Technical solution for anamorphic lenses that eliminates separate focus rings, enabling unified single-ring focus control.
Technical Details
Single focus anamorphic lenses utilize precision-engineered cam mechanisms that couple the spherical and cylindrical focus using gear ratios between 1:0.8 and 1:1.2. The mechanical tolerance is less than 0.02mm deviation across the entire focus range from 0.6m to infinity. Modern systems achieve apertures from T1.8 to T22 with front diameters between 95mm and 136mm. Chromatic aberration between the horizontal and vertical axes is a maximum of 0.1 diopters at full aperture.
History & Development
Panavision developed the first single focus anamorphic lenses in 1958 as a response to the cumbersome handling of Bausch & Lomb's CinemaScope lenses. The Ultra Panavision System consistently used single focus designs for 65mm productions from 1962 onwards. Zeiss followed in 1998 with their Distagon Anamorphics, while Cooke set new standards in 2013 with the Anamorphic/i series. Since 2018, Sigma, Atlas Lens Co., and Laowa have also offered affordable single focus alternatives starting at 3,000 Euros per lens.
Practical Use in Film
Ridley Scott used Panavision Ultra Vista Anamorphics for "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) to enable rapid focus pulls without dual adjustments. For "1917" (2019), Roger Deakins and the camera assistants relied on Arri Master Anamorphic lenses for the complex sequence shots. The time saving averages 15-20% compared to dual focus systems, as focus pullers only need to track one distance scale. For Steadicam or gimbal shots, the weight is reduced by 200-400g due to simplified mechanics.
Comparison & Alternatives
Dual focus anamorphic lenses like Kowa Cine Prominar or older CinemaScope lenses require separate adjustment of the spherical base lens and the anamorphic attachment. Adapter systems (SLR Magic, Rectilux) convert standard lenses but do not achieve the optical quality of integrated single focus designs. Modern digital alternatives use sensor cropping or post-processing, but in doing so lose the characteristic horizontal lens flares and oval bokeh of anamorphic optics. Single focus systems dominate for budgets over 500,000 Euros, while adapter solutions are standard for independent productions under 100,000 Euros.