The first 80mm Russian anamorphic cinema lens (previously reported here) was recently presented by Shvabe Holding (part of Rostec State Corporation) at the Innoprom 2026 show. This marks the first time a domestically produced anamorphic film lens has reached the ready-made prototype stage in Russia. The anamorphic series, developed by the Lytkarinsky Optical Glass Plant (LZOS) within the Shvabe holding, includes four focal lengths:
- 40mm
- 60mm
- 80mm (first finished model, now shown)
- 100mm
All lenses feature a 2x anamorphic squeeze, PL mount as standard (with adapters available for other mounts), and are designed for digital cinema cameras.
Key lens highlights:
- Ultra-wide field of view without the edge distortion and corner darkening typical of wide-angle spherical lenses.
- Distinctive cinematic rendering, including characteristic bokeh and flares.
- High image quality and “unique picture” that sets them apart from many foreign alternatives.
- The front elements have an unusual concave shape – a hallmark of this optical design that enables the horizontal squeeze while preserving overall image integrity.
“The development of anamorphic lenses is an important step by a domestic manufacturer for the development of the Russian film industry. In addition to the extended horizontal frames and high image quality, they allow you to create unique cinematic effects. We will launch the film lenses into mass production next year. It is planned to produce 4 sets of products as part of the first installation batch. Test copies will appear this year. They will be available for delivery to film studios, and their cost will be lower than their foreign counterparts.” — Lev Borisov, Deputy General Director for Sales of Civilian Products at Shvabe Holding
Development Timeline & Availability
- July 2026: 80mm ready-made model presented publicly for the first time.
- Later in 2026: test copies are expected to become available for film studios.
- 2027: serial/mass production launch, starting with an initial batch of 4 sets.
LZOS & Shvabe Background
Lytkarinsky Optical Glass Plant is one of Russia’s premier optical manufacturers. It is the only facility in the country capable of producing large-scale ground- and space-based mirrors used in major telescopes worldwide. The plant also produces the well-known Rubinar mirror lenses.
Previous coverage of Russian lenses is available here.
