Venus Optics is refreshing their popular Laowa Proteus line of 2x squeeze Super35 anamorphic lenses with new "Flex" versions that feature user-interchangeable flaring options, including amber, silver, blue, and clear. Expect the same sharp, professional look as the original Proteus lenses, but now with the freedom to swap flare modules and dial in a customized feel.
Out of the box, the Proteus Flex lenses will have a classic silver flare that can take on the colors of different light sources. Yet remove a few screws, pop out the silver module, and have your pick of replacing it with amber, blue, or clear, all included in the lens case. The process should take less than ten minutes and won’t require any additional calibration or shimming.
This is an exciting and innovative development in the anamorphic space. Many brands, Venus Optics included, offer anamorphic lenses in different coatings to produce specific flare colors, but these lenses have always been locked into their original coating and flares. Many shooters would purchase blue flare versions if they shoot a lot of sci-fi and futuristic content, while others went amber for more retro and nostalgia-fueled projects. Silver flare versions sat in a nice middle ground, but could never achieve quite the specific character of the blue and amber versions. Purchasing one lens and getting access to all three coatings, plus a clear flare look that almost completely eliminates horizontal flaring, is an exciting prospect for shooters that want maximum versatility.
The new lenses are available in two distinct sets. Set A features a 28mm, 45mm, and 85mm, while Set B includes a 35mm, 60mm, and 100mm. All six lenses are also available individually and feature a consistent T2 aperture. If you’ve forgotten about the original Proteus line, here’s a quick recap: shooters can expect a constant 2x squeeze ratio, minimal focus breathing, good close focus abilities, and consistent focus and iris gearing across the line. The lenses cover Super35 sensors by default, but a 1.4x Full-Frame Expander is available.
User-interchangeable flare modules in these new Flex versions should make the lenses more economical for solo shooters and small production companies trying to achieve a customized anamorphic look across a variety of projects. The lenses come with swappable PL and EF mounts for further flexibility, and all feature 105mm front filter threads, as well as 114mm front diameters for using a matte box. The weight and size of the lenses increases a bit with the longer focal lengths but remains small enough for a lot of gimbal and drone use.
With the 2x squeeze of the Proteus, it’s easy to get an uncropped 2.4:1 or 2.66:1 image (depending on your sensor size), then crop down to 2.39:1 for traditional deliverables. Bokeh is also longer and thinner than 1.5x and 1.3x offerings, closer to the classic looks of old Hollywood. Venus Optics has been refining their anamorphic offerings for quite a few years now, using a mix of anamorphic and spherical blocks that combine modern sharpness standards with vintage flaring and elliptical bokeh. Releasing the Flex line in metric and imperial scales further shows their commitment to universal compatibility.
For more information about the Venus Optics Laowa Proteus Flex lenses, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product pages. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
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