DSLR / Anamorphic Lens Attatchments (Panasonic AG-LA7200 / Century Optics 58mm)

[KAUNCNC]

I was curious to know if anyone had suggestions or first hand experience in finding significant differences between anamorphic lens attachments while shooting with DSLR's- I'm searching for a flexible and useful attachment for my 60d. I've heard good things about the Panasonic AG-LA7200, and i'm starting to consider the Century Optics 58mm attachment as well.

Are there notable differences between these two? Are there better and more efficient attachments out there?

Holler if you think you might have some ideas. I'd appreciate it!

 

[kostas]

Welcome.
There are quite a few similar threads (for instance http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...o-anamorph-land&highlight=anamorphic+shootout).
You can learn a lot of things in this big thread (you should read it ): http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?196822-Anamorphic-Shootout&highlight=anamorphic+shootout

And to give you a short answer (but you still have to read the long thread

). You have 3 main anamorphic ratios:

1) 1.33x to deliver a 2.39:1 aspect ratio (from a 16/9 original frame).
In this category you generally have focus through adapters as the Panasonic LA7200, the Century Optics and other generic lenses (Soligor etc.).
You just focus your normal lens with these, but usual side effects are a) they are not great under f=4 and b) they have chromatic aberrations and side blurring while not offering the real stretched oblong bokeh of real anamorphic lenses. Still great to use if you are aware of their shortcomings.

2) 1.5x to deliver a 2.66:1 aspect ratio (but you can also unsqueeze image to 2.39:1 without any serious distortion).
In this category you have the Iscoramas, and some russian Lomos, but you also have a lot of other options. The Kowa Inflight 1.5x is an alternative, as are all the tiny
anamorphots for regular 8-bolex (Moller-Bolex 19/8/1.5x, Proskar 1.5x, Iscomorphot 1.5x, Yashica anamorphic) which appear to be great on crop sensor cameras. There are also some
focus through anamorphots (Vistascope, Sankyoscope, Agfa, Moller 1.5x anamorphot). The latter don't come with a focus ring and you focus with the slr lens.
Apart from the ($3000) Iscos, most other lenses require to focus both the taking slr lens and the anamorphic, which is a bit awkward initially, but you get used to and produces good results.
This category of lenses is by far my preferred one

3) 2x to deliver an epic 3.56:1 ratio (if you want 2.39:1 you have to crop horizontally from there). The Kowa Prominar 8-z/16-H and Kowa for Bell & Howell, and the Sankor 16D work on the 5d mark II. There are other good options for crop sensors that should also work on the 5dii with longer lenses (Kowa Prominar 16 and 16d, 16a, Sankor 16c, Proskar, Singer, Moller 32/2x, Vidoscope 32/2x, etc.). These lenses are in general great optically and quite sharp. Although their shortcomings are a) the somehow extreme aspect ratio b) that you have to focus both lenses (not ideal for run and gun).

Check out my anamorphic comparison on the 550d http://www.vimeo.com/22498245
and other anamorphic tests I made (will be updated soon) http://www.youtube.com/user/Anamorphics

Good luck with your anamorphic quest.

 

[KAUNCNC]

Thanks so much for all of the fantastic information, truly. This is incredibly helpful! Already loving this forum. I'll keep these things in mind.

 

[iissmart]

Great read. Are there any lenses/adapters that let me focus my prime lens to infinity and only focus the anamorphic? Seems like this would be ideal for shooting video *and* avoiding chromatic aberrations and side blurring.

 

[kostas]

Great read. Are there any lenses/adapters that let me focus my prime lens to infinity and only focus the anamorphic? Seems like this would be ideal for shooting video *and* avoiding chromatic aberrations and side blurring.

Only the Iscoramas and the Iscomorphot 8 1.5x use this system (or have this recipe).