Beastgrip 1.55X Anamorphic Smartphone Lens – Coming Soon To Kickstarter

NewsCameras

by Jakub HanFebruary 18^th, 2020

The Beastgrip 1.55x anamorphic smartphone lens offers an additional horizontal squeeze compared to its 1.33x equivalent. This results in a 2.76:1 (Ultra Panavision) aspect ratio. The lens will come in two versions – a Pro Series and M Series, to accommodate two different smartphone rigs. Beastgrip will soon launch a Kickstarter campaign for this lens.

Beastgrip 1.55x anamorphic smartphone lens. Source: Beastgrip

Beastgrip is a camera accessories company, focusing on smartphone rigs and lenses. They already have one 1.33x anamorphic lens in their lineup, and now they are introducing another one with an additional horizontal squeeze – the Beastgrip 1.55x anamorphic lens. Instead of selling the lens directly, the company decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign. What are the features and specs of the lens?

Beastgrip 1.55X Anamorphic Lens

This new 1.55x anamorphic lens will result in a 2.76:1 (Ultra Panavision) aspect ratio from the 16:9 recording modes on smartphones. Beastgrip claims it is the world’s first 1.55x anamorphic lens for smartphones.

An anamorphic look is not only about the ultra-wide aspect ratio. It is about the special lens flares, rounded vertical lines and other specific image characteristics. When looking at Beastgrip’s promotional video, we can definitely spot some of those. If it is “enough” of an anamorphic look (or not) remains subjective, in my opinion. Beastgrip says, they have treated the 1.55x anamorphic lens with a special lens coating to enhance the classic anamorphic lens flares.

Here are some interesting specifications of the Beastgrip 1.55x anamorphic lens:

• Optical Design: 2 groups/2 elements (cylindrical)
• Distortion: ＜20%
• Lateral Color: ＜1um
• Lens Coating: Multi-layer, anti-reflection broadband 400nm-700nm. Blue/purple horizontal lens flares
• Material: Machined aluminum with anodized finish
• Orientation: Unidirectional with rotating optical elements (90° soft lock)

Beastgrip 1.55x anamorphic smartphone lens. Source: Beastgrip

The Beastgrip 1.55x anamorphic lens will come in two versions – Pro Series and M Series – to complement two different lens collections and smartphone rigs that Beastgrip offers.

Pro Series Lens

Beastgrip 1.55x anamorphic smartphone lens – Pro Series. Source: Beastgrip

The Pro Series version is designed for the Beastgrip Pro and Beastcage smartphone rigs. It is fully compatible with all smartphones and 37mm lens mounts. It includes a fixed 58mm 0.75 threaded lens filter mount. The Pro Series version weighs 3.5oz (99g) and the dimensions are 60 x 60 x 22 mm. The lens mount is the M37 x 0.75 threaded mount.

M Series Lens

Beastgrip 1.55x anamorphic smartphone lens – M Series. Source: Beastgrip

The M Series version is the same lens, within a smaller body. It is designed for the Beastcage, which makes it fully compatible with all iPhones since the iPhone 7. It includes a detachable 58mm 0.75 threaded lens filter mount. The M Series weighs 2.6 oz (74g) and the dimensions are 44 x 44 x 24 mm. The lens mount is the Beastgrip M-bayonet mount, which features easy alignment and setup.

Price and Availability

Beastgrip is planning to launch a Kickstarter campaign for this new 1.55x anamorphic lens. They currently haven’t disclosed when exactly it will be launched. The pricing for the different versions is yet to be announced. We will let you know once the campaign launches.

What do you think about the new Beastgrip 1.55x anamorphic lens? Do you use an anamorphic lens with your smartphone? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.