One of the most acclaimed and rare glasses ever made is for sale on eBay. For $80,000 USD, a Panavision Anamorphic B-Series 2x Auto-Panatar lens can be yours. Let’s have a look. Update (15/10/22): It appears that this lens is stolen.
Update:
Important! Sources say that this lens is stolen. So beware! We’ll update you on Panavision’s response if it will.
Update (15/10/22):
It seems that the lens is stolen. No official comment from Panavision yet. However, Panavision reported a trademark rights infringement claim on the featured picture on our YMCinema IG account. That would be a false claim since the picture was posted under Section 107 of the Copyright Act which defines fair use. We’ll continue to ‘follow’ this lens and will update the article accordingly.
Panavision B-Series Auto-Panatar Anamorphic X2
The more recently B-Series Panavision lenses were used on “Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation”, “The World’s End” and the 2022 academy award-winning “Pig” to name a few. Also in shows “Mudbound” and “Superman & Luis”. Now, this rare (Auto-Panatar) piece of glass is for sale on eBay. You barely can find those, as the Panavision anamorphic vintage lenses can be only rented, but only if you can find a rental house that keeps those. Now, this gem is available for sale, with a focal length of 50mm (T2.5).
50mm T2.5 Anamorphic 2X
As stated by the seller: “Panavision B-Series Auto-Panatar 50mm T2.5 Anamorphic 2X lens in Panavision mount. Serial # B-2xx (mount is attached via 3 hex screws, so additional mounts could be manufactured and attached easily). This lens was made by Panavision in the 1960s and utilizes Bausch & Lomb Super Baltar 50mm F2 taking lens. This is why they have such unique characteristics compared to newer models. Furthermore, this lens was retired by Panavision in the 1970s when new models were introduced but currently gained big popularity once again”.
Test footage
For test footage, see the test sample and lens characteristics below (the test performed on the B-Series 50mm lens here, fast forward to 2 min and 28 seconds of the video):
Conditions
As mentioned by the seller, the lens is in “Excellent Used Condition”:
- Barrel – excellent, no dings or damages.
- Anamorphic glass is perfect, with no fungus, haze, or scratches, no separation, couple of minor superficial cleaning marks.
- Taking lens looks perfect, with no haze, no fungus, no scratches, and no separation.
- The aperture works smoothly.
- Overall excellent+ condition.
The Auto-Panatars
The Auto-Panatars were some of the first anamorphic lenses produced by Panavision. They were sold to movie studios before Panavision became a rental-only lens maker. Auto-Panatars are some of the oldest anamorphic lenses available. Despite their age, they still deliver plenty of performance but with all the characteristics expected from vintage front anamorphic lenses.
Panavision’s story
The Ultra Panavision 70 technology led to the 1958 unveiling of the 35mm-format Auto Panatar camera lenses, which eliminated the distortions created by early CinemaScope optics. Their popularity among filmmakers and actors cemented Panavision’s growing reputation as the motion-picture industry’s premier optics innovator. Incorporating superior technology and a patented optical system developed by Panavision partner Walter Wallin, Auto Panatar lenses quickly became the industry standard for anamorphic production and earned Panavision the first of its Academy Technical Awards. Director William Wyler’s epic feature Ben-Hur, was shot with the MGM Camera 65 system for which a 65mm Mitchell camera was housed in a Panavision soundproof blimp and Panavision Auto Panatar optics.
‘Vintage Flaring’
As stated by Lens Test Director, Cinematographer, and Owner of Old Fast Glass: “The lenses (Panavision Auto-Panatar Anamorphic) flared in a very classic, very Panavision way, with bold streaks and all sorts of other little reflections. They also produced the biggest and most obvious flares from our two bare light bulbs. Those little flares were warm and not too distracting. It’s safe to say these are one of the easiest lenses to flare. If anything, testing these lenses confirmed that Panavision has earned its reputation for building some of the best anamorphic lenses available. They are classic, they are beautiful and they produce stunning images. They are the first choice for many DPs for good reason”.
The modern Series B Anamorphic
Pulled from the display shelf in 2012 for Bill Pope, ASC, the B Series was updated with modern mechanics by adding a gear ring to the T-stop to enable motor control. For filmmakers wanting vintage looks, the B Series produces a softer, pastel patina that blends hard lines, helps promote the illusion of depth, and creates a beautiful wraparound on subjects. We wrote a few articles about cinematographers who seek after the vintage flaring and thus use this outstanding glass. For instance, check out this article “Superman & Lois Preserves the ‘Snyder Look’: Shot on Panavision DXL2 and RED Monstro With B-Series Anamorphic”.
Price: $80,000 USD
As for the 50mm B-Series Auto-Panatar on eBay, the seller mentions that the lens is available for inspection and/or pickup in Miami, or to contact him for other arrangements. The requested price is $80,000 USD. Would you pay that much for a real ‘vintage flare’?
Update:
Important! Sources say that this lens is stolen. So beware! We’ll update you on Panavision’s response if it will.
Update (15/10/22):
It seems that the lens is stolen. No official comment from Panavision yet. However, Panavision reported a trademark rights infringement claim on the featured picture on our YMCinema IG account. That would be a false claim since the picture was posted under Section 107 of the Copyright Act which defines fair use. We’ll continue to ‘follow’ this lens and will update the article accordingly.
This is a comment from reader Terry Herrin (he asked us to post the comment):
“My first reaction was, “Oh my god, if I had the kind of money to splurge 80 Grand, I would buy this just to display it on the mantel.” Then rent it to local film makers to make the money back. Haha! But seriously, I just accessed the web site from the newsletter and saw the update that the lens was stolen. How sad, but good news I hope for the rightful owner to get the lens back. Please continue the updates so we can see how this story plays out. I’d like to know who the real owner is. Panavision, most likely. If so, they can go back to renting it”.
Yeah, it’s spelled out pretty clear on the lens. “Property of Panavision”. Try asking for a picture of the serial number. It’s on the opposite side of the lens that is for sale. Good luck getting a reply.
Prior to the B series, the Auto-Panatar lenses were sold to studios, mostly MGM and Columbia, and those lenses do not display the “Property of” on the lens and likely sold or auctioned off years ago. Everything after that era, up to today, has those three little words. It is still the property of Panavision, so I’d save your money.
I asked the seller if the lens was stolen a week ago. they responded with this:
“I spoke to Panavision few years ago about mount replacement and provided serial number, if it was stollen they would have informed me of that fact.
But you don’t have to trust me, just go and check stollen items database at this link:
https://esta.org/PERG/perg_theft_prevention.html
Closer to the bottom of that page you can see a link to “Search the database”. Once opened you can search by brand, model etc… There are many Panavision items there, but this lens is not one of them.
Original anamorphic series and B-series were the once that Panavision sold or gifted to some movie studios during 1960s, as they were “scraping” them. Starting with C-series, Panavision became Rental only house.
There is a rental house that is renting Original series (A-series) anamorphic lenses, you can find them if you google.”