The project debuted on Kickstarter with a goal of just $5,000, but the response has been far stronger. As of writing, the campaign has surpassed $258,000, signaling significant interest from filmmakers and content creators. The Astra series lenses are coming to Sony E, Nikon Z, and L-Mount.

This year, the company has also released a number of prime lenses in the Aurora series, which is geared more towards photography. The current lineup includes the 85mm F/1.4 and the new 35mm F/1.4.

A New Autofocus Anamorphic Lineup

The Sirui Astra series consists of 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm T1.8 autofocus anamorphic cine lenses. Sirui says the lineup is designed for independent filmmakers and professional creators who need high-end image quality with user-friendly operation for run-and-gun setups.

As with most cinema lens series, the three Astra lenses share a uniform physical design. They have consistent dimensions and ergonomics, weigh between 600 and 700 grams, and all use 67mm filter threads with matching gear positions. This uniformity means operators can swap lenses on rigs and gimbals without recalibrating or rebalancing.

Classic Cinematic Look With a 1.33x Squeeze

Each lens features a constant 1.33x squeeze ratio, delivering a proper 2.35:1 widescreen image without cropping or pixel loss. The resulting footage includes oval bokeh, vertical stretch in the background, and the immersive aesthetic that anamorphic shooters expect.

The Astra lenses also support fast and accurate autofocus, enabling solo filmmakers and small crews to shoot cinema-grade footage with greater ease. Focus distance scales are built in, and the lenses are compatible with LiDAR follow-focus systems for consistent and reliable tracking.

With a fast T1.8 aperture, the lenses are capable in low-light environments and night scenes while offering shallow depth of field and smooth, soft bokeh. Buyers can choose between blue flare or neutral flare versions to match the desired anamorphic look. Shooting into bright light sources emphasizes the signature flare characteristics of each model.

Pricing and Availability

The Sirui Astra 1.33x autofocus anamorphic lenses are currently available through Kickstarter for $799 each, or $2,399 for a three-lens set that ships with a hard case. Once the crowdfunding campaign ends, they will retail for $999 per lens, and the full set will be priced at $2,999.

Mount options include Sony E, Nikon Z, and L-Mount.

The post Sirui’s Autofocus Astra Anamorphic Lenses Attract Over $250K on Kickstarter appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Please note that there hasn’t been any official announcement yet.

Right now, the B&H product pages for the Aurora 35mm f/1.4 show only a few images and a preorder button. This means we don’t have an official specs list yet. But users can still preorder at B&H.

Will it be as Good as its Sony and Sigma Counterparts?

The New Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 lens joins Sirui’s growing line of autofocus lenses, following the Aurora 85mm f/1.4 — the brand’s first full-frame AF lens, which was specifically designed for portrait photography.

If Sirui follows the same pattern, the new 35mm could offer a similar mix of compact design, useful features, and attractive pricing.

Speaking of price, the Aurora 35mm f/1.4 undercuts the competition by a wide margin — coming in at roughly one-third the cost of the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM and about half the price of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. That’s a big deal if Sirui can deliver similar sharpness and image quality, which is expected.

To read our final verdict on this lens, you'll just have to wait for the official announcement for specs, but in the meantime, you can already preorder your lens at B&H.

Pricing and Availability

The Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 is available now for pre-order at B&H Photo, with pricing set well below its Sony and Sigma rivals. No official release date or specs have been announced yet, but if you want to grab it early, you can preorder now.

Visit the official Sirui store or check out Imaging Resource regularly for updates.

The post New Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 Lens Listed for Pre-order at B&H Photo appeared first on Imaging Resource.

This is SIRUI’s first full-frame autofocus lens, and it’s clearly designed with portrait shooters in mind. Compared to similar 85mm options from Sony or Nikon, it’s noticeably lighter, more compact, and significantly more affordable. And now with this deal, it’s even easier to recommend to creators who want great image quality without blowing their entire gear budget.

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Buy now at Amazon: SIRUI Aurora 85mm F/1.4 – Was $599, Now $499

Why the SIRUI Aurora 85mm F/1.4 Is a Smart Portrait Pick

Released in late 2024, the Aurora 85mm F/1.4 has quickly earned a reputation for being a sharp, bokeh-friendly lens with excellent low-light performance. It delivers a creamy background separation thanks to its fast f/1.4 aperture and 15-blade diaphragm – exactly what you’d want for portraits, weddings, or even cinematic B-roll.

I had the chance to test this lens myself, and what really stood out was how easy it was to work with for long shoots. It only weighs 540 grams and measures about 101mm long, which makes a big difference when you’re shooting handheld all day. It feels balanced, responsive, and never gets in the way – and that’s something I really appreciate.

Key Features of the SIRUI Aurora 85mm F/1.4

• Lightweight, Pro-Level Portrait Lens: Compact yet sharp, the lens combines a fast f/1.4 aperture with smooth, natural bokeh – ideal for both photo and video.
• Advanced Optical Design: Features 1 aspherical, 2 ED, and 3 HRI elements to reduce flare and chromatic aberration while improving clarity and transmission.
• 15-Blade Diaphragm: Produces creamy, rounded bokeh that makes subjects pop from the background.
• Tactile Controls & Custom Buttons: Includes AF/MF switch, AFL button, click ON/OFF for aperture ring, and USB-C for firmware updates.
• Travel-Friendly Form Factor: Measures just 80.3mm x 101.7mm and weighs only 540g – easy to carry and work with for long sessions.

Who Should Get This and Why It’s a Good Time to Buy

The Aurora 85mm F/1.4 is ideal for photographers and videographers who want a fast prime lens for portraits, headshots, or run-and-gun filmmaking – especially those using Leica L, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z or Sony E mount systems. If you’ve been holding off on a more expensive 85mm, this SIRUI option could be exactly what you need at half the cost.

According to camelcamelcamel’s tracking data, this is the first and lowest price we’ve seen since the lens launched – a solid reason to jump in now. If a sharp, compact, and budget-conscious portrait lens is on your wishlist, it’s smart to grab this one before the deal disappears.

Buy now at Amazon: SIRUI Aurora 85mm F/1.4 – Was $599, Now $499

The post SIRUI’s First Full-Frame Autofocus Portrait Lens Drops to $499 appeared first on Imaging Resource.

If you’re unfamiliar with the lens, the Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4 is the company’s first autofocus full-frame lens, specifically designed as a portrait photography powerhouse. Sirui touts the lens as the “master of portrait,” promising exceptional sharpness, remarkable image resolution, and vibrant color reproduction.

One of its standout features is its compact and lightweight design. Compared to competitors like the Sony 85mm F/1.4 GM and the Sigma 85mm F/1.4 Art, the Sirui lens offers a more portable alternative. It measures just 80.3mm x 101.7mm and weighs a mere 540 grams, making it lighter than the Sigma 85mm F/1.4 Art, which comes in at 625 grams.

Despite its budget-friendly price of just $599-significantly lower than the $1,089 Sigma equivalent-the Aurora 85mm F/1.4 doesn’t compromise on features. It includes weather sealing for durability, a USB-C port for firmware updates, an AFL focus lock button, an AF/MF switch, an aperture ring, and a de-click switch for smooth aperture adjustments.Sirui’s optical design for the Aurora 85mm F/1.4 ensures outstanding image quality. The lens consists of 14 elements in nine groups, incorporating one aspherical lens, two extra-low dispersion elements, and three high refractive index glass elements. This arrangement effectively reduces chromatic aberration, minimizes ghosting and flare, and delivers high contrast and sharpness.

The autofocus system is driven by a stepper motor, providing fast, smooth, and near-silent focusing. The lens also supports subject and eye tracking on compatible cameras, making it an excellent choice for portrait photography. Additionally, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.85m, it excels in capturing detailed close-up portraits.

Reviews for the Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4 have been overwhelmingly positive, with photographers praising its impressive image quality, solid build, and excellent low-light performance. Given that it offers premium-level results at half the price of competing lenses, it has positioned itself as a compelling option for both amateur and professional photographers alike.

Where to Buy the Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4

The Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4 lens is currently available for purchase through the company’s official website and major retailers such as B&H and Amazon at a discounted price of just $499.

Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4 for Sony E Mount – Check Price or Purchase

Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4 for Nikon Nikkor Z Mount – Check Price or Purchase

Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4 for Fujifilm X-Mount – Check Price or Purcahse

The post Sirui Rumored to Release the Aurora 85mm F/1.4 Full-Frame Lens in Canon and Leica Mounts appeared first on Imaging Resource.

The 20mm T/1.8 1.33x S35 AF Anamorphic lens combines a wide-angle field of view, a lightweight build, autofocus capabilities, and anamorphic visuals in a single package. Measuring just 96 millimeters in length and weighing only 480 grams, it is ideal for gimbal setups and handheld shooting.

With a fast T/1.8 aperture, this lens excels in low-light environments while delivering smooth, cinematic bokeh with its 11-blade aperture design. Its 1.33x anamorphic squeeze factor creates a signature widescreen look with subtle hexagonal flares and elliptical bokeh when shooting above T/2.4. The system also features two optional anamorphic flare choices: Blue and “Neutral,” allowing users to customize the aesthetic of their footage.

Engineered for high-resolution filmmaking, the optical design incorporates Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass and a High Refractive Index (HRI) element to minimize distortions and chromatic aberrations. Additionally, it effectively reduces focus breathing, making it a great option for professional video work, including 8K shooting.

This is Sirui’s second anamorphic lens with autofocus for the Super 35 format. Equipped with an STM motor, the autofocus is fast, quiet, and precise, with eye-tracking support for sharp focus in both stills and video. Despite its wide field of view, it offers a minimum focusing distance of just 0.4 meters, making it versatile for close-up shots.

The 20mm lens is designed to complement the 40mm T/1.8 anamorphic, featuring identical gear positions, a uniform 77mm filter thread, and a consistent color tone. This uniformity allows for effortless lens swapping without requiring gimbal rebalancing, making it a convenient choice for filmmakers.

Constructed with an aluminum alloy shell, the lens is built for durability. It includes various control switches, such as a customizable Autofocus Lock button, a de-click switch, and an autofocus switch. A USB-C port located at the rear allows for future firmware updates, ensuring long-term usability.

Where to Order the Sirui 20mm T/1.8 1.33x S35 Anamorphic Lens

The Sirui 20mm T/1.8 1.33x S35 Anamorphic Lens is currently available through Indiegogo at an early bird price of $549. Shipping is set to begin on March 14th. Once the campaign concludes, the lens will retail for $679.

The post Sirui Unveils 20mm T/1.8 1.33x S35 Autofocus Anamorphic Lens appeared first on Imaging Resource.