Japanese anamorphic legend — Prominar primes create the warm, organic look of "Blade Runner" and "True Detective".
Kowa is a Japanese optics manufacturer that actually comes from the medical and industrial sectors. Its anamorphic primes — the Prominar series — have established themselves as a secret tip among DoPs looking for a warmer, more organic look than Panavision.
The Kowa Look
Warm-golden color rendition, oval bokeh with soft edges, controlled but characteristic flares. Less "polished" than Panavision, more "lived-in." Jordan Cronenweth used Kowa anamorphics for "Blade Runner" (1982) — the sci-fi noir look is inextricably linked to this glass.
Rehousing
Original Kowas have photo housings and are difficult to focus. P+S Technik (Munich) and TLS (London) convert them into cinema housings — the Evolution 2X set is the modernized version.
Related terms
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Kowa Optik"?