Venus Optics has unveiled a new line of Laowa Proteus anamorphic optics designed for cameras with Super35 sensors. Both pl anamorphic lenses support 2X compression and are available with amber, silver, and blue highlights. These are cinema lenses: Laowa Proteus 26-45mm T2.9 2X and Laowa Proteus 45-85mm T2.9 2X. Previously, the Laowa Proteus 2X line only had optics with a fixed focal length.
Both new cinema lenses are designed specifically for Super 35 sensors with a compression ratio of 2X and weigh 2.7 kg each. They are 19.3 cm long. The manufacturer reports that the relatively small dimensions and weight make it convenient to use cameras with new optics when shooting handheld.
The 2X compression ratio creates a classic widescreen anamorphic look. It pairs well with the 4:3 or 6:5 sensors typically installed by default in professional cinema cameras to produce a 2.66:1 or 2.4:1 image after post-processing. All new Laowa lenses also feature a back focus adjustment mechanism to calibrate the back focus with the lens mounted on the camera.
The new pl anamorphic lenses also have their features. For example, the minimum focusing distance of the Laowa Proteus 26–45mm T2.9 2X cinema lens is only 0.5 meters from the sensor plane. And for the Laowa Proteus 45-85mm T2.9 2X, this figure is 0.89 m.
This allows focusing to be unusually close for a 2X anamorphic lens. For filmmakers working in tight spaces or wanting to shoot close-ups, this can open up more practical possibilities.
It is noted that the Laowa Proteus optics allow you to get a high-quality image across the entire frame. Distortions are minimal, even at the edges, so you can use the whole image width, which is not always true with anamorphic lenses.
Laowa Proteus 2X Anamorphic Price and Release Date
The lenses are available now for pre-order on B&H Photo and Adorama, and each lens costs $5,999, or you can buy a set for $10,999. They are available in amber, silver, and blue highlights. The set comes in a special hard case.
The new cinema lenses come with a native ARRI PL mount (for professional cinema cameras) by default and include a replacement Canon EF mount. Users can replace the mount themselves, so sending the optics to a service center is unnecessary.
Laowa offers separate mounts for the new anamorphic cinema lenses for Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, and L-mount systems. Thus, Laowa Proteus cinema lenses are available for almost all currently available systems (except Fujifilm).
At the end of 2023, Venus Optics announced new lenses in the Laowa Proteus 2x Anamorphic series. The company presented lenses with focal lengths of 35mm, 45mm, 60mm, and 85mm, and all the optics have a T2 aperture. The lenses work with cameras with Super 35 optical format sensors. The manufacturer reports that the lenses allow you to get “smooth elliptical bokeh” and signature highlights, including blue, amber, and silver options.
