raf702

Some sexy pictures from Proxiscope user.

Hey guys, I wanted to share this rehousing mod I made recently for my Iscorama 36.

It's a replacement for a front piece of old plastic housing, that is made of anodized aluminum and has cine gears, retaining 72mm front filter threads and adding just 50 grams of weight.
It took me quite some time to figure out this design and I'm pretty proud of it! It solves some real-world problems like close-focus, enabling you to focus down to 1.1m, but unlike DIY mode it has a hard stop at 1.1m and infinity, and looks way nicer then a grub screw drilled into a hole. 

I made a little video explaining what it is, since after I posted this on facebook people started asking what it does and what are the specs, and asking how to buy one. https://www.dropbox.com/s/wd1w620ddxnv2je/proxiscope.pdf?dl=0

I have decided to order a small batch of these, and already placed an order at one of the shops that does the first stage of the milling. I will make another video showing a closeup process of swapping the housings, so people can evaluate the effort and see if the price (which will be announced at the same time) is right for them. This is intended as a do-it-at-home kind of mod, but you can also take it to the nearest photo technician and they'd be able to do it for you, it's a simple process that takes 3-5 minutes to perform.
I also made a PDF with some specs, you can find it here. https://www.dropbox.com/s/wd1w620ddxnv2je/proxiscope.pdf?dl=0

If you're interested in getting one – shoot me a message and we'll figure it out, there's a little queue forming already

I was lucky enough to grab a Proxiscope from Max as soon as it became available...he had previously sent me his prototype to do a test fitting on my DIY close focus modded pre-36 iscorama. Here follows my review after using it for a few weeks...
Full Disclosure:
Although I was graciously approached by max to test out his prototype, I did not take up on the kind offer of a discount in the purchase price of the final housing. This was due to me wanting to give an honest review, as well as back someone who was going to add a great partial rehousing option to those with iscorama 36 lenses. Therefore my review is from the perspective of a regular customer.
I am very happy to report that the Proxiscope housing works flawlessly, not only with MC and pre-36 models- but with lenses that have already been DIY modified (cutting/ shaving stopper and body to allow grub screw stopper to be inserted for new stop etc). This is possible due to the proxiscope locking metal collar that completely bypasses the original plastic section and the front section having an integrated relocated metal stopper. The ingenious design allows the new front to enable the same close-focus ability as the DIY mod, but in a MUCH more elegant and reassuring way. No longer is the fear that the grub screw will work loose and let the rama front go smashing to the ground for example. The integrated focus gear to the design is much better than any third-party gear ring, as those never quite conform properly to the isco's tapered front.
The anodised finish of the Proxiscope is very complimentary to the original isco design as it does not spoil the classic look with obnoxious bulges or with added weight that then restricts it to rail mounting. Focus markings are clear and are denoted in meters, I think feet measurements are also an option. The Proxiscope comes in a nice wooden box, with all the tools needed to install, with easy to follow video instructions to be found on YouTube. Installation takes about 4 mins and can be 100% reversible to original factory condition.
In a world where everyone wants something for free, some may question the price. These people need to take just a second to consider the design time, R&D testing and small-run costs of getting anything of quality made these days. Also the fact that the current cost of a Tokina +0.4 combined with a decent focus gear will run you a comparable amount - without actually giving you the benefit of an 'in-body' solution that the Proxiscope does...Oh, and it's under half the price of the cheapest VD rehousing mod (that you have to wait 90 days+ for!).
So, all in all...a very impressive product that massively improves the practicality of using iscorama 36 lens types for modern film making whilst still maintaining the isco's classic look and light weight. Rehousing is solidly built with clear instructions for installation. Fully compatible with 'factory' iscorama 36 lens types...as well as those with previous DIY close-focus modded lenses.
 
 
(pic below shows slim UV filter attached - not part of Proxiscope)

Digital Bolex, such a one of a kind camera!

Awesome, I will look into that!

Not much of an upgrade here, now very curious to see what the A7SIII brings. That, or just stick with a A7RII

-4K-60fps
-1080-60/120fps; better quality
-Improved color science
-Improved S-log
-Improved face detection
-Improved IBIS
 
Not much to ask for, but would be nice improvements.

Usability, compact size. But I'm also just bias towards Iscoramas. Although wish it could be improved like closer focus distance. Other than, it's sharp enough for my liking. How much sharpness is too much for an anamorphic lens.
Might be off topic but just saw single focus solution adapter on eBay. Curious if anyone has any feedback on this. Looks pretty interesting.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Single-focus-adapter-for-ANAMORPHIC-LENS-Aivascope-Focuser-8-/292091250596?hash=item4401fec7a4%3Ag%3AMHUAAOSwIWVY-jEl&_trkparms=pageci%3Ac841b6b6-290e-11e7-aed5-74dbd1804f2b%7Cparentrq%3Aa0e372f715b0a866d9b617c1fffa56bc%7Ciid%3A10

With the option to shoot in 4:3 mode, I would take advantage of it at all times. As you don't lose any resolution when shooting anamorphic, and less post work. But anytime you shoot 16:9, you WILL have to crop in and WILL lose horizontal resolution. Unless you want to specifically retain the super wide 3.55 aspect ratio when shooting in 16:9 mode with a 2x. That's just my opinion, enjoy shooting anamorphic!

I typically use a LUT as my base line, and grade from there. I too use iwltbap LUT's, and he has good ones, some I barely have to do any further grading while others will need a bit more. Don't expect to just drop in a LUT and be done. Usually needs some work

I was very interested in this but the 1.7x crop, no internal log, 10-min 4k clips. Are my main concerns for holding off. Everything else though looks great

Budget & 4K are not things that hold any interest for me what-so-ever. If a camera doesn't deliver in ProRes, then it's a waste of time. The same goes for 4K, it's basically a cinema format that is a pipe dream for the large majority of consumers - damn, they can't even give us proper HD tv broadcasts yet!
If you're on a budget, then the Isco Widescreen 2000 is a really good option for a x1.5 - stunning glass, kinda focus through but nothing a few diopters can't solve (hard to find one now, but hey, worth the wait). The only other option is to wait for an Iscorama 54 to turn up, they are a lot cheaper than the others (people don't rate them, but they really are the best Iscorama MC or not) & it'll give you the diversity of numerous lens options, build quality & the weight you really need to film properly.
Start saving your cash, stop buying camera after camera & loosing yourself in this stupid search for perfection that doesn't exist - find the one you like right now & stick with it for a while. I'm not upgrading my BM Pocket for quite a while yet, as nothing comes close to the beautiful image quality that it produces - it's not perfect, but that IMAGE!!!!!!! If you continue to find problems with cameras, then you'll never be happy, cause there is no such thing as the perfect camera - never was, never will be.

Yup, and I prefer x1.5 any day of the week. Unless I can use a 4:3 capable camera, with x2 primes.

Yup, and I prefer x1.5 any day of the week. Unless I can use a 4:3 capable camera, with x2 primes.

Exactly, x1.5 is more than adequate & 2.66:1 is far easier to deal with.
It's only really the purists (with their cheap x2 dual focus adaptors) that advocate a x2 anamorphic, and you can only use one with a camera with a 4:3 option.

I got a bit tired of shooting with 2x and 16:9. I'm happy with a 1.5x on a 16:9, post is easy and don't need to crop the image. Find a quality 1.5x is the only hard part.

It's most likely the Isco-42, and one of the sharpest Isco lens between the 36 and 54. But has far less prominent lens flaring.

Unless you are shooting with a subtle 1.33x stretch, there are sadly not many options for shooting wider than 50mm FF on the a7s in the budget anamorphic market. 

Helios 44M is in itself not an anamorphic adapter, but is widely used in the anamorphic society as a "taking lens". People tend to pair it with the Mir-1, Jupiter 9 and Tair 11. Contax Zeiss lenses are also known to pair well with anamorphic adapters.

A good start would be to read and do your research on this forum. 

To give you a quick overview


Most common stretch factors and scopes/adapters: 

1. 1.33x - Slr Magic Anamorphot/Century optics/Optex/LA7200. You can go as wide as 28mm with the Pany LA7200. 2.37:1 aspect ratio

2. 1.5x -  Iscorama/Bolex-Möller. 58mm is usually a safe bet, but in some cases you can go wider with pancake lenses. 2.67:1 aspect ratio

3. 2x - Kowa/Schneider/Isco. 75mm+. 3.56:1 aspect ratio


 

I've been using mine with the Helios 44-2, and a pancake vintage Nikon 50mm. Both are great, the Nikon is much sharper though to me at least.

Better colors, v-log
Better low light; noise free up to ISO 3200 or 6400 
Better DR(14 stops)
10-bit 422 internal
 
I'd be in line to buy it with these specs.

Better colors, v-log
Better low light; noise free up to ISO 3200 or 6400 
Better DR(14 stops)
10-bit 422 internal
 
I'd be in line to buy it with these specs.

Lens setup was my Sigma 18-35mm, Metabones BMPCC/EF Speed Booster, Hoya IR Cut, Hoya ProND 200.

From today's shoot with the Micro in bright california sun. Still amazes me how much detail is retained, especially with all that white in the frame. This is for a client so I can't leave them up indefinitely, but for now...

Better colors, v-log
Better low light; noise free up to ISO 3200 or 6400 
Better DR(14 stops)
10-bit 422 internal
 
I'd be in line to buy it with these specs.

$7.5K plus another $1-2K for an external recorder to get 10-bit 422. Yea, I'd rather look somewhere else.