How to calibrate an anamorphic lens

Cine Desqueeze Pro · iPhone, iPad and Android

Estimate your lens's effective squeeze factor from a still photo of the included calibration chart. Use Auto-fit to find the circle outline, check it with inspection zoom, then save a named lens profile for the camera or editor.

Calibration is an estimate. Photograph the chart flat and square-on, then verify the result on real footage before saving.

Watch the walkthrough

Calibrate with the included chart

1. Open Lens Profiles

From the Home menu, open Lens Profiles and choose Calibrate new lens. Lens profiles and calibration are Pro features.

2. Print and photograph the chart

Tap Calibration chart to save, share or print the A4 landscape PDF. Check that the printed square's width and height are equal. Mount the page flat and photograph it straight on through your anamorphic lens, with desqueeze turned off. Keep the entire circle visible and use your usual focus distance.

3. Run Auto-fit and inspect

Choose your chart photo, or take one in the app. Auto-fit estimates the circle's outline. Inspect the yellow oval with zoom and adjust its position, width and height if needed. Fit it to the circle's outer edge. If detection fails, you can align the oval manually.

4. Verify and save

The estimated correction is the oval's height divided by its width. Check the result on real footage, then enter a lens name and save the profile. You can also save a known squeeze factor without using the chart.

5. Reuse your profile

Select the saved lens profile from the squeeze controls in the camera or editor. The photo is used for calibration; the saved factor can be applied to photos and videos.

The printable calibration chart

Use the chart provided in the app for reliable Auto-fit. This preview shows its circle, centre mark and print-check square. Download the printable PDF below, or save and share it from the calibration screen. The chart is free to download; in-app Auto-fit and lens profiles require Pro.

Open printable calibration chart (PDF) →

A4 landscape · Free download · Use the viewer's Download or Print button.

Cine Desqueeze A4 landscape calibration chart with a central circle, centre mark and square for checking print proportions.

Questions about lens calibration

Why might the result differ from the lens label?

The effective squeeze can vary with focus distance and lens behaviour. Camera tilt, a curved page or uneven print scaling can also change the measured ratio. A single circle photo cannot reliably separate perspective distortion from lens squeeze. Take several square-on photos and check the result on footage.

Can I calibrate directly from a video?

Chart detection uses still photos. Once saved, the profile's squeeze factor can be used with both photos and videos.

What if Auto-fit cannot find the circle?

Use the provided chart, keep the whole circle visible and avoid glare or heavy shadows. Retake the photo if necessary, or fit the oval manually with the position, width and height controls.

Is Pro a subscription?

No. Pro is an optional one-time upgrade. Lens profiles and calibration are included in Pro.