Description
The Lightest & Most Compact 2X Anamorphic Zooms
Designed with cinematographers in mind, the Proteus 2x Anamorphic Zoom Series (26-45mm & 45-85mm T2.9 Lens) stands out for its exceptional portability. Weighing approximately 1.5kg (3.3lbs) and measuring 19cm (7.48″) in length, it offers a remarkably compact form factor. This lightweight design minimizes payload, enhancing mobility on set and enabling seamless transitions between scenes.
Among comparable 2x anamorphic zoom lenses, it stands as the most compact front anamorphic option available, delivering both convenience and professional performance.
Credits to Taylor Edwards
Over 3x Zoom Range Across 2 lenses (26-85mm)
The Proteus Zoom Series delivers a versatile 3.27x zoom range (26mm to 85mm), making it ideal for diverse shooting scenarios. These lenses maintain sharp focus throughout the zoom range, enabling cinematographers to execute dynamic techniques such as crash zooms and dolly zooms with precision. All this is achieved while preserving the distinctive 2x anamorphic squeeze, ensuring the signature cinematic look remains intact.
Parfocal Design
Subject stays focused when adjusting the focal range, thanks to the parfocal design.
Expressive Anamorphic Look
The Proteus Zoom Series inherited the unique 2x anamorphic look from its sister lens series – Proteus Prime Series. So now you can shoot anamorphic with the added portability and versatility.
Organic Focus Roll-off
Filmmakers often seek an organic focus roll-off to create a more aesthetically pleasing viewing experience for the audience.
Designed to deliver a smooth and natural transition from focused to out-of-focus areas, the lenses can create the beloved elliptical bokeh with a shallow depth of field.
3 Flare Colors
The Proteus 2x Anamorphic Zoom Series offers a range of classic sci-fi blue, warm and elegant amber, and neutral silver flare color options. Cinematographers can choose the flare colors that best suit the desired mood and tone of their scenes.
The silver flare version adapts its colors based on the light source, providing a versatile flare effect.
Elliptical 2X Bokeh
Smooth and natural transition from focused to out-of-focus areas, creating the beloved elliptical bokeh with an aesthetically shallow depth of field.
Constant 2x Squeeze
The Laowa Proteus Zooms maintain a constant 2x squeeze ratio, delivering the iconic widescreen anamorphic look sought after in cinema. Optimized for 4:3 and 6:5 sensors—common in professional cinema cameras—they produce a 2.66:1 or 2.4:1 image after de-squeezing. Filmmakers can use the full image or crop to the industry-standard 2.39:1 aspect ratio with minimal resolution loss, ensuring maximum flexibility in post-production.
Min. Focusing Capability up to 50cm/1’7″
Credits to Media Division
The minimum focusing distance of the 26-45mm is 50cm (1’7”) and 45-85mm is 90cm (2’11”). Filmmakers can create immersive close-ups shots while having the widescreen field of view.
Compatible with 1.4X Expander
When using with the Laowa 1.4X Full-frame Expander, both 26-45mm and 45-85mm T2.9 lenses can cover full-frame sensors and deliver stunning image quality.
Sensor Coverage
The Proteus zoom lenses have an image circle of Ø31.9mm, seamlessly support the usage of cameras such as RED V-Raptor in 7K 6:5 format and Alexa 35 in Open Gate 6:5 crop format.
Ergonomic & Intelligent Cine Housing
77mm Filter Thread – Allowing attachment of filters and step-up rings for matte box accessories.
Back focus Adjustment Mechanism – Calibrating the back focus with the lens mounted on the camera directly without going through a tedious shimming process.
0.8 Mod Gear – For both aperture and focus gear to work with the pitching.
I was kicking off the season and knew I’d be shooting ARRI35 Anamorphic 2:1. The form factor and quality fo these lenses was spectacular. How the wide angle can be so lightweight, so fast and with so little curvature on the wide end appears to defy the physics of lens manufacture.
I was often wide open, never closed on T4 and they were sharp, but not abrupt at every stop. Rounded off with great bokeh and quality flare characteristics they were in use everyday on the production.
Ultimately after my 5 week block the 3 subsequent DP’s on the season’s blocks all requested to keep the lenses on and continued to use them throughout, a testament to their performance and quality, both optically and mechanically. I look forward to using them again on my next anamorphic show.
Michael Wood, BSC
Reviews & News
Sample Video
Short Documentary – The Alchemist
Camera: Blackmagic Pyxis
Lens: Laowa Proteus 2X Anamorphic Zooms
Thomas Teissier & Oftwolands
Music Video – A Hero’s Journey
Camera: FX3
Lens: Laowa Proteus Zoom 2x Anamorpic Zoom 26-45mm & 45-85mm
Kiva Huang
Technical Data
Series Name |
Laowa Proteus 2X Anamorphic Zoom Series |
|
Focal Length |
26-45mm |
45-85mm |
Aperture Range |
T2.9-22 |
|
Format |
Super 35 |
|
Image Circle Diameter |
Ø31.9mm |
|
Angle of View |
26mm: 89.8°x45.1° / 45mm: 59.9°x27° |
45mm: 59.9°x27° / 85mm: 33.9°x14.5° |
Lens Structure |
21 elements in 15 groups |
20 elements in 14 groups |
Aperture Blades |
11 blades |
|
Focus Throw |
270° |
|
Zoom Throw |
100° |
|
Aperture Throw |
42° |
|
Min. Focusing Distance |
1’7”/50cm |
2’11”/90cm |
Focus Indicator |
Imperial |
|
In-focus Driving Mode |
Manual (MF) |
|
Gear Mod |
0.8M |
|
Dimensions for Filter Thread |
Ø77mm |
|
Front Diameter |
Ø80mm |
|
Dimensions |
Ø3.34”x7.46” / Ø84.8mm*189.5mm |
Ø3.34”x7.6” / Ø84.8mm*193.5mm |
Weight |
~3.38lbs/1533g |
~3.30lbs/1495g |
Mounts |
ARRI PL |
|
Optional Interchangeable Mount (Bayonets Only): |
Canon EF (Included in the package), Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, L mount |
|
![Laowa PL/EF - Nanomorph 1.5X Anamorphic [27mm T2.8 / 35mm T2.4 / 50mm T2.4]](https://www.laowalenses.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/PL_EF_Nanomorph-300x300.jpg)
![Nanomorph 1.5X Anamorphic [60mm T2.9 Macro 1:2]](https://www.laowalenses.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nano-60mm_DSC3400-scaled-1-300x300.jpg)
