Jim Chang

You could buy the Rangefinder with Imperial markings with 77mm thread at Adorama already http://www.adorama.com/SLRRCA.html
The Rangefinder without Imperial markings is 72mm thread only and not compatible with the SLR Magic Anamorphot 1.33x-50 with 77mm thread and will not be offered to avoid confusion.

Brilliant cheers for the tips!
I'll dive into the madness of old Russian lenses then!
Hopefully we will get many tips here about these lenses for future searchers.

I think its worth doing this going from 5 ft to 3 ft i am just below 3 ft my self. and its not a big complex modification bras are still there alignment is still there its just you cut the bras shorter and you gain more. I wanted to get tokina go get down to 2 to 3 ft. But i now have no really need for tokina now and save 600$

I'm definitely doing this edge blackening on the next few days! Great thread, these DIY things are awesome and I miss them more in our community. Thanks for sharing, James! 

Hey, so this is my first post, I've just entered the whole DIY budget anamorphic scene, I recently managed to get my hands on the 1.5x isco widescreen 2000 for a good price and it's actually a really nice image... But as we all know the focussing (or lack of) is a pain, it has a small throw which you can do with the taking lens but not enough to allow any sort of freedom. Obviously the solution is a rangefinder or fm module but I like to get creative before I empty my pockets.
I realise that those expensive solutions are just variable diopters and it seemed odd to me that no one has needed this kind of solution before in the history of focussing lenses (anamorphic or not) so I searched a few different terms and found that something like it does/did exist!
variable close up lens - http://ebay.to/1Os2ORH
This wouldn't do the job for me but there must be more like it and perhaps with a longer focus throw? Anyone know any more about this or had similar thoughts?

The Rangefinder with Near/Normal ring is a genuine SLR Magic Rangefinder. We have launched the product for sale in Hong Kong only at the moment.
It has 72mm rear filter thread and does not work with the SLR Magic Anamorphot 1.33x-50 and 2,0x-50 that well with a step-down ring.
Owners of the Anamorphot should look for the 77mm version of the Rangefinder with (Imperial) witness markings.

Hey. So I've contacted SLR magic, and they confirmed that these units are currently being sold in Hong Kong only. They will come to US and EU 'later this year', supposedly November. They will cost $299 in US, and around that or more in EU.
So the one that I've bought is not a copy, but a genuine thing. 
Rapido, I've just contacted that seller, he told me he has one more item, asme without the marks and is willing to sell it to me for $500 flat. If you really want one I guess we can arrange a deal when he will ship both adapters to me (Ukraine) and I will then send yours to you (assuming you're in LA) via meest express.
Or you can pay $100 more and get it from Adorama. It will have imperial markings, and costs $599, without shipping. 

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, :-) 

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

Finderscope rings + lens collar + 15mm rail baseplate = a total of $71 with shipping...an affordable solution for big projection lenses.  I just picked up a second B&L as a backup or possibly to do this mod, or maybe for two-camera coverage someday.  The seller has four more at a very reasonable price.  I am in no way affiliated with the seller, nor do I know their condition (seller claims they're good)...just floating it out there if anyone interested in dabbling with a B&L.
Cheers,
|. . | .|

My Orion clamps arrived today.  I was worried that they might be a little too small.  I removed the red B&L ring and slid one over and it fits snugly between the retaining ring and the focus ring.  So snugly in fact nylon screws may not even be necessary.

I noticed when I slid the red retaining ring back on & tightened it (until it locked with the focus ring), I was able to turn the focus well past the minimum 50ft distance mark. A couple posts above you can see the focus marks on both the black and silver models.  In the picture above I've screwed the focus so far down that it completely covers all the focus markings.  I'm curious to see what the resulting min. focus distance will be.
I wanted to attach the second Orion ring to the 77.35mm section (see measurements picture in previous post) but the nylon screws are about 1.5mm too short to get a solid purchase.  I can probably do a little sanding at the base of each screws to get the rest of the way, or try to find longer screws.  Alternately, I could attach the second ring to the 85.10mm section of the barrel: 

But I want the stabilization points to be farther apart along the body of the lens.  So I ordered a cheap lens collar:

Which should give the perfect fit.  Then I can fasten the Orion ring & the Canon collar to a 15mm baseplate, and it will be good to go.  Once my Xetron XA arrives I'll probably use the 2nd Orion ring (and pick up another Canon collar and 15mm baseplate) for that, so that each lens has its own dedicated support.
If you need a support solution a big honking anamorphic lens, you should consider the Orion clamps.  They'll fit anything from 105mm down to 80mm in diameter.  They are heavy duty and inexpensive.
Cheers,
|. . | .|

I had a chance to unpack my recently-acquired Bausch & Lomb and poke at it.  Here are my caliper measurements of diameters, accurate to within +/- 0.1mm


Here I've unscrewed the focus ring (note the the looooooooong barrel thread):


At the top you can see there's some space between the lip of the front element housing and the main housing (green arrow).  I'm wonder if loosening the screw (other green arrow) allows the front housing to be pushed down.  From the Anamorphic Lens-cyclopedia: The lens can be set to closer than the minimum focus of 50 feet by turning it past this setting and pushing the front element housing down to its maximum depth within the lens body. [source].
With luck this may allow focusing closer than 12ft, which is the lens' reported minimum focus distance.  It's also reported that it the B&L can use lenses as wide as 35mm on a micro 4/3 sensor without vignetting. Once I have all the support pieces assembled, I'm looking forward to testing the minimum focus & vignetting with my MIR 1B 37mm.
The B&L's weight is reported as approximately 8 pounds...by far the heaviest in the Lens-cyclopedia.  So for support I'm going fasten these finderscope rings to a DSLR mounting plate, then affix the B&L, and put it on rails (basically my variation of the Tecnoir support rig, which doesn't appear to be available anymore).
More info to come.
Cheers,
|. . | .|

As much as hard data like weight, dimensions, modifications etc would add value to this thread, specific caveats like optical imperfections are also useful. Could you link to some clips that illustrate the uneven glass? Do you mean anamorphic "mumps"?

Do not buy these useless beasts. They are too stubborn and clumsy. My Rectimascop 64/2X is sitting on the shelf looking all stupid at me.

Also, for general information, for free, you can check my blog at www.tferradans.com/anamorphic

Check out the listing for Sankor 16D in the Lens-cyclopedia for info.  If you search these forums for 'Sankor 16D' you will no doubt find a lot of useful info!
Redstan is an option, excellent quality but pricey,  Jim Chang just posted about his new Rapido Technology products, and I myself have been playing around with finderscope rings.  Normally used for telescopes, less precision, but sturdy and affordable if you dig around for a good deal.

Yep, they are heavy suckers.  Looks like you've got a custom (PVC?) rear housing on that one?
I'm definitely interested in re-housing the B&L (another reason I picked up a spare), though I'm not sure what the best approach is.  And beyond my bandwidth for the short term but I imagine one could cut the weight by half if the right materials were used.  If you have any thoughts/ideas on re-housing, please share!

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. 

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. :-)

Nice work Jim.

I echo that sentiment, fantastic product!  And nice collection of anamorphics!

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

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. :-)