Xelmus Apollo Anamorphic by Xelmus, Anamorphic, available for cinema lens hire at The Front in Sydney
Modern Anamorphic

Xelmus

Xelmus Apollo Anamorphic

9 anamorphic primes 24 – 180mm T1.6 – T2.8 PL

We run this family as standard 3 and 9-lens kits. Bespoke focal mixes are built on request.

Classic 2× anamorphic look in a small, modern package: oval bokeh, pleasant barrel distortion, and golden horizontal flares reminiscent of Panavision C-series.

Coatings are tuned for “desirable flares,” producing rich streak flares (warm amber-gold rather than harsh blue) and a lower-contrast image for an emotive, cinematic feel. Focus incredibly close for anamorphics, as near as 1'3", making diopters almost unnecessary. Rotating astigmatizer focus means no anamorphic breathing or squeeze change when racking focus.

Character profile

How this lens renders.

Zero breathing. Tight close-focus anamorphic.

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

Focal lengths

9 focal lengths in this set

  • 24mm T2.0
  • 32mm T2.0
  • 40mm T2.1*
  • 50mm T1.7
  • 60mm T1.6
  • 75mm T2.0
  • 100mm T2.3
  • 135mm T2.8
  • 180mm T2.8
FocalT-StopClose focusWeightFront Ø
24mmT2.0~21"~2.54kg136mm
32mmT2.0~15"~1.78kg114mm
40mmT2.1*~15"~1.76kg114mm
50mmT1.7~16"~1.7kg104mm
60mmT1.6~16.5"~1.8kg104mm
75mmT2.0~21"~1.9kg104mm
100mmT2.3~18"*~2.2kg*104mm
135mmT2.8~29.5"~2.5kg*104mm
180mmT2.8·*~2.95kg104mm

Talking points

Why DPs pick this set

  1. Panavision-inspired rotating astigmatizer.

    Zero breathing, constant squeeze at all distances

  2. Focus as close as 1'3".

    Diopters are almost never needed

  3. Small and lightweight for anamorphic: 1.7–2.95kg.

    Viable for handheld, gimbal, and drone

  4. Used on Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) and Wonka (2023) for a vintage anamorphic vibe on digital cameras

Technical

Full specifications

Mount
PL
Squeeze
2×: full anamorphic
Coverage
Full Frame (40–180mm, ~44–46mm image circle) · S35 (24mm, 32mm)
Focus Design
Rotating astigmatizer (Panavision-style): constant squeeze at all distances

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.

Shot on these

Notable credits

  • Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

    Disney+ series

  • Wonka (2023)

    Dir Paul King

Credits reflect productions historically shot on this lens family. Specific units may vary.

Heritage

  1. Origin

    Built by Xelmus (Ukraine) and launched via Kickstarter around 2019. The Apollo line was inspired by an expired Panavision anamorphic patent for the rotating-astigmatizer focus mechanism, the Panavision approach that eliminates breathing and squeeze-change when racking focus. The Mk I (40, 60, 100mm) shipped in distinctive white housings, followed by Mk II and Mk III generations adding focal lengths and improving optics.

  2. Filmography

    Used on Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) and Wonka (2023), DPs drawn to a vintage anamorphic vibe on digital cinema cameras. Coatings tuned for “desirable flares” produce warm amber-gold streaks rather than the harsher blue of Panavision originals.

  3. Build

    All newly made: modern manufacturing with vintage optical style. Compact 2× anamorphic format: 1.7–2.95kg per lens, viable for handheld, gimbal, and drone. Close focus to 1'3", making diopters almost unnecessary. Inspired by Panavision C-series character without the rental restrictions.

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