Anamorphic Lenses

Anamorphic Lenses are lenses that affect how images project onto the camera sensor. They were primarily created so that a wider range of aspect ratios could fit within a standard film frame. But since then, cinematographers have become accustomed to their unique look.

Related to different optical imaging effects. It refers to a method of intentionally distorting and creating a widescreen image with standard film, using a conversion process or a special lens on the camera and projector to produce different magnifications in the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the picture. An anamorphic image usually appears “squished” horizontally, while retaining its full vertical resolution

See also aspect ratio and the trade name CinemaScope. Many studios produced anamorphic lenses, using other trade names such as Panavision, Technovision, and Technirama.