Get Anamorphic Lens Flares with the Prism Lens Flare FX Filter
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Here’s a blog-style adaptation of your video script for the “How to Get Anamorphic Lens Flares WITHOUT An Anamorphic Lens | PRISM LENS FLARE FX Filter” video. It’s written to be clear, professional, SEO-friendly, and enjoyable for readers:
How to Get Anamorphic Lens Flares Without an Anamorphic Lens (Using the Prism Lens FX Flare Filter)
Anamorphic lens flares have a magical way of instantly adding a cinematic vibe to your footage — but getting them traditionally involves expensive gear and post-production work. What if you could get that iconic blue streaked lens flare without buying a pricey anamorphic lens?
In this post, I’ll show you a simple, budget-friendly solution to achieve that look using the Prism Lens FX Flare FX filter — no de-squeezing or fancy gear needed.
What Is an Anamorphic Lens Flare?
You’ve likely seen these flares in Hollywood movies — horizontal streaks of light that cut across the frame when a light source hits the lens just right. These effects are a natural characteristic of anamorphic lenses, which are typically used in professional filmmaking for their unique look.
Anamorphic lenses:
Capture a squeezed image that must be de-squeezed in post to achieve a wide cinematic aspect ratio.
Create oval-shaped bokeh (instead of circular).
Produce the signature horizontal flares when a bright light hits the lens.
However, these lenses can be expensive — often costing thousands of dollars. And if you’re only interested in the flares, they may not be worth the investment.
Meet the Prism Lens FX Flare Filter
If all you want is that classic anamorphic flare — without the price tag or technical hassle — the Flare FX filter from Prism Lens FX is a solid alternative.
👉 Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. I purchased the filter myself and wanted to share my honest thoughts.
What's in the Box?
The filter comes in a soft pouch (a hard case would be nicer, but oh well) and is available in:
77mm – ~$69 USD
82mm – ~$79 USD
Note: If you're outside the U.S. (like me in Canada), expect to pay a bit more in shipping.
Available Colors:
Blue (classic cinematic)
Orange
Limited editions: Red and Rainbow
For this review, I’ll be showcasing the Blue Flare FX filter.
How It Works
The filter is a screw-on type, making it easy to stack with other filters or adapt using step-up rings. For example, I use a Tamron 17–28mm lens with a 67mm thread, so I stack a few step-up rings to fit the 77mm filter.
Here’s where it gets fun:
The filter includes etched lines on a rotating ring. These lines are what create the horizontal (or vertical, depending on rotation) lens flares.
This rotating feature means you can control the direction of the flares, giving you creative flexibility in-camera without post-processing.
What Do the Flares Look Like?
The flares produced are distinctly blue and visually similar to traditional anamorphic flares. Here’s what you can expect:
Light source placement is key — a strong round light will give you that single clean streak.
If you use tube lights with multiple LED points, expect multiple flares across the image.
The flare intensity depends on the brightness and angle of the light source.
You can get some really fun results with flashlights, headlights, or sunlight. It’s also fantastic for:
Music videos
Car commercials
Cinematic B-roll
Mood-setting transitions
📸 Pro Tip: Avoid overly complex light sources if you want a clean, single-line flare. Use a round light or directional light for best results.
Field Test Footage
I’ve tested the Flare FX filter out in a variety of environments. Here’s what I’ve found:
It works well on different focal lengths.
It adds a unique and stylized look to otherwise ordinary shots.
You maintain the original lens sharpness (though pairing it with a diffusion filter can create a dreamier vibe).
You can see some sample shots and field footage in the video (linked above), but I can honestly say it adds instant production value with zero post work needed.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
If you want to play around with anamorphic-style flares without investing in a full anamorphic lens, this filter is a fantastic tool.
Pros:
Affordable
Easy to use
Rotatable flares = creative control
Stackable with other filters
Adds instant cinematic look
Cons:
Only gives you the flare, not the anamorphic squeeze or oval bokeh
Soft pouch instead of a hard case
Conclusion:
If you’re a budget filmmaker, YouTuber, or content creator looking for unique cinematic looks, the Prism Lens FX Flare FX filter is a fun and affordable way to experiment with anamorphic flares. It’s not a replacement for a real anamorphic lens — but it doesn’t try to be. It’s a creative tool, and a good one at that.
