ARRI announced that the first three focal lengths of its upcoming ARRI/ZEISS Master Anamorphic lens series – 35 mm, 50 mm and 75 mm – will start shipping in May. The lenses are fast and compact, capable of shooting at T1.9.
The MA50 was recently utilized on two ALEXA productions – A Trip to Remember and In Flanders Fields.
“These lenses will bring anamorphic to a level as never before,” said DP Stijn Van der Veken, who shot the World War I feature In Flanders Fields. “I’m completely blown away after having seen the result in grading. The picture is a magic blend of Master Prime resolution, contrast, never-seen smoothness and color rendition. The out of focus areas of this lens are as on no other lens in the world, smooth and extremely cinematographic.”
Anamorphic imagery is known for striking bokeh. With the Master Anamorphics this is further optimized with evenly illuminated oval out-of-focus highlights. Anamorphic blue streak lines are rendered in a fresh style with enhanced flares and reflections for additional artistic options. The lenses are super color matched to other ARRI/Zeiss primes and ARRI/Fujinon zooms.
DP Michel Abramowicz (Taken, The Thing) took advantage of the anamorphic look to showcase the city of Paris for a three-day shoot directed by Roberto de Angelis for A Trip to Remember.
According to Abramowicz, “Always in the past I would push to work in anamorphic but the producers knew it would be more expensive in terms of people and transportation, but now those days are over, which I’m very glad about. Now, if anamorphic is right for the movie, then there is no reason not to use it – everybody can work in anamorphic today.”
The optical technology features a newly developed iris with 15 aperture blades. Near telecentric optical design reduces color fringing and shading at the image corners. Virtually no image breathing and no anamorphic mumps (fat face effect) are experienced. A completely new focusing mechanism overcomes time-consuming mechanical readjustments on set. The new lens barrels also feature improved dust and water protection.
