CineD and SIRUI Team Up for Astra Series Livestream Q&A – Win a 20mm T1.8 Anamorphic Lens and More

by Johnnie BehiriNovember 13^th, 2025

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CineD is partnering with SIRUI for an exclusive livestream event this Friday, November 14th, at 8:30 a.m. EST (2:30 p.m. CET). Join us as we explore the newly announced Astra Series, the world’s first T1.8 full-frame autofocus anamorphic lenses, and get the chance to win a SIRUI 20mm T1.8 1.33x S35 AF anamorphic lens as the grand prize. We are also giving away 10x SIRUI Phantom Series T180 Compact Tripods for active viewers who participate in the live chat.

EDIT: The SIRUI Kickstarter Astra campaign is now live here.

This Friday, I am excited to be going live with SIRUI’s team, led by product manager Sonny Liu, to discuss their newly announced Astra Series in detail. The livestream offers an opportunity to hear insights about these innovative lenses firsthand while having the chance to walk away with some serious gear. Whether you’re considering the Astra Series for your next production or simply curious about autofocus anamorphic technology, this event promises comprehensive coverage of what makes these lenses unique in the current market.

The timing couldn’t be better. SIRUI just unveiled the Astra Series last week, and the industry response has been substantial. These 1.33x full-frame anamorphic autofocus lenses are the world’s first to combine a constant T1.8 aperture with fast autofocus across the entire range. We’ll be diving deep into the technical specifications, real-world applications, and workflow considerations that matter to working cinematographers.

What you need to know about the Astra Series

The Astra Series consists of three focal lengths: 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm. Each lens maintains a constant T1.8 aperture and weighs just 600-700g (1.3-1.5lbs), making them remarkably portable for professional anamorphic glass. The unified 67mm filter thread across the set simplifies filter management and ensures consistency when swapping lenses mid-shoot.

SIRUI has positioned the Astra Series as a direct answer to the limitations of traditional anamorphic cinema lenses. Where conventional full-frame anamorphics at T1.8 typically exceed 1,500-2,000g (3.3-4.4lbs) per lens, the Astra Series delivers the same speed in a significantly lighter package. This weight reduction becomes critical for gimbal work, handheld shooting, and smaller crews who need to move quickly between setups.

The 1.33x squeeze factor on a full-frame sensor delivers the classic widescreen aspect ratio, with characteristic horizontal lens flares and oval bokeh. Combined with the autofocus system that SIRUI refined from their earlier Super 35 AF anamorphic work, these lenses offer practical advantages for solo operators and small teams who can’t rely on dedicated focus pullers. The lenses maintain full manual control compatibility with traditional follow focus systems and LiDAR units, addressing workflow concerns about integrating autofocus lenses into established cinema pipelines.

SIRUI is offering super early-bird pricing for the Astra Series, starting at $799 per lens instead of the standard $999, or $2,399 for a three-lens set with a hard case, compared to the regular $2,999 price point.

Grand prize giveaway

One lucky winner will take home a SIRUI 20mm T1.8 1.33x S35 AF Anamorphic Lens ($599 value). This compact powerhouse features the same autofocus technology as the Astra Series but in a Super 35 format. With a 0.4m minimum focus distance and T1.8 aperture, the 20mm delivers wide-angle coverage with full anamorphic character. The lens weighs just 480g (1.05lbs) and includes an STM stepping motor for fast, accurate autofocus with eye-tracking support.

To qualify for the grand prize, you’ll need to complete three steps:

1. Subscribe to @SIRUIImaging on YouTube.
2. Watch the livestream on Friday, November 14th.
3. Comment during the show using the hashtag #SIRUIAstra. The more engaged you are during the stream, the better your chances of success.

Bonus prizes for active participants

Additionally, ten lucky viewers will win the SIRUI Phantom Series T180 Compact Tripod ($99 value) simply by participating in the live chat. Johnnie will select 10 questions throughout the session, and each selected viewer receives a tripod. Winners will be announced on Monday on @siruiimaging (Instagram), and you must be subscribed to SIRUI’s YouTube channel to qualify.

If you have technical questions about the Astra Series, workflow concerns, or are curious about how these lenses perform in specific shooting scenarios, please ask them in the chat. Your question might not only get answered live but could also land you a quality tripod for your kit.

Join us on Friday

The SIRUI Astra livestream kicks off on Friday, November 14th, at 8:30 a.m. EST (2:30 p.m. CET) on the SIRUI YouTube channel here. Mark your calendars, set a reminder, and come prepared with questions.

EDIT: The SIRUI Kickstarter Astra campaign is now live here.

Are you planning to join the SIRUI Astra livestream? What specific aspects of the Astra Series are you most curious about? Will autofocus anamorphic lenses change how you approach focus in your productions? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!