8mm Forum: Anomorphic Lens

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Topic: Anomorphic Lens

Dick Lee
Film Handler

Posts: 40
From: Oklahoma City
Registered: Apr 2004

posted April 24, 2004 09:36 AM

Hi Guys

I know this has been brought up before and I appoligize for repeating the question.

What is a good fairly inexpensive anamorphic lens set up. (Lens and holding system). What is the fair price or is it what the market will bear? [Confused]

What do the ratios mean in actual size, I have approx a 14.5" distance from the projector to the screen. [Confused]

Any help will be greatly appreceited! Dick [Smile]

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John Whittle
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 791
From: Northridge, CA USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 24, 2004 07:31 PM

Dick,

First all Cinemascope films (or Panavision) are shot with a 2x anamorphic lens and need to be projected back thru a 2x anamorphic lens.

Your "aspect ratio" will be about 2.66:1 in 16mm since the normal picture is 1.33. In theatres it's 2.4:1 but that's because a "taller" frame is used for scope than for flat picture. There is no real standard as to the reduction ratio from 35mm to 16mm or Super8, but generally a small amount of picture is lost from the top and bottom of the frame.

As for lenses, most any of the lenses made for 16mm will work for 8mm and Super8. The Kowa 8Z is basically the same lens as the 16H. The difference (aside from size) between a theatrical anamorphic adapter and a 16mm version is in the distance it can be used at. In checking your set up, just measure your picture horizontally and double it for scope.

Lenses vary in cost and are usually always available on ebay. You "holder" is something that you'll probably have to devise yourself for your particular projector. Some 16mm projectors like the Eiki and Elmo had brackets for C and D size lenses (the letter refers to the back barrel diameter size with C being 43mm and D being 52mm).

In any event I always recommend that you test the lens in your own screening room before purchasing. Anamorphics can go out of alignment and produce unfocusable soft images. A professional with the proper equipment can tweek them, but that often costs more than the lens is worth (if you can even find somebody).

John

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Dick Lee
Film Handler

Posts: 40
From: Oklahoma City
Registered: Apr 2004

posted April 25, 2004 09:14 AM

John:

Thanks for the quick reply. Can you suggest any brand names and give a ball park figure for cost. I would hate to have to make a trip to the cleaners [Razz]

Have a great week! Dick

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John Whittle
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 791
From: Northridge, CA USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 25, 2004 10:35 AM

Dick

Both Sankor and Kowa are good choices. The Sankors turn up with lots of other names engraved on them such as Eiki, Elmoscope (also on Kowa) Singer, Films Inc., etc.

If you go to a "dealer" now you'll pay $400-$500. Look on ebay and just do a general search for Anamorphic and weed your way though the list. There you may get something as low as $50 to about $150.

John

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Tony Milman
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1336
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 25, 2004 01:08 PM

Dick

In the UK, a good condition Kowa 8Z can go for anything from £100 to £175. I use the 8Z for 8 and 16mm and it gives an excellent result. With 16mm it actually can screw into the front of the Elmo 16 CL 50mm standard lens.

Scope brackets for Elmo are seen on ebay from time to time and these screw into the projector (cost circa £40 $70ish) but you can easily make your own support.

I read threads on this forum that seemed to suggest that it is a nightmare to use a scope lens to get a perfect picture and I worried a lot when it seemed to be too easy to be true ...but it was a synch.

Enjoy

Tony

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Tony

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