Laowa Sunlight 70-135mm T4.5 2x FF Anamorphic Zoom 135mm

A specialty anamorphic zoom with fantastic 2x squeeze and amber flares. Optical quality is a standout, but the T4.5 aperture is a real bummer, and there's zero electronic assistance. Worth the cash only if you live and breathe anamorphic.

Optically, this lens punches well above its weight. Our database puts it in the 88th percentile for overall sharpness and character, and that tracks. Wide open at T4.5, the center is crisp and the falloff into the edges has that organic anamorphic vibe without turning to mush. The amber flares are controlled but present, giving you that moody, cinematic glow without looking like a JJ Abrams parody. The weak spot is the T4.5 aperture, which lands in the bottom 20% of all lenses we've tested. In low light, you'll be pushing your sensor. Bokeh is a bit nervous at the long end and only ranks at the 30th percentile, so those out-of-focus highlights aren't going to melt away like a fast prime. Still, for controlled sets, the image is lovely.

Stacking this against the competitors our database threw up, like the Nikon Z 18-140mm or Canon RF-S 18-150mm, is a bit silly. Those are consumer zooms with autofocus, stabilization, and variable apertures for entirely different use cases. The Laowa Sunlight plays in a niche of its own, alongside other cine anamorphic zooms from Atlas and Vazen, which cost significantly more. The real trade-off here is getting a full-frame 2x squeeze without the six-figure price tag, but you give up speed and any electronic niceties.

Pricing is all over the map, with a spread of over $2,200 between vendors. The best deal we spotted was $5,999 at one store, while others ask as much as $8,222. For what it does, even the lower end of that range is a serious investment. You're paying for the anamorphic look in a zoom package, which is rare. If you can rent it for a project, that's the smarter move for most indie crews.

The Laowa Sunlight 70-135mm T4.5 is a full-frame anamorphic zoom built for filmmakers who want that classic 2x squeeze and warm amber flares without breaking their back or the bank (well, comparatively). It's part of a pair with the 40-80mm, covering a useful range, and the housing is compact enough for gimbal work despite the heft. You get consistent gear positions and a PL mount that plays nice with most cinema cameras.

But don't confuse this with your do-everything photo zoom. It's manual focus only, no stabilization, and the T4.5 aperture means you'll need decent light or a willingness to crank ISO. It's a purpose-built storytelling tool, not a grab-and-go lens for run-n-gun shooters.

If you need a lens that can handle documentary work or event shooting, look elsewhere. The lack of autofocus and image stabilization will drive you nuts. Also skip it if you frequently shoot in natural light without a lighting package, because the T4.5 aperture will force you into high ISOs that might eat your image quality.

This lens is for the cinematographer who absolutely needs that 2x anamorphic look in a zoom and can't stretch to an Atlas Orion or a set of primes. It's a rental house darling or a buy for owner-operators building out a specific kit. If you light your scenes and pull focus manually, you'll be thrilled. Everyone else, keep scrolling.