Super 35

Super 35 is a motion picture film format. It is a variation of the standard 35mm film format that utilizes the full width of the film negative between the perforations, rather than restricting the image area to the Academy ratio (1.37:1) which leaves significant unused space. This allows for a larger image area on the negative.

By maximizing the film area, Super 35 provides several advantages:

• Greater Image Quality: A larger negative area results in a sharper, more detailed image. This is particularly beneficial when transferring the film to other formats, like digital cinema.
• Flexibility in Post-Production: The extra area allows for reframing or repositioning shots in post-production without significant loss of image quality. This is especially useful when converting the film to various aspect ratios, such as widescreen (2.39:1) or television (1.78:1). Often, the Super 35 image is cropped to the desired aspect ratio during the telecine or digital intermediate process.
• Compatibility with Standard Lenses: Super 35 can be shot with standard 35mm lenses, although consideration needs to be given to the slightly altered field of view due to the expanded image area.

Because Super 35 uses the entire film area, it initially requires a "spherical" lens, as opposed to an anamorphic lens, to capture the image. The anamorphic process squeezes a wide image onto a standard frame, and requires desqueezing in post-production. Super 35 relies on the larger frame itself.

While primarily used as a capture format, Super 35 requires careful consideration of aspect ratio during production and post-production. The intended aspect ratio is chosen in post, making it distinct from traditional "flat" 35mm film where the aspect ratio is inherent to the film negative itself after shooting.