Sirui’s Autofocus Astra Anamorphic Lenses Attract Over $250K on Kickstarter
Sirui, widely known for its cinema lenses, has launched a new line of autofocus anamorphic lenses under the Astra series. These lenses are the first full-frame anamorphic options to offer both autofocus and a fast T1.8 aperture.
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.