What is an Anamorphic Lens - Anamorphic vs Spherical Lens Explained

[@StudioBinder]

Special thanks to Tito Ferradans - check out his channel Anamorphic on a Budget for more great Anamorphic content: bit.ly/tf-ab

[@MarcinHaFilms]

Glad to see you mentioned Tito :)

[@BlackbugDigital]

Finally some proper credits.

[@wimbusbert1249]

I'm glad you guys were able to work things out in a professional way. I'm sure lessons were learned and content will be even better from now on!

[@Arquimedes_Aram]

This was a better, way better explanation about the use of Anamorphic lens, thank you so much for the corrections!

[@MMPAspergerian]

One wrong!

[@rexmetin3]

As a second AC who's working right now with anamorphic lenses, i can say for sure that this is the first videos that i've ever seen on youtube talking about the differences between spherical and anamorphic lens done in the right way, comprehensive for the non cinema workers and without any unusefull information as i've seen in previous videos from other channels, good job guys!

[@StudioBinder]

Great to hear! Really wanted to get this one right 😁

[@colinfrederick2603]

Yea seriously. I’m a producer and I get this question all the time. This is my go-to forward for now on 🎉

[@jan_phd]

Obviously obsessed with special effects. In the world of reality, this video would be about the optical differences of Spherical Lens and Aspherical Lens.

[@sergiisalo3922]

@@jan_phd maybe this video is for people who want to make films, not lenses? 🤔

[@donhendricks3190]

This is another example of why I believe StudioBinder is the most valuable channel on KZbin for serious filmmakers. Well done. Thank you!

[@Nexowl]

After Every Frame a Painting stopped 7 years ago its save to say this one here the best.

[@erickim555]

This was an outstanding explanation of the difference between Anamorphic and Spherical lenses! I went in knowing nothing, and now have a newfound appreciation for this aspect of film making! I especially enjoyed the "quiz" at the end, I really had fun analyzing the scenes and spotting the "tells" of each lens type. Fun! I'll be looking out for lens type for everything I watch from now on, haha.

[@TheParryGod]

There's something truly magical about the anamorphic look.

[@StudioBinder]

That filmic look 💖

[@iamakkkshay]

@@StudioBinder That can be recreated digitally these days :(

[@rahulkota3586]

There are many channels which can tell difference between lenses, but your interesting story telling and practical info makes it always best. Thank you StudioBinder.

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it helps 👌

[@blurryface616]

This was so fun to watch. Thank you Studio Binder increasing my love for cinema more and more with every video you put.

[@StudioBinder]

Happy filming ❤

[@tturnquest1]

This remake of the essay is really well done. Well done Studio Binder.

[@StudioBinder]

Enjoy!

[@australia-ukraine]

This isonly a channel without stupid ads, useless words and stupid conversations. Every single word is valuable, definite and useful. Thank you, author! All other similar videos take 30-40% of their time talking about nothing.

[@eydok5114]

Focus pullers: " I fear no lens. But that thing..." *Carl Zeiss Planar 50 mm f 0.7* "It scares me..."

[@moistgooseberry]

God this is too true... worth the pain of using it though, Barry Lyndon is one of the most beautiful films.

[@StudioBinder]

Haha not for the faint-hearted

[@morucek]

@@moistgooseberry what i heared in a video about that lens is, there was no focus ring. they had to set the actors in this candleroom scene at one place at the table and they werent allowed to move forward or back with their bodies.

[@moistgooseberry]

@@morucek yeah that sounds about right - at f0.7 your depth of field is going to be ridiculously thin so any slight movement would lose sharpness

[@apot618]

Remaking the video = responsible StudioBinder ;D You guys are awesome

[@StudioBinder]

Happy you guys like it!

[@Shurehlm]

Your list of anamorphic qualities at 8:43 is different from the lists prior (e.g., 3:40). It replaces Breathing with Vignette and renames Focus to Falloff.

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you for catching that! Please refer to the first list (3:40).

[@DemPilafian]

The qualities are actually identical -- your eyes are just being tricked by a squeezing artifact from the lensing.

[@Kollingl]

wow what a masterclass, 15 min felt like 3 hours of video with very nice explanations and examples

[@nava12336]

Whenever I become a filmmaker, I want to try anamorphic into a full Kubrick style visual. Thanks Studiobinder

[@alexman378]

Just make sure it’s worth it because even renting them can cost quite a bit.

[@StudioBinder]

Good lucK!

[@nicolasnelson7752]

I'm a Kubrick fan too, and that's an awesome idea. You should totally stick with it.

[@nava12336]

@@alexman378 noted with thanks

[@nava12336]

@@StudioBinder ❤️❤️❤️

[@Plant_Parenthood]

Whoever edited this has a great sense of humour!

[@TwistedTriggerEnduro]

I thought I understood but got a lot of the answers wrong. Guess it's time to watch it again. Epic video as always!! 😀🔥

[@StudioBinder]

Watch it as much as you need to ;)

[@TheHalusis]

me too, was distracted playing chess on phone

[@albertanto7082]

The only channel notification that makes me extremely happyy. Thank you for your amazing and informative content!

[@StudioBinder]

Happy to make it!

[@pcstunes353]

You guys are definitely the best for me, with the way you breakdown complex subject, I've always wondered what the difference between anamorphic lens and spherical lens are, only by watching this video I could easily and quickly understand the difference, in fact I was able to figure out all test on my own. If it's one thing that can I never forget about anamorphic lens is that vertical lines are not straight, that alone helps me differentiate between the two. I so love you channel and it has always been my go to channel for lessons on film making.

[@thebusinessfirm9862]

What a great voice this narrator has.

[@AtlantaTerry]

Yes, a bit British and yet a bit American. So... Canadian?

[@thebusinessfirm9862]

@@AtlantaTerry Hi Terry, thanks for chiming in, mate. He doesn’t sound American or Canadian to me. He sounds English. Yes, he does have a commanding voice; the type that works well with non-fiction narration, as in this video. Hope you’re well. Regards from Steve in Adelaide, South Australia.

[@StudioBinder]

We love him :)

[@SoloPilot6]

I wasn't expecting to see more than a few moments of this before getting bored and clicking away as soon as I new what the difference is, but this was FASCINATING, all the way through.

[@GabrielRobinson1991]

Respect to Studio Binder for re-releasing this, well done you

[@StudioBinder]

Goal is always top quality content for you guys ❤

[@CJStew06]

I didn't know anything about the differences before watching this video (I thought Anamorphic was a brand) and I got 100 percent on the examples. The video taught me something completely new in 15 minutes and I feel very confident already in my understanding. I will say the bokeh gives it away almost immediately in most examples, but since I could determine based on that, I started to recognize the other elements like distortion of walls and background, and the differences in focus. I really love the look of anamorphic and this makes me want to get an anamorphic lens. Amazing video-this channel is so good!

[@abn3r507]

Damn, I learned alot from this...Lenses are something I haven't understood for a long time but you guys managed to simply make it so cohesive to understand...love the channel!

[@m0kkechen]

same for me. I have learned so much. More than my whole lifetime as a filmmaker myself. XD

[@karynellis8404]

Fantastic video, thank you! Clear explanations and examples. Anamorphic lenses make so much more sense to me now. (I didn't realize how much I love them! especially the breathing of the focus.) Your channel is great.

[@StudioBinder]

There were lots of details! Watch it as much as needed haha

[@EaglesBond]

'Honestly I don't know' was nicely blended with this video. Extraordinary tutorial as always.

[@CarletonTorpin]

This was such an engaging video. I love getting a self-quiz at the end!

[@StudioBinder]

How'd you do 👀

[@zez_gval]

You know the video was incredibly educational when is only 15 minutes, but it takes an hour to write down everything you learned.

[@C_itsNemo]

Bro literally I was writing down notes too and it took me about an hour too! Such good tools and info, I didn’t go to film school so learning this has been extremely helpful. I’m gonna take notes in every video they made and see how much notes I get 😂

[@carlosjavier7293]

Thats right bro

[@ExaltedDuck]

This video is excellently informative, and the production, script, and VO performance remind me of the early era informational reels like what used to get spoofed in Disney shorts. Absolutely love it.

[@MagneticDonut]

Somehow this channel keeps getting better. Thank you so so so much for these

[@StudioBinder]

Our viewers keeps us improving :)

[@feliviadevanie7756]

the best this about this is the quiz at the end of the video! i got so excited to test my knowledge and the fact that i got it all right means you guys did a great job at explaining it, thanks!

[@weareone6314]

I love the fact that you made some examples to guess what type of lens was used! Got them all correct! 👍🏻

[@shrikadhir5897]

Been following for years now. Yep. Still quality stuff from you guys. You guys are changing KZbin learning. 💯% quality. Like MKBHD, Veritasium, you guys rock 🤘

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for joining us on the ride :)

[@dice268926]

WoW 👌 Best Explanation I've heard. Years of watching and you guys explained in 10 sec👏 🙌

[@knutarildsandem1103]

Thank you for this informative to-the-point video, delivered in such a calm authoritative way, and thankfully devoid of any distracting endeavour to "entertain" with added nonsensical humour! - Well done!

[@Trinison7]

Thanks for this video I was able to get all of them right. I can now till the difference. I always wondered in a lot of Star wars movies when they zoom in and out that distortion happens.

[@Just_Mr_K]

As a novice... might I say ignorant to all this depth of knowledge on any one subject... I thank you for the clear explanation of cinematic use of lenses. 🙏🏻

[@anusharudraraju4202]

I learned about the lenses right there while watching your video and got all the Quiz right.. You are a wonderful teacher! :)

[@StudioBinder]

You're a great student!

[@wecare838]

Where did you get the answers? I guessed but wheres the answers so that I can match?

[@MelodeusForever]

I'm glad you guys got the video back up. I think when I was searching it was gone... Glad its back because out of all of your videos, you would reference it but I couldn't find it until a certain person mentions it.... :)

[@JoaoSilva22222]

FINALLY A VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS IT ALL AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.

[@StudioBinder]

That was the goal :)

[@JoaoSilva22222]

@@StudioBinder I had study the matter for years, plus work on the field for 6...you summarized it all as efficiently as possible, also showing in picture WHY anamorphic looks "organic", and why crispness isnt bad, it all depends on the purpose....excellent job.

[@arupsan]

Best of the best channel so far with lots technical knowledge.. Thank you StudioBinder

[@DarqueSyde66]

The test at the end was the best part!!! I only got one wrong! This was a very helpful video as I just purchased my first anamorphic lens. I'm looking forward to working with it. Thanks for this video!!!! Well done!!!!

[@SHOOTITFilmPhotography]

So much good information, explained in a clear and interesting way. Great work! 👍

[@JanPBtest]

4:48 This is very visible in French films of the era, like Godard's "Contempt". It seems there was no good anamorphic lens available in France at the time 🙂

[@emgee44]

As someone who watches and enjoys films, I’m a little late to the party in that I’ve not come across your channel before. The content was interesting, liked and subscribe instantly.

[@StudioBinder]

Welcome to the club!

[@bananabear009]

This video is so much better than those hobbyists turn reviewers KZbin channels on the topic. Well done and keep up!

[@marvelfoxmorty5057]

Studio binder has always been a teaching platform for me about filmmaking ... I started to grow too, thanks for the video with great topic & beautiful explanation 👍🏻👍🏻

[@StudioBinder]

Happy filming!

[@DaftRebel]

I love this. The graphics, the graphics, the voice. Keep them coming!

[@tusker4954]

Brilliant explanation!

[@ricex2]

this is very educational, and probably has the best elaboration on youtube

[@veerharjitsingh159]

really grateful to Studio Binder One of the best KZbin Channels for learning filmmaking, fortunately I got all my answers right, I am impressed by anamorphic lenses, what I like the most in anamorphic lenses is the field of view they give, that's amazing. Obviously bokeh and lens flares, focus breathing are also good but I like the field of the most, Thanks again to Studio Binder

[@matthewwillis5650]

Please forgive the basic question, but if an anamorphic lens stretches the picture to allow widescreen filming on 35mm, how come there are clips in the video filmed on spherical lenses that look wider than 4:3? Do they crop the image to provide the same aspect ratio as anamorphic?

[@TimKaiser444]

You guys are amazing! Never seen it explained in such an easily comprehensible way with the 6 differences with great visual examples. Keep up the good work, hope everyone in the industry takes your lessons to heart!

[@jtchalatsis]

By far the most interesting watch I've had on KZbin recently. Subscribed and eager for more.

[@voodoomelons]

Christ alive, this informative video is beautifully put together, narration, pacing, editing, summary. I always wrongly assumed anamorphic related to the aspect ratio of the image, which I was very wrong about. Great work!

[@Manuelordorica880]

Just a couple of seconds before finding this video, I was wondering what anamorphic is. this was informative, and with a sense of humor. thumbs up.

[@chuffs5286]

OMG YOU FINALLY REUPLOADED IT!!! This video is so good

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it was worth the wait!

[@chuffs5286]

@@StudioBinder it really was!

[@OrphanariumProductions]

god i love anamorphic, the natural feel and unique characteristics will always win me over. really nice seeing it described properly, thanks!

[@WoodyAndTheWild]

This is such a good and comprehensive explanation of the subject, thank u 🙇‍♂

[@Digitallifeconcepts]

Probably the best explanation I've seen online.

[@zunaidparker]

How does it work with digital these days? Are the image sensors still 4:3, and do they use animorphic lenses to get wider ratios still? Or are the sensors themselves being designed in wider ratios now (or image cropped after the fact)?

[@SkeletonCreeper03]

people shoot anamorphic on digital sensors nowadays purely for how it looks, and not for the technical advantages during the film days. You actually lose half the amount of resolution because of the 2x squeeze factor on common anamorphics. To answer your question, different people have different approaches to shooting anamorphic digitally. Some shoot it in 16:9 and crop the edges later because the desqueezed aspect ratio will be too wide, at 3.55:1. They do this to have the option to reframe horizontally at the compromise of lower resolution. On the other hand, some shoot in squarer aspect ratios, such as Arri Alexa's open gate mode at 1.55:1. This is gives you more resolution but less flexibility. You can check out the youtube channel Anamorphic on a Budget to learn more, though his approach to using anamorphic is more suited for DSLRs and other consumer-level cameras, instead of cinema cameras.

[@DyenamicFilms]

I believe a 4:3 sensor coupled with a 2x anamorphic lens will yield a 2.35 aspect ratio. A 17:9 sensor camera (which I have) coupled with a 1.33 squeeze anamorphic lens will basically yield about a 2.39 aspect ratio. A 1.66 lens (which I just got a full frame one from Sirui) will yield about a 2.84 aspect ratio (too wide for me). I crop that to 2.35. Looks great even cropped and zoomed.

[@zunaidparker]

@@DyenamicFilms this changes the effective pixel aspect ratio. How does it work in post production? Does everything get converted first to a new aspect ratio with square pixels, or does all processing take place with non-square pixels and converted at the final step?

[@virakchhang]

This is a masterful edit

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@edwartvonfectonia4362]

Right on time! The first version was good, but now you have higher standards, keep it up!

[@StudioBinder]

Always trying to get better 👍

[@papapatriot]

What a wonderful production you have done! Bravo.

[@skkver_runs]

This video is just another masterpiece! Thanks for existing.

[@m0kkechen]

In the test I got everyone right ngl. I mean this video is so well done and I have learned so much and now I can spot the type of lense while watching the next movie. The focal breathing and the bokeh is the most indicator for anamorphic lenses. :D

[@ThomasParis]

First time I hear such a useful description of anamorphic. Thanks!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching :)

[@alexlandherr]

I’m as of writing this trying out an amateur anamorphic lens for my GoPro 11 which has an “squeeze factor” of 1.33x for a final 2.40:1 ratio. It’s meant to be used when filming in a 16:9 video mode. So far it’s been fun using ffmpeg to de-squeeze it.

[@J4n_momo]

thanks for publishing it again, i liked this video a lot

[@StudioBinder]

Back and better than ever 👍

[@soynachosonido]

Oh man this channel is just amazing! I was just about to search for exercises on how to spot the differences and voilà, 11:35 kicks in. I can now watch movies and spot the type of lens used. Thank you! Keep up with the great content!

[@johnta17]

Subscriber since 10,000. Best channel on YT.

[@nasibakar293]

finally remake this vids.. thank you so much !!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Hope you like it!

[@a_z-bruh]

Wonderful video. I knew almost nothing coming in and only missed the last one

[@JesusMartinez-mk6fc]

Amazing video! Kudos! As someone who had only a summary knowledge of anamorphic lenses, I've learned quite a lot. Thank you!

[@robertobuatti7226]

So from what I understand from this is Anamorphic lenses kind of distort the image towards the edges of the frame but Spherical lenses are more crisp which has more clarity to the image, is that correct or am I wrong.

[@Predetorkiller]

correct

[@robertobuatti7226]

@@Predetorkiller Oh excellent, thank you. Much appreciated.

[@StudioBinder]

Yes that is part of the falloff effect

[@robertobuatti7226]

@@StudioBinder Oh really, excellent, thank you for that, much appreciated.

[@rcmatheus02]

Such a great video!!!! It's easy to identify the anamorphic lenses. Just look for the widescreen bars.

[@DyenamicFilms]

You're right. He should've cropped the 2.35 anamorphic to 16:9 so there's no bars and they're all the same aspect ratio to make it more difficult (though it's really the 'bokeh' that gives it away for me).

[@StudioBinder]

That's a good point 😅

[@esotericist]

wow. what a precise, inteligent, easy to understand explanation. brilliant video. thanks!

[@msamour]

Thank you modern narrator voice! That was very instructive!

[@bormanproductions]

Great video as always!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@doyoubinoame8483]

I'm really thankful for these videos. I'm getting into a hobby fiimmaking and this gives exactly info i need to get going. Thank you!

[@BELGRANOization]

This is a great educational tool. Loved it. Thank you!

[@johncra8982]

I love how he talks about all these intricacies of different types of lenses then throws up a digital wide angle shot of a fully cg soulless marvel landscape to illustrate his point 😂

[@aulistudio]

Thanks Studio Binder for always much valuable and informative contents, so well explained that I got all of it right 😊. Learning whenever I watch your contents. 🙏

[@daniellatteo_thefilmmaker]

Great episode!!🤩📽 There's more of Ridley Scott talking about anamorphic lenses on the Blade Runner film commentary. He really goes in depth there, talikng about their usage in relation to the film.

[@StudioBinder]

Ridley Scott is a treasure trove of info

[@Predetorkiller]

you guys make learning so much fun

[@StudioBinder]

That's the goal!

[@KurtGerster]

The channel deserves an Oscar

[@Lamidnightsss]

Wow. I actually guessed them all correctly. And honestly it came down to how soft the image looks.

[@اميرعلي-ل5ض2ن]

We need episode about directing style of Andrei Tarkovsky

[@StudioBinder]

He's in the works 👍

[@sacheendranthamarrasserey6752]

Very helpful video to understand the differences of lenses.,.. Thanks studiobinder Team.,

[@AliOGUL]

this is the best video on youtube. I liked the test at the end.

[@xeximaxi]

i love this channel its like adventure and science.

[@LynnHermione]

I love this channel, it's so efficiently educational. I got all right but one!

[@StudioBinder]

That's good!

[@karlmeier5791]

it's always interesting to watch your channel and especially where you need to guess which lenses are used in which scene, thanks!

[@mynkao]

Awesome video about the anamorphic lens!

[@alisha4902]

You explained it clearly, I got all the answers right. Now it's easy to tell the difference. Thank you for this video.

[@johnathonme]

So incredibly useful thanks for the awesome lesson, won't forget it!!!

[@BTwiseman]

Amazing video!!! Super clear and the “test” at the end was sooo helpful

[@neerajwasnik9450]

The best way to identify lens is download the movie in your mobile phone. If it's fit to screen then it's anamorphic, if it leaves two black bars on left and right then it's spherical.

[@aninjaguardian]

Great and insightful video. The bokeh shape is a dead giveaway for certain films as to whether it was shot on anamorphic or spherical.

[@WreckItRolfe]

This feels like one of those education videos that teachers would record in the middle of the night, but for adults

Very high quality content. I've learned many things and it was so well explained.