Jump to content

SLR Magic 2x Anamorphic - my footage and first impressions


Andrew Reid
 Share

Recommended Posts

EOSHD Pro Color 5 for Sony cameras EOSHD Z LOG for Nikon CamerasEOSHD C-LOG and Film Profiles for All Canon DSLRs

I read somewhere (and please correct me if my recollection is wrong) that 2.39:1 is the standardised anamorphic ratio in cinemas today and there is a technical reason for that consistency recommendation which is pertinent to theatre systems. If that info is true then it would be useful to have an optic that fits those criteria for those embarking on an indie feature film.

 

I was very impressed by SLR Magic's 1.33x although like some others I felt it lacked the subtle je nais c'est quoi that 2x brings. Other than the benefits of the 2x stretch, I hope it retains the characteristics of the other lens, such as the agreeable flare it produces.

 

Is there any reason why the new lens would cost more than the 1.33x; would the 2x cost more to produce? If it's in that ball park then I'd confidently pre-order. 

 

Personally, I'd want to shoot raw at 4k with this but I don't know of any affordable options since 2x requires a sensor other than 16:9 (BMPC and Kinefinity being affordable).

Although, after seeing 'Road to Paloma' I still think the 5DmkIII with raw cuts it.

 

Thanks for posting, Andrew.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

Yes but at that time there wasn't that much tought of resolution, they just created the lenses to show movies in a new way, to escape the 4:3 aspect ratio and bring back people to the movies. That and because cinerama was way too expensive and complicated.

 

Nice theory, unfortunately you're wrong and you really need to do some research. Anamorphic was designed to avoid cropping to achieve the wider aspect ratio.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Old scope was 2.35:1, then there was 2.39:1 and now Red seem to say 2.4:1.

 

Confusing isn't it!

Well, what the projectors prefer is what I'd call "standard". Per the wikipedia page on DCP (Digital Cinema Package), 4096x1716 is a common standard, which is on the narrower side, weighing in mathematically just a hair below 2.39:1. RED should really stop pretending like they're the trend-setters ;-)

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Cinema_Package

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Interesting article Andrew and thank you for sharing.
 
I realise this is only just a prototype, but factually observe the strong CA and LOCA displayed in this unit. The shot below illustrates it pretty well with cyan, amber CA quite visible which of course will be 3x more pronounced at 1080p  --- and for close ups well….. 
 
slr-magic-anamorphic-bmd-702x394.jpg
 
I suspect the use of H-K9L glass is being used here (a very popular glass in China) as I recognise its signature.
Perhaps we shall see some improvement along the product development cycle?
 
 

 

 

I'm not seeing particularly bad CA to my eyes.  particularly when you consider how strong a 2x anamorphic is in terms of 'wide angle conversion', and on full frame + 55mm f1.8.  assuming this was the camera/lens it was tested on?    You should factor in that the end delivered edit from a 2x anamorphic will rarely show the results at the edges of the frame of a 36mm sensor width - unless a 4:3 sensor of 36mm width is ever released and if so, it certainly wouldnt ever see use with this lens!    

 

I'm interested to see how you have come to the conclusion that this optic is using a particular brand and flavour of crown glass.  Since this anamorphot likely has a minimum of 4 elements, some of which will be flints - almost definitely of Chinese origin as you seem to be hinting as a negative aspect of the design.  Though I think it's a little irrelevant to bring the origin of the glass up in this topic due to the likely rrp being in the respectable sub £1000 mark.  In this case no one would expect ohara or schott.  Believe it or not, the quality of CDGM (China) glass stocks is very good, and based on my experimentation and development of the wide angle adaptor (FF38), of which the critical elements are of Schott origin, the difference between the schott and cdgm variant leaves me wishing i'd just gone for cheaper cdgm and saved a whole lot of money!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

That shot was cropped from full frame, so I think the corners are a bit beyond what the lens was designed for really. If you want to avoid C/A in the corners, simply use a smaller sensor or a longer focal length with it.

 

The LA7200 has a lot more C/A than I've seen on the SLR Magic.

 

What's the signature of the H-K9L glass and does it have a certain colour bias?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

 

I feel I have opened Pandora’s Box somewhat when I released Rectilux, an original design, to the world on 26 August 2014, so as well as being the first with Rectilux, we are now seeing the hugely mysterious FM Lens of unknown origin on 2 September followed by SLRMs contribution on 21 September. Having said that, I am not for one moment suggesting or implying that you may be ignoring the elephant in the room.

 

 

I don't know what you are suggesting there John! SLR Magic have been working on the 2x prototype for a while, it didn't just pop up within the month.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes but at that time there wasn't that much tought of resolution, they just created the lenses to show movies in a new way, to escape the 4:3 aspect ratio and bring back people to the movies. That and because cinerama was way too expensive and complicated.

 

Nice theory, unfortunately you're wrong and you really need to do some research. Anamorphic was designed to avoid cropping to achieve the wider aspect ratio.

 

I might suggest that you are actually both saying the same thing with different words. If I may:

"To escape the 4:3 aspect ratio and bring people back to the movies, while avoiding cropping to achieve the wider aspect ratio, they designed the anamorphic lenses."

At least, that's how I took both of your comments. One was describing the "why" and the other the "how."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice theory, unfortunately you're wrong and you really need to do some research. Anamorphic was designed to avoid cropping to achieve the wider aspect ratio.

 

Nice theory? It's called history of cinema ;). I think you need to do some research before saying such claims. Yes, in the 1920's people tought of resolution and cropping images like we do now...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I might suggest that you are actually both saying the same thing with different words. If I may:

"To escape the 4:3 aspect ratio and bring people back to the movies, while avoiding cropping to achieve the wider aspect ratio, they designed the anamorphic lenses."

At least, that's how I took both of your comments. One was describing the "why" and the other the "how."

 

Thank you Damon, I agree with you as we know the reasons of shooting anamorphic nowadays. Those reasons are different from the ones when the cinemascope method was invented.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

The reasons to shoot anamorphic are the same they've always been. Maximise vertical resolution and recording area, obtain wider aspect ratio and benefit from other characteristics and stylistic traits of the optics like flare, stretched bokeh, etc.

 

Our scholar froess here is an annoying troll. If anyone wants to learn and not take the bait, click here -

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamorphic_format

Link to comment
Share on other sites

according to your article in wikipedia:

 

"Anamorphic widescreen was not used again for cinematography until 1952 when Twentieth Century-Fox bought the rights to the technique to create its CinemaScope widescreen technique.[1] CinemaScope was one of many widescreen formats developed in the 1950s to compete with the popularity of television and bring audiences back to the cinemas. The Robe, which premiered in 1953, was the first feature film released that was filmed with an anamorphic lens."

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...