Venus Optics’ PL-mount 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter, 1.4x Full Frame Expander now available for $999 each

More than a year after first showing off its prototypes, Venus Optics has announced the release of its new Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter and Laowa 1.4x Full Frame Expander, both of which are PL to PL adapters.

Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter

The Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter does what its name suggests—it creates a 2:1 wide screen squeeze that fits a 2.35:1 cinematic ratio onto a 16:9 sensor, which can then be desqueezed in post-production for a more cinematic look.

Venus Optics notes this adapter doesn’t provide exactly the same look as dedicated anamorphic lenses, but will give footage ‘cinematic character.’ The adapter does reduce incoming light by a half a stop.

The Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter attached to Venus Optic’s Laowa OOOM 25- 100mm T2.8 cine lens.

At this time, Venus Optics has tested the Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter with the following lenses, although some may require the rear plate to be removed:

• Angenieux 28–340mm Optimo Zoom T3.2
• Angenieux 24–290mm Optimo Zoom T2.8
• Angenieux Optimo Style 16–40mm T2.8 Zoom
• Angenieux Optimo Style 30–76mm T2.8 Zoom
• Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 25 mm T1.5
• Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 29 mm T1.5
• Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 35 mm T1.5
• Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 50 mm T1.5
• Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 85 mm T1.5
• Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 15mm T2.9
• Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 18 mm T2.9
• Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 25 mm T2.1
• Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 28 mm T2.1
• Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 35 mm T2.1
• Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 50 mm T2.1
• Carl Zeiss Compact Prime 85 mm T2.1
• ARRI 18–80mm Alura Studio Zoom T2.6
• ARRI 45–250MM T2.6

Laowa 1.4x Full Frame Expander

The 1.4x Full Frame Expander is designed to make Super35 format PL lenses compatible with full-frame sensors. Venus Optics says the 1.4x adapter will reduce light by one stop and increase the focal length of the attached lens by 1.4x. Venus Optics has also added a back-focus-adjustment to the adapter so those changes can be made on-the-fly without the need to shims.

Venus Optics says the following lenses have been tested with the 1.4x Full Frame Expander and are confirmed to work, although some of them may require the rear plates to be removed:

• Angenieux EZ-2 15–40mm T2.0
• Angenieux EZ-1 30–90mm T2.0
• Angenieux EZ-1 45–135MM T3
• Angenieux EZ2 FF 22–60mm T3
• Canon CN-E 15.5–47mm T2.8 L S Wide-Angle Cinema Zoom
• Canon CN-E 30–105mm T2.8 L S Telephoto Cinema Zoom
• ARRI Ultra Prime 85mm T1.9
• Carl Zeiss Supreme Prime 29 mm T1.5
• Carl Zeiss Cinema Zoom 15–30mm

The 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter and 1.4x Full Frame Expander are available to purchase individually ($999 each) or as a kit ($1,800). Regardless of whether you purchase only one or two, the adapters will come in a protective plastic case with custom foam padding.