Venus Optics Unveils PL-Mount 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter and 1.4x Full Frame Expander

More than a year after first showing off its prototypes, Venus Optics has announced the release of its new Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter and Laowa 1.4x Full Frame Expander, both of which are PL to PL adapters. The anamorphic adapter expands the filming canvas to a 2.35:1 cinematic widescreen ratio on a 16:9 sensor and the 1.4x Full Frame Expander expands the coverage from Super35 into full-frame.

The Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter does what its name suggests—it creates a 2:1 wide screen squeeze that fits a 2.35:1 cinematic ratio onto a 16:9 sensor, which can then be desqueezed in post-production for a more cinematic look.
Venus Optics notes this adapter doesn’t provide exactly the same look as dedicated anamorphic lenses, but will give footage ‘cinematic character.’ The adapter does reduce incoming light by a half a stop.

Below is a full list of compatible lenses, other than Laowa’s OOOM:

  • Angenieux 28-340mm Optimo Zoom T3.2
  • Angenieux 24-290mm Optimo Zoom T2.8
  • Angenieux Optimo Style 16-40mm T2.8 Zoom
  • Angenieux Optimo Style 30-76mm T2.8 Zoom
  • Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 25 mm T1.5
  • Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 29 mm T1.5
  • Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 35 mm T1.5
  • 
Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 50 mm T1.5
  • Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 85 mm T1.5
  • 
Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 15mm T2.9
  • Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 18 mm T2.9
  • Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 25 mm T2.1
  • Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 28 mm T2.1
  • Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 35 mm T2.1
  • Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 50 mm T2.1
  • Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 85 mm T2.1
  • ARRI 18-80mm Alura Studio Zoom T2.6
  • 
ARRI 45-250MM T2.6

Venus Optics proided a few sample screenshots showing how footage that uses the adapter looks:

The 1.4x Full Frame Expander is designed to make Super35 format PL lenses compatible with full-frame sensors. Venus Optics says the 1.4x adapter will reduce light by one stop and increase the focal length of the attached lens by 1.4x. Venus Optics has also added a back-focus-adjustment to the adapter so those changes can be made on-the-fly without the need to shims.

Below is a list of compatible lenses, again other than the Laowa OOOM:

  • Angenieux EZ-2 15-40mm T2.0
  • Angenieux EZ-1 30-90mm T2.0
  • Angenieux EZ-1 45-135MM T3
  • Angenieux EZ2 FF 22-60mm T3
  • Canon CN-E 15.5-47mm T2.8 L S Wide-Angle Cinema Zoom
  • 
Canon CN-E 30-105mm T2.8 L S Telephoto Cinema Zoom
  • ARRI Ultra Prime 85mm T1.9
  • Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 29 mm T1.5
  • Carl Zeiss Cinema Zoom 15-30mm

The 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter and 1.4x Full Frame Expander are available to purchase individually ($999 each) or as a kit ($1,800).

More info on Venus Optics’ website.


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