Hans Punk

    Ha!...yes, I simply unscrewed the front element which was simple enough then I removed the rear optic with a trusty hacksaw. I carefully cut the rear of the barrel off, just before the glass insert - leaving the rear optic flush with the outer tube.   Then I had two optics to play with and mount at a shorter distance to allow closer focus. I was going into this knowing that infinity would be lost...I was just after the shallow look, but with a more controllable close focus.   Before I went all 'Dexter' I checked that I had some brass tube stock so I could rebuild in case it all went horribly wrong. I acquired this x2 a while back for dirt cheap, it is probably a 5/10 condition...not a sacred flawless example by any means.   I think that with a longer bodied rehousing there would be a way of covering 2 feet to infinity...but I'm definitely happy with having it as a portrait/detail only lens. I wanted something super portable that would intercut with my Lomo footage for closeups...it seems to have a very complimentary look. And it is awesome not having to mess around with diopters.

Update!   Got me thinking...I always wanted a portrait/closeup only anamorphic. So I removed the optics from the iscomorphot and inserted into a Helios body, allowing min focus of 2feet (without diopters)...max focus of 15ft.   This in effect is moving the fixed focus forward to be optimised for a more useful range, whilst being able to control the DOF using duel focus.This setup is configured to screw on top of another Helios, acting as the taking lens.        

Bet they hooked up an Xbox when the Cruise was not around.

Sounds similar to my solution...I already had an old Helios extension tube and a the clamp from the iscomorphot's stand. I just epoxied the two together,it allows me to drop the back end really close to many taking lenses, nice and simple. A quick buff of all metal parts...makes it all looks classy :)   Great thing is that just one single nylon screw is enough to keep it tightly in place.   

It looks almost identical to my Kowa Inflight 35...a lovely lump with superb quality. So my guess is it could be 1.75x

GH2 may have had it's crown knocked off today :)   http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera/techspecs

Looks great, many thanks for the info.

@QuickHitRecord - Apologies if you have already covered this in a previous post, but where did you get the rod clamps for the square fronts? I have a LOMO 35NAS4-10 front anamorphic attachment on it's way, and am trying to work out the best way to build a support system.

Bit of a Twin Peaks vibe going on there...like it.

@JohnBarlow - The only barrel distortion I have seen so far is when using a 35mm taking lens, even then it is not too much of an issue.I will do some more scientific tests soon...when I can escape the house for an hour or two.   In the mean time here is a 'Slightly' more interesting test this time using a furry friend.   I'm still curious as to the close focus and wide open performance of this KOWA...as close and sharp seems to always be hard to achieve with anamorphic without strong diopters. This test was using the good old TOKINA +0.4 without any post sharpening to the image. I'm pretty impressed that the results, I look forward to shooting some better example footage soon. Minimum focus Shot wide open at F2 on Helios 44 taking lens, distance approx 2 feet, focus on eyes. @ 2mins:22secs, the sharpest pull of the eye highlights can be seen.   https://vimeo.com/62690537

Rich allowed me into his secret 'Dog Schidt lab' recently and I must say that the effort and and craftsmanship he has invested into each individual lens is incredible.   They are a perfect partner for anamorphic shooters who would like to bring back a more organic/filmic feel to their images, as well as allow stylised stills to be composed 'in camera' - without the need of heavy post processing.   The retro 'look' is everywhere, but these lenses actually take it back to good old 'in camera' capture, allowing happy accidents and unpredictable results that is more honest to conventional photography I think. When used as a taking lens for anamorphic, they can create enhanced flares that you would never expect possible, as well as mimic x2 bokeh blur on a 1.33x lens if you choose that option....amazing!

Looks very nice.

Damn, you the man.   Cheers Tony, I really appreciate the info.

Fascinating stuff Tony.   Those were the days when they were not too concerned about scrimping on component weight vs fuel cost, that projector must have weighed a bloody ton!   My Kowa is relatively compact for such a large rear element, not too heavy. It also has a knurled and chunky retaining ring towards the front to tighten the focus into a set position, I presume to stop drift during bumpy landings?!   [sharedmedia=core:attachments:450][attachment=455:2.jpg][attachment=454:1.jpg]   *In last two pics some PVC tape is wrapped around focal markings and lens face to create protection when the 'tools are out'   What was curious was that the brass guide tabs which orientate the internal assembly were at least 1-2mm off alignment axis, rendering sharp focus at any distance impossible. No sign of tampering or repair on the factory screws holding them in place that I could see...the actual lineup holes for the screws were all over the place!   I wonder if the good condition is due to it being a reject and never passing quality control...or being returned from a company after they could not resolve sharp focus?   I've fixed the tabs now and have obtained sharps through the range. I also shortened them slightly to obtain closer focus of approx 40 inches from the original 5 feet   I'll probably post some more interesting footage when I can, as the quality of this lens is pretty superb.

  Great info, thanks Tony.   Fortunately it looks like this one had seen very little active service, as the optics are excellent.   But I did wonder why it was delivered with a piece of audiotape marked 'IPCRESS' at the bottom of the box. The blood and sweat seemed to come off nicely with some Caloclear.

  Your eyes are good....yes, warp stabilise was used as I only had a crappy £19 monopod that day which did not quite work as well as it should. Flares are always a killer for any kind of tracking/stabilise software, as they are semi transparent, shape shifting beasts that have a parallax shift of there own speed/ direction which the tracking algorithms tend to either ignore or latch on to which can create an invalid track/stabilise. This video has the settings whacked stupidly high to have a floaty feel, but yeah...the bouncing flares kind of kill the effect :)

Got my grubby mitts on a Kowa 1.75X and have been pretty impressed with the results so far. Minimum focus seems to be 40 inches without diopter.   I am currently re-aligning the optic assembly so that proper sharpness can be obtained, then re-setting the focus ring to engage properly (sounds scary, but it's a lovely and simple design that even I can understand...*smash)   - Boring & ugly footage I know, it was intended to test overall sharpness of minimum focus and low light performance F2 - F2.8 without diopter. I could not move the camera very much, as I had to hold the glass together temporarily whilst I carried out the tests for repair.   *edit - sorry for the nasty iphone flare, was to check orientation I promise.   This video is intended to put some Kowa Inflight 1.75X content out there, as when I searched the web, there was next to no footage to be found...I wonder if this is a bit of a rare beasty?   https://vimeo.com/62406792

I forgot to post this before, here is a few shots from the 'Super' Trumpet setup that Rich fixed up for me!...   http://vimeo.com/59880509

I agree too....I recently picked one up (Iscomorphot 8/2x) for just over £40 in decent condition. put it on a Helios 44 with diopters and you have a very sassy x2 fixed focus for portraits or medium distance use. The shallow depth of field is a wonder to behold! I bought it, then realised it was the same as the type in the Isco shootout video...made me very happy, that video is so nice.

Sorry for the late reply...If you are still looking, I agree that the Kinotehnik looks like a great match for the fs700. Really good review here:   https://vimeo.com/45198287

Thanks guys!...item now sold.

Me have a Cinepro 16c lens for sale in good condition (Same as Sankor)...   http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251239223086?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

I can only vouch for the Zacuto EVF, and for me it is superb.   Very lightweight and great battery life and has some great customizable aspect options, including preset Anamorphic un-squeeze for 1.33 /1.5/ 2x.   I have the 'Flip' model, which s great for both close and near-distant monitoring, as the attached loop can be flipped out of the way of the LCD. I could be wrong, but I think that this is probably the most compact thing out there that can be used as an eyepiece-only configuration for a shoulder rig...at least in the 'lower' price range.   This may be of interest...but looks like they are having a re-think on releasing anytime soon.   http://store.redrockmicro.com/EVF

  I am the client & now friend.   Richard has done such a great job on repairing this lens that I think he has easily earnt free hire whenever he wants - like shared custody of a little child made of...errr....glass :)   I already own a Century that he brilliantly rehoused to an enclosed 28mm OM to make a very slick 'One-Piece' lens. His workmanship and knowledge is top notch (but anyone on this forum probably know that already).