Anamorphic vs Spherical | Atlas Mercury vs DZOFILM Arles on Sony BURANO

Описание: Anamorphic vs Spherical Lens Comparison Test
Atlas Mercury 1.5x Anamorphic vs DZOFilm Arles Primes

Location: Interior Stage Environment
Camera: Sony BURANO

Project Description

This project is a controlled lens comparison test between an anamorphic lens system and a spherical prime lens set. The goal is to observe how fundamental optical design differences affect spatial rendering, flare behavior, and bokeh characteristics in practical cinematography usage, rather than in purely technical chart environments.

Anamorphic and spherical lenses create distinctly different visual impressions in narrative filmmaking. Through this test, we aimed to isolate and directly compare these differences under identical shooting conditions to better understand how each system shapes emotion, space, depth, and image character.

Focal Length Pairing

The anamorphic system used in this test is the Atlas Mercury series with a 1.5x squeeze ratio.
The spherical system used is the DZOFilm Arles Prime lens set.

To ensure a meaningful comparison of horizontal field of view, the following focal length pairings were used:

Atlas Mercury 24mm paired with Arles 14mm

Atlas Mercury 42mm paired with Arles 35mm

Atlas Mercury 72mm paired with Arles 50mm

Atlas Mercury 95mm paired with Arles 75mm

These pairings allow the comparison to focus on optical characteristics rather than framing discrepancies.

Test Structure

The test was divided into three core visual evaluations and repeated for both lens systems under identical camera, lighting, and exposure conditions.

Distortion and Flare During Camera Movement
A lateral pan with hard light sources aimed into the lens to evaluate spatial warping and flare behavior during motion.

Flare Behavior and Internal Reflections
A controlled handheld flashlight sweep across the front element to reveal flare shape, color, intensity falloff, and ghosting.

Bokeh and Depth Separation
A layered setup (foreground object / subject, midground / string lights, background) to evaluate bokeh shape, highlight behavior, subject separation, and perceived spatial compression.

Controlled Shooting Conditions

All tests were conducted under strictly controlled conditions. ISO, white balance, shutter angle, picture profile, lighting placement, and camera movement were kept consistent. Subject position and blocking remained unchanged. Exposure matching was achieved through T-stop adjustments and neutral density filtration where needed.

These controls ensure that the only meaningful variable affecting the image is the optical design of the lens itself.

Credits & Thanks

Concept / Planning / Editing / On-Camera Talent: Justin Li
Cinematography / Camera Operation: Crystal Balloon Studio
Provided by Crystal Balloon Studio: Sony BURANO, spherical lenses, and related production gear
Provided by Atlas Lens Co.: Location, Atlas Mercury lenses, and partial lighting support

Big thanks to Justin for leading the creative concept and post-production, and to Atlas for the support, location, and collaboration.

Related Collaboration

We also collaborated with Atlas on another Atlas Mercury lens test featuring the Canon C50 and Nikon ZR.
Watch it here:
👉    • The Canon C50 vs. Nikon ZR - Mercury Serie...  

Follow Justin Li’s channel here:
👉    / @thejichenli  

Instagram:
Justin Li — @thejichenli
Crystal Balloon Studio — @crystalballoonstudio


Academic & Copyright Notice

This project was created as part of Justin Li’s academic work at the University of Southern California (USC).
USC retains shared copyright ownership of this project.