Impact of Affordable AF Anamorphics on Indie/Commercial Shot Design and Crew?

Hey DPs and Filmmakers,

I'm curious how the rise of more affordable, autofocus-capable anamorphics has started influencing shot design and even crew requirements on fast-paced indie and commercial shoots. I'm currently prepping a commercial spot on a pretty tight schedule, shooting on a RED V-RAPTOR XL, and we're looking at some newer anamorphic options.

Historically, anamorphics meant dedicated 1st ACs for critical focus pulls and a slower shooting pace to nail those shots. Now, with lenses that can integrate with modern AF systems, I'm wondering if this changes anything fundamental. Are people relying more on AF for certain shots now? Has it freed up 1st ACs for other tasks, or perhaps allowed smaller crews to tackle more ambitious looks? Or is it still a niche tool, and the established workflows largely remain?

I’m trying to optimize our approach here, so any real-world experiences or insights would be super helpful. How have you seen this shift impacting your sets?