bobwertit Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I recently purchased an Isco Ultra Star Anamorphic lens. To my dismay, the focusing ring seems to be locked, and can't rotate forwards or backwards.I don't want to start messing with screws; I'm afraid I'll misalign the elements by doing so. Is there a specific set of screws I should undo? Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy lee Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 which model of Isco Ultra Star Anamorphic lens - as they make smaller integrated lenses and big larger ones too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Try pull out to unlock for integrated lens. But if HD attachment, push in to unlock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobwertit Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 The lens is identical to this model: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Isco-optic-Cinemascope-2x-Ultra-f-80MM-German-anamorphic-projection-lens-/161416449283?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25952b8d03 I have tried pushing the locking ring forwards/backwards and it won't budge. Do I need to undo the screws on it in order to push it forwards/backwards? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Pull out front ring to unlock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobwertit Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 I finally managed to pull out the focusing ring out of the locking position to get it to rotate (thanks). However, I'm unfamiliar with these kinds of lenses; is the focusing barrel supposed to rotate 360 degrees continuously without any hard stops? The focusing on the anamorphic seems to have no apparent change in the image compared to my taking lens. Is something wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Sure, the system is dual focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew Veeneman Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 Hey, dual focus is not wrong. It's harder. For the Ultra Star it's worth it. Bobwertit, I've done a fair amount of shooting with these. You'll see quicker results if you give the taking lens the first turn, then the Anamorphic... lastly fine tune the taking lens for best results. I strongly recommend getting the focus assist zoomed in while your doing this. You'll get the hang of it. Also, in practice the ultra star stretches more like 1.8 than 2x... and the stretch varies a little near the edges like a old fashion anamorphic. Keep that in mind when editing your footage. For best results I recommend cropping it down to a 2.66 aspect ratio most of the time. Anyway, hope you enjoy the ultra star and shoot some cool footage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobwertit Posted September 26, 2014 Author Share Posted September 26, 2014 Thanks for the help Drew! I have now been able to do some more extensive testing, and unfortunately try as I may the focusing on the Isco seems to do nothing at all to my image (I'm focusing using the 1:1 punch-in feature on my camera). Only the focus on my taking lens seems to have an effect on my image. I have also tried stopping down my lens to get a deeper depth of field, and then attempting to focus the adapter, but only the focusing ring on my taking lens results in a change in sharpness in the image. Am I doing something incorrectly? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkor Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 See if the front element moves forward and backwards when you turn the focus ring. If it does it should be working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobwertit Posted September 26, 2014 Author Share Posted September 26, 2014 Turning the focusing ring results in no change of the front element (it does not move forwards or backwards as I turn the ring). Is the lens faulty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkor Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I guess so, if there is no difference between the close focus and infinity setting the lens can't change the focus distance, that's why it won't focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwijip Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 My ultra star is working ok in terms of focus ring clicking out and focusing. But its got a reeeaaaal stiff focus ring. Will this fix with lubrication from a camera shop or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterA Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Hi. I just got an Isco Ultra Star Anamorphic Lens (Light Gold Version) & the focus ring will not turn. I tried to pull to unlock or twist but it but wont budge. Is there a locked version or is this lens busted? It is set to infinity. Do you have specific instructions on how to move the focus ring. The seller said that that's how it is & the images he got was fine. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 1 hour ago, PeterA said: Hi. I just got an Isco Ultra Star Anamorphic Lens (Light Gold Version) & the focus ring will not turn. I tried to pull to unlock or twist but it but wont budge. Is there a locked version or is this lens busted? It is set to infinity. Do you have specific instructions on how to move the focus ring. The seller said that that's how it is & the images he got was fine. Thank you. it does sound odd, maybe the guy who sold it to you had a single focus solution mounted to it. I have an isco gottingen anamorphic, light golden in colour. Its pretty tight, it takes both hands to turn the focus ring. Rather than sort it out i bought an elmoscope but that may not be an option for everyone. One day i might get it sorted. If it has a distance scale on the front then the front should bloody well turn. Have you had it long? can you send it back for a refund ? some shcneider anamorphics had an odd setup where to adjust focus you needed an allen or hex key to turn screw on the front to adjust focus not sure if isco ever did something like that however Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterA Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 I just got it. It came with a rangefinder. It does have a distance scale so I think you should be able to turn and adjust distance. I tried very hard but it really will not budge. With a range finder, I think it'll be workable. Is this a big deal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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