an anamorphic objective lens comprising , along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space : at least a negative spherical first lens group ; an anamorphic second lens group and a positive spherical third lens group wherein an aperture stop is located before , after or preferably within the spherical third lens group . both spherical lens groups contain spherical refractive optical surfaces and the anamorphic lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface . the negative spherical first lens group may provide focusing .