The ARRI Master Anamorphic series, developed in collaboration with ZEISS, represents a pinnacle in cinematic optics. While the standard Master Anamorphics are known for being “perfect”—boasting near-zero distortion and no breathing—the Flare Sets were introduced to provide cinematographers with more organic, artistic character without sacrificing the lens’s technical excellence.

Key Features:

Interchangeable Front and Rear Elements: The “Flare” aspect comes from specialized lens coatings on replaceable glass elements, allowing you to swap between “neutral” and “flare” looks.
Consistent T1.9 Aperture: Fast and consistent across the entire focal range, enabling shallow depth of field and superior low-light performance.
Zero Lens Breathing: Focus pulls remain completely stable with no noticeable change in image magnification.
True Anamorphic Look: Delivers the classic 2x squeeze and oval bokeh without the technical artifacts like “mumps” (distorted faces) or heavy edge softness.
Compact & Lightweight: Despite their complex internals, they are optimized for handheld and gimbal use compared to vintage anamorphic glass.
Creative Versatility: You get two lenses in one. You can use the standard coatings for a clean, modern look or the Flare Sets for classic blue streaks and “veiling” glare.
Technical Perfection: Even with the flares engaged, the lenses maintain incredible sharpness, contrast, and resolution from corner to corner.
Seamless Matching: All lenses in the series are color-matched, making it easy to swap focal lengths during a shoot without needing heavy color grading adjustments.
Modern Reliability: Unlike vintage anamorphic lenses, these have standardized gear positions and modern housings, ensuring they work flawlessly with follow-focus systems and motors.