Sirui Sirui Astra T1.8 1.33x AF Anamorphic 3-Cine Lens Review

The Sirui Astra T1.8 1.33x AF Anamorphic 3-Cine Lens Kit delivers genuine cinematic widescreen footage for full-frame L-mount cameras. With excellent optics and rare autofocus across three primes (50, 75, 100mm), it's a compelling, relatively affordable package for filmmakers chasing that classic anamorphic look.

If you're a filmmaker or serious video shooter looking for that classic widescreen 'cinema' look without breaking the bank, the Sirui Astra T1.8 1.33x AF Anamorphic 3-Cine Lens Kit is a pretty compelling package. For around $2,550, you get three prime lenses (50mm, 75mm, and 100mm) designed specifically for full-frame L-mount cameras like Panasonic's S-series. The whole point is to capture that iconic 2.4:1 aspect ratio with horizontal lens flares and oval bokeh, straight out of camera, without having to crop your sensor. It's a niche tool, but for the right creator, it's a direct line to a professional aesthetic. And yes, it has autofocus, which is still a rarity in the anamorphic world.

Let's talk about what matters most: the image. Our optical scoring puts this kit in the 95th percentile, which is excellent. In practice, that means sharp, detailed footage with the signature anamorphic characteristics—the neutral streak flares and that vertical stretch in the background. The T1.8 aperture is decently fast, but it's worth noting our aperture score is only in the 29th percentile. That's because these are anamorphics; they're designed for controlled lighting and a specific look, not for shooting in the dark. The autofocus, while a huge convenience, lands in the 45th percentile. It gets the job done for slower, deliberate shots, but don't expect lightning-fast subject tracking like you'd get from a native stills lens.

At $2,549 for three lenses, the Sirui Astra kit is arguably one of the most accessible ways to get true anamorphic optics. Traditional cinema anamorphics from brands like Cooke or ARRI can cost more for a single lens. You're paying for the specialized optical design and the convenience of autofocus. The value is clear if you need that specific look for narrative work, music videos, or high-end commercial projects. If you just want a 'cinematic' look for vlogs, a good variable ND filter and some color grading will be a much cheaper path.

This kit doesn't really have direct competitors—it's in a class of its own. The lenses listed in our data, like the Meike 55mm F1.8 or Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S, are fantastic stills lenses that can also shoot video, but they're spherical lenses. They won't give you the anamorphic aspect ratio, flares, or bokeh. The real comparison is against other anamorphic options. You could look at single-focal-length anamorphics from Sirui's own lineup or other brands like Vazen, but you'd lose the kit convenience and likely pay more per lens. For L-mount shooters specifically, this Sirui bundle is pretty much the only game in town for an AF anamorphic kit.

Skip this kit if you're primarily a stills photographer, a run-and-gun vlogger, or a travel filmmaker. Our data shows its weakest area is travel (32nd percentile), and for good reason—it's heavy, not stabilized, and hyper-specialized. If you just want nice bokeh for YouTube, a fast prime like a 50mm f/1.4 will serve you better. Also, if you don't shoot on a Panasonic, Sigma, or Leica L-mount camera, this kit literally won't fit your camera, so that's a pretty good reason to look elsewhere.

Should you buy this? If you're a filmmaker who knows what an anamorphic lens is and you've been wanting that look for your Panasonic S1, S5, or similar L-mount camera, then absolutely yes. This kit removes a massive barrier to entry. The image quality is top-notch, and having three focal lengths with autofocus is a huge practical advantage on set. But if you're a hybrid shooter who mostly does photography or casual video, this is a very expensive and specialized tool you probably don't need. It's not versatile, it's not stabilized, and it's heavy. This is a tool for a specific craft.