Buying guide · prices updated 2026-11-02
Best budget anamorphic lenses 2026
The cheapest ways into anamorphic, sorted by squeeze and sensor format. Prices are pulled daily from the official stores.
"Budget" here means a dedicated anamorphic lens for under about $1,100 per lens new. Below that line, you are mostly choosing between two things: squeeze (1.33x, 1.5x, 1.6x, 1.8x, 2x) and coverage (MFT, APS-C/S35, full frame). The squeeze sets how strong the anamorphic look is and what aspect ratio you get (see the squeeze factor guide). The coverage sets which cameras the lens works on without vignetting.
1. Cheapest way in: Sirui 1.33x APS-C / MFT primes
The 24mm F2.8, 35mm F1.8, 50mm F1.8 and 75mm F1.8 sell for $199 each new at Sirui's store. They are the least expensive dedicated anamorphic lenses in our database. The catch is coverage: they are made for APS-C (the 35mm is natively a Micro Four Thirds lens; Sirui says it basically covers APS-C, with some corner shading wide open), and a 1.33x squeeze is the mildest anamorphic look. On a 16:9 sensor, 1.33x gives about 2.36:1 (1.78 × 1.33) with no crop, close to the 2.39:1 cinema frame.
Good for: APS-C and MFT shooters who want widescreen 16:9 footage cheaply.
2. Cheapest full-frame 1.6x: Sirui Venus 50mm
The Venus 50mm T2.9 1.6x is $299 at Sirui's store, cheaper than the other Venus focal lengths ($499). It covers full frame and, according to Sirui, mounts with RF, L, E and Z. Its flare is blue. A 1.6x squeeze on a 3:2 sensor area gives 2.4:1.
Good for: Full-frame mirrorless shooters who want one lens to try anamorphic.
3. Lightest full-frame set: Sirui Saturn 35/50/75mm
The carbon-fibre Saturn primes (T2.9, 1.6x) are $499 each, against a store's 'was' price (unverified) of $1,299. Sirui lists them at 390–465 g (E-mount), with a choice of blue or neutral flare and six mounts. The newer Saturn V2 costs $599 per lens and adds switchable horizontal/vertical shooting.
Good for: Gimbal, drone and handheld shooters who care about weight.
4. Cheapest full-frame 1.33x: Blazar Beetle
The Beetle 32/45/65mm T3.2 primes are $599 each (3-lens set listed at $1,499) and come in E, RF, L and Z versions. They are the cheapest full-frame Blazar lenses in our data. T3.2 is slower than most lenses here.
Good for: Full-frame shooters who want a subtle 1.33x squeeze.
5. Cheapest true 2x: Blazar Cato 40mm
The Cato 40mm T2.0 2x is $799 at Blazar's store, and the 55/85/125mm are $1,039. That makes it the cheapest 2x prime in the database. The store title says "Full Frame", but the published image circle for the 40mm and 55mm (28.8×24 mm) points to Super35-size coverage, so check it on your sensor. The lenses come in PL with an EF option.
Good for: Cinema-camera users who want the classic 2x oval bokeh.
6. Budget autofocus anamorphic
Sirui's 20mm and 40mm T1.8 1.33x S35 autofocus lenses are $539.10 each, and the full-frame Astra AF line starts at $849. Blazar's Apex (S35, from $899) and Talon (full frame, Sony E, from $899) are also autofocus. Sirui's store sells the 20mm and 40mm in E, X, Z, L and MFT.
Good for: Solo shooters and run-and-gun work.
Adapter route: Sirui 1.25x
Sirui's 1.25x front adapter ($299) screws onto the Venus 1.6x lenses. According to Sirui, this gives a 2x total squeeze with single focus. Front adapters on spherical lenses (Kowa, Iscorama, SLR Magic) are a cheaper route but usually need extra focusing hardware. See the vintage entries in the lens database.
All anamorphic lenses under $1,100
Lowest in-stock new price at the official store (USD). Rows marked "list price" show the manufacturer's price we checked on 2 Nov 2026; they are not tracked daily yet.