In the context of film cameras and cinema, a wide aspect ratio refers to formats designed to capture images that are significantly wider than they are tall, providing a broader field of view than older standards.
Based on cinematic history, cinema eventually converged on two leading standards for this type of presentation:
- 1.85:1 Widescreen: This is described as a "normal" widescreen standard.
- 2.39:1 Widescreen: This is known as an "anamorphic" widescreen standard.
These ratios became the prevalent formats for theatrical releases, creating the "widescreen" experience familiar to moviegoers. For comparison, standard definition television formats were traditionally 4:3, which is much closer to a square. High definition television later adopted a 16:9 (1.78:1) format, which is noted as being a close match to the 1.85:1 widescreen cinema standard.
Here's a quick overview of the leading widescreen standards in cinema:
| Aspect Ratio | Description (from reference) | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 1.85:1 | normal widescreen | Common standard for non-anamorphic films |
| 2.39:1 | anamorphic widescreen | Used for a wider, more cinematic feel |
Therefore, when discussing wide aspect ratio in film camera, one is typically referring to shooting in or for formats like 1.85:1 or 2.39:1 that became the established widescreen standards in cinema.
