Anamorphis lens worth it?

T

twistedskater2k4

New member
I am lookin to buy the panasonic ag-la7200 for my dvx100b. I was wondering if anybody here can tell me how it works. Like when you film with the lens and then upload it to ur computer, will it still be in 4:3 with a vertically stretched look?
 
I don't have one but from my understanding but yes... it will still be as you described and you can just stretch it out to make it look normal (16:9)
 
twistedskater2k4 said:
I am lookin to buy the panasonic ag-la7200 for my dvx100b. I was wondering if anybody here can tell me how it works. Like when you film with the lens and then upload it to ur computer, will it still be in 4:3 with a vertically stretched look?
Click to expand...

It will handle the same as shooting in squeeze mode, which is also anamorphic 16:9. An anamorphic lens can be challenging as it can cause vignetting if not properly set up. Technically, you get better resolution with the lens than you do with squeeze, since squeeze sacrifices a few lines. But honestly, there are lots of folks around here producing stunning content with squeeze mode and proving that resolution and pixels only mean so much. I use squeeze and have no complaints at all.
 
twisted,

You would do yourself a great favor if you got Barry Green's DVX book. All the info you want on the camera is in there, including a separate section on the anamorphic adapter.

The adapter bends light in the horizontal plane so you get all of the scene contained in a 16:9 shot from the CCD's. That, according to Barry, gives you the ability to shoot 16:9 natively. Which means the camera is shooting at it's max resolution. Squeeze mode is only using 75% of the CCD's surface, but lots of folks do get really great pictures from squeeze as mentioned above.

It pretty much comes down to how much 16:9 footage you intend on shooting. Try shooting squeeze to see how that comes out before you lay down bux for the adapter.

Ken
 
Twisted,
I've had anamorphic adapter since the very start ( I while ago now) and use it every now and again. I prefer to shoot without it for several reasons:

1. It's a big chunk of glass which makes the camera front heavy.
2. Zoom through is limited. Anything beyond about 50% zoom starts to look odd and getting focus is very difficult.
3. Judging focus is compromised when using the viewfinder and the LCD. The picture is 'squeezed' horizontally which means that you need to look harder at the vertical focus.
4. Any dust and marks on the flat glass front will be as clear as daylight. It's possible to practically focus down to that distance infront of the camera. The resolution of the LCD and viewfinder is low enough to miss specks and marks. Using an external monitor would obviously make a huge difference - which I've done on numerous occasions but studio only for this.

Lastly, the very first adapter I bought was supremely bad. It had loads of debris INSIDE the lens which became visible after I had acquired it. It was terrible and was eventually exchanged for a cleaner version. To be honest, I don't trust it. I would much rather shoot without the thing, especially in the field.

Not a very positive response I know, but if you want to try one, go ahead. I would caution against spending good money on one though.

Gary
 
Gary --

Just read your post and I believe you've saved me from spending around $400 on a clean, used LA7200. I'm going to Lagos, Nigeria for 5 weeks to help launch a TV news operation and plan to haul my DVX100a along to shoot training video and stock video. While squeeze actually looks a lot better than I expected on my plasma screen, I've gotten the impression that the difference between squeeze and the LA7200 is readily apparent, enough to put up with a certain amount of hassle with the LA7200. Based upon your posting, this may be incorrect. Most, if not all, of my shooting will be news/doc style and I'll need the full zoom range and also shoot in light from bright sun to dimly-lit interiors. I will not have the luxury of using a field monitor other than my 7" VariZoom LCD which I mount on the camera shoe when shooting interior interviews, and I'll have to work quickly. The LA7200 also precludes me from using my matte box and grads.

Just so I'm completely clear on this, for this type of shooting you're saying to forget about the LA7200, right?

Thanks a bunch in advance.

Mike
 
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