Lytkarinsky Optical Glass Factory: Anamorphic film lenses

2024: Presentation of Anamorphic Film Lens

On July 11, 2024, the Schwabe holding presented a line of Russian anamorphic film lenses. Such lenses, using a complex system of cylindrical lenses, allow you to shoot a unique ultra-wide frame. Unlike the image obtained using wide-angle lenses, the anamorphic picture is not distorted at the edges of the frame and is not darkened at the corners.

source = Schwabe

Anamorphic lenses began to be used for filming in the last century. This decision allowed directors to fit a wider image into a standard frame of 35 mm film, which a regular lens could not do. Optics "pressed" horizontally a larger viewing angle into a standard area. As a result, due to the lens system on a frame with a close to square aspect ratio, an image compressed in width was obtained. In cinemas, it was again stretched horizontally using a reverse lens for a wide screen format.

Despite the spread of wide-angle optics, anamorphic lenses are actively used by large film studios, due to the high image quality and unique cinematic effects.

The line of Russian anamorphic film lenses with focal lengths of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mm was developed by the Lytkarinsky Optical Glass Plant (LZOS) of the Shvabe holding. The devices are equipped with high-quality optics and are distinguished by high aperture, which allows you to work in low light. The anamorphic ratio in lenses is 2.0, that is, the ratio of the image vertically and horizontally is 1 to 2. The instruments can be used with digital cameras with a PL mount, and adapters are used for other types of mounting. The lenses have an ergonomic design.

{{quote 'LZOS film lenses have no Russian analogues, but differ from foreign ones in a picture. Designs allow you to create advanced horizontal personnel maintaining high image quality. Using lenses suitable for both video and photo, cinematic effects are created. At the same time, in terms of cost, our products will be lower than foreign products, - said Lev Borisov, deputy general director of Shvabe. }}

A lens with a focal length of 100 mm was tested by Russian operators who noted the good cinematography of the new product. The device creates a shallow depth of field, background blur, bokeh and other effects. They can be seen in all films of major film studios.

Wide-angle optics are not able to replace anamorphic optics, because the first does not give such a visual result - the visual effects are "poorer." Despite the high cost of anamorphic lenses, we continue to use them, because the resulting personnel are of high quality, volume and effects that cannot be achieved using a wide-angle lens and graphic editors, "said creative producer Yevgeny Subochev, who organized the shooting of the mini-series" Land of Great Opportunities, "the film" Ural Derby "and other projects.