SLR Magic Anamorphot 1.33x-40 SF

• Anamorphic Adapter by SLR Magic
• Single Focus : Variable Diopter
• Mount: 52 MM

Unlike it's bigger brother, the 1.33x-50, this Anamorphot is fun and easy to use. It is a single focus setup, as it comes attached to a budget Rangefinder, with no focus markings except "Near" and "Normal". The distortion is quite pleasing and it stretches out to Cinemascope aspect ratio right out of the camera when shooting 16:9, due to its 1.33x aspect ratio. Flares are still super saturated, and there are lots of chromatic aberration when shooting around f/2.8 or faster. It doesn't play super nice with longer lenses (85mm and up), especially in low light. Corners are messy all throughout, but you should've learned to not expect much from a 1.33x adapter anyway. My best pairing is by far the Canon EF 40mm pancake.

This Anamorphot feels like a shrunk version of the 1.33x-50. It has 52mm rear threads and a built-in locking mechanism that frees you from clamps. The front thread is 82mm, allowing for NDs, diopters and whatnot. SLR Magic discourages using taking lenses with front elements bigger than 40mm (hence the name!), as that will introduce vignetting and light loss.

One big advantage of this 1.33x adapter is the fact that it is single focus. Focus ranges from 1.2m (or 4ft) to infinity. All you have to do is focus your taking lens to infinity and attach the anamorphic to the front. The adapter weights 535g, has a solid metal build and it's not too taxing on the taking lens to require additional support - as you don't need clamps and diopters.

The previous Anamorphots were "double focus but not quite", through the Near Normal dial, which required some tweaking with the taking lens. This is not the case here, with full single focus operation. They recommend shooting from f/2.8 and above, and it's easy to see the difference when you go below that. I would say the sweet spot for this adapter is f/4.

Blue radioactive flares, no surprises here. Plus the added elements because of the Rangefinder. Not the finest performance for me, but if you really dig flares, this one is the way to go! Some taking lenses will make a vertical flare. It doesn't show on the 40mm, but shows on other lenses I tried.

When it comes to sensor coverage, SLR Magic recommends using this lens with APS-C sized sensors, and says it will pair nicely with their CINE Series, both the 35mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.1. For MFT, they say 25mm works. For Full Frame, I was still able to get a clear shot at 40mm, using Canon's pancake.

I don't see this as a step back from the Anamorphot 1.33x-50, but a step up! I was able to go much wider with built-in single focus. Full frame performance is not top notch, but many of SLR Magic's lens choices are geared towards smaller sensors and with the GH family around, I understand and respect that. I think this is an attempt to reel in more serious shooters because of single focus and all of the anamorphic character.