Hawk V-Series: Premium anamorphic lenses by Vantage Film featuring horizontal lens flares and 2.39:1 aspect ratio for a cinematic look.
Technical Details
Focal Lengths
| 25 | 32 | 40 | 50 | 65 | 85 | 105 | 135 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 | T2.2 |
| 0.60m | 0.65m | 0.70m | 0.75m | 0.85m | 1.00m | 1.10m | 1.20m |
| 3.8kg | 3.9kg | 4.0kg | 4.1kg | 4.2kg | 4.3kg | 4.4kg | 4.6kg |
| 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 114 |
| 72° | 60° | 50° | 40° | 32° | 24° | 19° | 15° |
| ◀━━━▶ | ◀━━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀━▶ | ◀━▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ |
PL · 114mm Front · 1.3x Squeeze · 300° Focus Travel · S35/FF
The V-Series comprises eight focal lengths: 25mm, 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 65mm, 85mm, 105mm, and 135mm, all with a T2.2 aperture. The lenses feature a uniform 114mm front diameter and weigh between 3.8 kg (25mm) and 4.6 kg (135mm). The optical design is based on 15-18 lens elements with special coatings that minimize reflections and distortions. The focus throw is a constant 300°, with a minimum focus distance ranging from 0.6m (25mm) to 1.2m (135mm). All lenses are equipped with PL-mounts and electronic contacts for metadata transmission.
History & Development
Vantage Film developed the first Hawk series in 2013 as an alternative to vintage anamorphic lenses like the Panavision C- and E-Series. The V-Series emerged from criticism of the original Hawk generation, whose strong optical characteristics were not suitable for every application. Chief Designer Stefan Fangmeier conceived a less intrusive design between 2017-2019 with reduced bokeh swirl and more controlled lens flares. Series production began in autumn 2019 in Vienna.
Practical Use in Film
Netflix first used the Hawk V-Series in 2020 for "The Queen's Gambit," where the consistent sharpness distribution supported the chessboard scenes. "Dune" (2021) primarily utilized the 40mm and 65mm focal lengths for desert shots, as the reduced chromatic aberration offered advantages in backlight situations. The series is particularly well-suited for digital cameras like the ARRI Alexa LF or RED Monstro, as the coatings are specifically optimized for modern sensors. The uniform look across focal lengths significantly reduces color correction in post-production.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike ARRI Master Anamorphics (2x squeeze), the V-Series produces less extreme bokeh effects and is suitable for more naturalistic visual styles. Panavision Ultra Vista lenses offer similar imaging quality but are exclusively available through Panavision rental. The Atlas Orion series is a direct competitor but differs in its warmer color rendition and stronger lens flares. For budget productions, Sirui Saturn lenses offer similar focal lengths but with lower optical precision and a 1.8x squeeze factor.