Proskar

Technical Details

The Proskar system uses cylindrical glass lenses that compress exclusively in the horizontal direction. The lenses typically have focal lengths between 35mm and 100mm with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The characteristic blue coating on the front lens reduces stray light by approximately 15% compared to untreated surfaces. Proskar lenses produce horizontal lens flares and oval bokeh circles in a 2:1 ratio. The minimum focus distance is 1.2 meters, and the filter thread is a standard 95mm.

History & Development

SOM Berthiot introduced the Proskar system in 1954 as an alternative to CinemaScope after 20th Century Fox drastically increased royalties for their anamorphic lenses. The system was first used in the French film "Napoléon" (1955) by Sacha Guitry. In 1962, Angenieux took over production and significantly improved the optical quality. Production ended in 1978 when Panavision and Technovision dominated the market. Today, approximately 200 functional Proskar lenses still exist worldwide.

Practical Use in Film

Proskar lenses were mainly used in French and Italian productions of the 1960s, including Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968). The lenses require special calibration of the camera viewfinder and precise alignment, as even a 0.5° rotation can cause visible image distortion. In night shots, Proskar lenses tend to exhibit characteristic double contours around light sources. The depth of field is equivalent to that of a spherical lens of the same focal length.

Comparison & Alternatives

In contrast to CinemaScope lenses, Proskar lenses have lower chromatic aberration but stronger vignetting at the image edges. Modern Hawk V-Lite or Cooke Anamorphic/i lenses offer significantly better optical performance but do not achieve the specific "vintage look" of Proskar optics. While Panavision lenses are exclusively rented, Proskar lenses can be purchased – albeit at collector prices between 15,000 and 25,000 Euros per lens.