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Ace cinematographer Manojh Reddy, known for his strong expertise in anamorphic visual Language who shot multiple feature films with this format, lens is never merely a technical tool — it becomes part of the rhythm of storytelling itself.
Recently, Manojh explored the highly anticipated Cooke Anamorphic AP3 1.5x series in demanding real-world environments, pairing the lenses with the Sony FX3 and FX6 across handheld outdoor sequences and controlled studio interiors.
“The biggest revelation was how unrestricted the shooting process felt,” says Manojh Reddy. “Traditionally, anamorphic cinematography comes with a physical burden — larger rigs, constant balancing, slower movement, and a more complicated workflow. The AP3 lenses completely reduce that stress while still preserving the emotional scale of anamorphic imagery.”
The compact form factor allowed Manojh to move fluidly through dynamic blocking and natural-light environments while maintaining strong visual consistency. According to him, the 1.5x squeeze ratio finds an ideal middle ground for today’s hybrid cinematic ecosystem, especially for projects balancing OTT and theatrical presentation.
“The 1.5x squeeze gives you beautiful widescreen immersion without excessive distortion. You still retain the layered depth, natural separation, and organic anamorphic rendering, but with far greater flexibility in framing and composition. It feels contemporary while carrying the classic Cooke soul.”
During testing, Manojh paid close attention to how the lenses behaved across different lighting situations — from available sunlight to LED and tungsten studio setups.
“What impressed me was the consistency of the rendering. Whether under natural sunlight or controlled lighting, the lenses produced rich dimensionality with smooth focus falloff and natural texture. Skin tones felt alive, and the shallow depth carried a very cinematic softness without becoming distracting. The flares also remained elegant and organic.”
One of the strongest takeaways for Manojh was how effectively the core three-lens configuration performed during practical storytelling situations.
“Normally on a feature, you often feel the gaps between focal lengths. You keep switching glass trying to bridge perspectives between a wide storytelling frame and an intimate close-up. But this set feels extremely well designed. The focal lengths transition naturally, and the visual continuity stays intact throughout.”
“From environmental compositions to performance-driven close-ups, I never felt restricted. That becomes very important on set because once the equipment disappears from your thought process, your focus shifts entirely toward performance, movement, composition, and emotional rhythm.”
For Manojh Reddy,
“The Cooke Anamorphic AP3 1.5x series is not simply about making anamorphic lenses smaller. It represents a modern evolution of cinematic mobility — allowing filmmakers to achieve large-format anamorphic emotion with far greater speed, freedom, and confidence.”
“The AP3 lenses give cinematographers the freedom to move instinctively without compromising cinematic character. That balance is what makes them truly exciting.”
