At Cine Gear 2026, we caught up with Sonny Liu of SIRUI to speak in regards to the newest addition to the corporate’s IronStar anamorphic line: the 100mm T2.8. The collection covers full body and makes use of a 1.5x squeeze, whereas this lens provides one thing nonetheless uncommon for anamorphics: built-in 0.5x macro functionality.

We first lined the SIRUI IronStar 1.5x T1.9 full-frame anamorphic cine lenses when the corporate launched the unique 35mm, 45mm, and 60mm set. Earlier this 12 months, SIRUI expanded the IronStar line with 75mm, 100mm, and 135mm lenses, bringing the collection to 6 focal lengths. The 100mm is the bizarre one in that group, because it addresses one of many sensible limitations of anamorphic taking pictures: getting near the topic with out including diopters.

A rising anamorphic household

The IronStar collection started final 12 months with three T1.9 prime lenses: the 35mm, 45mm, and 60mm. This 12 months, SIRUI added three extra, bringing the lineup to 6. As Sonny defined, the 75mm retains the T1.9 aperture, whereas the 100mm and 135mm are available in at T2.8. The slower aperture on the longer focal lengths is deliberate, permitting SIRUI to maintain the lenses the identical dimension and management prices throughout the set.

Why macro issues

The 100mm T2.8 Macro is the standout lens within the newer trio. In response to Sonny, a standard grievance about anamorphic lenses is that they usually can not focus shut sufficient for element pictures or tighter framing. In these instances, shooters usually flip to diopters, however that may imply shedding infinity focus or accepting some loss in picture high quality.

SIRUI’s reply was to construct macro functionality straight into considered one of its prime lenses. The 100mm T2.8 Macro focuses all the way down to 0.3m and provides 0.5x magnification, making it helpful for element work, product pictures, or extra intimate framing with out including additional glass to the entrance of the lens.

Pricing, technique, and what would possibly come subsequent

We additionally pressed Sonny on SIRUI’s pricing, which has generally been seen as transferring down rapidly after launch. He defined that costs have turn out to be extra steady this 12 months, and pointed to the corporate’s in-house provide chain as the explanation it could actually maintain prices low whereas nonetheless making good lenses affordably.

On the optical aspect, Johnnie requested whether or not SIRUI would possibly transfer away from the pincushion distortion widespread to its anamorphic lenses. Sonny stated the corporate watches market reactions carefully, since some shooters desire pincushion distortion whereas others desire barrel distortion. He additionally stated they’re contemplating different choices based mostly on these preferences.

Value and availability

The IronStar 100mm T2.8 Macro is presently in pre-launch, with particular person lenses priced at $999, and a whole three-lens set is $2,999. This is applicable to both the unique 35mm, 45mm, and 60mm package or the newer 75mm, 100mm, and 135mm package.

Is the built-in shut focus sufficient to make an anamorphic set extra helpful in your work? Do you like pincushion or barrel distortion in anamorphic lenses? Tell us within the feedback.