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QuickHitRecord

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  1. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Cosimo murgolo in Anamorphic 1.5   
    John,

    I don't appreciate content from our private offline conversations being referenced here, and I feel the need to state that I am in no way affiliated with John's Rectilux. We were merely comparing exploratory notes.

    Respectfully, I suggest that the moderation of this forum be handled by a neutral party who has no commercial aspirations.

    Nick
  2. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Cosimo murgolo in Anamorphic 1.5   
    From one of comments on the Facebook page:
     
     
    I'm assuming that the "rings for mounting" are what you are looking for.
  3. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from wolf33d in Easiest workflow - MLV Canon 5D mark III   
    Grading footage in raw is always best, but having a color-balanced, exposure-tweaked ProRes 4444 as a starting point is really, really good. That's how I've been doing it. 
     
    It's a good program, as the linked article states. The only reason that I haven't been using it extensively is because BMDFilm color space has become a part of my regular workflow. But if you're not using that, then I can't see a reason not to use MLRawViewer. It's free!
  4. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from richg101 in Showing the Iscorama fast and wide   
    I think that this is a good idea, Rich. I'll throw my B&H into the ring if I can get the math right (and the appropriate wide angle adapter).
  5. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from nahua in Photokina report day 1 - Sony FS7   
    Incidentally, I just watched an in-depth presentation on camera ergonomics (presented by Sony about a year ago) that is worth a look:
     

     
    As a former FS100 owner and frequent C100 user, I think that Sony got it right with the FS7. Not only does the spec sheet check all of the boxes, but the ergonomics looks just about right.
  6. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Cosimo murgolo in Anamorphic 1.5   
    John,
     
    It's true. You did make a great discovery (based upon my lesser but prior discovery, it would seem), and I appreciated your sharing it with me. You have created a marketable product which is more than I can say. Now, it seems that we were not the only people charting these waters. But while I applaud the Anamorphic Shop offerings and look forward to trying them out, you seem eager to "take him down a notch", which is exactly what I have experienced in my dealings with you -- and why you haven't been getting any emails from me lately.
     
    If you read back on this thread, you have now had several people express concern about your conduct. You can either write us all off as outliers, or you can take a look in the mirror and ask yourself some questions. I know what I would do.
     
    Nick
  7. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Julian in Anamorphic 1.5   
    John,

    I don't appreciate content from our private offline conversations being referenced here, and I feel the need to state that I am in no way affiliated with John's Rectilux. We were merely comparing exploratory notes.

    Respectfully, I suggest that the moderation of this forum be handled by a neutral party who has no commercial aspirations.

    Nick
  8. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from richg101 in Anamorphic 1.5   
    John,

    I don't appreciate content from our private offline conversations being referenced here, and I feel the need to state that I am in no way affiliated with John's Rectilux. We were merely comparing exploratory notes.

    Respectfully, I suggest that the moderation of this forum be handled by a neutral party who has no commercial aspirations.

    Nick
  9. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from dahlfors in Anamorphic 1.5   
    How the heck is he doing this? I can't wait to learn more.
  10. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from JohnBarlow in Anamorphic 1.5   
    How the heck is he doing this? I can't wait to learn more.
  11. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from richg101 in Anamorphic 1.5   
    How the heck is he doing this? I can't wait to learn more.
  12. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Jonesy Jones in LUGGAGE Trailer - would love to hear your thoughts! (also, which camera...)   
    BMCC?
     
    This looks great, by the way; both technically and and non-technically. Where did you go for the dunes? Sand and cameras, lots of fun...
  13. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from ToniDove in Isco Gottingen Anamorphot 1.5x (not to be confused with Iscormorphot 1.5x)   
    After some more experimentation, I have reached the conclusion that this lens is actually capable of producing a nice cinematic image after all. Here's clip that I shot with a Canon FD 50mm f1.8 and a +1 diopter:


  14. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Julian in Zoom anamorphic with the Pen-F 50-90 F3.5   
    For smaller sensors, I'd go with the Olympus Zuiko 35-70mm f3.6. The 55mm front ring does not rotate, and it is parfocal (which is why I bought it).
     
    The only downside that I can see is that it extends when focusing OR zooming, so it's best used with 8mm or small 16mm anamorphics only.
  15. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from maxotics in Magic Lantern Raw Video for Canon DSLRs   
    With the release of RawMagic 1.1.2 and Davinci Resolve 11 (Beta), the process of shooting, converting, editing and grading raw footage has become much, much simpler. Anyone speculating that the ML raw workflow is difficult needs to take a look at the two apps above.
  16. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Imaginate in A7S review from a Photographers Perspective   
    Here's Steve Huff's review: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2014/07/01/the-sony-a7s-digital-camera-review-wow-period/
     
    I'm still waiting on a legitimate video capability review, preferably one that's not focused on shooting in pitch black conditions.
  17. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Nick Hughes in A7S review from a Photographers Perspective   
    Here's Steve Huff's review: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2014/07/01/the-sony-a7s-digital-camera-review-wow-period/
     
    I'm still waiting on a legitimate video capability review, preferably one that's not focused on shooting in pitch black conditions.
  18. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from rtwomey in Magic Lantern Raw Video for Canon DSLRs   
    The new RawMagic automatically merges all spanned .R00 files and incorporates vertical stripe correction as it churns out CinemaDNG files, which are automatically linked to their corresponding WAV audio files when opened in Resolve. And now with Resolve 11, you can do your entire edit with your raw CinemaDNGs and then go directly to grading, no proxies necessary. Convert files, then edit, then grade -- this is about five fewer steps than it was a few months ago!
  19. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Cosimo murgolo in Best new camera for anamorphic?   
    For 2x anamorphics, I still say that it's the 5Diii with ML raw. The 4:3 acquisition means that you can get by without a monitor if you need to (which you can anyway with 1.5x anamorphics).
  20. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from jgharding in Sony A7S footage topic   
  21. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Tito Ferradans in Successful fungus removal from an Anamorpjic lens?   
    This guy does it: http://www.focalpointlens.com/
     
    But it's quite expensive, time-consuming, and there is a small risk that the glass could fracture in the process.
  22. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from JohnBarlow in Successful fungus removal from an Anamorpjic lens?   
    This guy does it: http://www.focalpointlens.com/
     
    But it's quite expensive, time-consuming, and there is a small risk that the glass could fracture in the process.
  23. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Bold in Bell & Howell 16mm Anamorphic Lens   
    PREFACE: I have been doing some testing with this lens for a while now, but lately I have been swamped with work. Also, there has been some sadness surrounding the girl who appears in the demo video (and several other anamorphic tests of mine), so anamorphic shooting has been on the back burner for a while now. But I'm seeing now that someone else has had the same idea, and is trying to make an unrealistic profit from it. And so I feel that I must post this write up, because this isn't a $1400 lens.
     
    The search for the perfect anamorphic lens is over (at least for me).
     

     
    Some months ago, I saw a post here from a member named frerichs. He claimed to have purchased a Bell & Howell 2x 16mm Anamorphic Projection lens (not the excellent Kowa model) for cheap and discovered that it was single focus, like the coveted Iscorama. I was skeptical, but since they can often be had for between $75 and $150 on eBay, I bought one to try out for myself.
     
    At first glance this lens does not look like a winner. It has neither the steam punk appeal of the Lomo square fronts, nor the timeless curves of the Iscorama. The impossibly long and narrow build of the lens suggests that this would never be viable match for anything but the longest taking lenses.
     

     
    And yet it works. The front element is a -7 diopter that focuses the other two elements in the housing as the head is turned, similar to the Iscorama. Unlike the Iscorama, the lens takes about five full rotations to go from infinity to close focus, which is limiting for practical use. But I have been working with a CNC machinist to resolve this, and I now have a prototype that allows me to do a full range rack focus in a one and a half turns:
     

     
    (Want to do this yourself? Ask a machinist to design a new front housing with a "multi-start thread" that will house the front diopter and screw directly onto the existing thread on the tube; this could also conceivably be done for Iscoramas to the same effect). 
     
    We have also added a standard 58mm threading for easier filter mounting, and I've since installed a custom seamless ultra-wide delrin focus gear to add just a little torque for even easier focusing (not pictured).
     
    The Bell & Howell projection lenses that originally shipped with this lens were f/1.2 and f/1.4, so it is designed to be sharp at faster apertures -- and I find that it is. Perhaps not razor sharp, but as sharp as I'd ever want an anamorphic lens to be. And once you've removed the two limiting screws from the "head" of the lens, you can focus as close as two feet without diopters. Too much closer than that and the head will screw right off, but it's just as easy to screw right back on.
     
    Flaring is nice:
     

     
    The lens is not without its drawbacks. For one, it focuses to about 40 feet, not true infinity. That's not an issue for me, but it might be for some shooters. It's all-metal construction makes it a bit heavy which combined with its length will benefit from a lens support (which eliminates the shake that appears in my rack focus test). It vignettes when paired with wider lenses, so it is a better fit for smaller sensor cameras or Canon DSLRs with Magic Lantern raw crop mode enabled. For instance, I can shoot 1600x1200 with a Pentax Takumar 105mm f2.8 lens on my 5D Mark III and I don't see any vignetting before f/8. I also tested it with a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 AI-S on my GH2, and it was vignette-free so long as I cropped my 2x image down to 1.5x.
     

     
    So how does the footage look? Here's something that I shot with it: 
     

     
    I am excited to add a sharp, easily rack-focusable, short minimum-focusing anamorphic to my arsenal. It won't be the right lens for every anamorphic user, especially those who want to be able to shoot as wide as possible, but for the price, it could make single-focus anamorphics more accessible to those who have not had a chance to work with them yet. 
     
    Happy shooting!
  24. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from maxotics in 5D III Raw video   
    Your steadicam frightened the Chihuahua! Very nice footage. Some of the shots (particularly at the beginning) are tastefully soft. Did you accomplish that in-camera or while grading?
  25. Like
    QuickHitRecord got a reaction from Zmu2 in Bell & Howell 16mm Anamorphic Lens   
    PREFACE: I have been doing some testing with this lens for a while now, but lately I have been swamped with work. Also, there has been some sadness surrounding the girl who appears in the demo video (and several other anamorphic tests of mine), so anamorphic shooting has been on the back burner for a while now. But I'm seeing now that someone else has had the same idea, and is trying to make an unrealistic profit from it. And so I feel that I must post this write up, because this isn't a $1400 lens.
     
    The search for the perfect anamorphic lens is over (at least for me).
     

     
    Some months ago, I saw a post here from a member named frerichs. He claimed to have purchased a Bell & Howell 2x 16mm Anamorphic Projection lens (not the excellent Kowa model) for cheap and discovered that it was single focus, like the coveted Iscorama. I was skeptical, but since they can often be had for between $75 and $150 on eBay, I bought one to try out for myself.
     
    At first glance this lens does not look like a winner. It has neither the steam punk appeal of the Lomo square fronts, nor the timeless curves of the Iscorama. The impossibly long and narrow build of the lens suggests that this would never be viable match for anything but the longest taking lenses.
     

     
    And yet it works. The front element is a -7 diopter that focuses the other two elements in the housing as the head is turned, similar to the Iscorama. Unlike the Iscorama, the lens takes about five full rotations to go from infinity to close focus, which is limiting for practical use. But I have been working with a CNC machinist to resolve this, and I now have a prototype that allows me to do a full range rack focus in a one and a half turns:
     

     
    (Want to do this yourself? Ask a machinist to design a new front housing with a "multi-start thread" that will house the front diopter and screw directly onto the existing thread on the tube; this could also conceivably be done for Iscoramas to the same effect). 
     
    We have also added a standard 58mm threading for easier filter mounting, and I've since installed a custom seamless ultra-wide delrin focus gear to add just a little torque for even easier focusing (not pictured).
     
    The Bell & Howell projection lenses that originally shipped with this lens were f/1.2 and f/1.4, so it is designed to be sharp at faster apertures -- and I find that it is. Perhaps not razor sharp, but as sharp as I'd ever want an anamorphic lens to be. And once you've removed the two limiting screws from the "head" of the lens, you can focus as close as two feet without diopters. Too much closer than that and the head will screw right off, but it's just as easy to screw right back on.
     
    Flaring is nice:
     

     
    The lens is not without its drawbacks. For one, it focuses to about 40 feet, not true infinity. That's not an issue for me, but it might be for some shooters. It's all-metal construction makes it a bit heavy which combined with its length will benefit from a lens support (which eliminates the shake that appears in my rack focus test). It vignettes when paired with wider lenses, so it is a better fit for smaller sensor cameras or Canon DSLRs with Magic Lantern raw crop mode enabled. For instance, I can shoot 1600x1200 with a Pentax Takumar 105mm f2.8 lens on my 5D Mark III and I don't see any vignetting before f/8. I also tested it with a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 AI-S on my GH2, and it was vignette-free so long as I cropped my 2x image down to 1.5x.
     

     
    So how does the footage look? Here's something that I shot with it: 
     

     
    I am excited to add a sharp, easily rack-focusable, short minimum-focusing anamorphic to my arsenal. It won't be the right lens for every anamorphic user, especially those who want to be able to shoot as wide as possible, but for the price, it could make single-focus anamorphics more accessible to those who have not had a chance to work with them yet. 
     
    Happy shooting!
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