Where to buy an anamorphic adapter/converter? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Kilgroe · June 21st, 2003, 12:25 AM

Looking for an anamorphic adaper/converter for the DVX100. B&H and other places I've looked don't seem to have them.

Thanks

Mike Morrell · June 21st, 2003, 05:06 AM

I just got mine from Biz-Max. Used them yesterday for the first time and have some questions/problems. See my post on this.

Dean Harrington · June 29th, 2003, 03:04 PM

by Panasonic is two layered and not very good according to a number of people who have used it. I'd wait until some of the other optic companies get theirs on the market.
A three layered anamorpic might do the trick. I understand, one's under construction at the moment - can't recall the maker but the price might be a bit hight -$2,000 or so.
I'm more interested in test shots with the mini35 and the DVX. Now, that might be something!

Jeff Kilgroe · June 29th, 2003, 10:03 PM

Yeah, I've dug up a few sites and some other references showing the Panasonic anamorphic adapter. It seems most people are getting equal or better results by simply cropping the 4:3 image (or shooting in LB mode) and then stretching the resulting image to be anamorphic.

The Panasonic adapter consistantly shows severe barreling effects when zoomed out wide and seems to lose its anamorphic effect at full zoom. There's a "sweet spot" in the middle where the anamorphic adapter looks pretty good, but it's far too limiting to be of overall use - especially since the going price seems to be about $800.

And that doesn't take into account that video shot through the anamorphic adapter looses some sharpness and color fidelity.

I was playing with the VX100 as a demo when I originally started this thread and have since bought the camera. I bought it to compliment my XL1s with the ability to shoot in progressive modes. This camera continuously surprises me with what it can do and the quality of the image I get out of it. I'm even getting some very impressive results scaling 24p and 30p video from this camera to 1280x720 HD res. Yes, it does soften the image a bit, but it looks very nice and far fewer compression artifacts along with better overall color than what comes out of JVC's new HD camcorder. Which was the other camera I was considering purchasing these past few weeks.

But if Century Optics or other company comes out with an anamorphic solution, I'll definitely take a look. However, it better have complete zoom through ability and retain all color clarity without any noticeable barreling for me to truly consider it. I did buy the Century Optics .7x wide adapter and it's a pretty nice lense adapter. Some warping when zoomed wide, but not bad - even unnoticeable as long as I keep a 10% or more zoom on. Very handy for shooting indoors or trying to get a little extra in an outdoor shot of buildings in close range and other cramped shooting conditions.

Stephen van Vuuren · June 29th, 2003, 10:06 PM

Jeff:

Yeah, I've also decided not to buy the anamorphic.

I'm thinking about the CO telephoto adapter - have you tried it yet?

Dean Harrington · June 30th, 2003, 02:29 AM

who makes that?.....got it century optics. LOL

Jeff Kilgroe · June 30th, 2003, 06:49 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Stephen van Vuuren : Jeff:

Yeah, I've also decided not to buy the anamorphic.

I'm thinking about the CO telephoto adapter - have you tried it yet? -->>>

No, haven't tried it. I am interested though and would like to get my hands on one to try. Can't seem to find too many local dealers that carry CO (or any other brand of stuff) that will fit the VX100.

June 21st, 2003, 12:25 AM	#1
Jeff Kilgroe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 681	Where to buy an anamorphic adapter/converter? Looking for an anamorphic adaper/converter for the DVX100. B&H and other places I've looked don't seem to have them. Thanks __________________ - Jeff Kilgroe - Applied Visual Technologies \| DarkScience - www.darkscience.com

June 29th, 2003, 03:04 PM	#3
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	anamorphic adaptor lense..... by Panasonic is two layered and not very good according to a number of people who have used it. I'd wait until some of the other optic companies get theirs on the market. A three layered anamorpic might do the trick. I understand, one's under construction at the moment - can't recall the maker but the price might be a bit hight -$2,000 or so. I'm more interested in test shots with the mini35 and the DVX. Now, that might be something!

June 29th, 2003, 10:03 PM	#4
Jeff Kilgroe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 681	Yeah, I've dug up a few sites and some other references showing the Panasonic anamorphic adapter. It seems most people are getting equal or better results by simply cropping the 4:3 image (or shooting in LB mode) and then stretching the resulting image to be anamorphic. The Panasonic adapter consistantly shows severe barreling effects when zoomed out wide and seems to lose its anamorphic effect at full zoom. There's a "sweet spot" in the middle where the anamorphic adapter looks pretty good, but it's far too limiting to be of overall use - especially since the going price seems to be about $800. And that doesn't take into account that video shot through the anamorphic adapter looses some sharpness and color fidelity. I was playing with the VX100 as a demo when I originally started this thread and have since bought the camera. I bought it to compliment my XL1s with the ability to shoot in progressive modes. This camera continuously surprises me with what it can do and the quality of the image I get out of it. I'm even getting some very impressive results scaling 24p and 30p video from this camera to 1280x720 HD res. Yes, it does soften the image a bit, but it looks very nice and far fewer compression artifacts along with better overall color than what comes out of JVC's new HD camcorder. Which was the other camera I was considering purchasing these past few weeks. But if Century Optics or other company comes out with an anamorphic solution, I'll definitely take a look. However, it better have complete zoom through ability and retain all color clarity without any noticeable barreling for me to truly consider it. I did buy the Century Optics .7x wide adapter and it's a pretty nice lense adapter. Some warping when zoomed wide, but not bad - even unnoticeable as long as I keep a 10% or more zoom on. Very handy for shooting indoors or trying to get a little extra in an outdoor shot of buildings in close range and other cramped shooting conditions. __________________ - Jeff Kilgroe - Applied Visual Technologies \| DarkScience - www.darkscience.com

June 29th, 2003, 10:06 PM	#5
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	Jeff: Yeah, I've also decided not to buy the anamorphic. I'm thinking about the CO telephoto adapter - have you tried it yet? __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

June 30th, 2003, 02:29 AM	#6
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	CO telephoto adapter... who makes that?.....got it century optics. LOL

June 21st, 2003, 05:06 AM	#2
Mike Morrell Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Norcross GA Posts: 119	I just got mine from Biz-Max. Used them yesterday for the first time and have some questions/problems. See my post on this.

June 30th, 2003, 06:49 AM	#7
Jeff Kilgroe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 681	<<<-- Originally posted by Stephen van Vuuren : Jeff: Yeah, I've also decided not to buy the anamorphic. I'm thinking about the CO telephoto adapter - have you tried it yet? -->>> No, haven't tried it. I am interested though and would like to get my hands on one to try. Can't seem to find too many local dealers that carry CO (or any other brand of stuff) that will fit the VX100. __________________ - Jeff Kilgroe - Applied Visual Technologies \| DarkScience - www.darkscience.com