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

The Sirui Astra Anamorphic Kit delivers the coveted widescreen movie look at a relatively accessible price. Its optical quality is top-tier, but autofocus is just average and there's no stabilization. For Nikon Z filmmakers who want an all-in-one anamorphic solution, it's a compelling buy.

The Sirui Astra T1.8 1.33x AF Anamorphic 3-Cine Lens Kit is a bold move. It's a full set of three prime lenses (50, 75, and 100mm) designed to give Nikon Z shooters that classic widescreen, cinematic look without breaking the bank like traditional anamorphic glass. You get autofocus, a consistent T1.8 aperture across the set, and a 2.4:1 aspect ratio straight out of camera, no cropping required.

Sirui is aiming to democratize the anamorphic look, and this kit is their flagship effort. It promises oval bokeh, vertical background stretch, and those signature neutral streak flares. For indie filmmakers and content creators, it's a tempting all-in-one package to step up their production value.

The optical performance is the star here, landing in the 96th percentile in our database. That means these lenses are sharp and deliver a clean, controlled image. The trade-off is in other areas. The autofocus performance is just okay, sitting in the 45th percentile, so it's not the fastest or most reliable for run-and-gun shooting. There's no stabilization either, so you'll need a gimbal or steady hands. And while the build quality is decent (57th percentile), it's not built like a tank for heavy professional abuse.

At $2,345 for three lenses, the value proposition is actually pretty strong if you're specifically chasing the anamorphic look. Traditional single anamorphic lenses from other brands can cost more than this entire kit. You're paying for the unique optical character and convenience of a matched set. It's not cheap, but for the target filmmaker, it's a cost-effective entry point into a style that usually demands a much higher budget.

This kit exists in its own niche, but let's look at alternatives. If you just want great, fast primes for video, a set of Meike or Viltrox lenses will be sharper and have better autofocus for half the price, but you won't get the anamorphic look. You'd have to add an anamorphic adapter, which is its own headache. Compared to single, manual-focus anamorphics from brands like Sirui's own Sniper series, this Astra kit offers the huge advantage of autofocus and a matched focal length trio. It's the most convenient all-in-one anamorphic solution for Nikon Z, but you sacrifice some pure optical pedigree and build quality found in lenses costing five times as much.

Skip this kit if you're a hybrid shooter who needs one lens for both photos and video. The anamorphic look is a specific creative choice that doesn't translate well to standard photography. Also, if you need rock-solid, fast autofocus for capturing unpredictable action, look at standard Nikon Z primes instead.

Buy this kit if you're a Nikon Z shooter—whether a solo creator, indie filmmaker, or wedding videographer—who is determined to get a distinctive, cinematic anamorphic look without manually adapting lenses or spending a fortune. It's the easiest path to that widescreen aesthetic. If you need silky-smooth autofocus for documentaries or a rugged, weather-sealed lens for outdoor shoots, you should keep looking.