Blazar Lens has officially revealed the price of its Mantis 1.33X Full Frame Anamorphic lens series—$900 per lens. This pricing is notably low for full-frame anamorphic glass and places the Mantis series in direct competition with other affordable cinema lens options. With a growing number of cinematographers, content creators, and indie filmmakers seeking the distinctive anamorphic look without stretching their budgets, the Mantis lineup arrives at a strategic moment.
Overview of the Mantis Series
First unveiled earlier this year, the Blazar Mantis 1.33X Anamorphic lenses are designed for full-frame sensors and promise a lightweight, compact form factor. The 1.33x squeeze ratio provides a cinematic widescreen look when shooting in 16:9, delivering a 2.35:1 image upon desqueeze—ideal for filmmakers who want to achieve classic anamorphic aesthetics without extreme distortion or complex post workflows. Blazar has so far announced three focal lengths: 35mm T2.0, 50mm T2.0, and 75mm T2.0, with a 100mm reportedly in development. According to first-look reports, the lenses are built with an aluminum alloy housing and are relatively lightweight, making them practical for handheld and gimbal setups.
Optical Qualities and Sample Footage
The Mantis lenses are designed to provide the visual traits typically associated with anamorphic optics: horizontal flares, subtle barrel distortion, and oval-shaped bokeh. They avoid the over-exaggeration of such features, opting instead for a cleaner image that still feels cinematic. Footage samples reveal the lens series’ performance in real-world shooting conditions. While some may prefer the more stylized flare-heavy look of 2X anamorphics, the Mantis series aims for a practical balance between stylization and clarity.
$900 Price Point: Who Is It For?
The standout aspect of the Mantis announcement is, undoubtedly, the price. At $900, these lenses are among the most affordable full-frame anamorphic options available. For context, traditional full-frame anamorphic lenses—especially 2X squeeze—often retail for several thousand dollars per lens. Even the more affordable Super35 alternatives usually cost significantly more than the Mantis series. This pricing positions the lenses as a viable option not just for professional cinematographers working on tight budgets, but also for content creators and smaller production houses looking to elevate their image quality without renting or investing in high-end optics. For now, you can buy these lenses on B&H.
Comparison With Other Affordable Anamorphic Options
The Mantis lenses are not alone in the emerging segment of budget-friendly anamorphic tools. There has been a noticeable industry push toward making anamorphic imaging more accessible. For example:
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Viltrox EPIC: Affordable 1.33X Full-Frame Anamorphic Cinema Lenses: Viltrox recently introduced its EPIC series, which also targets the affordable anamorphic market with full-frame coverage and 1.33x squeeze.
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DZOFilm Expands PAVO Anamorphic with Macro 65mm, 135mm, and 180mm Lenses: DZOFilm’s PAVO series offers a more extensive focal range and macro capability, though with a higher price point and 2X squeeze.
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Laowa Proteus 2X Anamorphic and ARRI ALEXA 35: While not directly in the same affordability bracket, Laowa’s Proteus series represents the next tier up in both optical character and price.
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No, These Are Not Panavision, but Xelmus’ New Anamorphic Lenses Called Aura: The Aura lenses are positioned for shooters who want a vintage look at a mid-range price.
Meanwhile, even smartphone filmmakers have joined the anamorphic movement with tools like the iPhone 15 Pro Anamorphic Lens Cinema Camera, showing just how far the trend has trickled down. Finally, it’s worth noting the increasing interest in wide-open anamorphic imagery at fast apertures, as discussed in Would You Watch Snyder’s ‘Rebel Moon’ Shot Entirely Wide Open Anamorphic T1.5 on 70mm Projection?. While the Mantis lenses don’t match those specs, they certainly contribute to the broader conversation.
Final Thoughts
The Blazar Mantis 1.33X Anamorphic lenses represent a significant step forward in democratizing the anamorphic look. While not aiming to replicate the ultra-premium results of brands like Panavision or Hawk, Blazar offers a practical and budget-friendly solution for full-frame shooters. The $900 price tag opens new creative possibilities for filmmakers who might previously have been priced out of using true anamorphic optics. It remains to be seen how the Mantis series holds up in long-term use and whether Blazar continues to expand its lens lineup. However, early impressions are positive, and the market response is likely to be strong given the current demand for affordable, high-quality full-frame anamorphic glass.
