Hard times to one of the best cine-anamorphic makers, Xelmus Anamorphic. The Ukrainian lens manufacturer is under fire due to the Russian invasion. Now might be the best time to support it. Here is how you can help. 

Xelmus Anamorphic

We wrote a couple of articles focusing on this anamorphic lens manufacturer. The first lenses titled Apollo were introduced in 2019 and were characterized by a full-frame coverage, 2X anamorphic ratio, and affordable price tags ($12,000 – however the price went up dramatically to $17,000). Nevertheless, the most appealing factor is their anamorphic look & feel. In our opinion, the Apollo lenses own high-end anamorphic imagery that reminds the acclaimed Panavision glass.

The Apollo series is compact, sharp, optimized for distortion correction, and a very unique flaring, “One of the main features of our lens is the anti-mump system created in 1954 by Mr. Gottschalk from Panavision. With that system, whilst focusing from infinity to the close point, the image stretches only in a vertical direction (vertical breath), and the horizontal axis stays locked. That’s the beauty of this focusing system” stated Xelmus. The lenses are colored white (Apollo—Nasa). There are no black models for now. 

Here’re a few articles we wrote about these lenses :

• Xelmus Apollo 2x Anamorphic Lenses: New and Affordable Anamorphic Primes
• Xelmus Introduces New Apollo Full-Frame 2X Anamorphic Primes: 50mm T1.7, 75mm T2, and 135mm T2
• Watch: Stunning Commercial Shot on Xelmus Anamorphic Primes

Problematic supply chain now amplified

As explained, the lenses were defined as ‘affordable full-frame 2X anamorphics’. However, the price was elevated by thirty percent. Now the price is $17,000 per lens. Moreover, anamorphic shooters that made a deposit needed to wait months till the lenses were shipped. Unfortunately, due to the Russian invasion, there’s no option to purchase/order the lenses as they are all ‘sold out’ (including the sets).

Luckily, there are some rental houses that got them, and nowadays you can find more projects shot with them. The results are absolutely stunning. Did we say that those lenses produce the most beautiful flares? Check out a few videos below shot on Xelmus Anamorphic: 

How can you help? 

It’s definitely a hard time for Xelmus. Even its FB page has turned into a channel of diplomacy. Since they have much more important things to do than developing lenses, ask yourself how can you help them. The answer is simple. Just rent this beautiful anamorphic glass and shoot with it. As said, they are a few rental houses that own these lenses. It looks (obviously) like the company is not focused on making new ones. So rent the Xelmus you can find and use it on your projects. That would help a lot in establishing these lenses within the filmmaking community. Xelmus needs more traction in the industry, and it totally deserves it.