The Sirui 40mm autofocus anamorphic lens, the first of its kind, is compatible with a wide range of APS-C mirrorless cameras, but it can also be used with full-frame cameras in either APS-C or Super35 crop mode. The lens is available in E, X, and Z mounts, with a Micro Four Thirds version arriving somewhat later, in January 2025.

Weighing only 614 grams (1.35 pounds) and priced at $639 for Indiegogo backers, the Sirui 40mm T1.8 1.33x anamorphic promises to be an ideal companion for filmmakers wishing to get into the anamorphic look without breaking the bank or foregoing certain features, such as autofocus.

Sirui’s new 40mm T1.8 1.33x is the first compact-size anamorphic lens to feature autofocus, which is powered by a sophisticated STM motor. The lens claims fast, silent, and smooth autofocus. Users can switch between automatic and manual focus via a switch on the lens barrel, and the E and Z-mount variants include an autofocus lock button. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.6 meters (23.6 inches).

As a cinema prime, the lens has some design aspects that are common to practically all cine lenses. These include standard gearing, a lengthy 360-degree focus throw, and a front diameter (80mm) comparable to certain other Sirui lenses.

The Sirui 40mm T1.8 lens claims high image quality and good control over aberrations. The lens consists of 16 elements divided into a dozen groups, including five cylindrical elements and one aspherical lens. The lens features an 11-blade aperture, and the aperture control ring can be de-clicked to allow for smooth aperture changes while shooting video.