What is anamorphic lens?

Transfiguration lens is a special optical lens mainly used to compress wide amplitude images into standard image areas. The original intention of the design of the anamorphic lens is to meet the viewing requirements of 2.35:1 or 2.40:1 scale images, usually used for scenes transitioning from 16:9 to 2.35:1.
Definition and purpose of deformable lenses
Transfiguration lenses solidify processed images onto sensors or film by "squeezing" and reshaping real-life images. This technology can be traced back to 1898, when it was patented in Germany, but due to technical limitations, it was not widely used. It was not until the 1950s, with the development of the film industry, that transformable lenses began to be favored, especially after the success of Cinerama technology in Hollywood, which further developed and applied transformable lenses.
The historical background and technical principles of deformable lenses
The key technology of deformable lenses lies in their unique "squeezing" function, which is mainly achieved through spherical lens filming technology. This technology utilizes curved glass elements to "squeeze" and reshape the image, thereby presenting a wider lens field of view and more surrounding environments. Early morphing lenses used cylinders to bend the image on the axis, creating a squeezing effect. Although this method brought visual deviation, these problems have been solved with the advancement of optical technology.
Application scenarios and advantages and disadvantages of deformable lenses
Transfiguration lenses have a wide range of applications in film production, creating unique visual experiences. Its advantages include the ability to display a wider field of view and more surrounding environments, and the ability to restore normal aspect ratios through post-processing. However, the price of deformable lenses is relatively high and requires professional technical operation, so they are not very popular among ordinary photography enthusiasts. In recent years, with the advancement of technology and the decrease in prices, some affordable transformable lenses have also begun to enter the market.