GH4 2x Anamorphic

stoneinapond

stoneinapond

Veteran
Love working with anamorphic footage, and find the SLR Magic 1.33x and 2x adapters reasonable compromises over paying large sums for dedicated lenses. The end results depend very much on the taking lens, and I've tried multiple options. My favorite is an old Soviet film lens, but owing to its construction, and more importantly its physical condition, I'm unable to use it. So I finally purchased the correct step-up ring to fit the 2x adapter with a long held (but never tried) lens, the Canon FD 50mm f/1.4. The footage was initially shot as a test, but with subsequent filming, the footage seemed to have a very loose internal theme.

I'm still getting to know the combination, especially the issues of correct aperture settings, but overall very happy with the results.



https://vimeo.com/205417030

Lullaby by Goran Bregovic from the album Music For Films
Filmed in 4K on a Panasonic GH4 using the Natural profile.
 
I'm seeing some things that I also see with my old century 1.33x, that is that close subjects are never really sharp. I did buy both SLR magic diopters, but haven't had time to play with them because I need to attach a mount to the front of the Century adapter. The few times I've held them in front, it seems to make a difference.

I also haven't played with my FD 50f1.2 yet, most testing was done with my FD 24f2.8, and all of this on a GH2. I did stick it in front of my 85, but I don't think the results were very good, need to carve out some time to fool with everything, and machine a ring onto the front.
 
Greg_E said:
I'm seeing some things that I also see with my old century 1.33x, that is that close subjects are never really sharp.
Click to expand...

Yes, close-ups are difficult. Unfortunately I had very little time with Danielle, so that her footage was very hurried. I think I can improve it somewhat, again by tinkering with the aperture, and also testing the correct diopters some more.

I'd be interested to see if the f/1.2 would be substantially better. I also think the 85mm is a little long, but not impossible. I've used that focal length with the 2x, and it was challenging but doable.

I do miss my GH2. 24mm with the 1.33x is a nice look.
 
What most of these say is f4 and higher to get decent sharpness, but I think the diopters will help with that too. Really need a 0.2 diopter for some things, and one of the super expensive Tokina 0.44. A 0.75 or so would be really good too, the 0.33 to 1.4 that SLR Magic sells is a big jump.

I was testing the 24 through a generic speed booster, seems to work and probably the widest you could go with my Century adapter. My 15f2.8 doesn't have threads on it, so not tested.
 
stoneinapond said:
Love working with anamorphic footage, and find the SLR Magic 1.33x and 2x adapters reasonable compromises over paying large sums for dedicated lenses. The end results depend very much on the taking lens, and I've tried multiple options. My favorite is an old Soviet film lens, but owing to its construction, and more importantly its physical condition, I'm unable to use it. So I finally purchased the correct step-up ring to fit the 2x adapter with a long held (but never tried) lens, the Canon FD 50mm f/1.4. The footage was initially shot as a test, but with subsequent filming, the footage seemed to have a very loose internal theme.

I'm still getting to know the combination, especially the issues of correct aperture settings, but overall very happy with the results.



https://vimeo.com/205417030

Lullaby by Goran Bregovic from the album Music For Films
Filmed in 4K on a Panasonic GH4 using the Natural profile.
Click to expand...

Nice. What were your settings on Natural? Default? Highlight/Shadows?
 
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