MTF Services Converts SIRUI 50mm and 35mm Anamorphic Lenses to L-Mount

December 2^nd, 2020

MTF Services Converts SIRUI 50mm and 35mm Anamorphic Lenses to L-Mount

by Jakub HanDecember 2^nd, 2020

MTF Services can convert both SIRUI 50mm and 35mm 1.33x anamorphic lenses from Micro Four Thirds lens mount to Leica L-Mount. The UK-based company offers pre-converted lenses for sale.

Previously known rather for tripods, the Chinese camera accessories company SIRUI surprised everyone last year as they introduced their first anamorphic lens. The SIRUI 50mm Anamorphic appealed to many filmmakers thanks to its good image quality and affordable price tag. Earlier this year, SIRUI followed with a similarly priced 35mm Anarmohpic Lens. Make sure to check our reviews for more information on each lens.

Both lenses cover Super35 sensors. The SIRUI 50mm is available in Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, and FUJIFILM X. The SIRUI 35mm is, interestingly, available in different versions – Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF-M. Thanks to the UK-based company MTF Services, both lenses have been modded to L-mount as well. Let’s take a short look at the modification.

SIRUI 35mm and 50mm Anamorphic L-Mount Mod by MTF

First of all, I think this modification only confirms how popular these SIRUI anamorphic lenses are. There is no Super35/APS-C camera with Leica L-Mount at the moment, but many of these full-frame cameras support Super35 crop mode. In fact, some of them even require Super35 crop for certain recording modes (like 4K60).

SIRUI Anamorphic lenses in L-Mount. Source: MTF Services

Panasonic LUMIX S1H, S1, and S5 feature both 4K S35 and 3.5K 4:3 anamorphic modes which can take full advantage of the SIRUI lenses image circles. Both lenses have an image circle that completely covers Super35/APS-C. Thanks to the SIRUI lenses having a 1.33x anamorphic ratio, in 4K S35 mode, the de-squeezed result is close to 2.35:1. Using Panasonic’s 3.5K 4:3 mode users can get the anamorphic look while still getting a 16:9 final image.

SIRUI Anamorphic lens with the LUMIX S1H. Source: MTF Services

The bespoke lens conversion from MTF Services is based on Micro Four Thirds versions of the SIRUI 35mm and 50mm lenses. As MTF states, each lens retains its compact dimensions, allowing for easy handheld or gimbal operation. The conversion requires mechanical modification of the lens to allow fitting of the new mount and needs to be performed by MTF Services.

SIRUI Anamorphic lens with the LUMIX S1H – Sample Image. Source: MTF Services

Another interesting piece of information from MTF is that the lenses actually cover a slightly larger area than Super35. When shooting in Full-frame 5.9K mode with the S1H, the lens of course vignettes heavily. Cropping the image in post-production to the equivalent of around 1.35x crop, however, removes the vignetting and provides a bit wider field of view than Super35.

L-Mount SIRUI Anamorphic Lenses Test Footage. Credit: DP Jim Marks

Price and Availability

The lenses will be available pre-converted via authorized MTF Services dealers. The price for the conversion itself is £150 plus VAT. That means the total price for the L-Mount SIRUI 50mm Anamorphic is £649 plus VAT. For the L-Mount SIRUI 35mm Anamorphic, the price is £787 plus VAT. There is no info yet on whether it is possible to send your own lens for the mod.

I think it would also be nice to see these lenses converted to Canon RF mount as well. I am pretty sure it would make RED Komodo and Canon C70 shooters very happy. Do you agree?

What do you think about the SIRUI Anamorphic 1.33x lenses? Did you shoot with them? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.