Sankor/Kowa Anamorphic Lens Discussion and Footage

Pirata

Pirata

Well-known member
I figured we'd make a new thread discussing alternatives to ISCORAMA anamorphic adapters considering the scarcity of ISCOs.

I still have not gotten the correct size step ring for my Sankor 2x adapter because the rear thread is actually an unorthodox 50mm or possibly 50.5mm and the cheap old Albinar FD lens I am using with it is stuck on f/3.9 because the f-stop ring is broken so I had to shoot with a high shutter speed. I am still waiting for the special size step rings from hong kong so here is a test vid just holding the adapter up to the lens, trying to juggle cam and glass and focusing with both.

UPDATED 9/29/09 NEW SANKOR VIDEO YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3qppTrOCfU&fmt=22 Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/6823712

Original Video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mJXCf780GU&fmt=22 on vimeo: http://vimeo.com/6427052

You can see the vignetting even around 100mm, I'm guessing once I actually am able to screw it in straight it's still going to need to be around 135mm to get rid of it completely on a FF like mk2. I am pleased with the look though considering the cheapness of the set-up.

:beer:

sankor1.jpg

sankor2.jpg

sankor3.jpg

sankor4.jpg

sankor5.jpg
 
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I just got a Kowa x2 adapter from ebay... definitely not the highest optic quality I had expected based on the 8mm guys' reviews. I figured that if any non-Isco adapter would work, this should be it.

The 54mm rear is wide open compared to the other choices out there. Albeit 54 is an odd size to adapt to. I would knock out an old 55m filter and JB weld it in (plus the threads are a little ragged out on the adapter).

So why am I bringing this up? Because I am going to send it back, unless someone here wants it. It's ragged out, but hard to find... the optics appear to be misaligned so focus is also off.

So it's very ragged out, but hard to find... :Drogar-Evil(DBG):
So if any anamorphic adventurer wants to take over on this one let me know ASAP otherwise it's best sent back.
 
I had also purchased a Kowa 2x on the understanding that they were the bee's knees from the Super 8 info I'd read.

There are different Kowas, mind you, and the good one is supposed to be the 16-H also known as 8Z.

Fates, do you know which one your model is? According to http://super8wiki.com/index.php/Anamorphic_Lenses the filter thread "it looks like there are two versions of this lens: One with a M52-thread and one with a M50-thread x 0.75 ( Diameter x Pitch )"

I'll post some footage when it arrives from the States, assuming I can figure out my step down rings.
 
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It appears to be the Bell & Howell x2 version, as it's an M54 thread... and has Bell & Howell written on it. I think that is the widest version made by Kowa with thread mount.
 
I just checked, out of interest, and at the moment there are no more Kowa 16-H or Sankor 16-D on ebay. And very few other anamorphic adapters for either brand.

Last week when I bought mine there were about three or four of each!

I do have a contact for a Sankor 16-d at £110 (don't know shippping). In the end I decided to go for the Kowa, but if anyone wants the details just PM me. No affiliation, just came across this guy with a small outfit of vintage gear in the UK while doing my own research into this stuff.
 
great stuff. did you grade this footage? i am dead keen on picking up one of the Kowa 16-H (8Z) for my 5d mk ii, but need to sort out how to connect it up.
 
Yeah I had to order a 52-50 step down ring from Hong Kong on ebay for mine, still waiting on it but it seems to be the same barrel size as the Kowa 16-H
 
Hey Akira! I have shot more footage and will be posting it today. Thanks for starting this thread, I think many who visit this forum will appreciate the perspective.
 
As promised:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsQykrMBfCA

Enjoy! Please remember that I am HOLDING the lens in my hand infront of my lens. (Excuse the shaking) I think Akira is doing the same. No less....what do you think of this Sankor 16C footage? I am shooting with a D90 right now. The lens I am using is a S-Nikkor 55-200 DX. The focal length on the Sankor has to also be changed relative to the distance from your subject. I was all over the place. Infinity, 50ft, 20ft, 8ft, 5ft...
 
Very nice HHL, very charming footage.

It seems as though this adapter really takes the edge off the video look, taking away the harshness and giving it a much nicer feel.

I have a few questions for you:

1. It looks as though you conformed the footage to a 1.5x anamorphic squeeze rather than a 2x? (Note for 5D users, it's possible to get the 2.67:1 aspect ratio with square pixels by dropping your footage in 720p timeline, conforming to 2x pixel aspect ratio - this crops the edges, 12.5% at either side. Magic Lantern is useful for setting up custom cropmarks while shooting).

2. Are the clips colour corrected or straight from cam?

3. What is the widest you could go on your D90?

When your step down ring arrives you'll really be in business! It also looks as if stabilised shots are the way to go at these long focal lengths as the jello looks extra weird in anamorphic.

Great footage and thanks for taking the trouble to upload.
 
Thanks hyalinejim! I'll post more footage when I'm not actually holding the thing with my hands....it's a bit of a pain. I agree that this adapter seems to give a nice organic look (not so "harsh" anyway). I'm not sure if a person could handle looking at it for extended period of time. Music video shots, ...you bet. Short film....maybe...if it's RATHER short. I'm not sure other than that. I didn't pay much for it, so I'm think I'm thrilled with it? I just purchased an ISCORAMA 50mm, so we'll see if I keep this one.

Your questions:
1. I used to work with AVID, now I'm using Adobe...I was having export/project problems, so I just used the "Anamorphic" option in Adobe. I did actually stretch it 200% (wide), then sized it to fit the existing frame...which, yes I believe is 1.5x.

2. Yes, AE...although I'm not sure they needed it. I was basically curious as to what it would look like. I desaturated 25%. I added a sepia tricolor blend at 70% original color. That was it. I think adjusting the levels would have helped, .....

3. I'll have to check. I assume you are referring to, before I see the adapter in the frame yes? I think 80mm is about right. I did use some longer focal lengths in there, along with using longer lengths on the adapter. I seem to like the bokeh at 5ft on the adapter and 80mm on the lens.

YasmeenPic-copy.jpg


...and lastly....JELLO-RIFFIC!!!! Yes...it is "extra weird". (maybe I'll shoot a nightmare scene or a bad drug trip with this in mind) lol
 
....ps....I know this is severly out of focus, but you can see the bokeh that I was referring to at 5ft anamorphic adapter, 80mm focal length on the Nikkor lens.

BTW: (SQUIG) You rock! This isn't a MKII, it's a D90. I'm posting here because we're talking about Anamorphic lens options. (I know I should slink back to my own part of the forum....) :( (lol)
 
NICE hyalinejim!!!! Looks like we will be sharing footage....mine will likely take longer to get here though. It's coming in from Germany.

I almost got a Kowa. I'd love to see some footage with that one. I also have a Bell and Howelle. I'll post some footage with that in the upcoming weeks. It seems to be harder to focus. ...no less I'll post some footage when I get some time.
 
HHL said:
As promised:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsQykrMBfCA

Enjoy! Please remember that I am HOLDING the lens in my hand infront of my lens. (Excuse the shaking) I think Akira is doing the same. No less....what do you think of this Sankor 16C footage? I am shooting with a D90 right now. The lens I am using is a S-Nikkor 55-200 DX. The focal length on the Sankor has to also be changed relative to the distance from your subject. I was all over the place. Infinity, 50ft, 20ft, 8ft, 5ft...
Click to expand...

Very cool, nice work, great film look coming out of that and nice bokeh, can't wait to see how it fares mounted. I'm thinking about getting a cheap Teleconverter for my nikon 50 1.4 to double it to 100mm and see how that works out. Right now with my 80-200 zoom it's pretty damn long to carry around.
 
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