SIRUI is releasing the Saturn V2, a full-frame 1.6x anamorphic cine lens series available in 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm T2.9. The core update from the original Saturn line is a built-in mechanism that switches the lens between horizontal and vertical shooting without removing it from the camera. SIRUI is marketing this under the line "One Lens, Two Visual Languages." Below is a breakdown of how the switch works, what look the lenses produce, and the specs, pricing, and camera compatibility for the series.
What Makes the Saturn V2 Different: A Built-In Horizontal/Vertical Switch
Traditional anamorphic lenses are built for one orientation. To shoot vertical anamorphic content, filmmakers typically rotate the camera itself or use a separate adapter. The Saturn V2 instead has a rotating optical structure inside the lens housing, so the switch happens on the lens.
How the Switch Works
The process is a three-step motion: flip the unlock switch, rotate the lens barrel 90 degrees, and snap it back into a locked position. SIRUI states this keeps horizontal de-squeeze and optical performance consistent in both orientations, since it's the same optical path being rotated rather than two different lens designs.
Aspect Ratios in Each Mode
- Horizontal mode: Produces a 2.4:1 output from a 3:2 sensor, or a 2.84:1 output from a 16:9 sensor — both wide, cinema-style ratios intended for traditional widescreen delivery (film, TV, projection).
- Vertical mode: Produces a 0.9:1 output from a 9:16 sensor, or close to a 1.07:1 square-leaning ratio from a 2:3 sensor — aimed at vertical formats for phones, foldables, and tablets (YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels).
SIRUI also notes the lens pairs with a camera's open-gate sensor mode, so a single vertical shoot can be reframed for multiple aspect ratios in post rather than needing separate horizontal and vertical takes. See the detailed tutorial here !
The 1.6x Squeeze and the Anamorphic Look
The Saturn V2 keeps a 1.6x constant squeeze ratio across the zoom range of focus, meaning the squeeze doesn't shift during a focus pull. SIRUI's descriptions of the visual character include:
- Oval bokeh and vertically stretched backgrounds in both horizontal and vertical shooting
- Neutral, natural-looking flares rather than the more stylized blue streak often associated with anamorphic lenses (SIRUI's marketing material for this lens emphasizes the neutral flare specifically)
Three Focal Lengths, One Visual Language
The series ships in three focal lengths, each built to share the same color rendering, bokeh character, and flare behavior:
| Focal Length | Aperture | Full-Frame Equivalent | Use Case (per SIRUI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35mm | T2.9 | ~22mm equivalent | Wide field of view |
| 50mm | T2.9 | ~31mm equivalent | Street perspective |
| 75mm | T2.9 | ~47mm equivalent | Portrait / narrative |
The equivalent focal lengths are wider than the marked focal length because of the 1.6x anamorphic squeeze. All three lenses use a stepless T2.9 aperture.
Built for Solo Creators: Weight and Handling
SIRUI is positioning the Saturn V2 as light enough for one-person crews to run on handheld rigs, gimbals, shoulder mounts, sliders, and drones. The 35mm (L mount) weighs 437g and measures 10.3cm — smaller and lighter than most current smartphones (SIRUI compares it directly to the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 16.3cm). Weight and length vary slightly by mount and focal length; see the spec table below for exact figures.
All three lenses also share an identical gear position on the focus, iris, and zoom rings, so swapping focal lengths on a rig or follow-focus setup doesn't require re-adjusting gear placement.
Self-Developed Optics
SIRUI states the Saturn V2's optical design and manufacturing are fully in-house. Each lens combines aspherical and cylindrical elements:
- Cylindrical lens elements stretch the image horizontally with minimal light loss, which is what produces the anamorphic effect.
- Aspherical lens elements are used to correct spherical aberration and edge color fringing, which SIRUI says improves edge-to-edge resolution.
Each focal length in the series uses 5 cylindrical elements and 1 aspherical element as part of its optical formula (see the full element/group count per lens in the specs table).
Mount Options and Camera Compatibility
The Saturn V2 is available in L, E, RF, and Z mounts, covering most current full-frame mirrorless and cinema systems. SIRUI lists the following cameras as reference-compatible (any camera sharing the same mount should work):
- L mount: Panasonic LUMIX S1R II, S1H, S5II, S5IIX, ZR
- Z mount: Nikon Z8, Z9, Z5II
- E mount: Sony FX3, FX5, FX6, A7M5
- RF mount: Canon EOS R6 Mark III, EOS R5 C, EOS C50, RED V-Raptor
SIRUI Saturn V2 Specs at a Glance
| Spec | 35mm T2.9 1.6x | 50mm T2.9 1.6x | 75mm T2.9 1.6x |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format Coverage | Full Frame | Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Aperture Range | T2.9–T16 | T2.9–T16 | T2.9–T16 |
| Lens Structure | 18 elements / 13 groups (5 cylindrical, 1 aspherical) | 17 elements / 12 groups (5 cylindrical, 1 aspherical) | 15 elements / 11 groups (5 cylindrical, 1 aspherical) |
| Aperture Blades | 10 | 10 | 14 |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.9m (3ft) | 0.9m (3ft) | 0.9m (3ft) |
| Focus Method | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Focus Ring Rotation | 120° | 120° | 120° |
| Filter Size | M62×0.75 | M62×0.75 | M62×0.75 |
| Image Circle | 45mm | 45mm | 45mm |
| Weight (E mount, excl. cap) | 439g | 485g | 489g |
| Length (E mount, excl. cap) | 102.9mm | 109.1mm | 114.2mm |
Weight and length shift slightly across L, E, RF, and Z versions of each focal length; the figures above use the E-mount version as a reference point.
Pricing, Availability, and What's in the Box
The Saturn V2 is priced at $599 per lens, with the 3-lens kit (35mm + 50mm + 75mm) priced at $1,699.
The 3-lens kit includes:
- Saturn V2 lenses ×3 (35mm, 50mm, 75mm)
- Hard safety case ×1 (kit-only item)
- Lens cleaning cloth ×1
- Warranty card ×1
SIRUI's warranty covers free replacement within three years for non-human-caused damage with valid proof of purchase, plus paid lifetime repair service for damage caused by drops, water, or modifications.
Final Thoughts
The Saturn V2's main news isn't the anamorphic look itself — SIRUI's existing Saturn line already covers that — it's the built-in horizontal/vertical switch, which removes a step that previously required either a second lens or a workaround. For creators who regularly deliver to both traditional widescreen and vertical/social platforms from the same shoot, that mechanism is the practical reason to look at this series over the original Saturn or a comparable anamorphic prime.
FAQ
Is the Saturn V2 the same lens as the original SIRUI Saturn?
No. Both are full-frame 1.6x anamorphic cine lenses, but the Saturn V2 adds the built-in 90-degree rotating mechanism for switching between horizontal and vertical shooting on the same lens body.
Do I need to remove the lens from the camera to switch orientation?
No. The switch is done on the lens itself — flip the unlock switch, rotate 90 degrees, and lock it back into place.
What cameras is the Saturn V2 compatible with?
It's available in L, E, RF, and Z mounts, covering cameras such as the Panasonic LUMIX S5II/S1H/ZR, Nikon Z8/Z9/Z5II, Sony FX3/FX5/FX6/A7M5, and Canon EOS R6 Mark III/R5 C/C50, among others on the same mounts.
What's the difference between the horizontal and vertical output ratios?
Horizontal mode outputs 2.4:1 (from 3:2) or 2.84:1 (from 16:9). Vertical mode outputs 0.9:1 (from 9:16) or close to 1.07:1 (from 2:3).
Can I buy the focal lengths separately, or only as a 3-lens kit?
Single lenses are priced at $599 each; the 3-lens kit (35mm+50mm+75mm) is priced at $1,699. The hard safety case is only included with the 3-lens kit.
Saturn V2 Series T2.9 1.6x Full-Frame Anamorphic Cine Lens
- Full Frame | T2.9-T16 Aperture Range
- Rotates 90°, Horizontal/Vertical Switch
- 2.84:1 from 16:9, 2.4:1 from 3:2 Frame
- 2:4:1 & 2:8:1 De-Squeeze Aspect Ratios
- Neutral Streak Effects, Oval Bokeh
