Certainly not very knowledgeable about anamorphic, but would like to get into it. I like the options you listed today. (if I understand correction you affix it directly to the front of the lens, with no need for rails etc?). I don't see any downsides to the 2nd solution as it seems more flexible, but maybe more expensive??

@slrmagic

I like the second option better, as diopters are certainly a tricky thing to find. I'm more of a 2X guy myself, but if you come up with a good single-focus 1.33x solution, I'd be very tempted.

@tosvus Many good anamorphic require the setting up of rails due to the weight of the Anamorphic lens. However, we designed ours so that the weight and size is manageable for "run and gun" and does not require the use of rails.

@B3Guy 2x has much more pronounced anamorphic ovals. The first prototype we made had ovals but it was due to anamorphic mumps side effect. It was not practical due to uneven stretch across the frame. Our 1.33x lens has the anamorphic streaks. You get the full resolution at 2.35:1 ratio from 16:9 HD recording when you use 1.33x and due to this prices are very high for 1.33x and 1.3x anamorphic lenses on lets say eBay.

Large Diopters are very hard to find. Diopters with power of less than +1 is as hard to find as large diopters. Good achromat or double element diopters are even harder to find. We think adding the macro mode function to our Anamorphic adapter is a more convenient solution to interchanging diopters for closer focus distances. However, if you want to get to focus distance such as 0.5m then you really need to use good diopters.

@CFreak We have tried our anamorphic with the SLR Magic HyperPrime 23mm F1.7 and SLR Magic 35mm T1.4 Ver II and we think the best optical quality is at T2.8. We tried using the lens at faster speeds and performance is compromised when at infinity. Some may find it usable for closer distances (it really is) but milage may vary from person to person so T2.8 is a safe specification.

When set to normal mode, you can focus with your taking lens from 2.8m to infinity (Most legacy anamorphics with fixed focus works from 4m to infinity only). When shooting less than 2.8m you will not get any usable image. This is when the macro mode should be used. It is quite easy to use. For example, when you focus down to 1m on the taking lens you also set the anamorphic at 1m under macro mode. I guess yes, you need to focus on both lenses at the same time in macro mode only. The image quality is comparable to using diopters. Actually, I think it is better than using diopters unless you use very high end diopters.

A normal Dual Focus anamorphic adapter has focus scales till 30-50 feet and from 30-50 feet you still need to work on Dual focus so our adapter is a single focus adapter by the taking lens similar to how you would use the LA7200 anamorphic adapter but with macro mode.

I'd love to test or buy that adapter without coating to use on our Epic or one of the gh2s. We also have a 2x NipponScope 50mm t1.7 since I last posted in this thread along with a la7200, Bolex Moller 8/19, and ISCO 36.

We received msgs from some that are concerned about the 1.5x anamorphic "look" would be much better. 1.5x from a 16:9 HD image would require cropping from both sizes after the image is desqueezed to get 2:35:1. You loose resolution and takes more time during post processing as well.

1.5x does have a stronger anamorphic oval effect but we wanted to make an anamorphic solution that is made for 16:9 HD recording format that comes with almost all cameras today. Only 1.33x will maintain the full resolution in the final anamorphic output image.

We did an anamorphic oval comparison so people can see what the difference is between a 1.33x anamorphic oval and a 1.5x anamorphic oval. The difference is not significant even when put side-to-side.

@CFreak I mentioned before the AA performs best for the entire focal range at f/2.8. At faster speeds, there is slight drop in contrast and sharpness and if the image is usable depends on opinion.

CA would improve when coating is added to the glass. Streaks would also be reduced when coating is added.

Another possible difference in the CA is due to using different taking lens. The 1.33x sample was taken with the Canon 50mm f/1.4 EF and the 1.5x was an Iscorama 2001 50mm f/1.8.

@gh2simon

We are glad to know we are your favorite lens company.

The target MSRP is 1.5K for this modern anamorphic adapter lens (non adapter solution would cost more) which comes with service option that is not avaliable from legacy anamorphics. IQ is also guranteed since you are buying it as a new unit and not a used unit. We bought 10 mint condition used units and only 3/10 works. Most are not calibrated properly even when in mint condition. We are sure many who gave up on their anamorphics endeavour due to inability to achieve a good image was due to buying a dud. Does not sound very professional but it is from our true experience.

We will be looking for anamorphic adapter volunteers when the project is more solid. We are still working on improving the design. As our current design works well with the optical design of the 35mm T1.4 CINE II mFT mount, that supports repeatable focus and additional weight of anamorphic lenses, we will make offers to those customers first for some sample footages. Due to pairing involved (which is quite common) the anamorphic does not work will all lenses and we do not want to have users buying an anamorphic that would vignette with their lens.

When set to normal mode, you can focus with your taking lens from 2.8m to infinity (Most legacy anamorphics with fixed focus works from 4m to infinity only). When shooting less than 2.8m you will not get any usable image. This is when the macro mode should be used. It is quite easy to use. For example, when you focus down to 1m on the taking lens you also set the anamorphic at 1m under macro mode. I guess yes, you need to focus on both lenses at the same time in macro mode only.

It is interesting how you have described this, can you tell me what is the difference between your unit and a dual focus adapter which can focus anywhere down to 1.0 metre and therefore also focus at the hyperfocal distance? Also what is the longest focal length and biggest fstop that can be used.

@slrmagic Just out of curiousity - will the anamorphic prototype function with the slr magic 35mm f0.95 Hyperprime lens aswell? And the 35mm T1.4 CINE lens, where do I get my hands on one?

@slrmagic

I am definitely more interested in a 1.33x version, due to the better gain in resolution it gives. For that matter, is 1.35x off the table now, since that does maintain the fullest resolution?

hey @slrmagic, we're from Hong Kong too. Gimme a shout regarding testing.

@ed_lee83 can you PM your contact info to us? thx!

@MRRender

You are quite bang on with the direction we plan to head. So that more people can experience the taste of a modern anamorphic lens, an anamorphic adapter would be the best solution. For further development, we will look into anamorphic lens solutions.

We have received a lot of emails from Canon filmmakers after posing anamorphic images from a FF Canon with out anamorphic adapter designed for our 35mm T1.4 CINE II lens. The adapter would be a good point to start to find out which users are the most interested in using our anamorphic lenses and in what focal length. After we have those stats, we will have a better idea what makes a good set of anamorphic lenses that are non lens attachment solutions.

@B3Guy

We do have a very popular lens for the E-mount system that features an Anamorphic Ovals mode.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/03/05/SLR-Magic-Toy-Lenses-Q-mount-E-mount-Micro-Four-Thirds-mount

It has a non-adjustable aperture. The shapes offer a very creative look. However, the anamorphic ovals from feedback we received was not that popular compared to hearts, stars, and circle shape. We have received a lot of feedback to add the anamorphic shape but it seems what is wanted is anamorphic flare, anamorphic distortion, and added resolution benefits.

Considering most prosumer grade cameras offer HD in 16:9 ratio it means 1.33x is the ideal ratio for full resolution without cropping. Currently available 1.33x lenses are seen to have major CA/resolution problems because they are used beyond the designed image coverage. Another reason is we noticed buying a used mint condition anamorphic does not mean it is calibrated/optically aligned properly and the user can only expect a downgrade in resolution instead.

We did have an idea of an oval aperture that is adjustable after the Anamorphic oval option in the Bokehmorphic lens was not as desirable as we thought but finally decided we wanted to go all out anamorphic for an anamorphic look rather than try to mimic an anamorphic look.