Cheapest 2x anamorphic lenses

1. Blazar Cato: cheapest true 2x primes

The Cato 40mm T2.0 is $799 at Blazar's store (compare-at $1,499); the 55mm T2.0, 85mm T2.8 and 125mm T4.0 are $1,039 each. Our CSV lists a 4-lens set at $2,599. Mount: PL with an EF option. Coverage: the store titles say "Full Frame", but the published image circle for the 40 and 55 mm is 28.8 × 24 mm, which is Super 35-sized. We list the 85 and 125 mm as full frame.

2. DZOFilm Pavo: faster, pricier, more focal lengths

The Pavo 2x (28/32/40/55/75mm T2.1, 100mm T2.4) launched at $5,499 per lens (Newsshooter, Sep 2023). DZOFilm's store now lists single lenses from $2,299 to $3,399, with store compare-at prices of $3,399 and up. The lowest price applies to the Imperial-scale, neutral-flare version only; metric or blue-flare versions are $3,399. The store also lists 65, 135 and 180 mm focal lengths that are not in our database yet. Coverage is marked verify in our data. Mount: PL and EF.

3. The adapter route: Sirui Venus + 1.25x = 2x

According to Sirui, its 1.25x anamorphic adapter ($299) screws onto the 1.6x Venus primes for a 2x total squeeze with single focus. With the cheapest Venus (50mm, $299) that is $598 for a full-frame 2x setup in E, RF, L or Z. That is the cheapest 2x in our data, as long as you accept the adapter's extra size and weight.

4. Vintage: Kowa / Bell & Howell 2x

The Kowa B&H 2x projection adapter is a used-market classic. It needs a single-focus solution (for example a Rectilux-type unit) and a taking lens, so the real cost is the whole rig. See the adapters guide and buying used.

Which cameras suit 2x?

2x on a 16:9 frame gives 3.56:1, which gets cropped hard. 2x works best on 4:3 or 6:5 recording modes: 4:3 × 2 = 2.67:1, 6:5 × 2 = 2.40:1. The Blackmagic Pocket 6K's 3.7K 6:5 mode was designed for 2x lenses (see BMPCC guide).