I built an anamorphic 35mm rig, I put a roll of HP5+ through it. Here are the results.

Cholentpot · Apr 17, 2018

So I bought a Bosch and Lomb 2x anamorphic projector lens. It's a huge monster, I tried it with a variety of setups but the one that worked best so far was hooking it up to my EOS 500n.

It works like this. Camera > Lens (in this case a 35-135 USM, I needed in lens focus) > step-up rings > 77mm collar > anamorphic lens.

I was able to shoot handheld with the 500n. The bulk of the camera allowed me to shoot pretty low shutter speeds without any blur. I did have to stop down to f/8 to get any semblance of sharpness. There was are two DOF options though, everything out of focus, everything in focus.

I have to squeeze in post, I gave it a 2x squeeze instead of the 2.39:1. It looked better.

In all I think I need to upgrade to a smaller lighter more modern lens that has the ability to focus. Fun project though

Here's a link to an album.

https://imgur.com/a/RX6TO

Eric Rose · Apr 17, 2018

Very cool! I want to get one for video work.

abruzzi · Apr 17, 2018

I love cylindrical lenses, as a former theater projectionist, I applaud the effort (and that scope lens must be heavy!)

Kino · Apr 17, 2018

Very nice!

You might look for a Kollmorgan Anamorphic lens; they are compact (about the size of a 135mm prime) and in gold anodized finish, but they are very expensive unless you get lucky at a certain auction site!

Sarath · Apr 17, 2018

Other than the word mesmerizing, I don't have anything else to aay.

Cholentpot · Apr 17, 2018

abruzzi said:
I love cylindrical lenses, as a former theater projectionist, I applaud the effort (and that scope lens must be heavy!)

Very heavy. Like bazooka heavy. You got the scoop where I can find something smaller? There's gotta be thousands of these gathering dust after the digital switch-over.

Kino said:
Very nice!

You might look for a Kollmorgan Anamorphic lens; they are compact (about the size of a 135mm prime) and in gold anodized finish, but they are very expensive unless you get lucky at a certain auction site!

Something like this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ko...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

I can't judge the size and weight. I think this also has a minimum focus of about 15 feet. I like taking portraits and that's a little too far.

Sarath said:
Other than the word mesmerizing, I don't have anything else to aay.

Thanks! It's a fun project that I already used for a client. I don't think they completely understood the end product but I enjoyed it.

Kino · Apr 17, 2018

No, more of the form factor of this one, but with anamorphics: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kollmorgen...496838?hash=item41b9e26786:g:RBYAAOSwo4pYUYb-

I can't find an example on Ebay, but they are around...

Cholentpot · Apr 17, 2018

Kino said:
No, more of the form factor of this one, but with anamorphics: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kollmorgen...496838?hash=item41b9e26786:g:RBYAAOSwo4pYUYb-

I can't find an example on Ebay, but they are around...

That's basically what I'm using now. A very large diopter. I'm looking for one with focusing ability.

Anyhoo. After some messing around I got the squeeze factor down. But that's Photoshop post work and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to speak of such things here.

samcomet · Apr 17, 2018

I built something similar years and years ago for my Leicina Special (Leica) Super 8 movie camera. I took it to Japan on holiday but made the mistake in orienting the supplementary lens and ended up with "Tallscope" rather than Widescreen Anamorphic. D'oh!!!! Needless to say I only did this once. My results were most rewarding thereafter. Hope you enjoy the product of your labours. Cheers! Sam

Cholentpot · Apr 17, 2018

samcomet said:
I built something similar years and years ago for my Leicina Special (Leica) Super 8 movie camera. I took it to Japan on holiday but made the mistake in orienting the supplementary lens and ended up with "Tallscope" rather than Widescreen Anamorphic. D'oh!!!! Needless to say I only did this once. My results were most rewarding thereafter. Hope you enjoy the product of your labours. Cheers! Sam

It would look great on a smart phone though.

samcomet · Apr 18, 2018

Too true, that!

Cholentpot · Apr 18, 2018

So next update on this project. I ordered some 82mm closeup diopters. This should give me an ability to close focus. I'm on the lookout for some +0.5 large diopters as it seems the +1.0 and up are a little too close.

samcomet · Apr 19, 2018

I could be wrong here but in my experience shooting with a variety of anamorphic attachments, I was able to get close focus with a flatbed (Steenbeck or some such) film editor/viewer anamorphic lens. It was a supplementary lens that fit on the projection end of the flatbed viewer lens. Because the distances between the film plane or gate and the backlit viewing screen were so short, maybe about a meter or less, these lenses could get close focus. Cinema projection lenses obviously had a huge throw, so focus was in the tens of meters. Anyway hope you have good luck.
cheers,
Sam

Kino · Apr 19, 2018

samcomet said:
I could be wrong here but in my experience shooting with a variety of anamorphic attachments, I was able to get close focus with a flatbed (Steenbeck or some such) film editor/viewer anamorphic lens. It was a supplementary lens that fit on the projection end of the flatbed viewer lens. Because the distances between the film plane or gate and the backlit viewing screen were so short, maybe about a meter or less, these lenses could get close focus. Cinema projection lenses obviously had a huge throw, so focus was in the tens of meters. Anyway hope you have good luck.
cheers,
Sam

This is exactly the lens I was speaking of; We had them on our Steenbeck flatbed film viewers to view scope prints. They were much more compact than the adapter shown, but had no focus or aperture integral to the lens.

Cholentpot · Apr 19, 2018

Kino said:
This is exactly the lens I was speaking of; We had them on our Steenbeck flatbed film viewers to view scope prints. They were much more compact than the adapter shown, but had no focus or aperture integral to the lens.

samcomet said:
I could be wrong here but in my experience shooting with a variety of anamorphic attachments, I was able to get close focus with a flatbed (Steenbeck or some such) film editor/viewer anamorphic lens. It was a supplementary lens that fit on the projection end of the flatbed viewer lens. Because the distances between the film plane or gate and the backlit viewing screen were so short, maybe about a meter or less, these lenses could get close focus. Cinema projection lenses obviously had a huge throw, so focus was in the tens of meters. Anyway hope you have good luck.
cheers,
Sam

Awesome! So where do even start to look for one of these? I'm not even sure what to type into Ebay.

Half the trouble is knowing what to look for.

Kino · Apr 19, 2018

I'll snoop around and see if I can find one still installed and get you the nomenclature...

Cholentpot · Apr 19, 2018

Kino said:
I'll snoop around and see if I can find one still installed and get you the nomenclature...

Great.

Even better would be if you can find one that's not used anymore and sorta send it my way if you get my drift.

One second....would one of these things hook up to my enlarger and allow me to print anamorphic?

Kino · Apr 19, 2018

As much as I would like to go to Federal Prison for the hobby, my creditors would frown on that...

You might be able to use it to print; I just don't know. Seems possible.

Meanwhile... have you considered this? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._slrac_40133_anamorphot_1_33x_40_adapter.html

Kino · Apr 19, 2018

After checking around, I have been informed those lenses we used to have were traded-in about 5 years ago on service and spare parts for the flatbeds, so I can't give you a photo. Sorry.

However, I found that if you do a Google search on "compact cinemascope lens", it returned many hits of lenses that closely resemble what we had. Good luck!

Cholentpot · Apr 19, 2018

"compact cinemascope lens" Just puts me right back into what I was seeing before. My B&L 4lb beast is listed under compact cinemascope lens.

Any other keywords or ideas? Can you find a link that has a photo of what you used?

Kino · Apr 19, 2018

Some of those lenses listed under "compact cinemascope lens" are definitely smaller than what you are using.

Anyway, I'll keep looking when I can and post here if I find something.

Cholentpot · Apr 19, 2018

Kino said:
Some of those lenses listed under "compact cinemascope lens" are definitely smaller than what you are using.

Anyway, I'll keep looking when I can and post here if I find something.

Thanks! My left hand is creaking from using that b&l.

samcomet · Apr 19, 2018

I found this after a short search with the usual search engine: click me. I cannot say the price surprised me but I don't think that it is unusual for a new bit of glass .............
Cheers!
Sam

Cholentpot · Apr 19, 2018

samcomet said:
I found this after a short search with the usual search engine: click me. I cannot say the price surprised me but I don't think that it is unusual for a new bit of glass .............
Cheers!
Sam

I need an oddball lens, not a new camera. Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk.

awty · Jul 20, 2023

I picked up a very old basic type. Has two single curved lenses that distance can be adjusted.
I cant seem to get it to focus with a camera, not sure how I can use it. Do you need to use a lens or could I couple it up to a lens board and use it direct?
No idea, cost $10 + postage, figured I could find some use for it. Was hoping to be able to use the distortion.

I built an anamorphic 35mm rig, I put a roll of HP5+ through it. Here are the results.

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