DZOFilm opened pre-orders on March 24 for the Arcana series: three 1.5x anamorphic primes at 32mm, 45mm, and 75mm, all at T2.1. That focal length spread covers you from wide establishing shots to portraits and tighter compositions. For indie filmmakers and solo shooters, this is a very practical set.
The lenses feature a hybrid anamorphic design that DZOFilm says delivers 2x waterfall bokeh and color-shifting horizontal flares. So you are getting the squeeze ratio of 1.5x for easier sensor coverage, but with flare and bokeh characteristics that lean closer to what you would expect from a 2x design. That is a clever engineering choice.
The Specs That Matter
Each lens covers a full-frame image circle of 43.3mm, which means they play nicely with cameras like the Sony FX6, Canon C70, Panasonic S5II, or any full-frame mirrorless body. They are available in PL mount with an included DZOFILM Octopus adapter for early-bird orders.
Weight is between 690 and 710 grams per lens with a compact 80mm length. That is light enough for gimbal work and even handheld shooting. All three share a uniform 80mm front diameter and support 77mm filters, so your matte box or filter setup works across the whole set without swapping rings.
The optical design uses 3 ED ultra-low dispersion elements, 4 high-refractive elements, and 4 cylindrical elements. DZOFilm has also included a 14-blade elliptical aperture to enhance that classic anamorphic bokeh shape. Close focus distances are 0.48m on the 32mm, 0.53m on the 45mm, and 0.78m on the 75mm, which is respectable for anamorphic glass.
One detail worth highlighting: the front cylindrical lens design maintains a constant squeeze ratio from close focus to infinity. That means less face distortion in close-ups and less correction needed in post. If you have ever shot on budget anamorphic adapters and dealt with the squeeze shifting at different focus distances, you know how much of a headache that can be.
The Price
Here is where it gets really exciting. Pre-order pricing is set at $1,099 per lens or $2,899 for the full three-lens set. Both options include a free DZOFILM Octopus PL adapter. For context, a single Cooke or Atlas anamorphic lens will run you anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000. Even within the budget anamorphic category, the Arcana set is aggressively priced.
Who Should Care
If you are an indie filmmaker, short film director, music video shooter, or narrative content creator who wants that genuine anamorphic look without remortgaging your house, the Arcana set should be at the top of your list. At under $3,000 for a three-lens anamorphic kit with full-frame coverage, the value proposition is hard to argue with.
The 1.5x squeeze also makes these practical for a wider range of cameras and editing workflows compared to 2x anamorphic, where you need very specific sensor sizes and desqueeze settings to get clean results.
Pre-orders are open now through April 8, so if you want that early-bird pricing with the free adapter, do not wait too long. We will definitely be getting our hands on a set for a proper review.
Are you team anamorphic or do you prefer the spherical look? And at this price point, would you consider making the switch? We want to hear from you.