You can crop 16:9 footage to 2.39:1 in the edit and call it cinematic. What you cannot do in the edit is produce the things that actually make anamorphic look like anamorphic: oval bokeh, horizontal flares that streak rather than star, and the particular way a compressed image renders faces.
A real anamorphic adapter squeezes the image optically in front of the lens. The sensor records the full frame, you desqueeze in post, and you keep every pixel of vertical resolution — instead of throwing away the top and bottom third of your frame.
1.3x or 1.8x?
This is the whole decision, and it comes down to what your camera already gives you.
| Adapter | Price | Squeeze | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnamorphX-PRO 1.3X | $4,200 | 1.33x | Shooting 16:9 sensor — lands close to 2.39:1 |
| AnamorphX-PRO 1.3X (no mattebox) | $3,999 | 1.33x | You already own a mattebox |
| AnamorphX-PRO 1.8X | $4,500 | 1.8x | Shooting 4:3 / open gate — the classic widescreen look |
“Match the squeeze to your sensor, not to the bigger number.”
The 1.8x on a 16:9 sensor produces an extremely wide aspect that most delivery specs will not accept. The 1.3x on an open-gate 4:3 sensor does not reach the classic scope ratio. Get this pairing right and everything else follows.
Letus AnamorphX-PRO 1.3X Adapter — $4,200
A 1.33x squeeze on a standard 16:9 sensor lands right around 2.39:1 — the ratio your delivery spec probably asks for. You get the oval bokeh and the horizontal flares without wrestling an aspect ratio nobody wants to distribute.
See the Letus AnamorphX-PRO 1.3X Adapter →Letus AnamorphX-PRO 1.8X Adapter — $4,500
If your camera shoots open gate or 4:3, the 1.8x is the one that gives you the full classic anamorphic width. This is the configuration that looks like the films people point to when they say they want an anamorphic look.
See the Letus AnamorphX-PRO 1.8X Adapter →Letus AnamorphX-PRO 1.3X Adapter (No mattebox) — $3,999
Identical optics to the standard 1.3X, minus the mattebox, saving $201. Only pick this if your existing mattebox actually clears the adapter — message us with your setup and we will confirm before you order.
See the Letus AnamorphX-PRO 1.3X Adapter →The practical warnings
- You lose some light. Extra glass in front of the lens always costs stops. Plan your lighting for it rather than discovering it on the day.
- Focus becomes a two-part job. Anamorphic adapters typically need their own focus set alongside the taking lens. If you have never pulled dual focus, rehearse before a paid job.
- Not every lens works. Front diameter, filter thread and focal length all matter. A lens that vignettes at 24mm may be clean at 50mm.
That last point is why we keep matteboxes and adapting rings in stock separately — and why it is worth a WhatsApp message with your lens list before you buy a four-figure adapter.
No sales tax. Letus builds and ships from Portland, Oregon, and Oregon has no state sales tax — the price you see is the price you pay. Not sure which configuration fits your camera? Message our team on WhatsApp and describe your rig.