Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

J

Jim_Miller

New member
Greetings all! What a wonderful site we have here!! So much information and so many talented people willing to give us the benefit of their experience.

So here is my question:
I have the Panasonic Anamorphic converter. It seems to do a very good job in shots where the subject is 30 feet away or better, while it plain sucks at close-ups. I understand that adding more glass introduces some problems, but I am talking about ...well, just plain crappy resolution.

I have mounted the lens as explained in the instructions. So what's the deal? I understand that I cannot shoot anything like macro mode with the adapter, but geez, at six feet, the image should be as clear -- or clearer -- than with squeeze mode, right?

Input anyone? As you might expect, it's disheartening to see this large investment producing poor images.

Best to all of you!
Jim
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

The anamorphic can produce far superior results to squeeze mode, but you have to take extra care to focus it accurately, and to keep it in a usable f-stop range.

Adam Wilt published a chart on adamwilt.com/24p about what the minimum f-stop would need to be to get sharp focus.

The problem with an anamorphic adapter is that it will focus at a different plane on the horizontals than it will on the verticals.  You have to focus twice, effectively, and then split the difference, and then stop down.  Using a focus chart for your subject is one way to ensure that you get razor-sharp focus.

It is much more work than using squeeze mode.  However, properly done, you'll get about 30% more resolution than squeeze mode.

If you use autofocus, you will guarantee that your image will be out of focus. Autofocus doesn't work properly with the anamorphic adapter installed, it doesn't know how to take the astigmatism into account.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

I wanna see some proof showing that 30% gain in resolution... real proof.

Personally, I dont care how much "extra" resolution the adapter gives, I will never use it again. not only is the focus sketchy but even mounting the unit a thread off can give a swing tilt focus effect. Plus its plastic.. which shouldnt be a problem; but we broke one.

Still though, many people are very happy with it, but to me, unless you know for sure your gonna blow up to 35mm then I wouldn't bother.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Is Adam Wilt's focus chart still usable for the anamorphic lens, and with the dvx100a? If not, anyone know of an alternative?
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

I couldn't agree more jarred. The adapter is quite disappointing. I am going to be shooting a short this month and the decision to not use the adapter was an easy one. I hope someone builds a 16:9 lens that is worth putting in front of this camera.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

I wanna see some proof showing that 30% gain in resolution... real proof.
Click to expand...
Resolution chart shot with anamorphic:
AnamorphicResolutionChart2.JPG


Resolution chart shot in Squeeze (courtesy of Adam Wilt):
16x9p.jpg


As you'll see, on the horizontal wedges the anamorphic adapter looks like it's still clearly resolving discrete black and white lines up until about 530, whereas the squeeze mode has turned to gray mush by the time it gets to 400.  So, I may have been wrong, instead of 30% it looks like the anamorphic delivers 33% more res.

Again, it's not for run 'n' gun, it takes a lot of careful planning and thought to get that resolution, and for many it may not prove to be worth it.  But it's definitely capable.  It is the real deal.  It just takes work.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

The reason I dont consider that squeeze chart as proof as it looks like its out of focus to my eye, not by resolution but by critical focusing the lens. They are also 2 different charts, so I dont know, just seems a little fishy to me.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

I don't have a 100A so I can't shoot squeeze mode.  However, the chart was shot by Adam Wilt, so I would definitely assume it was done properly.  I shot a chart in "letterbox" that shows about the same resolution as the squeeze chart, and by definition squeeze can't be any higher-res than letterbox, right?  Critical focus was done by hooking the camera up to my computer and using the computer monitor at 1:1 pixel ratio, focusing at wide-open, followed by stopping down to f/8 so it should be as sharp as possible.

Here's the letterbox chart, in case that helps any.  Both the anamorphic and letterbox were shot by me, same chart, same distance, same everything, only thing different was the framing and the presence of the anamorphic adapter. The letterbox chart looks overall sharper than the squeezed one does, but that's as it should be: squeeze has, after all, been stretched, which will soften everything. But the letterbox one shows minimal, if any, gains in lines of resolution. The anamorphic remains clearly superior.
LetterboxResolutionChart2.JPG
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

ahh but now the true question is if it's worth the outrageous price...
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

That has always been the question. "Outrageous", however, should be kept in context: the Panasonic adapter costs less than half what the Century adapter will (the Century is reported to have an MSRP of $2,000).
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Jarred Land,

I agree with Barry,

the resolution from the the anamorphic adapter is far superior to the squeeze mode. It is very tricky to use the first week, but then as i had some basic zoom/fstop numbers in my head, i could always shoot 100% in focus.

I've tested both solutions extensively before i finally bought the adapter.

I think the simple way to use it is to choose a couple f/stops i often use, and learn the maximum corresponding zoom levels.
...and then it is very easy to use.
I have mine since 3 weeks, and i point and shoot without beeing out of focus. Just lock the iris and travel to the corresponding max zoom level.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Have you found this to be too restrictive? Seems like you need 5.6 or above for some flexbility. Required f-stop really starts to go up according to the chart.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Barry- I'm a starving student. Anything that costs above $500 for the DVX and doesnt give me earth shattering results is outrageous  :P

I guess im setting myself up for dissapointment :-/
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Not gonna buy it, no way no how. I'm very happy with 24pa squeeze mode...looks fantastic to me.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

I think i am leaning towards not buying it after much consideration. I have seen some squeeze mode schtuff that looks amazing. (ahem... disjecta) I think I would rather spend that $800 somewhere else that has more impact on the finished product....and wait for the Century Optics.

then again, I may change my mind after Barry's next post.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

Scott,

no it not really "that" restrictive.

Outdoors, it is pretty easy to always work with the iris 8 and over, playing with internal ND filter.
indoor, any i dont use zoom aboce 40 or 50 so it is not a problem.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

An additional problem that I can see is the need for more light for ideal shooting conditions. The DVX is not exactly great at shooting in low light situations to begin with so further restricting this is creating more problems than it solves.

Barry, correct me if I'm wrong on the light issue.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

The DVX does very well in low-light-shooting conditions, certainly one of the best performers out there. It does better in interlaced than it does in progressive, though.

The anamorphic may require more light if you want to get very close to your subject or you're using max telephoto. For a large part of the zoom/focus range you can work at f/2 and get great sharpness. For max telephoto or for tight closeups, you'll need a smaller f-stop, which would mean needing more light.

But then again, the anamorphic is completely unsuitable for use in uncontrolled conditions anyway. You have to have control over your shots before you can entertain using the anamorphic, and if you do have that control, you can probably tailor the light to get the best from the anamorphic.
 
Re: Panasonic Anamorphic lens headaches

But then again, the anamorphic is completely unsuitable for use in uncontrolled conditions anyway. You have to have control over your shots before you can entertain using the anamorphic, and if you do have that control, you can probably tailor the light to get the best from the anamorphic.
Click to expand...

Therein lies the problem, my friend.

Of course I am referring to the camera's light handicap in progressive 24pa or p mode. It doesn't even come close to my DSR-250 for low lux shooting but then again we are comparing apples and oranges here...but you get the point about shooting with the anamorph using 24p mode...
 
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