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Combining the adapter with the 1.6x lenses could be an interesting strategy if it can deliver decent results. It might provide just enough funkiness to make things sing. I believe the combination would actually result in a 2X final squeeze, at least on paper.

I own the Blazar adapter and have used it extensively. I like that it can go wide, most 40-45 vintage lenses will cover full frame, especially if they have 52mm threads. It will even work with a few older 35-70 zooms past about 40mm. It's a little dreamy on the sides when using wider lenses, but once you go to around 75mm, it cleans up across the frame. It also has great focusing performance - with the taking lens set at infinity, you can do it all with the focus ring on the adapter and even wide open, infinity is spot on with every lens I've tried. Below are a few samples I have handy. First two shots are the 50 Nokton around F8. With my copy of the adapter, no amount of stopping down cleans up the edges on 40-50mm lenses. 3rd Shot is the 58 Biotar. Next 3 shots are the 75 Nokton. Image is great across the frame when stopped down a bit, but there is some fringing with the lens wide open.

A couple more stills shot with the Sirui 35. Even though I have quite a few other options, this lens usually stays on my S1RII because it’s so versatile.

Yes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Sirui 35, especially for $500. I also expect Sirui to update their 1.6X lineup soon and add wider/longer lenses in the process. This is a really great time to be getting into anamorphic. There are so many great options amongst the newer Chinese made lenses...I can also recommend the Blazar Cato 2X lenses. I like 2X, especially with open gate and the Cato 85 & 125 are pretty nice lenses. I can get better results with an anamorphic adapter setup, but not without some hassles.

Agreed completely on your assessment of the image characteristics. I truly appreciate the performance of classic anamorphic adapters and am happy that they are coming down in price. I just picked up a baby Kowa Anamorphic 8 2X for cheap and it's a jewel. A few examples of what I consider ideal performance below. First three are the ZIA 1.5x with an older Leica 50 Elmar collapsible, which is a tiny and wonderful combo that just covers full frame 3:2. Second is the baby hypergonar 1.75x with a Voigtlander 75 2.5, which also covers full frame but is a bit more muted (although this adapter can be fickle against the light sometimes).

I have the 35/50/75 Saturn in E mount and haven't experienced any focusing issues on the A1, and of course that's with no Desqueeze support. It does have a bit better EVF than the Panasonic cameras, but I haven't found the EVF to be a night and day difference. I own the 35 & 50 Saturn in L mount and have had great results on the S1RII. The 35 isn't quite as well corrected as the longer lenses, so it has a bit of character, especially against the light. Still, none of the Sirui lenses can rival the results I get with my favorite anamorphic adapters, but there is something to be said for simplicity and reliability. Also - I'm not sure if the S5II was included, but the recent update for the S1II/S1RII now provides 1.6x desqueeze. Still attached from the 35 Saturn on S1RII.

Great find! I have been using these lenses since Sirui introduced them with the earlier/larger Venus series. The new Saturn series that you reference is an improvement across the board...not only are they smaller & lighter, but the optical qualities are also improved. I have even used the 35 for astrophotography, as it's pretty wide on 3:2 open gate, with good performance across the frame wide open. I feel they are really a nice compromise between size and performance and I appreciate the 1.6x squeeze. If you don't like the pincushion distortion, it's really easy to correct back to neutral or even barrel in Resolve and you don't lose any of the image, as you are expanding the frame when you make the correction.