Anamorphic adapter problems?

I

icicle22

Well-known member
Ok. So I know that there is a nice manual created that tells you how to get good results from the anamorphic adapter. I'd like to know what the problem is, in detail, with the adapter. I don;t want to know the solutions as I will buy the guide if I need to. At this point I'd like a good technical description of why there are problems with the anamorphic adapter and what they are.

Again...I am not trying to get free info on how to tweak it and make it work....just the original problems that prompted a manual to need to be created.

Thanks,
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

A summary of some of the topics is listed on the page at http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/anaguide/

Basically the main "problem" is getting the darn thing to deliver sharp focus. The anamorphic adapter bends light on one axis (the horizontal) but doesn't bend it on the vertical, and that ends up meaning that the horizontal and vertical planes focus at different points, and the amount of divergence depends on your zoom setting and focus setting.

You can't rely on autofocus, because autofocus is basically *guaranteed* to deliver out-of-focus footage.

So the main thing the guide does is teach you how to get razor-sharp focus at all distances and zoom settings.

Other subjects covered include matteboxes and filters, aligning the adapter so it's "square", etc.

But the main value comes in being able to confidently focus and know that you're getting the 33% more resolution the adapter is capable of providing.
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

I got one and let me tell you those charts Barry sent with will save your shoot. I stuck those stickers MF Chart VS Min Aperture chart inside my wallet and they look sehr good.
Represent.
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

I have to second the motion of getting Barry's anamorphic guide. I got one and it's making shooting with the ana a heck of a lot easier.
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

okay. so lets say I get the adapter and get barry's guide. once I learn the intricacies of the lens and set it up will it be easy to use after that? In other word does the manual fix the problem or just present workarounds?

Because I want to be able to shoot with a feeling of freedom and be able to zoom and go wide and not have to constantly be stopping and recalibrating all the time.

Is this realistic or am I dreaming?

Thanks!
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

That's kind of like saying "I never want to white balance" It's just stuff that you have to put up with, and the more you do it, the better and faster you'll get at it.
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

Well the 16x9 of the Xl2 you don't have to put up with constantly having to recalibrate for different focal lengths.

I know it isn't an add on adapter but still. Comparing white balance to having to constantly be recalibrating the lens for different focal lengths is not a fair comparison.
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

Absolutely, what I meant by that is that if you go with the DVX with the Ana, it's just one of those things you have to put up with. It's unavoidable is all I'm sayin.
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

Well the 16x9 of the Xl2 you don't have to put up with constantly having to recalibrate for different focal lengths.
Click to expand...
That is true.  It would definitely be easier to shoot 16:9 on the XL2... it's more of a "fire and forget" type of thing.

If 16:9 is your priority, and all other things were equal, the XL2 would be the no-brainer choice for          16:9.  If you can live with the XL2's lens selection it might still be easily the best choice.

Century's anamorphic may make it easier to shoot 16:9 on the DVX, because with a separately-focusable front element you wouldn't have to worry about aperture restrictions, you'd just have to focus both elements but you'd be able to do so worry-free.  Panasonic's anamorphic requires care and effort on most every shot, and the reward is a 35% increase in vertical resolution over squeeze mode, but it's definitely not "fire and forget" or "run 'n' gun".  The Canon would most likely deliver sharper footage in those circumstances.
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

Thanks. I guess you answered my question. I have already used the XL2 and it is easy to shoot 16x9 and not worry about any focal issues other than those inherent to the XL2 itself. I prefer the DVX body style, LCD and wide angle.

I have used the century optics .6 Wide angle adapter on the XL2 to make up for the lack of a wide on it but it is not zoom through. It irritated the heck out of me to have to keep taking the adapter on and off all the time for long shots and shorter shots. And that is a a simple on/off deal. IF the anamorphic adapter on the DVX requires more effort than that then I think it would frustrate me even more.

The price of the DVX is a big attraction too but to add the Century 16x9 when it comes out would really push the price up to over an XL2. SO that doesn't make sense to me at this time.

Thanks.
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

I found that the focus chart that comes with DVRack helps a lot. You just zoom in to it, then set the focus so that the diagonal lines on the chart are as sharp as possible. If you use the EVF DTL button, it helps a bit. You will see a kind of X shaped area of maximum sharpness around the centre of the focus chart, and that's it. Zoom out to set your framing without touching the focus ring, and you should be all set. Also, if you use f/4 or smaller apperture, DOF will help you to maintain focus.

I haven't compared it with the zoom and focus tables from the ana guide, but it looks sharp to me...
 
Re: Anamorphic adapter problems?

Forgot to mention...

I do find it difficult to focus for ECU shots with the anamorphic. In that case I just take it off...
 
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