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http://vimeo.com/70264199   I had all but given up on ever finding the perfect 8mm anamorphic lens, but I recently got my hands on what I think is the most rare anamorphic lens that I have ever owned -- the Zeiss Ikon Anamorphot 22/1.5x. It is almost impossible to find any information on this lens. I could not find any pictures of the lens, nor any test footage. In fact, the only reason that I knew that it existed was a tip from anamorphic Godfather Kostas Petsas, who also has one. He compares his Ikon to the Iscomorphot 8/1.5x.   Like the Iscomorphot 8/1.5x, it's an 8mm "baby" lens that is fully rack-focusable. The helicoid is smooth and has a very manageable throw, so focusing is no problem at all as you will see in the test video above. The slightly wider diameter actually makes the lens easier to focus the baby Isco, and of course it is much more focus-friendly than the strenuous focus throw of the Iscorama.     It's a little bigger than the Iscomorphot 1.5x (front filter thread is about 43mm, and rear diameter is about 32mm) but still much smaller and lighter than the Iscomorphot 2x or the Iscorama. It's nice not to have to add in a support system to hold the weight of the additional lens. Coupled with a DSLR, a taking lens with a silver finish and a silver clamp from Redstan, this could be a great stealth anamorphic setup.   I think that perhaps the most substantial difference between the Ikon and the Iscomorphot is that the Ikon is usable when the taking lens is wide open (at least at f/1.8). Though it is not razor sharp like the Iscorama, I don't see a limitation here.    The minimum focus distance is impressive. I've been able to focus as close as 22" wide open without any diopters.   I haven't really put it through the paces yet, but from what I've seen, the lens has some nice, understated character. It's a lot less smeary than some of the 8mm anamorphics that I have used. The flares are thinly stretched blue ovals, similar to my Moller 32/2x (but I think that I may like the Zeiss flares even more).     I have been able to use it with my FS100 with a 50mm lens, which is usually my go-to lens when I first get an anamorphic lens. I'll have to test it to see if I can get away with using a wider taking lens.   I am excited about this lens. It is the easiest, simplest anamorphic lens that I have ever used and the image is very pleasing. I think that this is a winner. If anyone else has one, I'd love to compare notes.

Hi guys this is my first post and i'm gonna share a DIY clamp i did. I've read somewhere that a Helios 44M is the perfect companion for the Sankor 16C , so i bought that, After blowing my budget i was left with not much for a clamp. At first i used a step-down adapter which ended up looking pretty bad:   [attachment=568:1.JPG] [attachment=569:2.JPG] [attachment=570:3.JPG] [attachment=571:4.JPG]         It did the job though, for a while :D After being concerned about the safety of that rig i decided to get to work. For that used a 52mm extension tube that i found on eBay for $13: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/52mm-Diameter-Extension-Tube-21mm-long-for-Nikon-ES-1-/290668797662?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories&hash=item43ad35dede Tools needed are a drill, a tap set (looks like a screw to create thread in holes), 3 screws or bolts or hex screw, and some oil (to use the tap set, it has to go smooth). I ended up using M5 hex screws (metric 5mm). Unfortunatly i didn't document the procedure but it's very easy, there's plenty of guides on google. Clamp version 2.0 looked more promising:   [attachment=572:5.JPG] [attachment=573:6.JPG] [attachment=574:7.JPG] [attachment=575:8.JPG] [attachment=576:9.JPG] [attachment=577:10.JPG]         Looks pretty similar to the clamp from Vid-Atlantic, doesn't it ?   As you can see on those pics, my Sankor has no thread. Well, i filed it as much as possible without breaking it. I didn't do that randomly, i wanted the lens as snug as possible to the clamp. It also allowed me to sit the Sankor very close to the glass of the Helios by simply removing the front ring (of the Helios):   [attachment=578:11.JPG] [attachment=579:12.JPG]     And the result is a very tight and snug unit that actually look like one single lens:     [attachment=580:13.JPG] [attachment=581:14.JPG] [attachment=582:15.JPG]     I already had all the tools needed so cost of production ended up being $13 (tube) + $2 (hex screws) If you guys can use your hands and a drill, you can do it too. :D

  About $200.   eBay.

I have the Nikon > Micro Four Thirds Speed Booster now and have been testing it for a few days, so check back for a review next week. Lovely with the Samyang 85mm F1.4 on the GH3. The adapter also has a built in aperture control ring for Nikon G lenses which works very well, though would be nice to see a declicked version.

Apparently, new firmware updates for the BMPCC including Autofocus...     https://twitter.com/brawlster/status/355512652430188544 https://twitter.com/brawlster/status/355550178452856832 https://twitter.com/brawlster/status/355550020646346754