Caleb Genheimer

I'm certainly going to be using a matte box next time in order to avoid the flares, as I agree with you completely. Again, this was a test. Better to be aware of the flares so I can take measures to avoid them when they're unwanted. It's a shame, really. The Kowa has wonderful horizontal flares, but there's no way to get them without also introducing the big blue blobs. Flynn, the Kowas are from the 80s (most of them), so they're pretty much on par with lenses from that era. IMO they're the most versatile projection anamorphic. Not as "Zeiss clinical" as a Schneider, not as vintage as a Moller, but they can go the widest and tend to take on the character of whatever prime lens you use them with. KOWA FTW. The trick is finding a prime lens that they work well with. Pancakes and lenses with simple optics tend to work the best. Obviously, the Rangefinder is brand spankin new, and other than the blue flares, it really is wonderful. I'm also using a SmallHD AC-7, so I can now focus and de squeeze anamorphic as I capture it. Whole different ballgame and really, really gratifying setup to work with. Yes, there are a few other "variable diopter" systems available right now, and I'm sure some of them have a slight edge over the Rangefinder. But pre-ordered for $400 with focus scale, this sucker is hard to beat bang-for-buck. I did find myself using the focus scale to rack focus consistently over multiple takes. With a better follow focus that might not be necessary, but I'm personally glad I got one with marks.

Hi, All! Here are some screen grabs, from my first UHD video test with the new SLR Magic Rangefinder/Kowa 16-H/Konica 40mm/Samsung NX1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/68917223@N05/albums/72157659802564846/with/22182848755 I've done only small, simple corrections to these images, nothing drastic beyond a tiny bit of sharpening and levels tweak. This is more-or-less how this setup renders things straight to the camera. Hopefully some video will come soon, showcasing wonderful, easy focus pulls! I did one test previous, (right out of the box of course, and it was not properly executed.) With some careful tuning of the "taking" prime lens' focus, I was able to get sharper results in this second test. The Kowa and the Rangefinder are nowhere near their max resolving power, that much is clear. The small Konica Hexanon 40mm pancake is unfortunately the culprit. Even at f4 (which all of these were taken at), it just isn't tack-sharp in the fine details. It's good enough to warrant UHD instead of HD, but it doesn't quite "pop" in the sharpness department (an attribute of good 4K that I've found very appealing.) The Rangefinder is what is creating the prominent (large) blue "bokeh" flares, and in doing so, it robs the Kowa of some of its flare intensity. Not sure how I feel about that. Other than the change to flare characteristics, the Rangefinder leaves the image pretty much identical to what the Kowa and Konica do without it on front. It does breathe, but only a little bit, and I happen to like a touch of breathing on anamorphic.

Great composition! What camera/scope setup are you using?

Pre-production planning started on this over a year ago, but several storyboards, four shoots, and countless edits later, and here it is! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMXefwksoeU

I have a 16-H (similar/same as 8Z/B&H). Ive be been eyeing up the two Voigtlander 40s (f2 pancake and f1.4) The Helios 58 I'm sure is great, but that's a much longer lens, and IMO anamorphic looks best in the wider focal lengths (or at least, wide is the real challenge with the projection anas)

Hey, all! I am back to shooting some anamorphic now that I have a Rangefinder, but I've been out of it a while, and I'm curious as to what lenses you all prefer (taking lenses), especially on the "wide" side. I have a 40mm Konica Hexanon that works ok, but it is very sloppy and wobbles the image. It was sharp enough for HD, but now I'm doing some 4K stuff. One I've been looking at is Voigtlander's 40mm f2. It is a pancake design like the Konica, but I suspect it's a much better lens. thoughts?

Rectilux is working well so far on my Kowa 16-H

Hunt For Red October is one of the most gorgeously shot anamorphic films ever. All the lights and lighting changes in those submarines are fantastically dramatic. Thanks to the anamorphic bokeh and flares, the submarines truly become characters in their own right.

Of course, the Trump lens set is an excellent alternative to anamorphic altogether, but my luck will have to improve somewhat before I'm scraping those bad boys off my boot heel.

Hi, all! Has as anyone found any good wide angle adapters for Kowa 16-H/8Z? It's one of the wider projection lenses (50mm ff taking lens if cropped to 2.40:1), but it doesn't quite get that Hollywood wide anamorphic look. I've been looking at the Dog Shidt Optics FF38, but I'm not sure if it would work to put the projection lens between the ff58 and the ff38 wide angle adapter front end.

URSA Mini 4.6K will be one to pick up used in a year or so

Mediocre all round, tbh. 35mm on m43 is not wide, f2.8 is not fast, and m43 is not really the best sensor size format. S35 at least is preferred.

I'm really excited to get mine. One careful setup of the dual focus system, and no more strange focus mistakes!

Looks great, Seb! That Baby H is a sharp little thing. Thoughts so far on the Rangefinder? I've got mine on pre-order already from Adorama.

Do you think the DSO tele/wa converter fronts will work with the Kowa? They look pretty large.

Zak, which SLR Magic lenses are you using for scope, and how do you like them? I've been using Zeiss C/Y with my Kowa 16-H, and while good, the look is a tad stale/cold for my tastes (at least when it comes to anamorphic). Also, I get the hexagonal and ninja star bokeh when stopping down which doesn't help matters. I've been eyeing the Sam/Rok Cine DS lenses as possible alternatives, but perhaps I should be eyeing up the SLR Magic offerings too?

I'm still very confused as to where to buy the newxRangefinder. Some deals were mentioned including an Adorama one, but from my side of the pond (USA), I haven't seen a $399 special release price anywhere yet. SLR Magic have a deal but it's in £, not USD. Not trying to punch pennies here, but to some of us even $100 difference is no small amount, and I'm rather confused as to where the best deal is to be had.

Thanks for this, Andrew! This is great especially considering that the NX1 is the bang-for-buck 4K cam of the year. I've already had great results out of mine, so this is a welcome extra little toolkit. I've also not had AF switching issues, but I only use the 16-50 OIS, and to be honest, I often have AF turned ON. This camera and the Ronin M seem made for each other! The AF is seamless.

Andrew, are you sure of the introductory pricing? You have it in USD, but those are the prices I'm seeing on SLR Magic's site in Pounds, and on Adorama in the USA, it's $599, no mention of a discount. Just trying to figure out how to get the discount, it hasn't been made very clear to understand.

Where do I pre-order? this has been long awaited for me. The FM module only works with Cinelux anas, and the Rectilux (while I'm sure it's good quality), is way on the expensive side of things. This is the ideal solution: screws on like a filter. The only thing to sort is neutral density. I wish there were more lens-to-camera adapters with built-in filter holders (added bonus of buying smaller filters).

If this is quality, $600 is a steal! SLR Magic, I'll buy one as soon as it's available. Well done. I have a Kowa 16-H that has been waiting for this for years!

Some Lomos have been converted to PL, some have not. There are two original mounts that they typically have : OCT-18 and OCT-19. It would also be ideal to have rails and a sliding lens support. Remember... They're cinema lenses, not full frame stills lenses, so shoot in APSC mode.

Is that the 3FF-W? What's the price tag on that sucker?

I too would do A7s in this price bracket, but the OP already ruled it out. Also, having to spend so much extra for the Shogun just to get 4K out of an already expensive camera... Well it kinda rubs me the wrong way.

Get the NX1 with 16-50 f2-2.8 theres lots to love, including the color, the autofocus, the APSC. Plenty of cash left over for the long zoom lens, or a gimbal.