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Ok, now I understand why I am confused

Which is the best aspect ratio to use with the GH5 when using a 1.33x anamorphic? I understand that these adapters are created to convert an 16:9 image into a 2.35:1 image. But is not scope 2.39:1? So to get true cinema scope, which is the better choice when using a 1.33x adapter? Forgive the silly question, but I am trying to understand. All answers welcomed.

IMO, for video the GH5 is the best hybrid to date. The jury is out for stills. I think Panasonic needs to add more glass like the 42.mm Nocticron. Great build quality, fast and accurate. It can produce awesome images easily. Perhaps they need to buyout Leica?

It's really not bad. All the shots here were AF. It's a really workable setup. About a workable as you will find when working with scope. Oh and all these shot are handheld.

This weekend I had the chance to get out a little with the GH5. So I geared up and headed out to take some footage with the new SLR Magic 40 Compact and the Panasonic 35-100 f2.8 ii. All the shots in this video are using the aforementioned combination. I was not expecting much as the anamorphic lens are not supposed to like low-light. But in the end I feel the combination might have some use at night. I am becoming quite impressed with the GH5. It is a very inspiring and liberating camera to shoot with. In any case, check out the video below, and feel free to add your two cent worth.

I will know the answer to this question soon enough. But for now I think the Canon has the edge. I can take magical pictures all day long without even trying with my 1DXMk2... It's more work with the GH5, as I refuse to ruin the system again with the SB. The 42.5mm Nocticron has magic, but so does most of my Canon L glass.

The 4x is useful, but only for very controlled conditions, as it really gets pretty close and has a lot of DOF. If you notice the scene of the boy, one eye is in focus whereas the other is not. The 2x is my favorite. The 1x is not really that necessary on the 40 Compact. The whole set was $75 at BH, so it's a low risk purchase. I was pretty please with the quality. As for my experience using the 40 Compact, it's very favorable. I think this kind of portable anamorphic setup makes shooting scope a real option for regular folk. It's a great way to get your feet wet, and to my eyes it looks pretty good. I'm sure in the right hands amazing results are possible.

More shots for your review. This time with the Tiffen Close-up diopters.

The 12-35mm is constant aperture so it should be better for video. I went with this plus the 35-100mm. Will add the 100-400mm when available.

While I've only had mine for a short time I can tell you that it is a wonderful little cinema camera. Easily best of breed. It punches way above its weight. Color me impressed.

Do you really find the ISO usable to 3200? I find to stay clean you need to be around 1600 or less.

I can't say that I have noticed any real issues with the IBIS / Dual IS setup. So I would not worry too much. At the $499 mark, the SLR 40 Compact is a good way to get a taste of anamorphic without going off the deep end. The 40 Compact is on my camera right now, and I must say it really suite the sprit of M43, so I'm loving that part. I think the GH5 might just be the best Pro-level camera, bang for buck out right now. This really does put a lot of power in the hands of the people. Now we just have to find ways to make killer productions within a GH5 type budget.

No, the 2x is much larger/heavier. I think it offers a lot, but I commend those with the patience to wield it. The Compact is most user friendly of the bunch. Honestly, I think the 2x is best used on a tripod. The 1.33 50, 40 can be handheld, with care. The Compact is hand-holdable. But you will get more classic cinema feel by simply popping these on a slider or jib. I intend to do this. The camera movement is a large piece of the puzzle in getting that classic "cinematic" look.

I've only just started using them, but my initial impression is that they are great for the GH5. Are they as special as the 42.5mm Nocticron... No, that lens is one of the ones with some special "magic". But I think with use they will come into their own. After playing with them for a bit yesterday, I now know they are both keepers. So that should tell you how I feel. I returned the Veydra... after looking at the footage I was underwhelmed. They looked decent, but nothing about them really touched me. If it was me, I would stay clear of the Olympus 40-150mm. Yes it's a great lens, but it is giant by m43 standards. If you are going that large where will it all end? That's just my thinking on this system. As for the Compact... It's easier to work with than any Anamorphic system that I have looked into. I'm just learning, so don't be too harsh on it based upon my footage. But given time I am confident it will be more than redeemed. It is light weight, strong, the optics are much better than I expected. And I'll let you in on a little secret... the first footage I took had me contemplating returning it immediately. But I persevered, and gave myself time to understand what was and was not possible. I recall thinking to myself as I was in the car,"I'm in a car, and I'm shooting anamorphic handheld". It's are really compact setup. Travel friendly and not much extra work to shoot with. Granted, you will need to light indoor scenes. Keep in mind, there were a couple of shoot where the shutter angle got accidentally shifted. So those shots do not feel quite the same. But overall I think it really does add something tangible to the footage. And lastly, the 2x lens is more pronounced in what it does, but honestly for me it would soon become little more than a paper weight. It's just too large to deal with. No need to do that, I can tell you the Compact can get much closer than the 50 without diopters. But that said, diopters are available from third parties for the 40... and I can tell you I have a set. But I am not convinced they are necessary.

Yes the Kowa and Cinelux ES look good, but do make working with the setup more challenging. I think working with the Compact my be a better run n gun, travel option.

Just got the new setup for the GH5. I went with the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8II and the 35-100mm f2.8ii. The taking lens is the latter. These are just some quick shots out and about fooling around. I get the feeling the Anamorphot, like most anamorphic lenses really likes light. Feed it some and the shots can be quite sharp. Still experimenting, so I hope to learn if I can get shallow DOF with this setup. One thing I can tell you, it is a tiny setup for being true anamorphic. So far I am liking it and am pretty certain it will be a new tool I will keep for the long haul. As for the lenses... the are perfect for this camera. And the constant aperture is a must have with M43. Love them both. I know now they were the right choice. Feel free to comment.

What do you think of the Edelkrone Motion Kit?

Tell me @Oliver Daniel, how do you like the Edelkrone Motion Kit? I have been eying one of those up.

Oliver, I have struggled with this question a fair bit myself. Here is what I finally concluded: I love the flexibility of have zooms on my Canon. The 24-70mm is my most used lens. The 70-200 picks up most everything else. While I do have a 16-35 f4 it only really sees service when image stabilization is needed. I think a nice fast prime is a must have for certain occasions, so the 50mm f1.2 does see some more specialized service. With this in mind I reasoned that this is my taste. These lenses suit my shooting style. So changing bodies should not change my preferred focal lengths. To this end I just ordered both the 12-35mm and the 35-100mm. From all I have seen, both should be great choices. And well suited to video as they have constance apertures.

The Canon colors are great out of camera, but the pseudo flat profiles can disappointing in post. For this reason I often opt to capture as near as possible to final grade baked in. The GH5 is far more flexible in post. Codec size is a challenge in some regards, but if you work with proxy files in PP or FCPX it is not that bad. Lowlight is far better on the 1DXMK2. Organic and forgiving upto 12800 in a pinch. Contrast this to the 1600 iso useable range on the GH5. Detail is better on the GH5, but that is not to say that the 1DXMk2 has bad IQ... It has great IQ, but as a filmmaker's tool, it falls short for lacking many features that are expected in such an application. All the GH5 lacks is DPAF and lowlight.

Been thinking of picking one of those up, I wanted to get the 50 mm, as I read it was the most sharp.

I like it. Was the setup hard to work with? What taking lens were you using?

Here is an updated link to the video with refined audio.

I spoke to the folks at Veydra, and they told me the cost of producing an anamorphic that would meet their requirements was too high, and so they canned the project. I would have felt much better about dropping $3k on a Veydra anamorphic than an SLR Magic. But right now SLR Magic are really the only game in town for $3k and less.

I don' t think your idea is crazy at all. From what I have seen of the footage from the compact, it can produce some nice imagery. My experience using the diopters has shown me that I can still have great DOF with this simple addition. And since the Rangefinder is very heavy and upsets the balance of the camera to an unacceptable degree, I'm now starting to think that your idea of going with the compact is crazy like a fox. Once it lands I'll put it through its paces and report back what I learnt.