Sirui Astra Series T1.8 1.33x 100mm Full-Frame Anamorphic 100mm

The Sirui Astra 100mm T1.8 is a full-frame anamorphic with autofocus, which is still a rare combo. Optical quality is above average at the 72nd percentile, but aperture performance is a disappointing 21st percentile. At USD 849, it's a niche tool for solo shooters who want the anamorphic look without manual focus.

Let's talk about what this lens does well first. The optical score puts it at the 72nd percentile, which is above average but not a standout. The 18 elements in 13 groups do a decent job controlling aberrations across that 44mm image circle, and the neutral streak flares are a deliberate choice for shooters who don't want the heavy blue flare look that Sirui's cheaper anamorphics are known for. The 13-blade diaphragm helps keep bokeh smooth, though the bokeh score itself is only at the 43rd percentile, so don't expect the creamiest background rendering in the category. Autofocus lands at the 54th percentile, which is about average, and that's actually notable for an anamorphic lens. Most anamorphics are manual focus only, so having AF at all is a feature. But the stabilization score is 34th percentile, and there's no optical stabilization built in, so you'll want a gimbal or a body with IBIS if you're shooting handheld. The minimum focus distance of 2.3 feet is workable for a 100mm, but the macro score of 49th percentile confirms this isn't a close-up lens.

Stacking this against the competition is a bit unfair, because most of the top competitors in our database are zoom lenses, not anamorphic primes. The Tamron 18-300mm and Sigma 16-300mm are travel zooms that beat the Sirui on versatility and stabilization, but they can't produce an anamorphic image at all. The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is a solid all-rounder with optical stabilization, but it's a slow variable aperture zoom. The Panasonic Leica 12-35mm is a Micro Four Thirds lens, so it's not even playing the same game. What the Sirui offers that none of these do is the 2.4:1 aspect ratio without cropping, plus the oval bokeh and streak flares that define the anamorphic look. If you want that specific aesthetic, the comparison is moot. If you want a general-purpose lens, every one of those competitors is more versatile.

At USD 849 in the US and CAD 1,170 in Canada, the Astra 100mm is priced like a mid-range anamorphic, and that's where it gets interesting. You're getting autofocus, full-frame coverage, and a T1.8 aperture for less than many manual-focus anamorphic primes. But the value proposition depends entirely on whether you need the AF. If you're shooting narrative work on a tripod with a follow focus, the autofocus is wasted and you might be better served by a cheaper manual anamorphic with better build quality. If you're a solo shooter or run-and-gun filmmaker who wants the anamorphic look without pulling focus manually, this is one of the few options at this price point. The single US listing at USD 849 suggests availability is limited, so you may not have much room to shop around.

The Sirui Astra 100mm T1.8 anamorphic is a bit of an odd duck in our database. It's a full-frame autofocus anamorphic lens, which is still a rare combination, and it squeezes a 2.4:1 aspect ratio out of your sensor without cropping. The headline numbers are the T1.8 aperture and the 44mm image circle, which means you get that wide cinematic frame and shallow depth of field on a Sony E body. But the percentile data tells a more complicated story. Optical quality sits at the 72nd percentile, which is solid, but aperture performance lands at the 21st percentile, which is a real head-scratcher for a lens marketed on its low-light chops. The T1.8 is there, but the overall aperture score suggests something isn't translating in real-world use.

Skip this lens if you need rugged build quality or optical stabilization. The build score is 37th percentile and there's no OIS, so handheld run-and-gun work without a gimbal or IBIS body will be shaky. Also skip it if you're primarily a stills shooter, the anamorphic squeeze means you'll be de-squeezing every image in post, and the 33rd percentile versatility score confirms this is not a general-purpose lens. If you shoot on APS-C, the 1.5x crop turns this into a 150mm equivalent, which is a very tight field of view for most indoor or interview work.

The Sirui Astra 100mm T1.8 is a niche lens that knows exactly what it is. The optical performance is above average at the 72nd percentile, and the autofocus is a genuine differentiator in the anamorphic space. But the build quality at the 37th percentile and the aperture performance at the 21st percentile are hard to ignore. For USD 849, you're paying for the anamorphic look and the AF convenience, not for rugged construction or class-leading optics. If you're a solo filmmaker on Sony E who wants that 2.4:1 frame without a focus puller, this is a solid buy. If you're shooting on sticks with a manual focus workflow, there are better-built manual anamorphics out there for similar money.