If Panasonic had implemented 4:3 video recording, 2x anamorphic lens would have given some stunning result.

@Xenocide38 The LA7200 is a simple design but with large optical elements made some time ago. It would not cost the same if made brand new for todays standards. It is quite a bargain if you can buy a used copy at a good price. The LA7200 was designed for use on smaller sensors and a LA7200 designed for four thirds sensor and above would definitely cost much more to manufacture than the current version made for DV format.

1st time poster, but this all sounds very promising and exciting. I've been waiting for someone to make an anamorphic for this new age of filmmakers.

I just managed to get a Kowa Bell & Howell 2x in excellent condition off eBay. As already mentioned if only Panasonic had implemented a high quality 4:3 mode then a 2x adapter would have been perfect. I'm currently attempting to purchase some Redstan clamps from Redstan but aren't having much luck as Redstan's online purchasing is not working.

Recently discovered this clip on Vimeo. I don't know the technical details other than it's around 3.55 to 1 which suggests it was shot in 16:9 using a 2x anamorphic...

thanks @ed_lee83 for the footage! As this prototype lens has no lens coating, lots of flare is expected. Lens coating can easily remove the flares. We will now work on testing various lens coating for the desired flare effect.

@vicharris I work on the lenses but its our volunteers that put them to show time so props to them and props to @ed_lee83 making the lens look nice =)

I actually made a 17mm T1.6 footage that a volunteer helped me edit. His feedback was "Andrew, heres the edit but by posting this footage the lens will look bad". Well, may not be quoted that way but it's around those lines. I had a weeks thought and did not share the video. We will have some good footage from that prototype lens soon. It's the same reason I only showed still frame grabs earlier as my footage is no where close to @ed_lee83 footage. Do you still remember our v1 prototype? Yeah, I think that's the best shot already. Not to mention I couldn't do the editing =P

@thepalalias if you look at tweets for @slrmagic you can see we have mixed opinions on the crazy uncoated flare. Some like it and some did not like it at all. We will try to find the right balance.

@thepalalias Yes it was clear it was not a suggestion.

We wanted to see how extreme flare can get without coating and this is the extreme test. The extreme of flare is no flare so we do not need to test that. We will now work on the in-between kind of flare that we think should be best.

Seems like your optics is producing quite a modern anamorphic look. Pretty clean and crisp, apart from some shots which I guess where shot wide open (or close to). Flares to me were excessive but like you said, it´s something you will work on.

I think you are onto a very interesting alternative for the low budget shooter. I can certainly see myself using it in productions where a sort of neutral 2.40:1 is desired. Looking forward to the end result.

I second that. Flares look good as is. I'd prefer no coating at all.

@thepalalias thanks for that compliment. Two years ago when I got anamorphic fever I did a shit load of test videos (all on my Vimeo). Testing SLR Magic's lens was a bit of nostalgia :) I also made the Hypergonar Hi Fi 2 famous... it was massive but still one of my favourite optics to date.

@akos I don't see the anamorphic trend going anywhere anytime soon, just as cross dissolves, strobe, and any other effect considered trendy never completely goes away.

People shouldn't have regrets about their footage if they know what they are getting going into it, worst case you shoot over and take it as a loss.

Slr magic should sell a coated and uncoated (or alt coating) version of the lens. Money to be made!