Oh I have, you're just trolling and/or seriously projecting your limited experience on others and lack of understanding of pretty much anything you're talking about. I'm starting to wonder if maybe you're "on the spectrum" and we just simply don't understand the immovable object in the way of you understanding how wrong you are here.

They come right out and say that the lens is a Helios. No need to do detective work from pictures.

Go for it. Go buy a standard Helios and stick a cheap colored filter on the front and demonstrate to everybody here how you can do it for so much less. Until you post awesome results indistinguishable from the many examples available online which have been shot with DS lenses, you're talking out of your ass and nobody will (or should) take you seriously.

@eatstoomuchjam $250 US is not reasonable when you can get the exact same lens (and yes the lens is a helios-the second image is captured from their website) when you can buy the same lens from a local seller at less than half the cost. If you want to change the color of the lens put a $2 colored lens filter on it.

If you want a scratch or dirt on every shot, scratch that same filter. You will get the same effect.

That money saved could go towards another piece of gear. If you are working on a budget for a project, how would you explain to the producer that you spent an extra $600 on three lenses because you wanted the bokeh to look like the Toyota logo.

DSO supposedly has other focal lengths in the works, and possibly an anamorphic. Anyone actively striving to provide us with fresh anamorphic offerings (real or imitation) gets a big thumbs up in my book. Two more lenses (35 & 85), and DSO has me. Hook line and sinker. At the very least, the extra price guarantees a matched set of lenses that have been through quality control and a good once-over setup. Add to that the (no small feat by the way) aperture mods and flare mods. To me it makes sense. It's already allowed DSO to improve and offer the complete rehoused cine-esque TRUMP lens.

@photoman Reasons I would buy this product instead of making it myself:

• I give value for my time. I could spend hours googling what lens should I buy and then hunt it from eBay.
• Also time studying how it should be modded, what tools & materials should be used etc.
• And the time actually modding it.
• (Then there's still possibility that you screw it up.)

If I sum all the effort and I give value for your time, then yes, it makes sense to me to buy the lens if I'm buying just one.

If I'm planning to get several of them, maybe then studying this new subject is justified.

(Video production is hobby for me, and it contains tons of stuff to learn from different areas. If I can save my time and get the look I want with this lens instead of studying again new area about lens manufacturing, I will do it.)

I already alluded to this before. The fact that you do not understand a product does not mean that the people who are buying it are idiots. In this case, a guy has figured out how to modify lenses in a way that people find appealing. Some people are willing to pay him to buy those lenses rather than spending a bunch of their own time figuring out how to modify them in a similar way. Not everybody wants to DIY. Some people just want to buy a finished product and start using it.

As an example, I had a Polaroid 110a sitting around for years as a project camera that I intended to modify to shoot 4x5 film by buying a broken Crown Graphic and harvesting its graflok back. Finally, I realized that it was so far in my backlog of project camera stuff that I probably wasn't going to find the time for it any time soon. I ended up sending it to a guy in Florida who modifies them and paying him for it. Now I have a Polaroid 110b/a hybrid which shoots 4x5 film. I've had a great time the few times I've taken it out so far and I'm really anxious to see some of my results. That seems better to me than it sitting on a shelf collecting dust waiting for me to be done with other stuff!

@3kids Everyone is a student in some sense. I think it was Socrates that explained that those who say they know everything know nothing. I admitted that I misunderstood the product.

Just tell me why this is a good idea in English. Why would you do this. Why would someone buy this product as opposed to going to E-Bay or a yard sale and repurpose the lens by him/herself.

@crustovsky I said I'm sorry.

I get the point of shooting with a gritty lens. I don't understand why someone would go out of their way to spend 150 pounds on one when you can get one significantly cheaper.

The point about customization: the most customized lens is one you do yourself.

It's like Hollister and Abercrombie acid-wash jeans. You can buy them. They are expensive. But what exactly are you buying? The brand name?

If you can give me a logical reason to buy one of these lenses it will help your argument.

It's like the whole point of the GH2 hacks. What made it great was that a cheaper alternative to more expensive Canons and REDs was made a viable competitor. With the GH2 you are both saving money and there is a sense of satisfaction there.

OK I misunderstood the context of the "lawn" comment.

But, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the point of a rat rod to build it yourself or to save money from buying a new vehicle?

With this dog lens the consumer is doing neither.

@3kids I'm sorry for being indignant, OK? I didn't understand why anyone would buy a broken lens for over 150 pounds when they can get it for less than 10 somewhere else.

My opinion: it's a bad idea.

The company might have a clever name. If you want a broken lens go buy one somewhere cheaper; if it's not broken enough, break it some more.

Companies exist to make money. The only thing this company offers that you can't do yourself is tinting the lens, and you can achieve the same effect as a lens filter.

@photoman Either you or your communication skills have a problem. Re-read what you've written, it makes no sense, I promise :-)

@BurnetRhoades Your perception is apparently incredibly judgmental without much evidence. You are assuming my personality, my worth on two threads on the internet.

Where are you located? England? Because I think, based on what you said earlier ("We're not on your lawn.") that your hostility is based in ethnocentrism. This company being located in the UK, you immediately find it more reputable than every single person located in the United States regardless of political affiliation or intelligence.

If I am wrong about your location, tell me. I am human and I make mistakes. I am willing to admit that.

And as far as the other thread: I asked this forum because I have respect for a great number of you. I've been reading this forum for about four months without posting. I was looking for advice and was railroaded by several people.

So ask yourself. This is the way you personally treat people with differing opinions? It's not enough to say "I disagree." But to say "We're not on your lawn?"