Is the Iscorama worth it? Dispelling the myth... or "Let's Shoot it out!"

Busy day, but from what I can tell the Iscorama I have throws slightly off-level flares at present, with the Isco rear lens mounted tight. I need to do some more careful testing tho to confirm that. Maybe a shim between the two lenses would correct it.

I managed to shoot a few daytime shots between errands today, just now home and downloading.

Thanks, Fates for the info. I'm not going to hack anything up... just taking a good look at what's going on. I'm pretty sure just a slight bevel on the back retaining ring would be enough to do the trick, but I won't do it until I've explored all other options. I'd like find a faster/sharper rear lens that works anyway. I have a few on hand and a few others in mind.

One thing I can say already is that I like the lens a lot.. not too heavy for hand holding, it has a good feel to it and is bright and sharp to the eye. Now if only my 0.5 diopter would arrive.
 
Here is what I mean by slightly off kilter flares.

Iscorama 42 with isco rear lens, ISO 200 f 5.6, 1/50th a sec shutter, 30p frame grab/ screen shot jpeg

1254376796.jpg
 
Maybe triple check the alignment of the adapter ring, 2 degrees off on the the ring (which might not be that accurate after all these years bear in mind) could result in these off axis flares? Mine are perfect cross hairs. I also spend way too long eyeballing the adapters position.

Also aligning in liveview with vertical objects to help you center exactly right is a good idea...
 
someone is trying to offer me a iscorama 54 is it worth it? how much would you pay for it? anyway i have a 42
 
One of my isco 36's flares at the same angle as Jean's, I think the other one has horizontal flares but I'll have to review some footage.

I can't think of any reason why you'd want to use the isco back end, primes are sharper and faster. I'm using a few a nikkor ai 50mm f/1.4, a pentax 50mm f/1.4 SMC takumar, and a helios 44-2 58mm.

Yeah you need diopters no matter what lens you use. Some companies used to make variable focal length diopters that would be really cool.

An isco 54 listed on ebay in Australia sold for over $2000 a few days ago.
 
Thnk Jean for the pictures

i did some test with lecia 50mm 1.4 vs the canon 85mm 1.8
And I noticed that the lecia 50mm lens was under so much weight from the isco 42 that it forced the front part to drop down abit, when i tried to focus close and the lens extended out. This cause the elementals in the lens to disalight and give out some funky images which I at first thought was blurring, until a friend pointed this out.
We then switch to the canon 85mm 1.8 and this problem was gone becuase the canon has a internal focusing system which does not extend the lens.
perhaps with the iscorama 36, it's small enough for this not to happen.
Squig, you have a isco 54, and 42, and 36? Do you did it's better the 54 ? over the other 2?
 
Deadfish, if you are using a system that employs support rods, you should try a lens support bracket. The Isco 42 is built like a funnel, as you know so there isn't a good place to mount a ring, but maybe on the step-up/down rings there could be room for something. There are some made in India that sell for a cheap and ought to do the trick even if they are not fancy, just a post that sticks up and provides some strain relief.

Or, depending on the size of the 42's joining rings maybe you can buy a hong kong knockoff lens support bracket for a canon zoom lens and make that work. I'm just whistling in the dark here but if you find a close up diopter that screws in and you are careful, maybe the support could be set there. I wouldn't hang the camera from a diopter, but with a long baseplate and the right shims you should be able to eliminate the strain. Don't stress your lenses and mounts, you will be sorry.

With luck I'll have some time today to play with my Isco 42 and some MF lenses. I'm curious about this un-level flare situation but mainly I just want to shoot some footage that gives me an idea of how this lens operates in the field and handles color and contrast, etc.
 
deadfish said:
Thnk Jean for the pictures

i did some test with lecia 50mm 1.4 vs the canon 85mm 1.8
And I noticed that the lecia 50mm lens was under so much weight from the isco 42 that it forced the front part to drop down abit, when i tried to focus close and the lens extended out.


i think you should just use a cheap 50mm 1.8 nikon,works great no hassle good focus and allignment,screws in real easy,probably best to support 2 lens with the palm of your hand when doing run and gun style.
if your having problems with weight of the 42 probably not a good idea to get a 54 unless some one offers you one for 700 dollars or less,it is not as sharp as the other 2. and i guarantee soon someone is gonna have the lens come off and hit the ground.
i know 2 super 8 shooters that trashed the isco 54s,while running around, the lens got ripped off a super a camera.
Click to expand...
 
I have 2x 36 and a 54, the 36's are sharper and are way lighter but the 54 is handy for lenses with larger diameter threads.
Click to expand...

Hey Squig! I just got a 36. I have a quick question about changing the lens. Duh....how do you detach the 50mm lens? (from the anamorphic lens) I was going to attach it to an old nikon 50mm f2.0. :) Thanks!
 
If it's too hard to loosen, spray it down with some PB Blaster:
blaster-16pb-400.jpg


Then bang it on the table real good. :nads:
 
The product PB blaster is one of the most important tools for restoring old cars and motorcycles. You spray it on rusted metal bolts, give it a little time and a few whacks with your wrench. Loosens like a charm.

On a lens!?!?!

Dear god no! It's a joke.
 
If it's too hard to loosen, spray it down with some PB Blaster:
Click to expand...

I was kind of hard to fine this stuff....but I took your advice and used it. For some reason the lens is all foggy now...any ideas?
 
sorry i just unprivated it.
http://vimeo.com/6866312


OMG u used PB blaster!

fates
Member



Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 67


icon1.gif

The product PB blaster is one of the most important tools for restoring old cars and motorcycles. You spray it on rusted metal bolts, give it a little time and a few whacks with your wrench. Loosens like a charm.

On a lens!?!?!

Dear god no! It's a joke.
 
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