Blazar Talon 1.5X AF Anamorphic Lenses Announced – World’s First 1.5x Squeeze Autofocus System

February 2^nd, 20262

Blazar Talon 1.5X AF Anamorphic Lenses Announced – World's First 1.5x Squeeze Autofocus System

by Nino LeitnerFebruary 2^nd, 2026

Blazar announces the Talon 1.5X AF, which the company claims is the world’s first autofocus anamorphic lens system with a 1.5x squeeze factor. The full-frame series launches with three focal lengths (35mm, 50mm, and 75mm in Sony E-mount), weighing under 690g each, and promises to deliver the visual character of a 1.8x anamorphic look while maintaining fast, precise autofocus performance.

The affordable anamorphic market has seen considerable activity in recent years, with manufacturers like Blazar and SIRUI introducing autofocus options for creators seeking cinematic character without the operational complexity of traditional cine glass. However, those AF offerings have been limited to 1.33x squeeze ratios, a format that delivers subtle anamorphic characteristics but falls short of the more pronounced look many filmmakers desire. With the Talon series, Blazar is stepping into new territory by combining the convenience of autofocus with a higher squeeze factor that promises more dramatic oval bokeh, enhanced horizontal flares, and wider compositional flexibility.

Blazar Talon 1.5X AF Anamorphic Lenses. Image credit: Blazar

How does it fit in the Blazar lineup?

Understanding where the Talon sits within Blazar’s existing anamorphic range helps clarify its intended use case. The company’s Remus series offers 1.5x squeeze with full-frame coverage in a traditional manual focus cine-style design, available in focal lengths from 33mm through 125mm with PL and EF mount options. These lenses are known for their classic anamorphic character with a balance of retro aesthetics and modern sharpness.

The Mantis series features 1.33x squeeze lenses with full-frame coverage and a unique oval-shaped 14-blade iris that creates 2x-style bokeh while maintaining the gentler squeeze ratio, making them versatile for both 16:9 and 3:2 sensors. The Apex series, which Blazar marketed as the world’s first autofocus anamorphic when it launched, offers 1.33x squeeze with autofocus capability, but those lenses are limited to Super 35/APS-C sensor coverage and claim to deliver a visual look closer to 1.5x. For shooters wanting true 2x squeeze, Blazar offers the Cato series with full-frame coverage and manual focus.

The Talon fills a gap that none of these options address: full-frame coverage with genuine 1.5x squeeze and autofocus capability. For shooters who found the Mantis and Apex squeeze ratios too subtle, the Remus workflow too demanding for solo shooting, or wanted stronger anamorphic character than what 1.33x provides, the Talon delivers that combination in a single package.

A closer look at the optical design

The Talon 1.5X AF series covers a full-frame 36 x 24mm image circle, making the lenses suitable for modern mirrorless cameras with larger sensors. All three focal lengths share a T2.1 maximum aperture according to Blazar’s specification table, though some documentation has only explicitly confirmed this for the 35mm.

What makes the Talon particularly interesting from an optical standpoint is Blazar’s claim that despite the 1.5x squeeze, the lenses deliver visual characteristics closer to a 1.8x anamorphic look. According to the company, this is achieved through optical design choices that enhance cinematic depth, produce pronounced oval bokeh, and enable wider compositions while remaining easier to frame and compose than traditional higher-squeeze systems. Early hands-on testing suggests the lenses produce notably textured bokeh with controlled distortion, though the silver-coated flare characteristics are more subtle than what you might expect from vintage Panavision or Atlas glass.

Blazar just published a short clip to demonstrate the bokeh of the Talar anamorphic lenses, this is a still from that video. Image credit: Blazar

Autofocus performance and handling

The autofocus system sits at the heart of the Talon concept. Blazar states that the lenses are engineered for fast, precise autofocus performance, including real-time subject tracking and advanced eye-tracking support. This positions the Talon series for documentary work, run-and-gun shooting, and hybrid photo-video workflows where continuous focus is critical and a dedicated focus puller is not available.

Early testing on adapted systems (using a Nikon Z8 with a MegaDap adapter) suggests the autofocus performs well with tracking sensitivity set to high and AF speed around 3 out of 5. Higher speed settings can introduce some jitter, so dialing in the right balance for your camera system will be important. The lens handles transitions smoothly when subjects enter and exit frame, though challenging conditions like strong backlighting or deep shadows can cause the tracking to struggle, which may be as much a camera limitation as a lens issue when shooting squeezed 1.5x images through phase-detect AF systems.

Each lens includes a physical AF/MF switch for quick transitions between autofocus and manual focus operation. The 360-degree focus rotation provides fine manual focus control when needed, though it is worth noting that the lenses do not feature pitch gears on the focus barrel. This design choice reinforces the series’ emphasis on lightweight, streamlined operation rather than traditional cine-style rigging with follow focus systems.

Compact form factor for mobile shooting

Weight and size have been critical considerations in the Talon design. All three lenses weigh under 690g (1.52 lbs), with the individual weights ranging from 664g for the 50mm to 689g for the 75mm, and 675g for the 35mm. Lens lengths vary by focal length: 118mm for the 35mm, 119.6mm for the 50mm, and 131.9mm for the 75mm.

The compact form factor makes the Talon series particularly suitable for gimbal work, handheld rigs, and portable setups where weight balance is essential. All three lenses share a consistent 80mm front diameter and accept 77mm screw-in filters, simplifying accessory management across the lineup. For filmmakers who work with variable ND filters or other front-mounted accessories, this standardization across focal lengths eliminates the need to swap filter sizes when changing lenses.

Small for anamorphics: The Blazar Talon AF anamorphic lenses. Image credit: Blazar

Close focus and iris characteristics

Close-focus distances vary across the lineup: the 35mm focuses down to 0.37m (1.2ft), the 50mm to 0.65m (2.1ft), and the 75mm to 0.73m (2.39ft). Early testing of the 50mm suggests the minimum focus distance allows for reasonably tight framing, which is appreciated for b-roll and detail shots.

All three lenses feature a 16-blade iris, which should contribute to smooth, rounded bokeh rendering at various aperture settings. The blade count is notably high for this price segment and suggests Blazar has prioritized out-of-focus rendering quality in the optical design.

Mount options and the open gate question

At launch, the Talon 1.5X AF series will be available exclusively in Sony E-mount. Blazar has indicated that additional mount options are planned for the future, but has not announced an L-mount version at this stage.

The E-mount exclusivity at launch raises an interesting question that several industry observers have noted: Sony mirrorless cameras do not currently offer open-gate recording modes that are commonly associated with anamorphic workflows. Cameras like the Panasonic S1H, Lumix S5 series, and various RED and ARRI models offer open-gate modes specifically designed for anamorphic acquisition, while Sony’s FX-series and Alpha cameras record in standard aspect ratios that require cropping when working with squeezed footage.

For shooters working with 16:9 sensors, the 1.5x squeeze will produce an ultra-wide aspect ratio similar to Ultra Panavision 70. On 3:2 sensors, you will get closer to a traditional 2.35:1 or 2.39:1 cinemascope ratio. The practical workflow currently involves recording to a standard aspect ratio and de-squeezing in post, which works but sacrifices some sensor real estate compared to true open-gate acquisition. Many shooters are hoping Blazar will add L-mount support to take advantage of the open-gate and anamorphic-specific features that Panasonic Lumix cameras offer.

Blazar Talon specs – from their website.

Pricing and availability

Pre-orders for the Blazar Talon 1.5X AF anamorphic lenses open on February 3rd at 4:00 AM PDT. During the pre-order period, each lens will be priced at $999 USD, with shipping expected to begin in early February. Following the pre-order window, the retail price will increase to $1,099 USD per lens.

Blazar has also announced a loyalty discount for existing customers: those who have previously purchased lenses through the official Blazar store will receive an additional $100 USD discount, bringing their pre-order price to $899 per lens.

At under $1,000 per lens during pre-order, the Talon series positions itself aggressively against competitors. The combination of full-frame coverage, 1.5x squeeze, and autofocus capability at this price point could make the anamorphic look more accessible to a broader range of creators, though we look forward to testing the production units ourselves once they become available.

The Blazar Talon 1.5X AF represents an ambitious step forward in the affordable anamorphic segment, combining genuine 1.5x squeeze with full-frame coverage and autofocus convenience for the first time.

Are you planning to pick up a set, or are you holding out for an L-mount version with proper open-gate support? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!