Panavision A Series Anamorphic

[James Malamatinas]

I've recently had the pleasure of working with a variety of the old Panavision anamorphic glass including the B, C and G series. I'm curious however why about the A series, or more accurately - the lack of it.

A quick google hasn't produced much; was there such a series but it's no longer available? Or did they go directly to the B series?

[David Mullen ASC]

Generally a manufacturer doesn't label a first generation of anything as "A" or "1", etc. because that implies another improved generation is planned. The first generation of anamorphic camera lenses by Panavision were called auto-panatars and were used from 1958 through the 1970's. Not sure when the B-series came along, I heard that they were cannibalized to make the E-series (and don't know why there wasn't a D-series...)

[James Malamatinas]

Thanks David, that makes sense. Time to do a little hisatory research on Panavision anamorphics!

[John Holland]

There are still B series around Stephen Murphy used them a couple of years ago on a short he shot "Abdullah " Bill Pope used then on "The Worlds End " both shot in UK .

[Stephen Gelb]

the first series were the "auto Panatar".. large and clunky and mostly made with B&L cinemascope glass rehoused with the astigmatizers..