Recently(after reading about all of it's limitations) I bought the anamorphic adapter. I also bought the anamorphic guide book sold on this site.
First, I think the guide is a must have for anyone committed to using the anamorphic adapter.(Nice job with all the research!) I also find it unexcusable that Panansonic only provided documentation on mounting the lens and that was it! (They must have known that the lens has alot of issues and "work arounds")
2nd, the availabilty of accessories that work with anamorphic adapter is very limiting to the point of either very expensive and very good (Chroziel, Cinetech) or inexpensive but limited function (Cinetactics).All the inbetween products just aren't compatible.
3rd, we did comparisons with the DVX100A in squeeze mode and XL2 side by side shooting a resolution chart(as well as other items including faces.) We viewed them each on brand new identical Ikegami monitors in 16X9.
We found that the DVX100A "squeeze" showed alot more detail than the XL2 "native" on everything we looked at. I am not going to argue DVX squeeze resolution vs Anamorphic resolution, but I will say that everything else sucks about the anamorphic adapter. My opinion is that if XL2 "native 16X9" is good enough for you, then the DVX100A "squeeze" will even look better.
I understand that using the anamorphic lens requires complete control over your shooting conditions at all times. I have been shooting film for over 15 years and understand this completely. Using the anamorphic lens with this camera is not worth it!
First, I think the guide is a must have for anyone committed to using the anamorphic adapter.(Nice job with all the research!) I also find it unexcusable that Panansonic only provided documentation on mounting the lens and that was it! (They must have known that the lens has alot of issues and "work arounds")
2nd, the availabilty of accessories that work with anamorphic adapter is very limiting to the point of either very expensive and very good (Chroziel, Cinetech) or inexpensive but limited function (Cinetactics).All the inbetween products just aren't compatible.
3rd, we did comparisons with the DVX100A in squeeze mode and XL2 side by side shooting a resolution chart(as well as other items including faces.) We viewed them each on brand new identical Ikegami monitors in 16X9.
We found that the DVX100A "squeeze" showed alot more detail than the XL2 "native" on everything we looked at. I am not going to argue DVX squeeze resolution vs Anamorphic resolution, but I will say that everything else sucks about the anamorphic adapter. My opinion is that if XL2 "native 16X9" is good enough for you, then the DVX100A "squeeze" will even look better.
I understand that using the anamorphic lens requires complete control over your shooting conditions at all times. I have been shooting film for over 15 years and understand this completely. Using the anamorphic lens with this camera is not worth it!