Pro Series 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2

The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 optically compresses the image horizontally during capture, allowing a wider field of view to be recorded onto the smartphone camera sensor. When the image is desqueezed, it produces a wider cinematic aspect ratio compared to standard spherical lenses.

In addition to expanding the horizontal field of view, the lens introduces classic anamorphic characteristics such as enhanced perspective, barrel distortion, and horizontal lens flares. This allows creators to achieve a cinematic widescreen look and optical character that cannot be replicated by cropping or software-based widescreen formats alone.

The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 increases the horizontal field of view by optically compressing the image during capture. After desqueezing, the resulting image has a wider cinematic aspect ratio compared to standard spherical lenses recorded at the same vertical resolution.

When shooting in a standard 16:9 format, desqueezing footage captured with a 1.33X anamorphic lens results in a final aspect ratio of approximately 2.39:1, a classic cinematic widescreen format.

When shooting in 4:3 Open Gate formats, desqueezing the image produces a final aspect ratio of approximately 16:9. This approach utilizes more of the camera sensor and provides additional flexibility for reframing or cropping to wider cinematic formats in post-production.

Unlike cropping a standard image to achieve a widescreen look, anamorphic capture preserves more horizontal scene information through optical compression, producing a true widescreen image rather than a software-generated crop.

The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 works best when aligned with the smartphone’s main (wide) camera. The main camera provides the largest sensor, best optics, and most consistent image quality, making it the ideal base for anamorphic capture.

Built-in ultra-wide cameras are not usable with anamorphic lenses. Due to their extremely wide field of view and optical design, the image will not form correctly and will not produce a usable anamorphic result.

The lens can also produce very good results on telephoto cameras found on older smartphone models, such as 2X and 3X tele cameras. On modern smartphones with longer telephoto cameras, such as 4X or higher, anamorphic lenses are not recommended, as the optical combination does not perform well and does not deliver reliable image quality.

Because anamorphic lenses rely on horizontal optical compression, proper lens barrel orientation and precise optical alignment are critical. The lens must be mounted with correct horizontal alignment relative to the camera sensor. Improper alignment can introduce skewed anamorphic distortion and uneven rendering across the frame. Using a compatible Beastgrip Pro universal rig or Beastcage for iPhone helps ensure accurate alignment and optimal optical performance.

The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 creates a true cinematic widescreen image through optical horizontal compression, rather than by simply cropping a standard image to a wider aspect ratio. This allows more scene information to be captured horizontally while preserving vertical resolution.

Shooting in a standard widescreen format relies on cropping or digital scaling, which removes image data and does not change the optical characteristics of the image. In contrast, anamorphic capture alters how the scene is rendered optically, producing a wider field of view with distinctive spatial rendering and natural anamorphic characteristics that cannot be replicated through software alone.

Using an anamorphic lens is a creative choice that goes beyond aspect ratio. It enables filmmakers and creators to achieve a cinematic look defined by optical behavior, framing flexibility, and a widescreen aesthetic that is inherent to the lens itself, not added in post-production.

The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 is best used for cinematic video and visual storytelling where a widescreen format and anamorphic optical characteristics are desired. It is well suited for narrative filmmaking, short films, commercial projects, music videos, and cinematic content creation.

The lens is also commonly used for travel films, documentary-style projects, automotive cinematography, and controlled action scenes where the expanded horizontal field of view and anamorphic rendering help create a more immersive and cinematic frame. Its optical characteristics make it ideal for creators who want their footage to stand apart from the standard smartphone camera look.

The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 is designed to deliver high optical performance while introducing the characteristic rendering associated with anamorphic lenses. When properly mounted and aligned, the lens maintains excellent sharpness, color accuracy, contrast, and resolution across the frame.

Because anamorphic lenses optically compress the image horizontally, the desqueezed image preserves more horizontal scene information compared to cropped widescreen formats. While anamorphic lenses naturally introduce optical characteristics such as barrel distortion, flares and edge rendering differences, these traits are part of the intended cinematic look and do not compromise overall image quality.

When used with the smartphone’s main camera and correct alignment, the lens produces clean, detailed images suitable for professional video and photo applications, delivering a balance of sharpness and optical character that distinguishes anamorphic capture from standard spherical lenses.

When properly mounted and aligned, the Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 produces no visible vignetting when used on the smartphone’s main camera with a field of view of approximately 24mm equivalent or narrower.

When used on cameras with a wider field of view slight vignetting may appear depending on how wide the camera is, the filter size used, and overall optical alignment. To minimize the chance of vignetting, 77mm filters are recommended, especially when using filters or stacking multiple filters.

When shooting in Open Gate formats, very minimal vignetting may be visible near the top and bottom edges of the frame since the lens is primarily designed and optimized for 16:9 capture. Detailed guidance for Open Gate shooting is covered in a separate FAQ.

Anamorphic lenses naturally introduce barrel distortion, which is a normal optical characteristic and part of the anamorphic look. This distortion affects how straight lines are rendered toward the edges of the frame and contributes to the cinematic rendering associated with anamorphic capture.

Yes. The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 introduces characteristic anamorphic optical behavior that adds a distinct cinematic character to the image. This includes horizontal lens flares and a different sense of spatial rendering (how depth, perspective, and the relationship between foreground and background are rendered across the frame) compared to standard spherical lenses.

These optical characteristics are a natural result of the anamorphic optical design and are an intentional part of the cinematic look. The flares and rendering behavior respond naturally to light sources within the frame, helping create images that feel more organic and cinematic rather than digitally processed.

Anamorphic lenses are a creative choice. The purpose is not only to achieve a wider aspect ratio, but also to introduce optical characteristics that shape how light, space, and perspective are rendered, giving creators a visual signature that cannot be replicated through software effects alone.

The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 is designed to be used with front-mounted filters, but it is not intended to be stacked with other conversion lenses.

Filters such as ND filters, polarizers, and diffusion filters can be used to control exposure and creative look. In addition, Beastgrip offers a purpose-built 77mm close-up filter, which is the only additional optical element recommended for stacking with the anamorphic lens. The close-up filter reduces the minimum focusing distance, allowing for closer focus and more dramatic close-up shots while maintaining proper anamorphic rendering.

When using filters with anamorphic lenses, proper filter size and mounting are important to minimize the risk of vignetting and to maintain consistent optical performance. Larger-diameter filters, such as 77mm filters are recommended. Because anamorphic lenses rely on precise horizontal optical compression, correct lens orientation and optical alignment remain critical for optimal results.

The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 is primarily designed for video capture and filmmaking, where anamorphic lenses deliver the most impact through widescreen framing optical characteristics, and motion rendering.

For video, the lens is ideal for narrative filmmaking, commercials, music videos, and cinematic content creation, producing a true anamorphic widescreen image with characteristic optical behavior that enhances storytelling and visual style. Proper mounting, alignment, and the use of a camera app that supports anamorphic desqueezing are recommended for consistent video results.

The lens can also be used for photography, allowing creators to capture stylized still images with a cinematic widescreen look and anamorphic character. While anamorphic lenses are most commonly used for video workflows, they can be a creative tool for still photography as well.

The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 can be used with the native camera app, but for the most reliable and predictable results, a third-party camera app is strongly recommended, especially for video capture.

On iPhone, the native Camera app may automatically switch between cameras depending on shooting mode, lighting conditions, or zoom level. In addition, image stabilization cannot be fully disabled in the native Camera app, which can negatively affect anamorphic rendering. Native camera apps also typically do not offer dedicated anamorphic desqueeze settings, making proper framing and monitoring difficult. For correct anamorphic use, a third-party camera app that supports manual camera selection, stabilization control, and anamorphic desqueezing is recommended.

On Android devices, many phones offer a Pro or Manual mode in the native camera app that allows manual camera selection and greater control. When stabilization settings and camera selection can be manually managed, the native app may work well. Support for anamorphic desqueezing depends on the specific device and camera app.

Detailed guidance on image stabilization and desqueezing workflows is covered in separate FAQs.

When using the Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2, image stabilization should be turned off for optimal anamorphic performance. Anamorphic lenses rely on precise horizontal optical compression, and in-camera stabilization can introduce unwanted cropping, warping, or uneven rendering across the frame.

Electronic or digital stabilization may alter image geometry and interfere with correct anamorphic desqueezing, while optical stabilization can introduce subtle shifts that affect alignment and consistency. For this reason, stabilization is not recommended during capture when using an anamorphic lens.

For better control and higher-quality results, footage can be stabilized later in post-production, where stabilization can be applied more precisely. For stable shots during capture, the use of tripods, gimbals, or other support gear is recommended, especially for static shots or controlled camera movement.

Yes. Footage captured with the Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 requires desqueezing to restore the correct image proportions. Because the lens optically compresses the image horizontally during capture, the recorded image appears squeezed until it is desqueezed by the appropriate factor in preview or post-production.

Desqueezing can be handled in several ways depending on the workflow. Many third-party camera apps support real-time anamorphic preview and desqueeze. If footage is recorded without live desqueeze, the image can be desqueezed during editing using standard video or photo editing software by applying a horizontal scale adjustment.

Proper desqueezing is essential for accurate framing, correct aspect ratio, and intended anamorphic rendering. Using tools that support anamorphic workflows ensures consistent results from capture through post-production.

When used on the smartphone’s main camera, the Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 produces a deep focus look, meaning a large portion of the scene remains in focus. Because of this, focus changes on smartphones such as iPhones occur over a relatively small range when moving from close focus to infinity.

With the anamorphic lens attached, the minimum focusing distance is approximately 4 feet, which is typical behavior for anamorphic optics. This means the lens is not intended for extreme close-up shots by default. For closer focusing and creative close-up compositions, the use of a purpose-built close-up filter is recommended, as it reduces the minimum focus distance while maintaining proper anamorphic rendering.

Autofocus generally works reliably due to the deep focus characteristics, but for the most consistent results in video workflows, locking focus or using manual focus when available can help ensure stable and predictable focus throughout a shot.

Yes. The Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 can be used when shooting Open Gate video on the iPhone 17 Pro series.

In Open Gate modes, image stabilization on iPhone is not active, which is ideal for anamorphic capture and helps preserve correct optical rendering. Because the lens was originally designed and optimized for 16:9 capture, shooting in a taller 4:3 Open Gate format may introduce very minimal vignetting and slight softness toward the top and bottom of the frame. This behavior is expected and subtle, and it contributes to a more organic, cinematic character rather than being a technical limitation.

When using filters, there is also a possibility of slight mechanical vignetting, depending on filter size and thickness. To minimize this, 77mm filters are recommended, used with the included adapter ring, along with proper lens alignment.

Overall, Open Gate shooting with the Beastgrip 1.33X Anamorphic Lens MK2 works very well and produces excellent results. The minor edge characteristics seen in Open Gate modes are a natural result of using anamorphic optics outside their primary 16:9 design envelope and can be embraced as part of the lens’s visual character.