The BLAZAR MANTIS 1.33x is a new full-frame anamorphic series announced in early 2025. It includes five prime lenses (25, 35, 50, 75, and 100 mm) and is designed to deliver a true Cinemascope effect on 16:9 cameras without the need for open-gate mode. Initial field tests highlighted the typically anamorphic look with oval bokeh: thanks to a special 14-blade oval iris, the out-of-focus areas appear "stretched," almost as if using a 2x anamorphic lens. At the same time, resolution remains high—since the 1.33x squeeze doesn’t require unusually wide sensors, many cameras can use them more effectively.
Many DPs praised the crystal-clear sharpness of the MANTIS lenses during their first shoots. Compared to older anamorphics, the image center appears exceptionally sharp, and color reproduction is neutral and rich in contrast. The lenses are surprisingly lightweight and compact (around 650–790 grams) and have a consistent 80 mm front diameter—perfect if you frequently switch focal lengths or want unified filters. Overall, the lens set feels solid and high-quality: focus rings turn smoothly and firmly, each barrel features gears for follow-focus systems, and thanks to the tool-less mount system, you can switch between PL, E, EF, RF, L, or Z mounts in seconds. Tests also noted that the 25 mm lens focuses very close (only about 0.38 m)—ideal for tight shots.
Performance in Different Lighting Conditions
Low Light
With a maximum aperture of about T2 (T2.4 for 25 mm and 100 mm), the MANTIS lenses are not the fastest anamorphics but still deliver good results in low-light situations. In dim interiors or during twilight, you can still capture sharp subjects at T2 but should watch for noise and may need to raise ISO. Since anamorphic lenses generally "lose" more light than spherical ones, robust camera sensors and good noise handling are beneficial. Overall, the MANTIS lenses produce calm, contrast-rich images in the dark, provided you allow for sufficient exposure.
Daylight
In bright daylight, the MANTIS lenses deliver razor-sharp images with high resolution. Colors remain neutral, and contrast behavior is clean. Since they all start at T2 (T2.4 for 25/100 mm), using ND filters in bright conditions is recommended to shoot wide open. Thanks to the consistent 80 mm front size (and 77 mm filter thread on four of five lenses), you can use one filter set. On sunny days, watch for slight vignetting at extreme focus settings when wide open, which usually disappears when stopping down. Even slight aperture changes visibly increase sharpness—useful for landscapes and bright scenes.
Backlight and Flares
Typical for anamorphic lenses, BLAZAR MANTIS produces horizontal light streaks and "cinema lens flares" in backlight. The MANTIS series generates warm, slightly orange flares perceived as very cinematic. Strong light sources (like the sun or headlights) create soft, beautiful flares centered and from the image edges. A slight amber tint in the flares was often noted. If you like this look, you can emphasize it; if not, use lens hoods or stop down slightly. With conscious handling, MANTIS lenses offer an artistic effect in neon or evening shots that many filmmakers appreciate.
Ergonomics and Handling
The MANTIS lenses impress with compactness and good handling. Despite full anamorphic optics, the barrels are relatively lightweight and well-balanced. The gear-ring design at the focus and aperture rings supports the use of a follow-focus; the 180° focus throw allows precise adjustments. Focus rings rotate smoothly and without play—perfect for focus pulls. The solid metal body and fixed lens hoods give a durable, high-quality feel, surviving hectic shoots easily.
A major practical advantage is the consistent front thread (mostly 77 mm) across all focal lengths except the 25 mm, which also uses 77 mm. This allows seamless filter, matte box, and rig use without frequent rebalancing. Switching focal lengths barely affects the rig balance—perfect for tripod or gimbal use. Plus, thanks to the quick-change mount system, you can easily swap between camera systems without bulky adapters.
The design is intuitive: Filter installation (e.g., circular or slot-in) is simple, and the lenses have long enough barrels for secure mounting and support. Even on hot shooting days, they remain relatively cool thanks to efficient heat dissipation. A minor downside: slight vignetting may occur when shooting fully wide open—but this is common with anamorphics and usually disappears when stopping down. The sharp gear rings and stable construction contribute to a very satisfying user experience.
Image Characteristics Compared to Other Anamorphics
Bokeh and Depth of Field
Thanks to the 14-blade oval iris, background bokeh looks highly elliptical—almost like shooting with a 2x anamorphic lens. Light points appear stretched, and the shallow depth of field is pronounced. Compared to Great Joy (1.8x T2.9) or Sirui Saturn (1.6x T2), the MANTIS provides a slightly less extreme but still cinematic bokeh. Overall, it delivers strong oval shapes with a balanced sharpness field.
Flares and Reflections
Unlike ultra-expensive vintage anamorphics, which often produce greenish-blue flares, the MANTIS creates warm, amber-hued flares. Compared to more neutral lenses like Sirui Saturn or Atlas Mercury, the MANTIS offers more pronounced and warmer streaks—ideal for evening or golden hour moods. In intense sunlight, the MANTIS may produce slightly stronger "glow," which can be artistically used or filtered depending on taste.
Sharpness and Contrast
Compared to Great Joy lenses, the MANTIS benefits from a wider aperture (T2 vs. T2.9), offering slightly more flexibility at the same exposure. Sharpness consistency from center to edges was rated highly. Compared to Sirui Saturn, the MANTIS is similarly sharp with only minimal edge softness. Colors are neutral without strong color casts, while some anamorphics show warmer shifts. Overall, the MANTIS feels modern and clean without the extreme "vintage" character of some high-end classics.
Advantages and Possible Weaknesses of the MANTIS Series
Advantages
- Cinematic look without extra effort: Achieve a 2x-wide Cinemascope look on nearly any 16:9 camera with 1.33x squeeze.
- Oval iris ("2x bokeh"): The special 14-blade design creates extremely oval light points similar to high-end 2x anamorphics.
- Versatile mounting system: Quickly swap between DSLR, mirrorless, and cinema cameras without additional adapters.
- Compact, unified design: All lenses share the same front size and filter threads (77 mm) for easy use with matte boxes and filters.
- Relatively fast for anamorphics: With T2 (T2.4 for 25/100 mm), they're faster than many affordable anamorphics.
- Close focusing: The 25 mm lens focuses as close as 38 cm—excellent for creative wide-angle close-ups.
- Great value: Priced similarly to previous Blazar models, offering strong optics at a reasonable price.
Possible Weaknesses
- Maximum aperture: T2 is good but not as bright as T1.8 or T1.4 lenses, limiting extreme low-light use.
- Flare sensitivity: The warm, artistic flares can be distracting if clean images are desired.
- Backlight behavior: Warm flares dominate; if you prefer neutral-colored flares, this may be a limitation.
- No autofocus: Full manual focus only, typical for high-quality anamorphics, but requires precision focusing skills.
- Weight/Size: Although lightweight for anamorphics, a full set still adds significant gear volume.
- Aperture consistency: The 25 mm and 100 mm lenses are slightly slower (T2.4 instead of T2).
Typical Use Cases and Best Practices
Typical Use Cases
- Feature films and series: Perfect for capturing dialogues or landscapes with classic Cinemascope framing on 16:9 cameras.
- Commercials and music videos: Anamorphic effects (flares, compressed perspective, soft bokeh) add cinematic flair to creative projects.
- Documentaries and events: Emphasize emotional angles and enhance storytelling with shallow depth of field and cinematic framing.
- Independent productions and vlogs: Upgrade the visual quality of personal content like travel, interviews, or storytelling videos.
Best Practices
- Proper de-squeezing: Always de-squeeze your footage by 1.33x in-camera or in post to preview and compose correctly.
- Focus and aperture control: Use follow-focus systems and focus peaking for precise focusing; manually adjust apertures to minimize vignetting.
- Use ND filters: To maintain wide apertures in bright daylight, ND filters are essential for exposure control and cinematic depth of field.
- Creative use of flares: Position strong light sources slightly behind or to the side of subjects to create beautiful flares—or block them if not desired.
- Stable support systems: Rigs, tripods, or gimbals are recommended, especially when carrying a full set of lenses.
- Calibration and testing: Always test your camera and lens setup before the shoot for optimal de-squeezing and framing results.
Why to buy the Blazar Mantis 1.33x at Better Focus?
Better Focus is a Germany-based online shop run by filmmaker Tim Dehring. As a user of Blazar lenses himself, Better Focus ensures top-quality service, local shipping within Europe (no import fees), a 2-year warranty, and competitive pricing – all tailored for filmmakers across Europe.
Pre-orders for the first BLAZAR Mantis lenses – 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm – will begin in May 2025, with deliveries scheduled for June. The additional focal lengths, 25mm and 100mm, will become available for pre-order in June 2025 and are expected to ship the following month, in July.
