SLR Magic Anamorphot 2x on GH4 (16x9 center crop)

[Zak Forsman]

Took the SLR Magic Anamorphic 2x out this afternoon.

And shot a variety of compositions and taking lenses (35, 50, 85) with some friends who also happen to be terrific actresses.

The top and bottom frames were shot on a GH4 with a Nikon AIS 35mm f/1.4 @ f/5.6 and the middle CU is with a Nikon AIS 50mm f/1.2 @ f/5.6.  

Will post video later.

[Zak Forsman]

Shoot was conducted with three Nikon AIS taking lenses: 35mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.2 & 85mm f/2. There are a few close-ups in there where I used their new +1.8 diopter too.

 

[ken]

I just wander how much better if compared with Kowa 16h/8z/B&H.

[BrooklynDan]

The SLR 2x seems to really sing with the 35mm, especially with the diopter attached. The 50 and 85 don't seem to fare so well, even at a 5.6 And I'm still not clear, is this a dual focus or single focus lens? It seems to have inherited the zone focus set-up of the 1.33x, but I can't imagine that you can just set the range on the anamorphot and just rack focus with the taking lens. The astigmatism inherent in a 2x system to way too high. Even the vast majority of fixed-focus 1.33x adapters had issues keeping focus across the frame, so with a 2x, constant dual-focusing seems to be necessary, unless you add a variable diopter.

[Zak Forsman]

BrooklynDan, of the three, I like shooting with the 35mm the most. Here's some more stills from another shoot this morning. In order form top to bottom: 35mm, 35mm +1.8 dopter, 50mm, 35mm.

[Zak Forsman]

 

[Liszon]

It has a bit too much CA and smearing for my taste, reminds me of the Panasonic LA7200.

But it's great to see some real world tests, thanks Zak.

[richg101]

It has a bit too much CA and smearing for my taste, reminds me of the Panasonic LA7200.

But it's great to see some real world tests, thanks Zak.

​

I agree.  Unfortunately it looks like some corners have been cut with the design.  The lens seems to be introducing a lot of fringing at the edges and there seems to be a prominent fringing effect of the actual bokeh - similar to a poorly collimated oct18 squarefront - where the prime is slightly off from the squarefront itself.

also, the requirement to use a 35mm to obtain usable results (even on m4/3) would suggest a big limitation for users of s35 or full frame sensors who will want to use a 50-85mm lens to obtain the same fov.  Does the supplied documentation suggest using on m4/3 only?  I've been waiting to see some stuff shot on bigger sensors

both this and the previous 1.33x version appear to have been reworkings of the century 1.33x anamorphic (premium focusable unit), a seriously flawed design when used on sensors bigger than 2/3".

 

 

 

[1tkman]

These videos are incredible! 

[Zak Forsman]

The chromatic aberration you see isn't the Anamorphot 2x's fault. It's the vintage Nikon taking lenses I'm using. I held the 2x by hand in front of my Sigma 18-35mm and there was not a trace of CA. I've read elsewhere, from another tester, that it is better suited to modern lenses. Waiting for a 72mm > 62mm step down ring to arrive this week so i can experiment more with the Sigma.