Jump to content

Iscorama-Anamorphot 1.5x - 49 MC?


Barney909
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi all,

Has anyone come across one of these before, I can't seem to find out anything about this lens?

Front markings are ISCO-GÖTTINGEN ISCORAMA - ANAMORPHOT 1.5x - 49 MC.

It has the the same front and rear element diameters as a 54. However this one has a 72mm rear mounting thread, and instead of buttons, has the same alignment mechanism as the 42.

I haven't been able to test it yet, thinking of hacking together a UV filter mount. In the meantime does anyone have any more info on this lens?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Thank you!

DSCF7216.jpg

 

DSCF7218.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

EOSHD Pro Color 5 for Sony cameras EOSHD Z LOG for Nikon CamerasEOSHD C-LOG and Film Profiles for All Canon DSLRs
7 hours ago, SigurdW said:

That looks very similar to the Iscorama 42:
 ISCORAMA%2042.jpg?height=320&width=276


49 probably stands for the size of the rear element. 

I guess its really sharp and veeeeery rare and expensive.

 

 

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andrew has a weird/rare single focus x2 Isco Anamorphic, so Isco did make a few made to measure lenses it would seem.

So is this a 54 housed in a smaller body? But the 49 name would suggest that the rear element is 49mm & not 54.

Whatever you've got, it is rare & if it is as sharp as the 42, the OP has got a very nice lens indeed - none of this plastic 36 housing shit, that makes you too scared to take it outside.

Flares be damned, it's the out of focus qualities that are the important thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ISCO only manufactured a couple of examples of this lens. And they were never released commercially.

It has a 49mm rear element diameter and a 95mm front filter thread. Which does beg the question as to why it was produced in the first place, given that the size and weight are pretty much identical to the Iscorama 54, and its successors, the ISCO 16:9 Video Attachment (1.33x) and the ISCO 16:9 Video Attachment I (1.42x).

I've got a little stash of rare ISCO stuff, including one of the prototypes for the original 1967 Iscorama (all metal construction and a 67mm filter thread). So if you are ever interested in parting with your special find, I'd certainly make you an offer.

And treat your lens carefully, because it's a little bit of German optical history...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, brera100 said:

ISCO only manufactured a couple of examples of this lens. And they were never released commercially.

It has a 49mm rear element diameter and a 95mm front filter thread. Which does beg the question as to why it was produced in the first place, given that the size and weight are pretty much identical to the Iscorama 54, and its successors, the ISCO 16:9 Video Attachment (1.33x) and the ISCO 16:9 Video Attachment I (1.42x).

I've got a little stash of rare ISCO stuff, including one of the prototypes for the original 1967 Iscorama (all metal construction and a 67mm filter thread). So if you are ever interested in parting with your special find, I'd certainly make you an offer.

And treat your lens carefully, because it's a little bit of German optical history...

Respect! That's so neat, man! Would you care to share details if I contacted you directly? I wanna start upgrading the Lens-yclopedia soon, and these historical things would be cool to add!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, brera100 said:

ISCO only manufactured a couple of examples of this lens. And they were never released commercially.

It has a 49mm rear element diameter and a 95mm front filter thread. Which does beg the question as to why it was produced in the first place, given that the size and weight are pretty much identical to the Iscorama 54, and its successors, the ISCO 16:9 Video Attachment (1.33x) and the ISCO 16:9 Video Attachment I (1.42x).

I've got a little stash of rare ISCO stuff, including one of the prototypes for the original 1967 Iscorama (all metal construction and a 67mm filter thread). So if you are ever interested in parting with your special find, I'd certainly make you an offer.

And treat your lens carefully, because it's a little bit of German optical history...

What a great post to get started on this forum! Welcome and please share what you know, many interested enthusiasts here :-)

And so there indeed does exist a 1.42x Isco haha...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please accept my apologies for the slow response to Tito Ferradans’ message.

Deadlines are always chasing me down, so I’m unlikely to be the most prolific poster…

I am aware of the amazingly generous work Tito has done with his Lens Encyclopaedia and wonderful YouTube videos. And time permitting, I’d be happy to provide any information which might help his work.

However…

There is someone who can supply much, much more information than I ever could.

His name is Tony Shapps, erstwhile proprietor of The Widescreen Centre in London. This establishment was the largest consumer anamorphics dealer in the world from the 70s through to the 90s, and Mr Shapps was a personal friend of the CEO and owner of ISCO. He also provided most of the information for the Iscorama Wikipedia page, and is an absolutely top fellow by all accounts.

So perhaps someone on the forum should try and open communication channels with him via his Facebook page:

https://en-gb.facebook.com/tshapps

And to Barney909, I’d consider putting the lens back on eBay, but running the sale as an auction. It’s a very rare piece of glass, and if a real ding-dong bidding battle got going, you might even make enough money to buy an Iscorama 42; and a 54.

With enough left over for a baby Iscomorphot on the side.

I’d also be a bit wary of hanging what is potentially a $2000 - $4000 lens off my camera with some cheap filter bodies, so you might want to enquire at redstan.com about a custom clamp. 

Good luck…

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, brera100 said:

Please accept my apologies for the slow response to Tito Ferradans’ message.

Deadlines are always chasing me down, so I’m unlikely to be the most prolific poster…

I am aware of the amazingly generous work Tito has done with his Lens Encyclopaedia and wonderful YouTube videos. And time permitting, I’d be happy to provide any information which might help his work.

However…

There is someone who can supply much, much more information than I ever could.

His name is Tony Shapps, erstwhile proprietor of The Widescreen Centre in London. This establishment was the largest consumer anamorphics dealer in the world from the 70s through to the 90s, and Mr Shapps was a personal friend of the CEO and owner of ISCO. He also provided most of the information for the Iscorama Wikipedia page, and is an absolutely top fellow by all accounts.

So perhaps someone on the forum should try and open communication channels with him via his Facebook page:

https://en-gb.facebook.com/tshapps

And to Barney909, I’d consider putting the lens back on eBay, but running the sale as an auction. It’s a very rare piece of glass, and if a real ding-dong bidding battle got going, you might even make enough money to buy an Iscorama 42; and a 54.

With enough left over for a baby Iscomorphot on the side.

I’d also be a bit wary of hanging what is potentially a $2000 - $4000 lens off my camera with some cheap filter bodies, so you might want to enquire at redstan.com about a custom clamp. 

Good luck…

Wow, that's a lot to take in... I'll certainly consider it. And I might return those filters...

Thanks for the advice

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You may have struck gold with your Iscorama.

There are a few former Eastern Bloc eBay camera dealers who are very keen to hoover up limited production run and prototype lenses. And if they bid against each other, who knows...

Well, what we definitely do know is that they'd put your lens straight back on eBay with a mark up of at least 100%.

But that wouldn't be your problem.

And if you keep the lens, Alan Doyle at redstan will definitely come up with a really solid mounting solution. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • EOSHD Pro Color 5 for All Sony cameras
    EOSHD C-LOG and Film Profiles for All Canon DSLRs
    EOSHD Dynamic Range Enhancer for H.264/H.265
×
×
  • Create New...