Century Optics widescreen eyepiece

[Guest]

I'm about to go into a major documentary that I hope will eventually go to film or at least be shown on a 16:9 projected screen. Has anyone used the desqueezer eyepiece for the 100A from century -- pretty pricey -- is it worth it? Also, would you suggest shooting the doc in 4:3 and then cropping it instead of the 16:9 squeeze mode or maybe the letter box mode? (but don't you lose too much quality) Thanks.

 

[evinsky]

Re: Century Optics widescreen eyepiece

I had a chance to try the Century eyepiece at the Century optics breakfast before Cinegear last month. It seemed like a quality product. As for weather it's worth $400, well, I guess that depends on weather you use the viewfinder much. Personally I have a production monitor that can give me a corrected 16:9 image as well as an accurate representation of color and contrast. It may be more worth it to put the $400 towards that. As for shooting, decide on a format (4:3 or 16:9) and then either shoot 4:3 Academy or use the Anamorphic lens. It makes a huge difference. The crop/squeeze is not a projection quality option. But consider sticking with 4:3. It is a truly viable projection format (Ask Stanley Kubrick) and would give you the highest quality possible. For a documentary it's not so necessary to have the widescreen effect. Anyway, I hope this helps.

 

[deadhead]

Re: Century Optics widescreen eyepiece

I have been contemplating this since I am doing a project shot all in squeeze mode on the 100a.     I am just about to buy a cheap 7" LCD screen from ebay.  I had one vendor do a test with a DVD player set to 16:9 and yes, the widescreen 7" monitor displayed the correct aspect ratio.  Just get it sit on a hotshoe mount and you have a  16:9 monitor unsqueezing the anamorphic image for under $150. (minus battery solution) Liliput is one of the makers of these monitors.


The monitors list a number of aspect ratios- here is one ebay auction from the vendor I had do the test.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&category=32826&sspagename=STRK:MESSE:IT&rd=1

 

[ddh]

Re: Century Optics widescreen eyepiece

You might consider spending a little more and wait for Jarred Land's review on a 2400 X 480 7" monitor that may serve you better. I've got a 7" sharp 16.9 / 4.3 color monitor that's similar to what you may be buying. It doesn't really do the thing you need it to do and for me - correct color as well as sharp focus are a must. check this out:
http://www.mobilevideo4less.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MV&Category_Code=7MV

 

[boo]

Re: Century Optics widescreen eyepiece

yeah i can't wait for a review...i'm hoping it also has a 1/4" female mount...

 

[DC]

7" Widescreen Monitor

7" Widescreen Monitor

So what happens if you try to display 4x3 on it? Stretch?

-DC-

 

[Shingoshi]

I'm interested in the same device. But for film use...

I'm interested in the same device. But for film use...

I'm looking for an eyepiece that can use with film cameras. That means I don't have access to a monitor for viewing. So I want something that will show me exactly what I'm getting on film without having to guess about it.

Although, if the 2x anamorphic lens I'm due to get on Tuesday 19,January works as hoped, I guess the viewfinder will simply make it a bit easier to view. As with a 2x aspect-ratio, I'll still have to do some guessing there.

Xavian-Anderson Macpherson
ShingoshiDao