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Caldwell Chameleon Lenses

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Caldwell Chameleon 25mm T2.0 (coming soon)
Caldwell Chameleon 32mm T2.0
Caldwell Chameleon 40mm T2.0
Caldwell Chameleon 50mm T2.0
Caldwell Chameleon 60mm T2.0
Caldwell Chameleon 75mm T2.0
Caldwell Chameleon 100mm T2.6
Caldwell Chameleon 150mm T2.6 (coming soon)

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Caldwell Chameleon Lenses

Prime - 1.79x Anamorphic - Super 35

product details

Caldwell Chameleon is a Super 35+ anamorphic prime lens set with a unique 1.79x squeeze ratio and eight focal lengths – 25mm, 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 75mm, 100mm, and 150mm. Known for its retro yet refined aesthetic, the set combines modern high-resolution optics with classic anamorphic character. Featuring consistent housing, smooth mechanics, and modular expandability to full-frame, it’s a versatile choice for cinematographers seeking to balance precision and clarity with warmth and personality. Available for rental or sub-rental at Cine Visuals.

Focal Length
T-Stop
Type
Format
Front Diameter
Lens Mount
Metadata
Iris Blades
Image Circle

Era / Generation
Contrast & Tonal Character
Sharpness & Resolution
Focus Fall‑Off / Transition
Iris & Bokeh Quality
Flare & Highlight Behavior
Handling & Ergonomics
Build & Modifications
Cinematic Heritage & Credits

*Refer to Technical Specifications table. Not the same for all focal lengths.

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Technical Specs Table

T-Stop

Type

Format

Front Diameter

Lens Mount

Metadata

Close Focus (ft)

Close Focus (m)

Weight (lbs)

Weight (kg)

Length (in)

Length (mm)

Iris Blades

Image Circle

Front Filter

Rear Filter

Horizontal Angle of View (Full Frame)

Horizontal Angle of View (S35)

Focus Rotation

T2.0

Anamorphic

Super 35

114 mm

–

5.50"

142.00 mm

–

33 mm

–

300°

T2.0

Anamorphic

Super 35

114 mm

–

2'6"

0.76 m

6.00 lbs

2.70 kg

5.50"

142.00 mm

–

33 mm

–

300°

T2.0

Anamorphic

Super 35

114 mm

–

2'6"

0.76 m

6.40 lbs

2.90 kg

5.50"

142.00 mm

–

33 mm

–

300°

T2.0

Anamorphic

Super 35

114 mm

–

2'6"

0.76 m

6.00 lbs

2.70 kg

5.50"

142.00 mm

–

33 mm

–

300°

T2.0

Anamorphic

Super 35

114 mm

–

2'6"

0.76 m

6.00 lbs

2.70 kg

5.50"

142.00 mm

–

33 mm

–

300°

T2.0

Anamorphic

Super 35

114 mm

–

2'6"

0.76 m

6.00 lbs

2.70 kg

5.50"

142.00 mm

–

33 mm

–

300°

T2.6

Anamorphic

Super 35

114 mm

–

2'6"

0.76 m

6.00 lbs

2.70 kg

5.50"

142.00 mm

–

33 mm

–

300°

T2.6

Anamorphic

Super 35

114 mm

–

5.50"

142.00 mm

–

33 mm

–

300°

Caldwell Chameleon Lenses

Image Fidelity & Focus

Caldwell Chameleon primes take a modern approach to anamorphic design. Purpose-built for today’s high-resolution cameras, these lenses offer a distinctly vintage aesthetic, thanks in part to carefully tuned optical aberrations. The Chameleons use a unique 1.79X squeeze ratio and deliver exceptional resolution across the frame with minimal distortion and consistent geometry. A Wallin-style front anamorphic group eliminates “mumps.” Focus roll-off is smooth and natural, and dimensionality is retained with a pleasing transition between sharpness and softness with no harsh drop-off. The result is a clean but expressive look along with superior technical performance.

Handling & Adaptability

Chameleon primes are made for professional use in high-pressure production environments. Each focal length shares a common 5.5″ housing, 114mm front diameter, and identical gear placement for focus and iris—ensuring fast lens swaps and seamless compatibility with matte boxes, follow-focus systems, and lens motors. Focus rotation spans between 253° and 300°, offering precise control without excessive travel. The lenses focus as close as 2′6″ across the set, reducing the need for diopters or specialty close-focus solutions. Modular construction also allows for rear optical group swaps, enabling conversion from Super 35+ to Full Frame coverage without changing the lens body. Chameleons are flexible, scalable, consistent, reliable and practical.

Flare & Bokeh

The versatile Chameleons gracefully balance controlled flares and cinematic expression. The single-layer cylindrical coatings allow for a distinctive yet restrained blue horizontal flare that is subtly reminiscent of classic anamorphic glass, but without veiling contrast or uncontrolled light artifacts. Bokeh is soft, creamy, and elliptical, with the number of iris blades (12 or 14 depending on focal length) contributing to rounded, aesthetically pleasing out-of-focus highlights. The transition from focus to bokeh is smooth, with minimal edge chatter and no swirly distortion.

Image Circle

Caldwell Chameleon SC Super 35+ anamorphic primes deliver full Super 35 sensor coverage with image circle diameters of 31.1 mm at 25 mm, and 33 mm at both 32 mm and 40 mm focal lengths—ensuring no vignetting across the frame (31.1–33 mm). Focal lengths 50mm and up cover full frame, even in SC mode. Caldwell Chameleon anamorphic primes are also available in XC (Xpanded Coverage) models (48mm, 60mm, 75mm, 90mm, 112mm and 150mm) that cover full frame/VV formats.

Cinematic Heritage

Brian Caldwell has been designing specialty optics for more than four decades. He has contributed to hundreds of innovations in every aspect of the optics industry. Although Chameleons are relatively new to the market, top-tier ASC cinematographers have trusted their optical and mechanical performance on high-profile productions. Examples include The Umbrella Academy (Neville Kidd, ASC), The Mandalorian (David Klein, ASC), and Netflix's The Perfect Couple (Shane Hurlbut, ASC), where the lenses were chosen for their unique blend of character, clarity, and control. Chameleons are quickly earning a reputation as a distinctive and dependable modern anamorphic option.