dahlfors

What's important to remember is that dynamic range declines fairly quickly as you go up in ISO. I've shot a lot with D800, and I know that the 14+ EV steps that Dxomark has measured is real at ISO100 when I shoot raw stills - it's just miles better than what I've been able to pull out of other cameras. However, on the D800, not all of that DR translates to useful DR in compressed H.264.
 
The D750 probably does a whole lot better than the old D800. But, since DR goes down when you go higher up in ISO, what's interesting with A7S is if you check the following graph from Dxomark:
 

 
For stills, D800 and D750 has an advantage as long as you're around ISO100 to ISO400, and the A7S catches up at ISO800. What is amazing with the A7S is how it can keep a high DR as the ISO increases. Almost 9 EV steps at ISO 25600 is pretty impressive. That's where the A7S really shines in comparison to other cameras - it can keep a very high DR at a large ISO range.
 
Dxomark measures DR for still photos, so it's hard to say how this translates to video since a lot happens to the image frames when they get processed and encoded into a lossy video format.

There's a lot of dual focus lenses that look good. But to me it was too much extra in the workflow for alignment, dual focusing. Not the kind of fast workflow that suits me.
 
1) The cheap solution: Get some affordable 2x anamorphic adapter like the above-mentioned Sankor, Schneider Cinelux or Isco Ultrastar. The FM lens module that comes out soon should make these a bit easier to handle thanks to rail mount system and single focusing.
 
2) Expensive and rare/hard-to-get solution: The Iscorama 36 is wonderful. 1.5x anamorphic adapter. Very hard to find a replacement if you'd damage it.
 
3) Solution if you're patient: If you can wait for a while, there's also the SLR Magic 2x anamorphic coming in the near future. Andrew had an article with test footage from an early prototype if you check the archive on EOSHD.
 
Personally I really love the look that you get out of 2x anamorphics. Nothing bad about the 1.5x image out of the Iscorama - it's lovely as well, but the 2x look is something I tend to prefer. Hence I'm considering getting the FM lens module as well...
 
And I really recommend finding some way of buying the anamorphic guide. The guide + this whole forum + the anamorphic lens-yclopedia that this forum put together are the best resources I've found on anamorphic lenses.
 
Here's a link to the anamorphic lens-yclopedia: https://drive.google.com/a/bambuser.com/folderview?id=0BzVcUB-5ReiZajVncE9rYU9heDQ&usp=sharing#

focal length compatibility shouldnt be of concern here.  the front optic looks to be way large enough to accommodate as wide taking lens as the cinelux or similar will allow.  this fm module wont add any additional vignette.  so full frame users will be able to shoot 3.55:1 ratio on an 85mm with little to no vignette, aps-c a 50mm, and m4/3 a 35mm.
 
 
I think there is far too much thinking with regard to how important having multiple focal lengths actually is within the film making process.  The importance becomes even less so when you're shooting anamorphic on a big sensor and resolutions to allow cropping.  imo just find the widest taking lens and leave it there.  then crop in or move closer for tighter shots:)  an 85mm + 2x anamorphot and a full frame sensor cropped at the edges to 4:3 is really wide.  the same on aps-c with a 50mm, and the same on m4/3 with a 35mm.   

So I bit the bullet over the week and bought the filter. From what I had read the filters work by spreading the light around the image, which is different to simply using a low contrast lens I think. And besides that, I don't want to add another lens to my collection when I already have three superb ones.
 
I started with Ultra Contrast 3. It had good effect but I thought I'd go further so this morning I received the #5.
 
The filters have an immediate effect of making the image look way more filmic. The reason for this is that really do spread the light around the image - but it's not so simple. They take in more ambient light and thus ambient colour. The result is that you get a much more balanced picture in terms of colour and tonality. These filters really are something magical.
 
I have been shooting a fair bit with them over the past few days and will be putting together a video, but for now here's a few images:
 
No filter, Standard iDynamic:
 

 
With FilmConvert:
 

 
Tiffen Ultra Contrast #5 (no iDynamic):
 

 
With FilmConvert and some additional saturation.
 

 
Each filter costs just over £100 for the 77mm sizes. I do recommend getting the strongest one (the #5). After further consideration I think the #3 is a better choice because the #5 washes out darker midtones too readily.

There is ALWAYS a better, cheaper camera coming soon. Every person who buys a camera is "that guy."

Formatt make very good diffusion filters too check them out as they sometimes go cheaper on ebay

Got a vid-atlantic clamp for my ultra star too. Probably needless to say - but the ultra star is pretty scratched after using that clamp.

I already had a 72mm clamp floating around in the draw that came with a morphic lens from years back. Similar to the vid-Atlantic ones, basically a tin tube with rear 72mm thread and nylon screws, not at all Redstan quality but holds it well enough for testing with. As soon as the FM lens is in my hands, I'll probably throw that clamp in the river.

Yes. It will be single focus, just like the 1.33x SLR Magic adapter.
 
Personally, if I'd have the time to wait for it, I'd say go for the SLR Magic. There is a serious company making it, they have a proven track record with the 1.33x single focusing anamorphic adapter. I've seen some really good footage come out from that one, and I expect that they won't release this one unless it performs up to par with the 1.33x.
 
There is not much information available for the maker of the FM lens adapter. It's not a proven lens company behind it, it rather seems to be a small startup shop selling it. Which means no track record of previous products, not even a website yet - just a Facebook page with a tiny bit of info.
 
The FM lens adapter will need a rail system setup to be usable, while already the prototype of the SLR Magic can be attached directly to a taking lens, which means that the finalized product will most likely be the same. That's pretty useful for usability, if you want a lightweight / smaller rig.
Also, it has not verified yet, but looking at the released footage - it seems like the FM lens adapter single focusing has a long focus throw, which might make rack focus more difficult.
 
Timeframe: it seems like the FM lens and opening of the anamorphic shop website isn't too far away. I guess the FM lens module will be ready before the SLR Magic 2x is out.
 
I'm interested in getting the FM lens module - because I have an Isco Ultrastar already. I'm not expecting wonders with that combination though. I know what sharpness my Ultrastar can achieve, and the test footage shot with that one looked weirdly soft - like it almost reached infinity focus but not entirely. Not as sharp as when I've been using Ultra star + normal taking lenses. This could be an issue due to the test setup or not, hard to tell. Judging by the tests by anamorphic shop themselves, it seems like the Schneider is a good choice for pairing with the fm lens module at least.
 
If you can find a cheap Schneider to pair with the fm lens module, total cost will most likely be cheaper than the finalized SLR Magic. If you have the time to wait, I think the SLR Magic will be worth the added cost - mainly for usability, but probably for image quality as well. 

Yes. It will be single focus, just like the 1.33x SLR Magic adapter.
 
Personally, if I'd have the time to wait for it, I'd say go for the SLR Magic. There is a serious company making it, they have a proven track record with the 1.33x single focusing anamorphic adapter. I've seen some really good footage come out from that one, and I expect that they won't release this one unless it performs up to par with the 1.33x.
 
There is not much information available for the maker of the FM lens adapter. It's not a proven lens company behind it, it rather seems to be a small startup shop selling it. Which means no track record of previous products, not even a website yet - just a Facebook page with a tiny bit of info.
 
The FM lens adapter will need a rail system setup to be usable, while already the prototype of the SLR Magic can be attached directly to a taking lens, which means that the finalized product will most likely be the same. That's pretty useful for usability, if you want a lightweight / smaller rig.
Also, it has not verified yet, but looking at the released footage - it seems like the FM lens adapter single focusing has a long focus throw, which might make rack focus more difficult.
 
Timeframe: it seems like the FM lens and opening of the anamorphic shop website isn't too far away. I guess the FM lens module will be ready before the SLR Magic 2x is out.
 
I'm interested in getting the FM lens module - because I have an Isco Ultrastar already. I'm not expecting wonders with that combination though. I know what sharpness my Ultrastar can achieve, and the test footage shot with that one looked weirdly soft - like it almost reached infinity focus but not entirely. Not as sharp as when I've been using Ultra star + normal taking lenses. This could be an issue due to the test setup or not, hard to tell. Judging by the tests by anamorphic shop themselves, it seems like the Schneider is a good choice for pairing with the fm lens module at least.
 
If you can find a cheap Schneider to pair with the fm lens module, total cost will most likely be cheaper than the finalized SLR Magic. If you have the time to wait, I think the SLR Magic will be worth the added cost - mainly for usability, but probably for image quality as well. 

Yes. It will be single focus, just like the 1.33x SLR Magic adapter.
 
Personally, if I'd have the time to wait for it, I'd say go for the SLR Magic. There is a serious company making it, they have a proven track record with the 1.33x single focusing anamorphic adapter. I've seen some really good footage come out from that one, and I expect that they won't release this one unless it performs up to par with the 1.33x.
 
There is not much information available for the maker of the FM lens adapter. It's not a proven lens company behind it, it rather seems to be a small startup shop selling it. Which means no track record of previous products, not even a website yet - just a Facebook page with a tiny bit of info.
 
The FM lens adapter will need a rail system setup to be usable, while already the prototype of the SLR Magic can be attached directly to a taking lens, which means that the finalized product will most likely be the same. That's pretty useful for usability, if you want a lightweight / smaller rig.
Also, it has not verified yet, but looking at the released footage - it seems like the FM lens adapter single focusing has a long focus throw, which might make rack focus more difficult.
 
Timeframe: it seems like the FM lens and opening of the anamorphic shop website isn't too far away. I guess the FM lens module will be ready before the SLR Magic 2x is out.
 
I'm interested in getting the FM lens module - because I have an Isco Ultrastar already. I'm not expecting wonders with that combination though. I know what sharpness my Ultrastar can achieve, and the test footage shot with that one looked weirdly soft - like it almost reached infinity focus but not entirely. Not as sharp as when I've been using Ultra star + normal taking lenses. This could be an issue due to the test setup or not, hard to tell. Judging by the tests by anamorphic shop themselves, it seems like the Schneider is a good choice for pairing with the fm lens module at least.
 
If you can find a cheap Schneider to pair with the fm lens module, total cost will most likely be cheaper than the finalized SLR Magic. If you have the time to wait, I think the SLR Magic will be worth the added cost - mainly for usability, but probably for image quality as well. 

Aouch.

On the lighter side, it's probably a great offering to Neptune!

Aouch.

On the lighter side, it's probably a great offering to Neptune!

Hey guys
 
Just stopping in to show you my latest short.
 
GH4 anamorphic
 

 
a lack of color film
 
shot and directed by me.
 
"spring. a time of phenomenal renewal; she re-awakens from the depths of her winter slumber, dripping the essence of new life in an untouched world. a closer look into the new spring/summer 2015 collection by lack of color hats"
 
www.lackofcolor.com.au

Some various shots using the awesome FF58 and other with a Voigt 50 1.5 (@2.8) together with the SLR Anamorphot.  Yes the low light ability is pretty insane on the camera, I wish I brought my Ninja Blade to record the footage though.  Hard to pack everything while on vacation since, you're supposed to be on vacation lol.  I hope there will be a 4:3 mode for 2X anamorphic on this camera one day...we can wish  :)
 

My name is Cosimo Murgolo born in Italy on the 5 of september 1970, I am a flight attendant with a strong passion in music  video and travelling 
I am a happy family man of 5 kids and live by the lake Maggiore no far from Milan.
I started as video maker years ago, but I still  need to learn a lot, I am also involved into experimental electro music.
I play acoustic and electric guitar in the free time.
My favorite guitarists are  Robert Fripp , Jimi hendrix ecc ecc
I love anamorphic lens but I still have to learn a lot. I own a sankor 16d, an isco animex s8/2x and a schneider cinelux bought recently.
I am a happy owner of a 5Dmark iii which i bought last summer and I own different vintage prime lens.
Mine is just a hobby, but I would like to do some short movie and other stuff to earn some money.
I own a macbook pro  from 2009 where I struggle to edit my short video, I use AE , premiere pro, but i would like to use resolve da vinci.
At the moment I cannot afford a new computer so I have to wait and save some money.
I spend a lot of my time read and learn from this forum.
Thank you all.

It takes two clicks to find comurits real name.

It's good to be cautious, there's no need to be paranoid and start accusing people.

There hasn't been any mention of sending money in advance. It's still just a list with people that are interested. This could work perfectly without sending money in advance by the way.

Material & production cost is not everything. You really have to count the time and effort needed to manufacture a unique product.

I wouldn't spend countless of hours making something custom as this. I'd rather pay a price premium for the time and effort someone else has put into making the product, since I don't have the time to do such customizations myself.

Same thing with the Dog Schidt Optiks lenses I bought. I could probably spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to mount Helios lenses to my Nikon camera and find some really cheap Helioses in auctions. But DSO lenses were affordable enough that I rather pay for someone else having spent time to figure out a solution ready-made for me (besides the other custom options provided by DSO).

When it comes to my Ultrastar, it's pretty much lying in the shelf, useless since I can't be arsed with the alignment and dual focusing. This product would finally make it useful. Of course, I'd rather see that the price is as low enough as possible, but I can still understand that for a custom unique product like this - there has to be some kind of price premium for the effort that went into making this.

Ah come on. And if he is involved or not, who cares. Let's not accuse each other. Such a small community here, don't kill it.

WTF Andy, why? Because he has a point on your business?
 
How do you know this FM lens is cheap to manufature? Nobody has seen it in real life.
 
And does the price matter? The maker can ask whatever he wants, even if it costs only $5 to make.

FM Lens  test with Isco Ultra-Star 2x anamorphic

I have an A6000 and although I find the AVCHD codec quality is very good in most normal scenes when you have a central subject, in other shots when there is a ton of high-frequency information AND a lot of motion in the scene sometimes the compression can't keep up.  Here are some examples:
 
Shot #1 - central subject, light camera and subject motion, not a ton of high-frequency detail in the scene.  Don't see much in the way of compression artifacts.
 

 
Shot #2 - lots of high-frequency detail but shot is fairly static.  Pretty decent detail, don't see a lot of compression artifacts.
 

 
 
Shot #3 - subject in motion, camera in motion, lots of high-frequency detail in the background.  Although sometimes it's hard to distinguish motion blur from compression artifacts here (I'm shooting at 1/50), there are some noticeable compression artifacts on the trees, the subject's t-shirt, and the edge of the subject against the background.
 

 
 
I'm curious if recording the raw HDMI output with the Ninja Star would eliminate these artifacts.

For those of you who are still sceptical about focus module, next video test is going to be with the Isco Ultra star coming soon, and later test Kowa B&H later.
I have also asked about their website shop, the answer:
 
The webpage is in the building process
 
We are releasing just the second of our product. And we are more concentrated in doing that.
However we  are developing the idea how it should look
Our ambition is after the release of FM Lens make Anamorphic Shop Web live
 
Stay tuned!
Thanks!

It seems that this really is the best stills/video hybrid on the market right now. Just found a great review from England No.1 Wedding Photographer Ross Harvey: http://www.rossharvey.com/reviews/nikon-d750-review
He says that he will use D3s as a backup body for stills from now on.
 
EDIT: Btw Andrew, it would be nice to see some anamorphic footage from D750 if possible.

I have just asked anamorphic shop on facebook if I will encounter any problems using the first version of schnieder, the answer is..... no!!!
FM lens is designed to be used with schneider I,II, and many others