Anamorphic lens enhances smartphone videography with cinematic quality

An anamorphic lens is a special type of lens commonly used in filmmaking. It helps create a cinematic look by capturing a wide field of view while keeping the focus shallow. A unique feature of these lenses is the oval "bokeh" effect they produce, which can enhance the visual appeal of videos and photos. Recently, a writer decided to try an anamorphic lens for their smartphone videography. They purchased a lens for around $50 and tested it on their Realme 13 Pro Plus in places like London and Australia. While professional filmmakers use high-end cameras, many people assume that only iPhones produce quality videography. The writer wanted to demonstrate that other smartphones could also achieve impressive results. Using an anamorphic lens on a smartphone can be challenging. The writer mentioned that it took some time to properly attach the lens using a clip. Though it was easier than setting up a traditional video camera, there were still difficulties. The camera app on the smartphone only showed a stretched version of the image, making it hard to visualize the final shot. Additionally, the lens sometimes wobbled during use, leading to misaligned shots. Despite the challenges, the results showed promise. The writer took wide shots of landscapes that highlighted the lens's capabilities. However, they noted that the lens did not let in much light, which could result in dark images in outdoor settings. Some shots demonstrated the cinematic quality that anamorphic lenses can provide. After experimenting, the writer concluded that while anamorphic lenses may not be suitable for professional projects due to their awkwardness and extra processing work, they are affordable and portable compared to traditional lenses. They recommend anamorphic lenses for casual photographers and filmmakers who want to explore new creative possibilities with their smartphones. This trend in mobile videography is becoming increasingly popular, offering a fresh approach to filmmaking.