Sirui from Zhongshan, China, has existed since 2001 and for years supplied tripods, ball heads and monopods that came close to Gitzo in finish. In 2019 the brand released the 50mm f/1.8 1.33x anamorphic, the first anamorphic lens under a thousand euros, followed by a complete range: the 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 75mm 1.33x for APS-C and MFT, the 1.6x series, the full-frame Saturn and Venus lines with 1.6x and 1.8x squeeze and T2.9, and the Night Walker cine primes. The Sniper series are autofocus primes for Fujifilm, Sony and Nikon Z.
Anamorphic lenses are optically complex: we check the focus and aperture rings, the glass for scratches and dust, the alignment of the anamorphic group (a skewed flare or distorted bokeh betrays a knock) and, on cine versions, the gears and the back focus. Tripods and heads are tested for locks, legs and clamping force. It is all in the condition notes.
With anamorphic, mind the squeeze factor and the sensor format: a 1.33x lens for APS-C vignettes on full-frame. The product page states the mount, the squeeze and the image format. We help you assemble a set.
