Model U85 Universal Anamorphic Lens

(for enhanced 2.35:1 performance from 16:9 projectors in either constant width or constant height setups)

Pixel-level clarity - guaranteed to even beyond 1080p

The U85 is a small lens incorporating a patented hybrid design of cylindrical and prismatic coated elements manufactured by the precise machining and polishing of optical grade lens material - the same used in lightweight eyeglasses (but lots more of it!).  Exploiting the benefits of the vertical compression approach to anamorphic imaging, within standard home cinema throw distances the integrated astigmatism correction of the U85 optical design amazingly produces the highest image clarity of any anamorphic lens available.   And its optimized arrangement exploits the best lightweight materials to minimize residual chromatic aberration which is all but invisible when watching movies at any resolution. 

The U85 is ideal for permanent installation on smaller projectors used at longer throw ratios (preferably about 1.8 - 2.0 or above and where electronic scaling is used for all content.  It is also the lowest priced commercially available anamorphic lens on the market offering the high clarity of corrected astigmatism 

The high performance optics of the U85 lens can be used either as a fixed lens for a constant image height system or as a moveable lens for a constant image width system using the M85 mount (see below).  The U85 includes its own bracket for mounting to a table, a ceiling, a Chief ceiling mount adapter or even your own projector mounting plate or transport system. 

Setup/installation note:  Remember that the U85 lens converts 16:9 projector to the 2.35:1 aspect ratio by vertically compressing the image.  This means that the width of the image stays the same when you install the lens while the top of the image drops and the bottom of the image moves up. 

[click image for larger versions (1.5-1.8Mb)]

 

Model M85 Remote-Controlled Motorized U85 Lens Mount
(converts the U85 lens to provide enhanced 2.35:1 performance on a 16:9 screens)

$995  MSRP (lens not included)

The M85 mount supports the U85 lens with an IR remote-controlled motor transport system to change projector aspect ratios in under two seconds at the push of a button.  The motor system includes the motor drive unit, replacement mounting brackets, the guide rail and a system mounting plate

While a U85 lens permanently installed on a 16:9 projector is designed for a constant height 2.35:1 projection system using a 2.35:1 screen, a U85 lens set up to move in and out of the beam of a 16:9 projector is ideal for a constant width imaging system.  Accordingly, the entire purpose of a moveable U85 lens is to improve the 2.35:1 image on a 16:9 screen while maintaining the full performance of 16:9 content.   In this case Mode I scaling can be used with the U85 in place to provide much higher performance for 2.35:1 content.  Not only will this configuration provide 33% higher resolution and 20% higher brightness, but 2.35:1 images will also show the highest brightness and resolution per unit area of all your other formats.  And what's more, you can configure your 2.35:1 image to be at either the center of your 16:9 screen or at the bottom, just like most commercial movie theaters.

A high quality, ceiling-mounted 16:9 projector with a moveable Panamorph U85 lens adjusted to place all 2.35:1 images at the bottom of a 16:9 screen almost perfectly frames a 2.35:1 image and only needs top masking to complete the picture.