Laowa Venus Optics Laowa Proteus 2x Anamorphic 20mm T2 Review

The Laowa Proteus 2x Anamorphic 20mm T2 is a compact, manual-focus cinema lens that delivers a classic 2x anamorphic look with silver flares for Super35 cameras. Its optical quality is excellent, but it's heavy, niche, and lacks autofocus. At $5,000, it's for filmmakers who want dedicated anamorphic optics without vintage lens quirks or six-figure price tags.

If you're looking for a compact anamorphic lens for Super35 cameras, the Laowa Proteus 2x Anamorphic 20mm T2 is a unique option. It's a wide-angle prime designed specifically for video and cinema, offering that classic 2x squeeze to get those cinematic widescreen looks with oval bokeh and horizontal flares. At just under $5,000, it's a serious investment for filmmakers who want an anamorphic look without the size and weight of some vintage or cinema-grade alternatives.

This is a manual focus lens with interchangeable PL and EF mounts, so it's built for rigs and follow focuses, not run-and-gun shooting. It covers a T2 to T22 aperture range, has a 10-blade iris for smooth bokeh, and uses a 105mm front filter thread. The headline feature is the silver anamorphic lens flares, which Laowa has tuned to give a distinct, classic look. It's a tool for a specific job: creating a cinematic anamorphic image on a relatively compact S35 sensor camera.

In our optical testing, this lens scored in the 95th percentile for its category. That's exceptionally high and means the image quality—sharpness, contrast, and control of aberrations—is top-tier for a lens in this price and design class. The 2x squeeze is consistent and clean, and the flares are a character feature, not an optical flaw. Where it scores lower is in areas like versatility (38th percentile) and build quality (8th percentile). The low build score in our database often relates to materials and sealing; this isn't a weather-sealed lens, and at 2.5kg (5.5 lbs), it's solid but not necessarily built like a tank compared to some $20K+ cinema primes. The minimum focus distance is 480mm (about 19 inches), which is fairly standard for anamorphics but limits extreme close-up work.

At $4,999, the Laowa Proteus 20mm sits in a interesting spot. It's far more affordable than dedicated anamorphic cinema primes from companies like ARRI or Cooke, which can easily cost five to ten times more. However, it's also significantly more expensive than 'budget' anamorphic adapters or lenses from brands like Sirui. You're paying for a dedicated, high-quality optical design in a relatively compact package. If you need a true 2x anamorphic look for S35 cameras and have a budget around $5k per lens, this is one of the few dedicated options.

This lens doesn't have direct apples-to-apples competitors from the data provided, as those listed (like the Meike 55mm or Viltrox 35mm) are standard spherical photo lenses. For filmmakers considering anamorphic, the real competition is different. The Sirui 24mm F2.8 1.6x Anamorphic is a much smaller, lighter, and cheaper option, but it's a 1.6x squeeze for APS-C sensors, not a 2x for S35. The Atlas Orion anamorphics are a step up in price and build quality. For a similar price, you might also consider used vintage anamorphic projector lenses, but they require more rigging, are less consistent, and lack modern coatings. The Laowa's main trade-off is offering dedicated 2x optics in a new, supported package at this price, but you accept the weight and manual-only operation.

Skip this lens if you're a photographer, a vlogger, or any kind of solo operator who needs autofocus. It's also not ideal for full-frame camera users, as it only covers Super35 sensors. If you're on a tight budget or just experimenting with anamorphic looks, a much cheaper adapter or a lens like the Sirui 1.6x series might be a better starting point. This is a tool for committed filmmakers building a specific kit.

Should you buy the Laowa Proteus 20mm? If you're a filmmaker or DP building out a dedicated anamorphic kit for Super35 cameras like the RED Komodo, Sony FX6, or Blackmagic 6K, and you want a reliable, modern lens with great optics and that specific silver flare character, then yes, it's a compelling choice. It delivers the look without the vintage lens headaches. But if you're a hybrid shooter, a solo run-and-gun operator, or someone who needs autofocus, this lens is absolutely not for you. It's a pure cinema tool for a specific aesthetic.