The Kowa 2x Anamorphic 3-Lens Set has captured the attention of filmmakers seeking that distinctive cinematic look without breaking the bank. This comprehensive review examines whether these lenses deliver on their promise of affordable anamorphic excellence.
Kowa, originally known for their photographic and medical optics, entered the cinema lens market with a focus on providing accessible anamorphic solutions. Anamorphic lenses squeeze a wider image onto standard film or sensor formats, creating that coveted widescreen aesthetic with characteristic oval bokeh and horizontal lens flares that define modern cinema.
This three-lens set—comprising 40mm, 50mm, and 75mm focal lengths—represents Kowa’s attempt to democratize anamorphic filmmaking. But does it succeed in delivering professional results at an accessible price point?
Contents
Overview of the Kowa 2x Anamorphic 3-Lens Set
The Kowa 2x Anamorphic 3-Lens Set provides filmmakers with essential focal lengths for narrative filmmaking. Each lens features a 2x squeeze ratio, transforming standard 16:9 footage into ultrawide 2.39:1 aspect ratios when de-squeezed in post-production.
These lenses are designed for Super 35mm sensors and maintain consistent aperture ranges across the set. The unified design philosophy ensures seamless matching between focal lengths, a crucial factor for professional productions where lens changes shouldn’t affect the overall look.
The set covers the most commonly used focal lengths in narrative filmmaking. The 40mm serves as a wide establishing lens, the 50mm handles medium shots and dialogue, while the 75mm provides tighter coverage for close-ups and portraits.
Lens-by-Lens Breakdown
Kowa Anamorphic Lens 40mm
The 40mm serves as the wide-angle foundation of the set. With a maximum aperture of T2.3, it provides excellent low-light performance while maintaining the characteristic anamorphic look.
This lens excels at establishing shots and environmental storytelling. The 40mm focal length, when combined with the 2x squeeze, creates an immersive field of view that draws viewers into the scene. The wide angle also emphasizes the horizontal lens flares that anamorphic lenses are famous for.
Focus breathing is minimal, making it suitable for focus pulls during dialogue scenes. The lens maintains sharpness across most of the frame, though some softness appears at the extreme edges—typical behavior for anamorphic optics.
Kowa Anamorphic Lens 50mm
The 50mm represents the workhorse of the set. Its natural field of view closely matches human vision, making it ideal for dialogue scenes and medium shots where character interaction is key.
This lens demonstrates excellent sharpness in the center of the frame while maintaining pleasing bokeh characteristics. The oval bokeh creates a distinctive look that separates subjects from backgrounds more dramatically than spherical lenses.
Color rendition remains consistent with the other lenses in the set, ensuring seamless intercutting between focal lengths. The 50mm handles skin tones particularly well, making it a favorite for portrait work and intimate dialogue scenes.
Kowa Anamorphic Lens 75mm
The 75mm completes the set as the telephoto option. This lens compresses perspective while maintaining the anamorphic aesthetic, creating flattering portraits and dramatic close-ups.
The longer focal length produces more pronounced bokeh effects, with the characteristic oval highlights becoming more prominent. This lens is particularly effective for isolating subjects and creating shallow depth of field effects.
Chromatic aberration is well-controlled, though some fringing may appear in high-contrast situations. The lens maintains good contrast and color saturation even when shooting wide open.
Image Quality and Performance
The Kowa 2x Anamorphic lenses deliver impressive image quality considering their price point. Sharpness is excellent in the center of the frame, gradually softening toward the edges—a characteristic shared with many anamorphic designs.
The bokeh quality stands out as a major strength. The oval-shaped out-of-focus areas create a dreamy, cinematic quality that’s immediately recognizable. Background lights transform into elegant ovals rather than harsh circles, contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal.
Lens flares are moderate and controllable. Unlike some anamorphic lenses that produce overwhelming flares, the Kowa set provides subtle horizontal streaks that enhance rather than dominate the image. The flares appear naturally blue-tinted, adding to the cinematic quality without becoming distracting.
Distortion is minimal for anamorphic lenses. While some barrel distortion is present, particularly in the 40mm, it’s well-controlled and rarely problematic in practical shooting situations.
Build Quality and Handling
The physical construction of the Kowa lenses reflects their positioning as professional tools. Each lens features a robust metal housing that feels solid and durable. The focus and aperture rings operate smoothly with appropriate resistance for professional use.
Weight distribution is well-balanced, though the lenses are noticeably heavier than equivalent spherical lenses. This added weight is expected with anamorphic designs and shouldn’t pose problems for properly supported camera systems.
The lens mount is secure and precisely manufactured. Each lens locks firmly to the camera without play or wobble. The consistent filter thread size across all three lenses simplifies filter management during productions.
Front element size varies between focal lengths, which may require different matte box configurations. This is common among anamorphic sets and shouldn’t surprise experienced cinematographers.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
The Kowa 2x Anamorphic set offers several compelling benefits. The price point makes anamorphic filmmaking accessible to independent filmmakers and smaller productions. Image quality exceeds expectations for the price range, delivering professional results.
Color matching between lenses is excellent, ensuring consistent looks across cuts. The moderate flare characteristics provide cinematic appeal without overwhelming the image. Build quality inspires confidence for professional use.
The lens set covers essential focal lengths for narrative filmmaking. Most productions can rely on these three lenses for complete coverage. The T2.3 maximum aperture provides good low-light performance.
Disadvantages
Some limitations become apparent during extended use. Edge softness is more pronounced than premium anamorphic lenses. Chromatic aberration can appear in high-contrast situations, requiring color correction in post-production.
The lenses are heavier than spherical alternatives, requiring robust camera support. Focus throw is relatively short, making precise focus adjustments challenging. Some users report occasional focus breathing during dramatic pulls.
Availability can be limited, as these lenses are often in high demand. Rental costs may accumulate quickly for extended productions. The lens set lacks longer focal lengths that some productions require.
Comparisons with Similar Anamorphic Lenses
Compared to higher-end anamorphic options like the Cooke Anamorphic/i series, the Kowa lenses offer similar aesthetic qualities at a fraction of the cost. While the Cooke lenses provide superior edge sharpness and reduced aberrations, the Kowa set delivers 80% of the performance at significantly lower cost.
Against other budget anamorphic options, the Kowa lenses stand out for their consistent quality and professional build. The SLR Magic Anamorphot series offers similar pricing but with less refined optical performance and build quality.
The Kowa set compares favorably to vintage anamorphic lenses, providing modern mechanics and reliability while maintaining classic aesthetic qualities. Unlike vintage options, the Kowa lenses don’t require constant maintenance or worry about mechanical failures.
Making the Right Choice for Your Production
The Kowa 2x Anamorphic 3-Lens Set represents an excellent entry point into anamorphic filmmaking. These lenses deliver professional results at accessible prices, making them ideal for independent filmmakers, commercial productions, and anyone seeking to explore the anamorphic aesthetic.
The set works best for productions that prioritize the distinctive anamorphic look over absolute technical perfection. While edge sharpness and aberration control don’t match premium options, the overall image quality and aesthetic appeal make these lenses valuable tools for creative filmmaking.
Consider your specific needs, budget constraints, and production requirements when evaluating this lens set. For many filmmakers, the Kowa 2x Anamorphic lenses provide the perfect balance of quality, affordability, and professional capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Kowa anamorphic lenses compatible with full-frame cameras?
The Kowa 2x Anamorphic lenses are designed for Super 35mm sensors. While they may work on full-frame cameras, vignetting and edge performance issues are likely to occur.
What cameras work best with the Kowa anamorphic set?
These lenses work well with cameras featuring Super 35mm sensors, including the RED lineup, ARRI Alexa, and Blackmagic cameras. Proper de-squeeze monitoring is essential for accurate framing.
How do these lenses handle autofocus?
The Kowa anamorphic lenses are manual focus only. They’re designed for professional use where manual focus control is preferred for precise focusing and creative control.
What’s the minimum focus distance for each lens?
The minimum focus distances vary by focal length, with the 40mm focusing closest at approximately 3 feet, while the 75mm requires greater working distance for close focusing.
Do I need special filters for anamorphic lenses?
Standard filters work with anamorphic lenses, though the oval bokeh shape may affect the appearance of certain filter effects. Polarizing filters can reduce unwanted reflections while maintaining the anamorphic aesthetic.
