Statera Primes by Ancient Optics / GL Optics, Anamorphic (vintage), available for cinema lens hire at The Front in Sydney
Vintage Anamorphic

Ancient Optics / GL Optics

Statera Primes

6 anamorphic primes 35 – 135mm T2.2 – T2.9 LPL

We run this family as standard 3, 4 and 6-lens kits. Bespoke focal mixes are built on request.

The first anamorphic set exclusive to the Ancient Alliance.

Full frame with a 1.5× squeeze tuned to make the most of modern sensor aspect ratios. Statera combines secret vintage spherical “taking” lenses with custom modern anamorphic optics, balancing vintage character with modern performance. No extreme field curvature or soft corners common to vintage anamorphics; multiple subjects stay sharp across the frame. Close focus is outstanding: nearly every lens focuses under two feet, and they’re incredibly flattering on faces.

Character profile

How this lens renders.

Sharp. Flattering. Close-focus anamorphic.

Five axes plotting how this set behaves wide-open vs a neutral modern reference. Larger area = more pronounced trait.

Focal lengths

6 focal lengths in this set

  • 35mm T2.4
  • 40mm T2.3
  • 50mm T2.2*
  • 75mm T2.2*
  • 95mm T2.2*
  • 135mm T2.9*
FocalT-StopClose focusWeightFront Ø
35mmT2.41'11"3.7 kg143mm
40mmT2.31'6"3.8 kg143mm
50mmT2.2*1'10"2.4 kg125mm
75mmT2.2*1'6"2.7 kg125mm
95mmT2.2*2'3"4.5 kg125mm
135mmT2.9*2'3"4.7 kg125mm

Talking points

Why DPs pick this set

  1. Compositions need not be compromised.

    Sharp across the frame without the soft corners of vintage anamorphics

  2. Incredibly flattering on faces close up, with minimal “mumps” and field curvature

  3. Class-leading close focus: nearly every lens under 2', rivalling dedicated macro anamorphics

  4. 15-blade iris maintains perfectly oval bokeh even stopped down

Technical

Full specifications

Squeeze
1.5× front anamorphic
Mount
LPL
Coverage
FF (35, 40mm) · FF+ (50, 75, 95, 135mm)*
Iris
15-blade circular: oval bokeh maintained when stopped down
Focus Rotation
300°
Matte Box
50–135mm: 4×5.65 compatible · 35mm & 40mm: larger 143mm fronts*

Some figures here are marked *. Our sources disagree on those, so we're checking them against the lenses themselves. Ask us and we'll measure it for you.

Heritage

  1. Origin

    Statera is the first anamorphic set exclusive to the Ancient Alliance, designed to honour the 1970s/80s anamorphic legends: Todd-AO, Cineovision, Technovision, Nippon Scope, whose look defined a golden era of widescreen cinematography but whose lenses are now nearly impossible to source.

  2. Filmography

    The Ancient Alliance sets have been adopted across commercial and narrative work since launch, with cinematographers drawn to the balance of vintage character and modern resolving power.

  3. Build

    Statera combines secret vintage spherical “taking” lenses with custom modern anamorphic optics, striking a balance between vintage character and modern performance the era’s originals never achieved. 1.5× squeeze for full-frame coverage. 15-blade iris maintains oval bokeh even stopped down. The 90–180mm T3.2 zoom shipped in 2026.

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