The Diopter Thread.

[Tito Ferradans]

Thanks burrencrawler!

I tend to focus on the subjects that are most confusing in my personal experience, and try to simplify them to their basics. :)

[Russell Anway]

Has anyone used the new SLR magic achromatic diopters?  Most people posting about them are using them with the anamorphot and that is not my interest, I want to use them with my Lomo squarefronts.  The only review I found of them is one on adorama that is 1-star and says they're trash.  But that really isn't much to go on.

 

Any consensus yet?

[Tito Ferradans]

I'm pretty much curious about them too. Actually, I'm pretty curious about the whole SLR Magic package!

[Russell Anway]

I just realized you're the one who was selling the set of tiffen series 9 diopters on Ebay!  I should have bought those.... Sad face.  Now I'm piecing a set together and it'll cost at least twice that.

 

But seriously, has anyone tried out the SLR magic acrhomat diopters yet!  HELP!

 

If they are even a small upgrade over the tiffen series 9 I would buy a set for sure. My fear is that they'll soften (which is the complaint of the adorama review).  I love the look of my lomos but I don't want to go any softer than they already are.

 

By the way, the tiffen series 9 and schneider series 9 diopters are not doublets right?  Just looking at it in my hand it seems to be one piece (tiffen), but I'm not sure.  I know schneider makes a set of large doublet diopters but they are prohibitively expensive, at least for the moment.

[Tito Ferradans]

Hahaha, yeah, that was me!

 

From what I know, the Series 9 are single elements. I had Tiffen, B+W and Schneider. :)

[FilmBrute]

Must the diopter be placed right up against the front element of the anamorphic? Or can I place it front with .5-1 inch of space? The reason is I am shooting on a Schneider Kreuznach and the crazy metal protrusion in the front as well as a focusing screw prevents me from placing a round filter up agains the front.

[Tito Ferradans]

It doesn't need to be right up against the glass, but being close helps with light leaks and losses. Otherwise, it would be impossible to use diopters attached to multiple step rings. :)

[raf702]

I'm just as curious I ordered the SLR magic diopter set to go along with the 1.33x anamorphot. But I plan to use it with my Isco 2x.

[raf702]

Does it really matter if your using achromatic diopters vs close up diopters/lens? What differs, aside from allowing closer focus.

 

I'm starting think if I should return the SLR achromatics, for close-ups from Hoya/Tiffen, etc. Although I haven't tried the SLR yet since I'm still waiting for it in the mail.

 

What do you guys think?

[Russell Anway]

That is basically what we're getting at.  "is it worth it?"

 

Some achromat's are worth it others *might not be.   We don't know.

 

I can tell you that we do some macro work with diopters at the studio that I work at and we get some nasty color fringing.  I'm not sure which brand they're using, but its not achromatic, meanwhile I've liked the results from my Tiffen series 9's.

 

It's explained in depth and better some other places, but the basic thinking behind using achromat's with anamorphics is this...  An anamorphic lens of any kind is essentially an adapter, same as a diopter.  There are a number of problems caused by using each of them in common.  Achromatic diopters work to correct those short comings in close photography, but in doing they inadvertantly correct those same flaws in anamorphic photography.  Giving sharper less distorted images (undesireable distortion that is).

 

So you see the point of using achromats on anamorphics often has nothing to do with close photography (though they go well together because you so often use diopters precisely for close-ups when shooting anamorphic).  That's why the low power diopters are popular, such as the tokina +.4 (and now, potentially, the SLR magic +.33).

 

But as to whether or not the SLR magic diopters are "worth it."  That's what I'm asking. They're new so there isn't a lot of information or quality tests available yet.

 

So get shooting and post something!

[raf702]

Well according to UPS I'm suppose to receiving it today. I'll do some tests with it.

But what should I be looking for specifically when I do these tests? Like sharpness, softness, distortion, etc.?

Since I don't have experience with using close up filters/diopters. But I do understand their uses.

[Tito Ferradans]

Anybody looking for a half priced Tokina? The title is inaccurate, but the pictures are enough to recognize.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291167016585

[Lucian]

Great price, snap it up someone :)

[raf702]

I found a useful article in regards to Achromats vs Close ups.

http://fuzzcraft.com/achromats.html

[Tito Ferradans]

I found a useful article in regards to Achromats vs Close ups.

http://fuzzcraft.com/achromats.html

 

this link is halfway through the very first post on this thread. heheheh

[raf702]

Alright guys, sorry for the long wait. So here's a quick test I just did earlier today using my GH4, Isco 2x, 55mm, SLR magic 0.33x and 1.33x diopters. I can honestly say, it definitely makes a huge difference for close focus, and it's very sharp. I'm very satisfied about purchasing these.

 

SLR 1.33x diopter

 

 

SLR 0.33x diopter

[Chin Yew]

Hi guys,

I owned a LA7200 and currently researching ways to have diopter rig on it.

I found the easy solution here; http://www.stronzvanderploeg.net/anamorphic-shooting-with-the-la7200-part-3/#comment-112

Which is buying 86mm diopters ($19) ; http://www.ebay.com/itm/310829145416

And then use a step down ring of 105mm to 86mm, that the 105mm sits perfectly at the LA7200.

But the problem is; that it's impossible to find that step down.

My question is would the step up 86mm-105mm ($7) work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/151037727008

I've asked the seller of the Vivitar Series 1 diopters and they said the diopters do have Front threads on them, thus I can just screw them on the step-up rings.

Guys, you think it'll work? Or is there any better solution/budget that guys can recommend me to get my LA7200 to work properly?

Thanks in advance...

[kado]

i have a question about those 4 1/2" round tiffen diopters.

 what adapter will i need if i want use these filters with an isco54,

i saw this adapter rings on ebay, and want to know if these are the correct adapters for use with the isco54.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221282199532?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

thanks

[ken]

FYI, I made my 16H with a step ring for using 67mm filter lens.  But I need to machine the ring a little bigger to fit lens front and glue the ring.  

You should check the ring size is correct for your lens.

 

[AdrParkinson]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question as I still don't completely understand the topic. I know that achromatic filters are of much higher quality, but also much higher price. So how usable are normal macro filters like the cheap Vivitar ones or these even cheaper ones from China:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/52mm-52-Closeup-Close-Up-Macro-1-2-4-10-Filter-Kit-/300932412048?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item4610f83290

 

Also, what size would be best to avoid distortion at the corners?