1.2:1 Aspect Ratio for Anamorphic Raw

Started by sodapopodalaigh, October 08, 2013, 09:15:30 PM

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sodapopodalaigh

Hi, I'm new to the forum so pardon me if I'm posting in the wrong area, but I'd like to suggest adding a 1.2:1 aspect ratio to the list or Raw recording aspect ratios.

The reason being that it would give 2x anamorphic shooters like myself a perfect 2.40:1 aspect ratio in post, while saving space on the card to record for longer if you don't want to use a 4:3 ratio and crop. I was using 1536x1280 on what I believe was the June 1st build, which was perfect for anamorphic use but of course it, being the June 1st build, wasn't as stable as some of the newer builds.

I just thought I'd throw the suggestion out there, as I think a lot of people (myself included ) would like to see it implemented.





bnvm

+1 I also shoot anamorphic and have been using 1472x1250 on the MKII which with my 2x makes a 2.35 aspect but it would be nice to have options for 2.4 and 2.39. Cropping is an option but I am at the limits of the capabilities of continuous so options that didn't have to be cropped would be awesome.


Africashot

Quote from: bnvm on October 08, 2013, 09:37:15 PM
+1 I also shoot anamorphic and have been using 1472x1250 on the MKII which with my 2x makes a 2.35 aspect but it would be nice to have options for 2.4 and 2.39. Cropping is an option but I am at the limits of the capabilities of continuous so options that didn't have to be cropped would be awesome.
Slightly off topic: what lens are you using with the 5D2? I'd really like to get started with anamorphics but information online is often unclear when it comes to covering fullframe sensors, it would be great to know your experience since we are using the same camera, thanks in advance!
ML 5D2 & T3i

bnvm

A lot of workiing with anamorphics depends on the anamorphic lens you are using. The anamorphic lens I use is a Kowa Prominar 16-H. It is probably the best deal lens out there for anamorphics on a dslr. It is smaller than my 24-105mm lens, has good flare, has a short 4.5 foot minimum focus, a 75mm prime or higher won't vignette which is pretty wide for anamorphic adapters, and is cheaper than others with similar quality. The main point against it is the fact that it has to be focused together with your prime taking lens so rack focus is near impossible, this is common to all anamorphic adapters except for the Iscocarma series which only requires focusing the prime(expensive and rare though).There is a guide on EOSHD for anamorphics which is useful for choosing your lens.

On ebay the kowa runs $1500-$1000 but others with similar quality can be 5-10X more. I got mine for $500 since it wouldn't achieve focus wide open. Having some experience I figured it was due to the front and rear elements being out of alignment and it was. I only mention this because of 2 anamorphics I got of ebay they both had this issue and it is a easy fix. Also stay away from the giant projector lenses, mostly Isco-optics. They work but are totally impractical and require a railing system since they are soo big.

The best thing I did was get a M42 to EF adapter so I can use old pentax screw mount lenses on my MKII. Most of these lenses are made around the same decade as my Kowa and are fairly easy to find at used camera shops. I was able to pick up 4 prime lenses for $80. I also have a canon 85mm 1.8, this lens was recommended for the kowa in the guide I mentioned above but I do not recommend it. There is something about the optics of the 85 that just don't fit with the kowa. It is near impossible to focus wide open and the bokeh is very odd. I recommend older simpler lenses and stay away from any lens that has a rotating front element.

Full Frame is not an issues as long as you are 75 mm or higher(for the kowa the guide has a matrix of min focal for different adapters). One issue I have with mine is anamorphic distortion on the edges. Objects on the edges are squeezed and nodal pan shots look strange. I have been correcting this in post. I use a few lenses shorter than 70 mm but since I shoot 1472 wide most of the vignetting is cropped out and the distortion correction I do pushes most of the remaining vignette out of view so it has worked out OK.

Prime M42 lenses I use are.
Sears 55mm f1.5 - $30
Helios-44-2 58mm f2 - $30 (this one is my primary lens and my favorite as of now, interesting bokeh and flare)
Helios-40 85mm f1.5 - $300 (just got this one and am waiting on some adapters before I can use it)
Vivitar 135mm f2.8 - $7
Chinon 200mm f3.5 - $10

That is 35 mm - 130 mm after unsqueezing and crop factor using 1472.

Right now I am using a vid-atlantic clamp and connecting everthing via step up/down rings. Anyone have an suggestions for a good railing system? I would rather not use rings and would like to get the Kowa closer to the prime to see if I can reduce the distortion I mentioned earlier.

JohnBarlow

I support this request and I also wish for the 6:5 ratio at full sensor height resolution

a1ex


Africashot

Quote from: bnvm on October 10, 2013, 05:26:52 PM
A lot of workiing with anamorphics depends on the anamorphic lens you are using. The anamorphic lens I use is a Kowa Prominar 16-H. It is probably the best deal lens out there for anamorphics on a dslr.

Thank you so much for elaborating on this, I have read Andrew Reid's guide but it was exactly after the kind of hands on, camera specific information you have provided here! I had no idea these m42 lenses worked on full frame. For now the kind of corporate/real estate work I am doing is no place to use anamorphics but I'd like to get started with building a small arsenal of vintage glass like you have mentioned in order to get some experience and at some point shoot my first personal narrative work purely anamorphic. By what you have listed here it is not even nearly as expensive as I had estimated from Andrew's guide (his 'EOSHD headquarters' have to be a bit like the playboy mansion of lens-gear porn anyway...). Thanks again for all this valuable input!
ML 5D2 & T3i

bnvm

No problem, I was in the same boat as you a few months ago and know how sparse information is out there. I made the mistake of getting a Isco-optic, giant projection lens, that was totally unpractical to use. I would absolutely recommend the Kowa for a mkII because it is a great adapter, one of the cheapest, and can tolerate wider focal lengths.

Anamorphics can be expensive for sure, I am doing this a hobby and my main goal has been to get something good that has character and to do so for as cheaply as possible. Most anamorphic adapters have their own issues but these issues give them character, I don't think it is necessary to spend a ton of money on great glass only to add an adapter to it that is going to introduce its own issues anyway. All of my glass is sharp at fast apertures but does tend to flare a lot.

Yeah the discovery that M42 lenses work fine on a the mkII was a great find since the lenses are cheap and relatively common at used camera stores. Make sure you get the thin m42 adapter, there is another one that is probably 2 cm thick that won't work. I found that out the hard way. The biggest issue is finding ones that don't have a rotating front. The lenses are all full manual but since they are for video that is perfect, why pay the added expense for auto. The lenses I have are good lenses most of them with character, which I prefer (especially the Helios's). Right now the Helios's are my preferred lenses for video and photos.

The only lens I would not recommend is the Chinon 200mm, it has some CA especially at fast apertures. Its an easy fix in post but adds another step. Also I have only been shooting on with anamorphic's for a few months,  so I am still learning as well. I am going be doing a shoot today if things work out. I will try and post some of that here soon.

sodapopodalaigh

Quote from: a1ex on October 17, 2013, 12:37:37 PM
Waiting for your pull request.

Is this addressed to me? I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "pull request".

RenatoPhoto

Quote from: sodapopodalaigh on October 18, 2013, 01:49:37 AM
Is this addressed to me? I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "pull request".
If you are a programmer you can log in to bitbucket and propose your code changes via pull request.
http://www.pululahuahostal.com  |  EF 300 f/4, EF 100-400 L, EF 180 L, EF-S 10-22, Samyang 14mm, Sigma 28mm EX DG, Sigma 8mm 1:3.5 EX DG, EF 50mm 1:1.8 II, EF 1.4X II, Kenko C-AF 2X

sodapopodalaigh

Unfortunately I do not have any coding experience. Just a camera user.

bnvm

Quote from: a1ex on October 17, 2013, 12:37:37 PM
Waiting for your pull request.

If he knew how to implement it he would have done it without asking. This is the feature request forum isn't it?

a1ex

This one is really simple to implement, and requires little or no programming experience (you just need to know how to edit a text file, how to read some tutorials and some common sense).

My message is not addressed to anyone in particular (maybe to those who expect ML to be a polished product that they can just consume).

sodapopodalaigh

Well, if you could point me in the right direction towards one of these tutorials, I'd be more than happy to learn how.

I'm sorry, I appreciate all that you guys have done here at ML, I don't mean to just one who "consumes". I just had an idea for a feature that might be useful to myself and others that I thought I'd like to throw out there.

bnvm

Quote from: a1ex on October 18, 2013, 08:52:44 AM
This one is really simple to implement, and requires little or no programming experience (you just need to know how to edit a text file, how to read some tutorials and some common sense).

My message is not addressed to anyone in particular (maybe to those who expect ML to be a polished product that they can just consume).

Thanks for the info, I created a pull request. Your are right it was very easy, assuming I updated everything I needed to.

sodapopodalaigh

Thanks for doing it bnvm!

I also created a pull request for adding 1504 and 1536 so you can use those for going up to 1280. I feel like a nob now for not being able to figure it out. :)

ch_d

Quote from: bnvm on October 18, 2013, 05:30:27 PM
Thanks for the info, I created a pull request. Your are right it was very easy, assuming I updated everything I needed to.

can you upload the files for 5DM2? maybe for this build: 2013-10-24 (for me this is the best in stability and performance)
5D MII

a1ex

Quote from: ch_d on December 05, 2013, 02:46:09 AM
can you upload the files for 5DM2?

Why do you ask them to re-upload the nightly builds? download link is broken?

Quote
maybe for this build: 2013-10-24 (for me this is the best in stability and performance)

You need to show what's wrong with later builds (with a proper bug report).

ch_d

hey alex.
sorry i donĀ“t want to bother you.

i thought bnvm managed to implement the new aspect ratios into the 5DM2 builds... so i asked for a upload.
5D MII