Hawk C-Series

1. Overview

The Hawk C-Series is a series of 2x anamorphic prime lenses developed in Germany in 1995, manufactured for the Super 35 format. Hawk (Vantage) positioned the line as a middle ground between classic Panavision optics and more modern high-speed anamorphics – recognizable by its typical barrel distortion behavior and strong flare character.

2. Characteristics

Flare behavior according to CINEFLARES datasheet:

• Types: Streak, Rainbow, Caustic, Veiling, Anamorphic Spot
• Colors: White, Blue
• Intensity: Strong

Linked Pattern Entries:

• anamorphic-streak
• rainbow-flare
• caustic-flare
• veiling-glare
• anamorphic-spot

3. Creative Use

The 50mm C-Series lens is primarily used when a pronounced anamorphic look is desired: wide horizontal streaks, blue and white lens flares, visible barrel distortion. The T2.2 is acceptable for a 2x anamorphic, but not a low-light tool – shooting wide open results in soft edges and veiling, noticeably reducing contrast in the image. In practice, the C-Series appears mainly in European rental houses; it is a realistic option for mid-budget productions that want the classic scope look but don't have a Panavision exclusivity agreement. For indie productions, the weight of 2.1 kg per lens is a significant factor for longer handheld shooting days.

4. Specs Overview

5. Status Tracker

• [x] Datasheet extracted (DOM-direct, 2026-04-20)
• [ ] Overview formulated
• [ ] Creative use researched
• [ ] AI-Illu or Manufacturer Photo (with attribution)
• [ ] Translations (9 languages)
• [ ] Import via import-lexikon.mjs