redimp

Just got a full res images from the seller. It does look like a cement separation indeed. Rich, what do you think about this? Would you be willing to work on this? Thanks.

It all sounds kinda werid now. The day the item was posted I asked which lens had a crack – anamorphic or taking lens, and the seller told me it was the taking one. I asked again if the anamorphic block was in a perfect working condition and the answer was yes. Now the seller is telling me that what he meant was that it was in perfect condition "mechanically". So I did the only logical thing to check what is the actual state of things, considering what Rich posted, maybe that is just a separation of elements. I received the attached images as a reply. I am not sure if ebay is shrinking images down this bad or if it's intentional. I am considering asking for a cancellation since it is probably not what I was bidding on. I was told the anamorphic part was pristine and I expected higher bids on this lens. In fact my maximum bid was higher too. Thanks for your input. I think on the last image I've just posted a long light artifact is a crack indeed.

After a bunch of emails back and forth with a seller I bought this Iscorama. He told me that the anamorphic part is in perfect condition, but the lens block is cracked. After I won the auction it turned out that it actually IS an anamorphic block that has a crack on one of the internal lens. So the question is – what do I do now? The crack seems pretty small but I am sure it will affect image clarity. Fixing it also does not seem realistic, but maybe there's something I don't know? I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks. I get the math, but my 20 vignettes so bad, that it does not look like Zeiss 25 would not. It is small front element lens too, but I think the angle of view is what matters here. Will try to disassemble the barrel to get the Isco closer to front element of russian lens.

So the Vega lens does not vignette on it's on on BMPCC and produces usable results. Spent a couple of days with it and except a stiff focusing ring I am loving it. However with Isco attached it has an enormous vignette. One of the reasons as I am guessing is that I cannot get it to touch the lens, since the barrel protrudes so much that the lens is "hidden" inside the body. Other reason is of course 20 mm being to wide. I've just tested with canon zoom lens attached via regular adapter (no speedboosting) to the BMPCC and the vignette goes away about 28mm, and so I have a question – which 24 mm lens did you use with bmpcc that it did not vignette? Spent 5 min with isco and will have to play with it more with other lens. I understand that fields of view differ for same focal length lens from different manufacturers ever so slightly, but just want to figure out how much exactly. Thanks.

Hey guys, I keep planning my little setup and with your help I hope to decide about the last bits pieces – rig, power and previewing. Since I'm on a budget I am looking for different solutions that might not be super professional, but should work for someone like me who does this as a hobby. 1. For rig I am looking for a shoulder + counterweight setup, with follow focus. So far this option looks the best in terms of price, reviews and quick delivery. I was not looking for a cage, but it's a nice bonus. Another option is to buy this used one. Converted to USD it's around 300, but already has a powering solution. In both cases I will probably have to re-attach bars from the grip on top to make the whole rig longer and put weights on the back (luckily I have nice and small rubberized one's that should fit perfectly). 2. Field monitor. I was initially going to not buy it, but then I realized that shooting @2x anamorphic will be too hard for someone not too experienced like me, and previewing de-squeezed would really help me frame. I am still looking for something super-affordable. So far I've found this monitor, but it's somewhat shady and I can't find any info about if it's able to work in different aspect ratios to shoot 2x anamorphic. Everything else I've found goes for around $300 and more, and is waaay beyond my budget. 3. Powering solution. So far I am completely lost on this. I've found some Chinese adapters, all go for around $70, but I have no idea what should I be looking for to power BMPCC and Filed monitor. I am looking for something like 2-3 hours of independent work in the field for the worst case scenario, preferably around 5 hours. We're gonna shoot in the cold mountains pretty soon, so those number will go down significantly because of cold too. My only current worry is that I am planning to use some zoom lens that are pretty long, thick and heavy, on top with Isco S8 2x and Rangefinder. This way the whole setup can get pretty long, and the follow focus will have to go to the very front of the setup to work with Rangefinder. This will push bmpcc pretty far back, so I'm afraid I won't be able to look at it at all, so the field monitor is supposed to help with that too. I'll appreciate all your thoughts. Thanks.

Thanks for all the advice. I don't know if you understand how helpful you are, actually Both taking and anamorphic lens are days away now. I will definitely test it myself and post the results here, for future generations

I already ordered that one, since it was $10 with delivery.

That is definitely interesting. I was hoping that 20 would work, and therefore I was going for a russian set, but this being said I think I might as well go for Zeiss. I hunted two dirt-cheap Vega lens (20, f2), in c-mount. I guess I will buy one and just try it out before going for Zeiss. Thank you.

This is super helpful! Thank you!

As I am awaiting for my anamorphic lens, I've decided to choose a set of taking lens, and I have a bunch of options, but would like to know how wide can I go. There is a wonderful russian 16mm cine set that I can get for $150 with zoom and three primes. Zoom is 17-69 f1.9, Primes are 12,5 f2, 20 f2 and 50 f2. Would I be able to use those primes with Isco on BMPCC? Common sense tells me 12,5 is going to be too wide, but I want to be sure. Also there's a german set (pentaflex 16mm cine lens). Also zoom and three primes, I've got an offer of $530 for a set and compared to ebay it super cheap, so I'm tempted, but again not sure if they will work. Zoom is 15-60, f1.8, Primes are 12.5 f2.8, 25 f 1.4 and 50 f1.4. All are Zeiss lens, so I am pretty sure they will beat russians in terms of quality but also being vintage will have character. So how wide can I go? Thanks guys, it will really help me choose.

So is there any optical difference between the two adapters? In terms of performance, coating, manufacturing precision?

What are the ones at 02:06 and 11:20? Amazing flares!

Is there any optical difference between the two? When should we expect $299 version on sale in US?

I just got an offer that seems pretty crazy, a Pentaflex 16 camera including 4 lens for $500. Lens are: Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 50 mm f/ 1.4 PentaflexCarl Zeiss Jena Biotar 25 mm f/ 1.4 PentaflexCarl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 12.5 mm f/ 2.8Pentovar 16 15-60 mm f/ 2.8 Will these lens work on BMPCC? They also include tripod, motor and cassettes, but my main interest is the lens. Did anyone try these out? I saw a bunch of tests with Zeiss 25 1.4 Tevidon (not in the bundle) and it seems to work.

Since my Rangefinder is on it's way I am thinking of maybe buying a double-focus high quality anamorphic lens. I've read Kowa B&H beats the iscos in terms of image quality and sharpness. Are there any other lens that you personally consider hands down best double focus anamorphics? Want to shoot 50 mm 1.2 lens of FF wide open too.

Isco Animex and a bunch of russian s16 primes. Looks like this adapter would be the biggest part of the setup. Will definitely share some test footage.

Pretty nice product. Like the design too, though have to admit these look somewhat thin. Judging by pictures only Redstan looks more massive/study. I think seeing real anamorphic lens attached to real taking less and cameras with these would help. I would personally like to see how isco animex and some c-mount lens work together. I see you have isco in your collection, so maybe some real life product shoot is possible? Cheers.

Hey. So I've contacted SLR magic, and they confirmed that these units are currently being sold in Hong Kong only. They will come to US and EU 'later this year', supposedly November. They will cost $299 in US, and around that or more in EU. So the one that I've bought is not a copy, but a genuine thing. Rapido, I've just contacted that seller, he told me he has one more item, asme without the marks and is willing to sell it to me for $500 flat. If you really want one I guess we can arrange a deal when he will ship both adapters to me (Ukraine) and I will then send yours to you (assuming you're in LA) via meest express. Or you can pay $100 more and get it from Adorama. It will have imperial markings, and costs $599, without shipping.

This just sold on ebay. I'm wondering if it's a genuine Rangefinder or if it's some sort of a copy. How was this person able to acquire it is beyond my understanding. Anyone has any clues? It has Near - Normal – Far markings on the lens itself, and a back part of it has a different grip the the standard rangefinder.

Hey guys! Finally I am getting close to making my first anamorphic set up. BMPCC, set of russian lens that I'm still working on, Isco Animex 2x. As some of those items are awaiting for shipment I decided to start looking for SLR Magic Rangefinder, and currently I have two offers. One is brand new with focus marks, $600 with shipping. Second one is with no focus marks, used for $250. I would get one without marks, but I can't seem to find any place that actually sells them, so I can't figure out where did the seller get it. Also, he specifies that it can focus from close range to 'almost' infinity. Is there any info that those adapters without marks would not be able to focus as good as those with marks? Thanks guys, appreciate your input.