Reviewing the Sirui Saturn 35mm Anamorphic Lens
In the world of filmmaking, having the right equipment can make all the difference in achieving the desired look and capturing the essence of a story. Today, we will be reviewing the new Sirui Saturn 35mm lightweight anamorphic lens. This lens promises to deliver exceptional performance while being compact and affordable. In this honest and unbiased review, we will dive into the details and explore its features, image quality, and overall suitability for indie filmmakers.
Compact Design and Specifications
The Sirui Saturn is designed to be as small and lightweight as possible, making it an excellent choice for gimbals, car rigs, and FPV drones. Weighing in at 418 grams and measuring only four inches in length, this lens delivers on its promise of portability. Constructed with a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber materials, it strikes a balance between durability and weight reduction.
This fully manual cinema lens features geared focus and iris rings, providing precise control over focus and depth of field. The focus ring offers a smooth experience, while the iris ring might feel a bit stiff for some users. With a focus throw of 120 degrees, achieving smooth focus pulls, even by hand, is effortless. The lens is available in either RF or E-mount, catering to a wide range of camera options.
The Saturn has a T-stop range of T2.9 to T16, allowing for flexibility in various lighting conditions. It also has a 58mm filter thread, although additional step-up rings may be required for using matte boxes or filters.
Image Quality and Performance
When it comes to image quality, sharpness plays a crucial role in choosing the right lens for a project. The Saturn strikes a balance between sharpness and character, ensuring the footage doesn't appear overly clinical. While shooting a short film in the RED Komodo 6K anamorphic mode, the reviewer found the Saturn's sharpness to be suitable, considering the project's requirements.
One standout feature of the Saturn is its flaring capability. It produces clean and neutral flares, which can be ideal for projects calling for subdued, tasteful flares. Although it may not deliver the intense sci-fi-esque flares typically associated with anamorphic lenses, it provides distinct horizontal anamorphic flares that add a touch of elegance to the footage.
The lens handles bokeh consistently, creating the signature oval orbs associated with anamorphic lenses. Overall, the Saturn renders anamorphic characteristics in a neutral manner, offering a solid option for filmmakers seeking an anamorphic look without going over the top.
Conclusion
After extensive testing and using the Sirui Saturn 35mm lens for a short film, the reviewer concluded that Sirui has hit a home run with this product. Priced at $1,299 with its compact size and pleasing neutral optical characteristics, the Saturn lens is an affordable option for indie filmmakers looking to add character to their work.
Additionally, Sirui has plans to release additional focal lengths for the Saturn in the future, expanding the lens's versatility. This news is exciting for filmmakers who may require different focal lengths to suit their specific projects.
Overall, the Sirui Saturn 35mm anamorphic lens offers impressive performance, portability, and value for its price. Whether you're a professional filmmaker or an aspiring indie creator, this lens could be a game-changer for your visual storytelling endeavors.
If you're interested in following along with the reviewer's short film production using the Sirui Saturn 35mm anamorphic lens, they will be sharing a production diary series on their channel. Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated.
In conclusion, the Sirui Saturn lens proves to be a solid choice for filmmakers looking to enhance their storytelling with an anamorphic look.