New zoom-through anamorphic adapter from Optex

[Chris Hurd]

To be distributed in U.S. by our sponsor ZGC. More details and a review on the Watchdog forthcoming, but in the meantime here's a preliminary info brochure with photos in PDF format:

www.dvinfo.net/pdf/xlanamorphic-ip.pdf

[Nathan Gifford]

Too bad it works only with the manual lens...a shade under $2,000 (+ the 16X) you think?

Still it really looks impressive on the cam!!!

Happy Holidays,

[Adrian Douglas]

Nathan,

If you read the fine print towards the bottom of the page it says it also works with the standard lens but some cut off will be experienced at wider angles.

The black painted body looks pretty menacing ay?

[Nathan Gifford]

Ay is right. It does look slick. To speak the plain truth, I would sure like to have both lenses, but I wonder if it would be better to go to DSR500 instead?

[Chris Hurd]

Canon makes a black-body GL2 that's not available in the US. It looks great alongside the black-body Powershot G2 that's also not available in the US. I suppose a black-body XL1S would look just as nice, but probably wouldn't be available in the US.

I wonder if Optex actually spray-painted that thing, or if they PhotoShopped it.

[Adrian van der Park]

You could do like I did and just get some black electrical tape.

Wow that adapter is pricey. I could afford to buy a second camera for the price of a 16x manual lens and that a-lens. Or easily fund my next project in style.

I still maintain that a-lenses are messy and for the cost, I'd much rather wait to see what Canon or Sony put out after the XL1 and PD150. My guess is they'll one-up Pany by sticking on 16x9 ccd's with 24p.

Adrian

[Adrian Douglas]

Would native 16x9 chips mean new lenses? If it does, do you think Conon would go there, or do you think they would want to keep the bacwards compatability of the XL system?

[Adrian van der Park]

I don't see how you would need new lenses from Canon, unless it involves something with the mount. If that's the case, then I don't know, but I betcha it's possible to squeeze plenty more out the existing lenses.

[Adrian Douglas]

I was thinking that especiall with the 3x the 16x9 image could introduce vignetting when used with a lens designed for 4x3 chips

[Adrian van der Park]

Good point. At the very least, there'd be a bit more depth of field assuming that it'll still be 1/3 widescreen ccd's.

But it's all moot until such a beastie comes out.

If you've ever tried to shoot on tight schedule with an a-lens, it's a real pain. A-lenses are a relic from the 50's and should be left behind. A true zoom thru adapter does take a bit more of the sting out, but comeon, can anyone explain to me why 16x9 ccd's are still so hard to come by at the beginning of the new millenium without taking out a new mortgage?!

Adrian

[Don Berube]

Hi Chris,

I am in Manhattan today and will be working alongside Canon's Dave C. and Mizell from ZGC demonstrating the XL1S, GL2, mini35 adaptor and the new Optex Anamorphic adaptor as well as some other DV goodies to the Local 600 Union - New York City's finest. I have my PowerShot with me, so I will try to take some images for you if I can manage it. I'll keep you posted.

I'm really looking forward to seeing you again in LA at the DV EXPO, hopefully we will be able to find the time one night to feast on some chili dogs at Pink's, perhaps even pay a visit to B&S which is just a few blocks away from there.

Looking forward to seeing our friends from Nebtek too.

See you on Sunday!

- don

[Chris Hurd]

See you there, Don, and thanks! Say hello to David for me; haven't seen him since he got married. If you don't get any photos there, then we'll get to enjoy watching Mizell show off this thing at DV Expo. Can't wait!

[Xavian-Anderson Macpherson]

Optex is GONE!!
But here is the link to the site which carries their products:
http://optexint.com/history/index.html

Although it seems like Century may now be the only game in town for anamorphic adapters.

Xavian-Anderson Macpherson
ShingoshiDao