nahua

Here's my model shoot, shot with Kowa 2x + Rangefinder.  It's very sharp F4/F5.6.  And be prepared for lots of flares!  SLR Magic is always going for that Panavision look with blue flares and streaks.  It's their lens coating design.

BOLD, I really salute you on this project.  I've been sitting on mine for awhile.  It's the focus and the handling that's just killing me.  And it's harder now that there are other single focus options available.  I hope that you can make something that really works.  I'll definitely buy the adapter, especially if you can 3D print it.

Here are pics of how I have mine mounted.  It's so hacked I don't know what to say.  It's definitely not stable, and I have a hard time with the follow focus too.  But the images are great as are the amazing flares!

Neat Video is great but I have yet to get it working in Resolve.  Crashes on me constantly, v11 or v12beta.  I should have just kept my Premiere Pro one only.  It's just the rendering speed in Resolve is miles faster.  Anyway, save your money if you can.  I'd like to know if there's another alternative too.

You need to understand which anamorphics fit an aspect ratio.  2x anamorphics are made for 4:3 size FILM.  When unsqeezed they come to 2.39:1 with the audio strip on the side.  However on digital cameras, 4:3 comes out to 2.66:1. 

The majority of digital cameras are 16:9 format.  So a 2x anamorphic will result in a 3.55:1 ratio.  A 1.33x anamorphic will result in a 2.40:1 ratio.  In any case, cropping of the image will be necessary to achieve the "normal" widescreen format of 2.39:1.

Only a few digital cameras shoot in 4:3 - Panasonic GH4, Magic Lantern hacked Canon DSLRs, maybe Kinimax Mini, and Alexa RT 4:3.

In the end you have to decide what look you want.  Like Ken said, 2x anamorphics have the desired look or "character".  1.33x anamorphics are more like regular video but easier to work with.

For more info join the FB group - Anamorphic for Dummies:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/788527101229524/

Using the SLR Magic 1.33x Anamorphot 50 you can.  My entire video was shot with GH4 + Autofocus.  Only with the 1.33x Anamorphot, you can't with any of the 2x anamorphics.

The Focus Module is very sharp if you know how to use it

Regardless of the FM, Rect or Rangefinder, sharpness and performance is dependent on your 1) taking lens 2) anamorphic lens.  As far as the Rangefinder goes, stopping down 1 - 2 stops helps with sharpness.  In the pictures below, I shot at F4, stopping down 1 stop.

@Ebraham - Mine is fine.  If yours is stiff then send it back to SLR Magic.  This is a pre-production model and it will have problems.  I had problems with my prototype 1.33x Anamorphot, sent it back and got a newer version no charge.  So contact Andrew and let him know the problems.  They always had excellent customer service.

Taking lens is an old Canon FD Zoom.  I recommend going 1-2 stops from max aperture.  So if you have an F1.4, then stop down to F2.8.  F2.8 then stop down to F4 or F5.6.  Depends on the taking lens.  Everything in my video is shot at F4

These are commonly referred to as rainbow flares.  They are part of the character of an Iscorama and other anamorphic lenses.  Usually depends on the taking lens, and it shows up with single or non-coated lenses.  Not sure why you'd want to remove it, and the only way is to not shine a light at the lens or basically not have any flares at all.  Otherwise I advise you to get an Isco Ultra-star anamorphic projector lens or some modern multicoated lens (MC).  Then you won't get any flares but have the anamorphic stretch.

Testing out the new SLR Magic Rangefinder with the Panasonic GH4 4K 4:3 mode with the Kowa 2x Anamorphic lens.  If you've been on the fence, your wait is over.  I highly recommend the Rangefinder as a single-focus solution to Anamorphic adapters.  

Here's another longer video showing off all the flares of the Kowa 2x Anamorphic.

Have you seen Seb's pictures of the rangefinder?  It's quite large, even though it's smaller, or maybe thinner, than the FM or Rect.  But it has almost the same front as the Rect and it does extend a little when close focusing.

@Jed worst dual focus ever.  Don't waste your time with SLR Magic.  Better to get a cheap Sankor or other 2x anamorphic.  Or just get a Cinelux and Focus Module and you'll have a single focus solution.  Perfect for run-and-gun one man operation.

I'm starting to agree with you Rich.  SLR Magic just doesn't get the characteristics of anamorphic.  But we are lucky now with so many choices for 1.5x and 2x anamorphics.  If they had come out with their 2x maybe last year, it would be different.  I'm planning to get rid of all my SLR Magic lenses.

Finally finished my short film Dueling Alphas.  Shot on GH4 4K 16:9 + Iscorama 36.  For all the details including BTS and pictures, please visit the website:  http://www.duelingalphas.com/home.html

Short movie description:

Dueling Alphas is about two rivals. Both women are Alpha types - strong, determined, successful. One the Powerbroker, the other an Artist. They meet for their pool "match", but it's more about matching wits. Who will beat the other, in the match and their competition of life?

Considering your limitations, I think you did a good job.  A6000 is probably one of the best little HD cams.  Slo-mo looks good and used sparingly.  Color grade works for the gritty feel.  Pacing seems good too.  Didn't feel like 5min film, felt much shorter.  Good thing because this could have dragged like some other short films.  Sound is good and gives a good sense of unease and the whole "apocalyptic" feel.  I think you had a good sense of what you wanted, and then shot it very well.  Edit, sound, music is all good!  Be nice to see it made into a 30min short.  Maybe on the lines of the STALKER PC game or something.

Just posted on Newsshooter.com:

http://www.newsshooter.com/2015/06/05/metabones-announce-speed-booster-xl-0-64x-micro-43-mount-adapter/

Thanks Rudolf and Liamlumiere!  I only used two lenses, Canon FD 35mm and 50mm.  Anamorphic is Schneider Cinelux inside Focus Module with Panasonic GH4.  Yes there's distortion but I had very limited time to shoot this.  In the end it came out well.

I was using a 35mm for a lot of the shots.  It is wide and shows the edges of the lens.  Definitely using a longer lens would help.

My short film Reminisce shot on a GH4 + FM Module

The front element is just a diopter really.  So a push-pull modification would work just fine.  But then you can't use a follow focus.  Yeah that guy on ebay is really trying to rip people off.

Shot this weekends Spam Jam 2015.  It's soft and noisy, had to shoot ISO 3200 it was so dark.

​It's a 55mm front thread.  The wide angle adapter is 58mm, so I got a 55mm to 58mm adapter.

Here's a few pictures of the lens and wide angle adapter:

I did a quick test this weekend.   WIth and without the wide angle adapter:

Quick test with different lenses (with wide angle adapter):

​It's single focus though.  Set your taking lens to infinity and just turn-turn-turn that front into focus.  And I mean turn - like 20 turns from infinity to close-up.  LOL