Laowa Proteus Flex 85mm T2 2X Anamorphic S35 PL + EF

Laowa Proteus Flex 85 mm T2 2× Anamorphic S35 PL + EF cine lens sets a benchmark for professional widescreen acquisition. Covering Super 35+ sensors with a constant 2× squeeze, it yields a 2.66 : 1 image that desqueezes cleanly to 2.39 : 1 while leaving room for reframing. The ratio stays fixed from 0.82 m to ∞, eliminating “mumps”; minimal breathing keeps framing solid during rack-focus.

Inside the 18-element/13-group optical path a fast T2-T22 aperture and 10-blade iris produce crisp edges, creamy elliptical bokeh and controllable streak flare. Horizontal FOV is 33.9°, vertical 14.5° on S35, giving expressive compression for portraits and atmospheric close-ups. Focus rotation spans 300°, iris rotation 60° for fluid exposure shifts.

Reliability meets flexibility: the modular mount system ships with ARRI PL and Canon EF bayonets plus shim-less back-focus adjustment. Standard 0.8 MOD gears and unified gear positions speed matte-box swaps; the 114 mm front accepts clip-ons, and a 105 mm filter thread supports ND stacks when time is tight. At 2.95 kg and 240 mm, the lens balances naturally on steadicams and studio rigs.

The Flex concept introduces a user-swappable flare cartridge. Default silver flare adapts its hue to the light source; optional blue, amber or clear modules let DPs craft looks from bold sci-fi streaks to restrained highlights. Pair the lens with Laowa’s 1.4× expander to cover full-frame sensors, or mount directly on ARRI ALEXA 35 or RED V-RAPTOR for 7 K anamorphic capture with no vignette. For narrative features, multi-camera concerts or premium-streaming drama, Proteus Flex delivers unmistakable anamorphic character plus the ergonomic discipline modern sets demand. All-metal build, AR coatings and internal focus guarantee reliability on demanding sets.