Anamorphic lenses on Imax film, Theoretical Dream

O

OceanZen

Active member
I'm planning my dream setup for a Sci-Fi script I'm writing and will direct in the future.

It takes place on a massive space station.

I love the look of anamorphic lenses and wondered if it would be possible in theory to design and build anamorphic lenses to shoot onto 15 perf 65mm film.

Can you imagine 15 /65mm film with anamorphic lenses? Of course the Aspect ratio would be 2.4:1, so I suppose when shown in imax cinemas not all the screen (about 1.44:1) will be used. But it would still look amazing right?

I realise anamorphic lenses were designed to use all of the 35mm frame for widescreen, but since they also have interesting and unique visual properties, I think it is still worth considering.

Has anyone done it or thought about it?

I've also read about 8 or 10perf 65mm- Maybe they would be better suited?



I can imagine people replying saying "Have you considered 2 perf 35mm?" - but I'm asking about anamorphic and 65mm film - and I'm dreaming

Thanks
Here's the 15 perf 65mm

tdkimaxcomparison.jpg

And here's 8 perf 65mm
8P70MM.jpg
 
I need to reference my aspect ratio chart, but shooting anamorphic on 65mm would definitely negate the widescreen gain because there wouldnt be a screen capable of display the image, correct? So you'd be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in all probability to achieve the other properties of anamorphic film. I assume you're referencing things like the unique look of a lensflare etc. correct?

Would it really be worth it? Remember that building that lens means building a projection lens to accomodate as well.

I don't know enough about this to say anything with certainy though... others will know more.
 
Very good point - I wasn't really thinking about the projection system, but obviously it must be considered.

For 35mm projection it wouldn't be a problem as 35mm anamorphic is standard, and as 70mm imax projection film is so big anyway, I was thinking that the 65mm anamorphic original could be unsqueezed and put onto the 70mm projection film spherical, as this would still contain the lens flares and other characteristics captured on the negative and still lets face it have HUGE resolution, but I suppose to unsqueeze it - it would maybe need a DI. Hmmm

Thanks
 
unsqueezing a anamorphized 65mm OCN would make it wider than a spherical 70mm negative, so you'd still be chopping off those edges.

One of the big purposes of anamorphic is to utilize more negative space for a larger overall picture. From how I see it, anamorphic 65mm wouldn't be able to be projected without cutting off those extra sides you get from the compression, so the main purpose is lost.

I've also heard of front or rear lens filters that simulate anamorphic lens flares. Maybe look into something like that, or just shoot anamorphic 35 since nearly any theater would be able to show it (as opposed to absolutely no theater being able to show anamorphic 65).

Why such a big need for more resolution, anyway? 35mm (non-anamorphic) is already four times higher resolution than HDTV (4K vs. 2K, am I right?). Doesn't seem like we need more at the moment.
 
SeanEmer said:
Why such a big need for more resolution, anyway? 35mm (non-anamorphic) is already four times higher resolution than HDTV (4K vs. 2K, am I right?). Doesn't seem like we need more at the moment.
Click to expand...

Sure 35mm has a lot of resolution but if everyone had that attitude then Dark Knight wouldn't have bothered with the amazing imax sequences, Kubrick wouldn't have bothered using 65mm for 2001 etc

Plenty of people think SD is good enough, does this mean we shouldn't innovate?

Anyway - this is just me dreaming up the perfect filming format for a big epic sci-fi film.
 
well if we're dreaming and innovating with infinite cash, then hell yeah. But I think my neck would get sore from trying to see each end of the screen on a fully projected anamorphic 65mm film.

Now holograms... that's where the money's at!
 
SeanEmer said:
I've also heard of front or rear lens filters that simulate anamorphic lens flares.
Click to expand...


The filter you are talking about is the most expensive filter on the market (as far as I know) It's called the Vantage Blue Vision. It is a front filter that replicates blue horizontal lens flare which used to be exclusively found in anamorphic lenses. (often thought to have been a negative attribute of anamorphic... heh)

It is made by Vantage Film GmbH in Germany.

Phone: +49 961 26795
www.vantagefilm.com
http://www.vantagefilm.com/en/news/index_28.shtml

I believe it is available to rent at Otto Nemenz Int., in LA. That is where I got the little brochure for it, at least.
 
OceanZen said:
Sure 35mm has a lot of resolution but if everyone had that attitude then Dark Knight wouldn't have bothered with the amazing imax sequences, Kubrick wouldn't have bothered using 65mm for 2001 etc

Plenty of people think SD is good enough, does this mean we shouldn't innovate?

Anyway - this is just me dreaming up the perfect filming format for a big epic sci-fi film.
Click to expand...
Is BIGGER really innovation? Or is that just the American way? :beer:
 
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