Jim Chang

One thing that Rapido Clamp different from other clamps, is that Rapido clamp can be reused for different combination of anamorphic lens & taking lens, just get a new step down ring (10$-15$) for connecting to the anamorphic lens, and a step up ring (5$) for connecting to a different taking lens. Say, you have KOWA-16H, then the step down ring is part 0115 over here: http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/customized-step-up-down-rings/adapter-for-kowa-lens/kowa-8z-16h, but if you have KOWA for B&H, you only need to get a new step down ring (part 0100) over here: http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/customized-step-up-down-rings/adapter-for-kowa-lens/kowa-for-bell-howell, then you are good to go, no need to purchase a new clamp. So if you plan to invest in anamorphic shooting, Rapido clamp is future proof, and that's all the reason why I develop these clamps, cause I collect more than 50 anamorphic lenses, and they are all different from each other. See the list of Rapido clamp supported anamorphic lenses: http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/customized-step-up-down-rings Btw, if you have larger anamorphic lens, needs rail support, you can check my V2 clamp, which has additional features comparing to V1 clamp: http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/rapido-anamorphic-lens-clamps-with-rail-support Cheers, Jim Rapido

Btw, sliding V2 clamp with anamorphic lens on a rail is possible, so changing taking lens can be quickly done. People asked about how solid is the V2 clmap. I tried HIFI-2 (3.48lb), Bauch & Lomb attachment I (3.68lb), Bell & Hewell (6.49lb), See picture of holding them with the clamp on the rail. My tripod mount start titling when mounting the Bell & Hewell, but the clamp is still showing no sign of deflecting. When playing with this clamp, I realize it could be also used as a handheld arm for holding the anamorphic lens & the camera together, just like the director view finder, see the picture below of KOWA 35mm anamorphic lens, Rokinon 85mm and GH4 held together by the V2 clamp. It is coming, it will be a dedicated variable diopter, which is optimized for the modded lens, but it has standard thread size, not 75mm for sure, you can reuse it for other anamorphic lens, but result is not guaranteed.

The mod project still going on, I am working on the front variable diopter solution now. The Modded lens will be mounted in the V2 clamp with dedicated variable diopter in the front. :-)

More info at: http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/rapido-anamorphic-lens-clamps-with-rail-support Thanks,

You would need a real solid lens rail support for sure, for this type of experiment, check my new V2 clamp with rail support, :-) http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/rapido-anamorphic-lens-clamps-with-rail-support

Shortening the distance between the front & rear anamorphic lens will not only change your squeeze ratio, but you will loose infinity for longer focal length taking lens, because you have changed the afocal arrangement in the original design. You have to be very careful in picking your taking lens. Adding diopter in the front is more universal. :-)

Finally got some new products out by this year. When busy with the Rapido Mod project, realize I would need a real solid clamp for adapting larger anamorphic lenses. Thus, here comes the Clamp V2 with rail support. This clamp is designed based on the original M67-M77 verion of the clamp with additional features: 1: Anti-slip feature, the front of the clamp has standard 82mm male thread, and a lock ring is screw on to prevent the anamorphic lens from fall off during adjustment 2: Rail support feature, the external ring is connected to a beam, which can be assembled with standard 15mm rail based lens support bracket, like the one from Neewer, to provide rail support of the anamorphic lens. 3: Additional mounting options, the external ring has multiple standard M4 screw holes, which can be used for mounting additional accessories, like monitors, and etc. 4: Fast & easy change of anamorphic lens or taking lens, loosen the lock ring and three screws, the anamorphic lens is ready to be slide off from the clamp. Changing another taking lens is possible without readjusting the front anamorphic lens, just loosing the lens support bracket, and unscrew the taking lens from the camera, then you can screw in another taking lens to the clamp, and carefully locate the lens mount into camera. 5: Compatible with your existing step down/up rings, you can reuse existing step down/up rings, and pair them with this clamp. Say, you purchased a package before from us for your KOWA B&H lens, all you need is the V2 clamp to work with your KOWA and taking lens. No additional purchase needed. Following is the setup process using Rokinon 85mm as taking lens, pair with Hypergonar H.F. 2X anamorphic lens on GH4 camera: Step 1: screw the correct step up ring on the taking lens Step 2: screw the external ring onto the taking lens Step 3: assemble the rail support onto the external ring, having the beam pointing down Step 4: attach the lock ring onto the anamorphic lens Step 5: screw the step down ring onto the anamorphic lens Step 6: secure the camera on the rail Step 7: attach the rail support to the Lens Support Bracket Mount Clamp from Neewer Step 8: slide the anamorphic lens from front, and screw the lock ring onto the external ring Step 9: adjust the orientation of the anamorphic lens by rotating the anamorphic lens Step 10: lock down the anamorphic lens by tighten three M4 screws

The entrance pupil diameter affects the calculated f number of the lens (not necessary the measured T stop value though), which indicates how much light the lens can pass through theoretically. If you have a smaller entrance pupil, you will have less light passing through, and less abberations (that's why usually stop down your taking lens, will increase sharpness). Using shorter focal length taking lens means larger depth of field, which can tolerance more abberations, that's why it could be a little bit sharper, but shorter focal length also means wider angle of view, which increases the chance to have more abberations, and vignetting. So, first thing is to make sure your shorter focal length taking lens is very sharp when wide open. That's my taken from Brian's comment. :-). Please correct me if I am wrong.

I have a new housing, which has rim groove inside to reduce the reflection.... :-) Customized machining, material: AL_7072. it's tricky to pull the glass out though.

Thanks, Ian. Hi, Elgabogomez, Check this link here for the setup of your Kowa 16S using Rapido Adapter: http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/customized-step-up-down-rings/adapter-for-kowa-lens/kowa-16s The differences between Rapido Adapter and Redstan Adapters are: 1): You could reuse the main adapter for other anamorphic lenses if you have, just get customized step-down ring to match the rear thread of other anamorphic lens. Usually the step-down ring is between 15$-5$. 2): Quick processing/shipping time, I usually ship from Los Angeles in 2-3 days if I have parts in stock. :-) 3): Quick customer support, you can always find me on Facebook by searching rapido.technologies@gmail.com. I will verify every details, before shipping the adapter to you, just to make sure you will get what you need. 4): Customization is possible: if you have some special requirement, I can modify the existing adapter to meet your need. Btw, there is a recent review video from Tito about my adapter, check the link below: https://rapidotechnology.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/rapido-adapters-is-reviewed-by-tito-ferradans/ I also have some pictures to show you how the system works: https://rapidotechnology.wordpress.com/2015/11/15/pictures-from-recent-customers/ Please let me know if anything that I can help. :-) Jim Chang Rapido Technology

I was banned there too. In one day.... :-(

You can check my link here, I think I can help you on that: http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/customized-step-up-down-rings/adapter-for-kowa-lens/kowa-8z-16h Thanks, Jim Chang

it looks to me the lens got a hit on that corner, and one of the doublet starts separating....and at the same time, a part of the glass got shuttered. You have to replace the doublet...which is the most expensive piece in this front anamorphic unit, I am sure they are using the achromatic ones...with that OD, you are talking about pretty significant $$$...without considering the man power spent on repair. Good luck...

Beautiful....

They just come up with a version for IPAD, and for 37mm mount. Looks very interesting.

thanks, I will wait for the $299 one at Nov, I should be able to buy it from Adorama by then, right? I assume.

I saw nofilmschool recently has a post on varying aspect ratios in recently new films, I guess it's a way to be different, And it's better serve the story visually. Taylor wants you to focus on her music, not image, that's what I can tell when I watched that video on my tiny iPhone 5 screen. :-)

I dig some history about those lenses: those type I lens are the B&L improvement of the French Hyperginar designs, but still has quite a lot aberrations, especially the mump and breathing problem, I wouldn't cut them in half and adjust the distance between front and rear glass, this not only changes the squeeze ratio, but also increases the chance of getting none-concentric alignment between front and rear glass. I will take out the glass completely, and make a new housing, a lighter one, and use external device for adjusting focus. Its a little bid heavy lifting...Probably only for the people who pursue unique looks out of this lens, people like me, :-) I wil share more when I am done with this mod, :-)

thanks, Bold, the only thing is it's weight, I am trying to rehousing some of the bigger anamorphic projection lens now, just to cut its weight, btw, the glass is gorgeous in those bigger lens. I recently got a Gaumont males projection lens, super sharp image and big rear glass OD>100mm. I love it. Working on an adapter to get closer focus now. :-) i guess I can shoot 70mm using that lens. Just like Quentin did in his "the heightful eight", :-) btw, I actually got two of these lens, :-) ready to jump in for this mod.

Here is the picture of a Isco lens connected through the adapter, http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/customized-step-up-down-rings/adapter-for-isco-lens/isco-iscomorphot-16-2x I do have plan to post pictures & videos, to show the entire package of cameras, taking lens, adapter and anamorphic lens for each setup, and comparison of lens performance and character in a controlled environment. Stay tuned. In terms of the strength of the adapter, I will show you some design data, or maybe FEA analysis result later. From my personal experience, I never had a broken adapter happened, even under many shoot & run situations. Thanks again for the comments. Cheers

Hi, Bold, thanks, I spent quite $$$ on collecting those lenses, so I treasure them a lot...I am trying to get all the Iscorama lenses now...one is shipping from Germany now, it takes 4 weeks already, hope to get it sooner. :-)

More details on difference vs. Vid-Atlantic & Redstan Difference to Vid-Atlantic: 1: Better concentric alignment 2: No tightening mark on the anamorphic lens 3: Faster, quicker and more repeatable realignment, which means you can switch between your anamorphic lenses faster....and quicker....like a pro Difference to Redstan: 1: No need to have different adapter for different anamorphic lens, just use the same base adapter (M55-M67 version or M67-M77 version), and find the customized step-down rings, and you are done. I found this very helpful if I want to quickly change different lenses during shots. 2: Cheaper solution, One base adapter plus customized step-down rings is much affordable comparing to customized adapter for each anamorphic lens Difference to Both Redstan & Vid-Atlantic: 1: Easy to followed instruction with illustrations on how to adapt, see this for example: http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/customized-step-up-down-rings/adapter-for-bolex-moller-lens/bolex-moller-anamorphot-16-32-1-5x Hope now it clears. Thanks, Jim

Difference to Vid-Atlantic: 1: Better concentric alignment 2: No tightening mark on the anamorphic lens 3: Faster, quicker and more repeatable realignment, which means you can switch between your anamorphic lenses faster....and quicker....like a pro Difference to Redstan: 1: No need to have different adapter for different anamorphic lens, just use the same base adapter (M55-M67 version or M67-M77 version), and find the customized step-down rings, and you are done. I found this very helpful if I want to quickly change different lenses during shot. 2: Cheaper solution, One base adapter plus customized step-down rings is much affordable comparing to customized adapter for each anamorphic lens Difference to Both Redstan & Vid-Atlantic: 1: Easy to followed instruction with illustrations on how to adapt, see this for example: http://www.rapidotechnology.com/products-services/customized-step-up-down-rings/adapter-for-bolex-moller-lens/bolex-moller-anamorphot-16-32-1-5x Hope now it clears. Thanks, Jim

Hi, All, Over the years, I have collected many anamorphic projection lenses for my own video projects and experiment. But I have always been puzzled by adapting anamorphic projection lens to my taking lenses, even though I tried every type of adapter that I can buy, but I am still not fully satisfied. So I developed the Rapido Anamorphic Lens Adapter. Please check it out at www.rapidotechnology.com Basically, the adapter offers: 1. a better concentric alignment 2. a more stable connection 3. a repeatable alignment: use the marker on the side of the inner ring for quick alignment 4. a reusable and more flexible solution: for different anamorphic lenses, just find the customized step-down ring, and connect to your existing Rapido Anamorphic Adapter, and you are done. No need different, some time hard to find adapter, for each of your anamorphic lens 5. a simple and easy online instruction with illustrations, to show you how to adapt each anamorphic lens at: www.rapidotechnology.com Even though I tried to include all the anamorphic lens that I can find, but I know there are still some are left out, please let me know if you have some anamorphic lens you like to adapt, I typically finish design/manufacturing in 2-3 weeks. Hope you will like it. Thanks, Jim Chang

This is an awesome adaption, love it. :-), I have a couple of big lens similar to this one, I will try the same method. :-)