:9 full frame sensor was kinda "blah blah" haha but now I see what you mean. Thanks for video man!

[@maybejensen]

Even just for added crop flexibility, open gate would be a godsend

[@ivicanikolic034]

Do you think there is any advantage shooting 3:2 open gate VS 6:5 anamorphic on BMCC6K (or PYXIS) with 2x anamorphic lenses, if we are going to crop edges later on 3:2 to get 2.39 aspect ratio?

[@Resol-world]

Blackmagic Design has the best menus. Hands down.

[@peterfordDOP]

Great video - Nice to see these differences illustrated practically

[@kevinfickling6384]

Simple and easy to understand. Also I made the right choice with my Remus set 😅. Thanks!

[@smepable]

Wow, really good Job showing the difference in different cameras, thank you so much ♥️

[@carterinkfilms]

Love your stuff and explanations man. Looking hard at the Blazar Remus B's with my Komodo. That and the Sirui Saturn's. Any suggestions? Shooting all narrative horror.

[@MartinAaberge]

Love your content. Just realized I wasn’t subscribed 😮 now, I am 😊

[@cammackey]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@jonjoygaba]

Sorry for the naive question. I did get a little confused. Is the 3:2 open gate on the lumix with a post 2.4:1 crop the same as the Pyxis open gate 6:5 crop?

[@cammackey]

Essentially yes haha

[@ashprofolio]

FX3 is my main. I am very hesitant to buy 2X or 1.5X.... I have been thinking about it for a long time. What do you think?

[@Malak_Production]

One of the my cameras is fx3, and I shot sirui venus 1.5x, and that's good, you just need to think about framing in advance and step aside + use the "safe zone" on the camera monitor to make sure that everything you need is in the frame.

[@McarthurBeard]

Ima pick up the z cam e2f6 up I hear it has everything you mention on the Pyxis open gate full frame and 6:5 crop mode I think that camera is underrated I will buy that and a fx30 for more quick work with auto focus you’ll see me around on KZbin in a few months you got some dope work by the way photo and video

[@andyz_w3584]

hi, i love f6 though, but does it cost 3000.00 as well?

[@McarthurBeard]

@@andyz_w3584nope you can get one for $2100 or less

[@leewinter28]

Cam, what is the proper adapter to use with the Blazar Remus if you are using a FX3 body?

[@BadMantraFilms]

Just ordered the Cato 3 lens set last night. I'm a huge 2x fan(former DIY enthusiast) but the images I'm seeing out of the Remus 33 & 50mm from the b set are making me question my decision slightly lol. That being said, If they drop a cato b set in 3-4 months with improved performance somehow, I'm going to scream lmao.

[@cammackey]

I think you’re going to love the Cato, specially if you’re a DIY enthusiast!!!

[@andyz_w3584]

awesome! Bro, that's what everybody is waiting for you!

[@ethanwisotzkey]

I would love to know what car mount you use and what your process is for image stabilization...

[@AMGEntertanment]

Sony needs to catch up. Great cameras, but with the emergence of so many affordable anamorphic lens options, they really need to update the FX3 and A7Slll to include OPEN GATE functions. Or, at the very least....include it in future iterations of those cameras. I am a current Sony shooter, but I just ordered the Black Magic Pyxis specifically because of its anamorphic support (namely, Open Gate). I have the SIRUI Venus 1.6X set including the 1.25X adapter (E mount), but never had the ability to utilize its full potential (the 1.6X or 2X squeeze). And I pre-ordered the new Blazar Cato set, and couldn't see myself wasting so much resolution trying to slap those lenses on my FX3 and A7Slll. So my only 2 viable options at that price point were either Lumix or Black Magic. Such a wasted opportunity by Sony.

[@dpc4548]

Blackmagic doesn't always do open gate, it does anamorphic sensor crop.

[@directed_by_steve]

love the 4x3 upload 😂. Sony new update for fx3/fx30 will have 1.5x crop in camera

[@TonyInEstonia]

Thx for the video, mate! Could you please tell, Which car mount have you used ?

[@cammackey]

amzn.to/405Krwo

[@techchomper]

I just want to know why that pickup has locking hubs on the front and the rear!

[@usurperfilms]

Some good info Cam! Can you go over document setup for 1.5x anamorphic footage with something like 2.39 aspect ratio in Davinci?

[@khanmimaad]

S9 Academy 35 4:3 crop mode w/ Remus and PYXIS Super 35 4:3 crop mode w/ CATO is a killer combo, you can basically shoot anything with those two

[@cammackey]

Dude for real!!!!! I hope lumix brings 6:5 in the future

[@andyz_w3584]

@@cammackey I beliveve the've already heard from you now, i can't waiting for it. by the way, how do you think the kind of new lumix s5d, we don't need phase detect actually when we are shooting videos, we can still shoot with black magic raw with the monitor from s5d which is a plus. how do you think? thank you.

[@sqsyea]

Hey great video. Not sure if you still use it but what ones would work with the Ronin 4D? Thanks

[@cammackey]

I’ve tried the Cato’s and they don’t work. Josh Yo made me a counter weight system tho so will try that soon! The Remus 33mm, 45mm, 50mm, and 65mm balance just fine. The 85 and 100 balance but I wouldn’t count on it.

[@sqsyea]

@@cammackey thank you bro appreciate it. Trying to maximise my 4D and work out what to buy and what to rent. Last thing, out of the cine prime lenses you have used what are you favourite that work well on the 4D? brand and focal length? Not much reviews on KZbin about cine primes with the 4D but thought you must have played with some more glass by now to have a stronger opinion. Thanks for the feedback.

[@cammackey]

Well I’m an anamorphic shooter mainly so the Blazar Remus lenses are what really made me love the 4D. Other than that I usually jsut rock E Mount af lenses.

[@sqsyea]

@@cammackey appreciate you man keep rocking and if you ever do anything to do with movement / dance hit me up or if you find yourself in London. Thanks again

[@cammackey]

@@sqsyea bet. I’ll come hunting for this comment.

[@seattleyachtmedia]

Any insights on Cato 2x ship date? It's November 😥

[@MoeGunz]

Update on their Instagram

[@AIexisD]

So the Remus 50mm pretty much has the same field of view as the Cato 55mm once cropped ? And having to crop the sides you lose a lot of the barrel distortion and characteristics. I wonder what the 40mm will look like but the flange distance is huge. I wonder which adapter is compatible.

[@11.Pierre]

It depends, the DIY 2x looks the most ‘anamorphic’ of all, even compared to the catos. I grabbed the Remus just to have an option that was less anamorphic but I’d say it depends. If someone wants the super anamorphic ( like the film moonlight) 2x is 100% the way to go , Cato or DIY. DIY will look more but Cato can work. I like the Remus though, but if I didn’t have a 2x DIY already - I would’ve leaned Catos then got Remus later. Both can work though, to me just depends on how much anamorphic character do you want really lol.

[@robin-comments]

Great timing! I was looking into the Blazar Cato 55m and Remus 50mm (B set) anamorphic lenses. My camera can film in Open Gate mode. I've read the Cato line is recommended for this reason. But the Remus image quality looks pretty good.

[@RoadFromNowhere_SE01]

I’m still confused about the red Komodo X, I’m planning on purchasing that camera next month and I also have an S1H so if they were both full frame, I would just get the 2X but I’m thinking the 1.5 might be better as one set across both cameras. I would love some advice on that.

[@cammackey]

1.5X is def more versatile!

[@gryffinmorgan]

Have you ever tried the 6:5 crop mode on the URSA cameras? It’s cropping onto a 16:9 s35 sensor but it removes that inconvenience of monitoring the x2 16:9

[@cammackey]

That’s basically the S35 mode on the Pyxis! I haven’t tried an URSA myself tho actually

[@letamendi]

If you’re shooting on your Komodo X would you go with the Remus or Cato?

[@letamendi]

Is there a KX with both Blazar Anamorphic’s video on the horizon?

[@aumon]

Plzzz, do more footage comparisson 🎉. I Loved the video the way.

[@GabrielScindian]

Cam bringing the FIYA!!! Thanks for the comparison

[@honig-sammler]

I'm planing on shooting with the new GFX 100 II and I found an article saying it does NOT have true opengate but only a format option even though Fujifilm claims it has 2x3 Anamorphic Open Gate. How will that affect the image on the medium format sensor? I guess there's no way around testing it?

[@cammackey]

It has full frame open gate, not medium format open gate

[@TuttiBlueFilms]

I have the remus 33mm T1.8 paired with BMCC 6k full frame, and im thinking to get another lens for close up shoots, wich lens do you recomend for that, Remus or Cato 85mm or maybe Cato 55? Color reproduction are the same on Cato and Remus?

[@cammackey]

Yeah it’s pretty much all the same glass! So they mostly match from what I’ve experienced. I would checkout the Remus 50mm or 65mm

[@Bast6]

I believe The Creator, shot on 16/9 sensor (FX3) was shot with 1.5x anamorphic lenses and was released with the full 2.66:1 desqueezed ratio instead of a 2.4:1 crop (like Tarantino's The Hateful Eights for that matter).

[@cammackey]

It was shot on 2x and some insert shots were 1.5x

[@Bast6]

@@cammackey Whoops my mistake (and it was actually 2.76:1, not 2.66, according to IMDB... I was OFF all the way 😅)

[@cammackey]

@@Bast6 they wanted to do the full destretch image but the studio told them no haha

[@Bast6]

@@cammackey Haha. As a matter of fact, The Creator is one of the only films that I feel is tolerable in Screen X projection (I hate this so much...)

[@ODHunte]

Main lens was one of three Kowa 75mm 2x anamorphics with a 42mm atlas mercury 1.5x prototype. Also used some iron glass lenses for drone shots as well as a DJI drone.

[@DIRECTEDBYSRY]

Thank you so much for this one man.

[@mikolajjordan]

How is battery life with the battery shown in the video? It’s 90w?

[@cammackey]

Pretty much got through filming for 6 hours, off and on.. before having to change it out. Not bad at all!!

[@mikolajjordan]

Oh, that’s good actually :) Which brand is that battery if I may ask?

[@tobiasfalk9112]

Great video, as always! The grade is absolutely stunning! The colors really bounce off the highlights. Very few movies today look this good.

[@cammackey]

I’ve been using the new Peter McKinnon Chroma VND!!!

[@danyforget1081]

Thanks for your video mate! Can i ask you one question? Do you use some autofocus with your anamorphic lens? Like dji lidar or motor smart mini lidar to shoot more action scene or your always pull focus manualy?

[@cammackey]

I use it a lot actually!!! It’s actually great but you have to learn it as like a hybrid robot human haha. You learn what it’s good at and what it’s not good at, but you’re always in full control when you need to be

[@danyforget1081]

@@cammackey Okk thanks for your quick reply. Do you have use motor smart mini in the past? I dont know if its a good choice for now🤔

[@ChristianSmith]

Which lens is your favorite to use on the RED KX?

[@cammackey]

The red Komodo X has great anamorphic support actually so they’ll all work pretty great. The KX only has a 1.3X crop so it’s prettt close to a true S35 film format.

[@ChristianSmith]

@@cammackey Good to know, still learning what all this camera can do! Would love to see you do a video on the KX with the Cato and Remus lenses.

[@rawcam16mm57]

I bought the catos I can’t wait to get them. But they don’t ship until November 😢

[@cedjew]

Do you shim your lenses or adapters?

[@cammackey]

One of my adapters are shimmed but the rest I need to get done. I haven’t need to shim any of the final production blazer lenses

[@cedjew]

@@cammackey Ok that's good to know because I just bought my Blazar Remus 45mm. But I might need to shim my Poco adapter.

[@polopistola6515]

Need your help Cam! Looking to selling my fx6 for the Pyxis. Do you still have your fx6?

[@cammackey]

The FX3 became my main workhorse. But for anything anamorphic, the S5IIX is my main camera. If you only use manual lenses and don’t shoot low light often, I think the PYXIS is a good fit. The FX6 is still more convenient, it Pyxis will give you more image quality

[@polopistola6515]

@@cammackey yeah I got the fx3 as my main camera and the fx6 just sits with the money of the fx6 I can get the Pyxis and the blazar set so that’s my math right now hopefully it’s a good decision

[@Jackwyldes]

I like the way this is shot

[@stevengonz]

Say it louder so Sony will hear you! I got so sick of everyone asking for shutter angle on the fx3 when they should’ve been asking for open gate

[@clarkkent8836]

CAN YOU DO A ROLLING SHUTTER TEST ON THE PYXIS? I'm thinking of buying one but i'm scared of slow rolling shutter as the camera i have now is horrible for that (sonya7IV)

[@cammackey]

;) stay tuned

[@TJIzzy]

Its not the worst (Eos R haha), but if you are swinging your camera around for action scenes all the time, you might want something faster.

[@lungoku]

does anyone know what tripod is he using?

[@cammackey]

For which camera?

[@thecrooker]

What is the car rig you’re using?

[@cammackey]

amzn.to/405Krwo

[@ftwo]

Has anyone tried to balance the Cato lenses on a Ronin 4D yet?

[@ploufbadaboum2221]

hey Cam, thanks for your video. what's the car rig you're using with the S9?

[@cammackey]

I put a link in the description under the gear used! It’s the magnetic one

[@lerecklessbadger2411]

Can anyone share their insights on using Canon gear with anamorphic lenses? Specifically, how do the Canon C400, C80, and even Canon C500 Mark II would perform in these setups. The Remus B set may be? We'd love to hear your opinions!

[@cammackey]

I believe those are all 16X9 readout

[@ShaneVanLitz]

16x9 but their de-squeeze can crop to scope in camera so monitoring is a dream, it's not super wide to look at like on most cameras. Oh, it’s worth noting that they do currently lack 1.5x in camera but can do 1.3, 1.8 and 2x with anamorphic digital stabilisation which is a plus.

[@jayakanth1812]

Amazing video

[@LuisFelipeBustilloVelasquez]

Thanks for this video, mate.

[@cammackey]

Hope it helps!!!

[@Joe-tq8fr]

That F-150 is sick

[@colemowery]

I love being able to see this in video form, but man, people really need to learn how to open their calculator apps and start typing in numbers.

[@j.b.7133]

math in general, is not known these days.

[@AZ-hm2or]

So happy you did this. Money

[@MartinV.]

Great Video!

[@waynosfotoscameras]

Exactly 💯 thanks for this video 🎉❤

[@73jayzee]

Whats your recommended L-mount adaptor to get these running on the s5iix?

[@cammackey]

I use the Mofage poco VND a lot and the nisi pl as well

[@73jayzee]

@@cammackey no I meant what PL to L mount adapter do you use? Or are they all the same?? Cheers

[@KenFlanagan]

Appreciated overview but open gate 3.2 is not an anamorphic ratio. If you want to test the look of anamorphic lens it’s probably best to use a camera that can shoot 4.3 FF or even 6.5. Eg Alexa or kinefinity LF or even a gh7 on m4/3 to avoid cropping. The test of the quality of the lens is often where the horizontal is moving and then the cheaper lens often warp.

[@cammackey]

Did you watch the full video before commenting haha? Also.. 16:9 also isn’t an anamorphic option. So I think you’re kinda missing the points I was trying to make haha. Can often happen when being overly technical. I was simply showing the options.

[@ShaneVanLitz]

So to avoid cropping we should crop the sensor. Got it!

[@McarthurBeard]

Ok I’m getting fx30 with sirui 1.2 autofocus and blackmagic pyxis with the Cato

[@Another-Layer]

Can, great vid. Thanks

[@Dano-Media]

Open gate changes the game for Anamorphic shooting as well as shoots for social media & paid ads where you need vertical and horizontal videos. As a Sony user I really hope their next cameras include that feature.

[@cammackey]

Facts.

[@valentinosantana1605]

Side-eye to Sony for not enabling open gate on their A7Siii or A1 😏

[@theconnorbacon]

Problem solved: buy the Remus -> make some work and get some cash flow -> buy a set of the mercurys and rent those warlocks out.

[@RussellAlboroto]

Just give us Open Gate Sony!!!

[@yu_taiwan]

PYXIS 6K !!

[@Framesbyfrisby]

I hate the 2x after using my friends. It’s just not good looking. Especially from other 2x’s I used. I love there 1.5x

[@cammackey]

Which 2X? The Cato’s aren’t out yet.. there’s only like 3 people who have them lol.

[@Framesbyfrisby]

@@cammackey Not true they let a few content creators test them out for a few days and I happen to be in LA that day using them. I posted it on my Instagram. The image didn’t really express to the audience why I didn’t like it.

[@Framesbyfrisby]

Plus counting your video count six people that have them

[@Framesbyfrisby]

@@cammackey I guess what I’m saying is I love what they’re doing not one of those knobs that care about the perfect anamorphic. However, I just don’t really like the way the 2x look. At least theirs However, I don’t shoot much 2x anyways from the beginning. So I could totally be misinterpreting how to 2x is supposed to look. I do love what they’re doing as a company, though especially for us creators I’m just a huge fan of their 1.5x

[@cammackey]

@@Framesbyfrisby yeah 2x isn’t for everybody. There’s some S35 2X anamorphics out there But one, they’re way more expensive. Two, some of them have less favorable character. Three, they’re mostly S35. Four, they’re really not that much sharper specially when you match the T-Stops. So yes, you don’t have to love 2X and we’re allowed to like different things of course. But I can confidently say, a lot of other manufacturers lenses aren’t selling well because of price and character choices… the CATOS won’t have either of those problems.

[@kylehessling2679]

Amen, open gate FX3 sony PLEASSSSEEEEE lol

[@cammackey]

I don’t imagine the fx3 would ever get it. Seems like that camera is close to tapped out

[@kylehessling2679]

@@cammackey I would buy an fx4 if that was the only feature they added 😅