8mm Forum: 2.55 Aspect Ratio

This is topic 2.55 Aspect Ratio in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=003945

Posted by Raleigh M. Christopher (Member # 5209) on May 18, 2016, 10:05 AM:

An unusual aspect ratio, no? Wider than "standard" 2.39 scope, but not as wide as 2.76 Ultra Panavision. Are these lenses rare?

I watched "How to Marry a Millionaire" on Netflix, the scan had some very slight, but noticeable curvature around the edges of the frame. As if maybe they used a lens that was close, but not exactly right.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on May 18, 2016, 10:24 AM:

The ratio of 2.55:1 was the original ratio of 20th Century Fox CinemScope prints which had magnetic sound tracks.
Later when the prints received optical tracks the ratio then reduced to 2.35:1

Posted by Raleigh M. Christopher (Member # 5209) on May 18, 2016, 10:26 AM:

So I imagine, the lenses would be exceedingly rare, then.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on May 18, 2016, 10:36 AM:

Some early projection lenses for use with 'scope had the provision for continuous adjustment of their ratio. My cinema used Kalee Varimorph lenses, they could go from 4:3 to full scope.
I am not sure about lenses for cameras. I believe the first 'scope lenses that Fox used (for "The Robe") were specially imported from France.
As such, they may now be rare.

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on May 18, 2016, 05:38 PM:

The lenses are 2X squeeze but as said the ratio change is due to the first few scope films having only mag tracks.

The distortions at the edges on some shots is a fault that some early scope films had. The wider angle shots caught too much of the inside of the lens and had curvature and more squeeze. It is visible on verticals near the sides of the image, door frames, etc.

Posted by Raleigh M. Christopher (Member # 5209) on May 18, 2016, 09:34 PM:

Thanks for the info. I'd love to see this projected. I may request the Museum of the Moving Image, here in NYC to get a print for screening, but figured the lenses to un-squeeze the picture properly would be hard to obtain. They screened a print of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", but weren't able to get the Ultra-Panavision lenses for the print and as a result, it was showed with a slight squeeze!

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on May 19, 2016, 05:42 AM:

The original CinemaScope lenses used by Fox had problems. Close focus gave distortions across the picture,as well, so close-ups looked odd. I believe these were made by/under licence from Henri Cretien who sold the idea to Fox. I have an 8mm lens with those names on, it is non focusing and has a 1.75:1 compression ratio to give 2.35:1 from the 3x4 frame.

The later Panavision lenses were much improved.

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2