An anamorphic lens squeezes a wide image horizontally so it can fit onto a camera sensor. In editing or monitoring, the image is then desqueezed to restore the correct proportions. ARRI explains that anamorphic lenses compress the image and that the camera or monitor needs the correct squeeze factor to display it properly. Read ARRI’s guide.

What a squeeze factor means

A 2× lens records the horizontal image compressed by a factor of two. When the footage is desqueezed, the displayed width is doubled. Other lenses use different squeeze ratios, so the camera, monitor and editing project need to use the ratio that matches the lens.

Anamorphic glass can create a wider composition from the sensor area and has distinctive optical characteristics. Those characteristics vary by lens. They are not guaranteed just by selecting an anamorphic setting or adding a letterbox crop in post.

Check the workflow before filming

Confirm that the lens covers the sensor area and that the camera can record the intended format. Set the correct desqueeze ratio in the viewfinder or external monitor so you can judge faces and framing while shooting. In the edit, apply the matching desqueeze before judging proportions or exporting.

If you are renting or borrowing the lens, test a short clip in the exact editing software and delivery format. Check that titles, graphics and subtitles are placed after the image is displayed at the correct aspect ratio. Anamorphic capture is a specialised choice; if the project only needs a widescreen frame, cropping a conventional lens image may be simpler. Cooke Optics also explains the lens design.

If you’re shaping a widescreen story, browse soundtracks at RouteNote Licensing.