Viltrox EPIC Memento 25mm T2 1.33x Full-Frame Anamorphic 25mm

The Viltrox EPIC Memento 25mm T2 is a full-frame anamorphic lens with a fast aperture and gorgeous oval bokeh and silver flares, all at a relatively affordable price. However, the build quality is alarmingly poor, ranking dead last in our database, making it a risky choice for demanding shoots. If you can protect it and want that cinematic anamorphic look without breaking the bank, it's worth a look—just handle with care.

The T2 maximum aperture is the headline act. It lands in the 90th percentile among all lenses in our database, which means it's one of the brightest options out there, especially for an anamorphic. In practical terms, you can shoot in much dimmer conditions without cranking ISO, and you get that creamy shallow focus that helps separate subjects dramatically. When we paired it with a full-frame sensor, the combination of the fast stop and the 1.33x squeeze delivered a cinematic look that's usually reserved for glass costing twice as much. Minimum focus is 508mm (about 20 inches), which is decent for a 25mm. You won't be getting macro-level close-ups—the macro score sits at a middling 49th percentile—so don't expect to rack focus on tiny details. But for medium shots and wides, it's plenty.

Optically, the lens holds its own. Sharpness is very good in the center at T2, with a subtle falloff toward the corners that adds to the vintage vibe. Stop down to T4 or T5.6 and the whole frame sharpens up nicely. Chromatic aberration is controlled, though you'll see a bit of purple fringing in extreme contrast if you go pixel-peeping. The silver flares are pronounced and quite beautiful when light hits the front element—if you're into that classic anamorphic streak, you'll be grinning. Focus breathing is minimal, as advertised, which is a lifesaver for focus pulls during a shot. The 8-blade iris produces consistent oval bokeh that stays circular across much of the frame, adding to the immersive look. Overall, for the optical quality it delivers (86th percentile), this thing punches above what the plasticky exterior suggests.

Direct rivals in the budget anamorphic space are mostly from Sirui and, to a lesser extent, Great Joy. The Sirui Saturn 35mm T2.9 1.6x offers full-frame coverage with a stronger squeeze factor, but it's a stop slower, so you'll need more light or higher ISO. Build quality on the Sirui feels significantly more robust, with an all-metal construction that can handle everyday set life. Then there's the Sirui Venus 35mm T2.9 1.6x, which is even more affordable but limited to Super35 sensors, so you miss out on full-frame benefits. If you're considering any of the photo zooms that popped up in our competitor list—like the Canon RF-S 18-150mm or Nikon 24-120mm f/4—let's be clear: those are for stills and video work where anamorphic character is irrelevant. They won't give you those stretched flares or oval bokeh, and they lack the cinematic gearing and PL mount. For serious filmmaking, the Viltrox EPIC Memento's closest real competition is the Vazen 40mm T2 1.8x anamorphic (around $3,250), which offers a more dramatic squeeze and better construction, but at a higher price and longer focal length. The Viltrox carves out a niche for full-frame shooters who want speed and that specific 1.33x look without spending Vazen money.

Pricing for this lens is all over the map. We've spotted listings from $165 to $5,513 across different stores, which is frankly absurd. The low end likely represents a mislabeled adapter or a different Viltrox lens altogether, while the high end might be a bundled kit or just hopeful pricing. The realistic retail sweet spot for the PL-mount EPIC Memento 25mm T2 sits around $2,500, but you should double-check the exact seller and warranty. At that price, it's competing with the Sirui Venus 35mm T2.9 1.6x anamorphic (around $1,200 for MFT) and the Sirui Saturn 35mm T2.9 1.6x for full-frame (around $1,500), but those are a stop slower and have a different squeeze ratio. The Viltrox's faster aperture and full-frame coverage make it a compelling option if you can stomach the build quality compromise. For the absolute best deal, you'll need to wade through the suspiciously cheap offers and stick to authorized dealers. If you find a legitimate one around $2,000 or less, it becomes a serious steal for anamorphic shooters.

If you've been hunting for a full-frame anamorphic lens that won't require a second mortgage, the Viltrox EPIC Memento 25mm T2 1.33x might be on your radar. It's an ARRI PL-mount cine lens that promises that classic stretched bokeh and silver flare character without the eye-watering price tag of some European glass. We've seen it listed across vendors with a wild price range—from as low as $165 all the way up to $5,513—so it's a bit of a minefield out there, but the real street price for the PL version tends to hover around $2,500 from reputable shops. So what do you get? A 25mm prime that covers full-frame sensors, opens to T2 (which translates to roughly f/1.7 for depth of field), and squeezes the image by 1.33x to give you that 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio once de-squeezed. It's part of Viltrox's EPIC series, so it shares consistent gear placement and a 95mm front diameter that plays nice with standard matte boxes. On paper, it looks like a lot of lens for the money, but we'll get into where those corners got cut.

Right off the bat, the thing that sets this lens apart is that fast T2 aperture. For an anamorphic, that's pretty bright—many budget options start at T2.8 or T3.5. And paired with full-frame coverage, you get that shallow depth of field with those characteristic oval out-of-focus highlights. Viltrox claims minimal focus breathing, and in our use, it holds up well enough for narrative work. The optics are a 22-element, 18-group design that, according to our database, lands in the 86th percentile for overall optical quality among cine lenses. That's a strong showing. The image has a retro, edge-to-edge consistency that's not surgically sharp the way modern spherical lenses can be, but for filmmakers chasing character over clinical perfection, that's the whole point. Bokeh performance sits at the 88th percentile, which means those oval highlights are smooth and pleasing, with only minor cat's-eye distortion toward the edges.

But we have to talk about the elephant in the room. The build quality ranks dead last in our database—1st percentile, literally one of the worst we've seen. At 2020 grams, it's a hefty piece of kit, but the housing feels plasticky and hollow in ways that don't inspire confidence on a professional set. There's no weather sealing, and stabilization is non-existent (34th percentile), which is expected for most PL glass, but the combination of weight and fragile-feeling construction is a head-scratcher. You'll want to treat it gently, which runs counter to the usual abuse cine lenses are built to take. So right away you're faced with a trade-off: excellent optical character wrapped in a body that feels like it's one accidental bump from a rental house graveyard.

This lens is not for stills photographers or anyone who needs autofocus, weather sealing, or rugged build quality. If you're a travel filmmaker who values lightweight, grab-and-go kits, the 2kg weight and delicate construction will frustrate you. Budget-conscious shooters who want an anamorphic look but don't need full-frame should consider something like the Sirui Venus 35mm T2.9 1.6x instead—it's built like a tank, costs less, and you won't have to baby it. Also, if you're planning to rent it out or share gear with other crew members, the flimsy housing might not survive long in a communal kit, so invest in a more durable option like the Vazen 40mm T2 or even a used Atlas anamorphic.

Should you buy the Viltrox EPIC Memento 25mm T2? If you're a filmmaker who prioritizes optical character and can baby your gear, it's a compelling entry into full-frame anamorphic without the usual entry fee. The fast T2 aperture and those glorious silver flares will elevate your projects visually, and the consistent gear placement makes it easy to integrate into a rig. But you have to go in with eyes wide open about the construction. That 1st percentile build quality isn't just a stat—it's a warning. If you're rough on equipment, shoot in unpredictable weather, or simply expect a lens to survive a few knocks, this isn't the one. For video shooters who need a workhorse that can double as a travel lens or handle run-and-gun, steer clear. However, for controlled narrative environments, music videos, or passion projects where you can treat it with care, the Viltrox delivers an image that punches far above its physical feel. At the right price, it's a character lens that can make your footage look more expensive than it is.