Aspect ratio Filter/Lens at DVinfo.net

Simon Antoniou · July 23rd, 2007, 09:58 AM

1. Does anybody know where I can get an aspect ratio lens or filter which can be screwed on the lens of the camera which shows me the aspect ratio of widescreen 1.75 or even 2.35. This is so I don’t have to put tape over my monitor to correctly compose my shots.

2. Does anyone know a Prosumer camera that has the 1.75 or 2.35 bars built in so you can see on the viewfinder?

Thanks

Kevin Amundson · July 23rd, 2007, 11:27 AM

Before I bought my XH-A1, I had this same problem. I got a package of those screen protectors for PDA's, and cut it to the size for my screen, measured out the correct aspect ratio guides and took an Ultra Fine Point SHARPIE and drew the lines on the screen protector. Then I just stuck it on.

Ben Winter · July 23rd, 2007, 11:28 AM

1. No. There is an anamorphic lens that squeezes a 16:9 image onto a 4:3 sensor. Search for 'anamorphic lens' in google, you will have to find one that works on your camera.

If you were to apply some kind of masking right up against the lens, it would be uselessly out of focus and blurry, not a mask at all.

2. Most prosumer cameras these days shoot 16:9 native. All HDV cameras do. So no trickery is involved. Oftentimes the viewfinder itself is 16:9. By 16:9 I do mean the 1.78 ratio you speak of.

No prosumer camera shoots in academy/2.35. You'd need to tape over the viewfinder yourself, like I do sometimes. A few cameras have the functionality to overlay alpha masks to give you 1.85 or 2.35, but those are 4:3 cameras and you're much better off shooting in 4:3 with just the viewfinder masked to give you the maximum flexibility in reframing your shot after masking in post (i.e. reframe the shot vertically as needed to fit a face).

Kevin Amundson · July 23rd, 2007, 05:55 PM

After reading Bens post I relized I forgot to add that when you capture the footage and edit it, you need to drop a mask over your video in your NLE.

You can get mask from my site here:
http://www.kraentertainment.com/free.html

July 23rd, 2007, 09:58 AM	#1
Simon Antoniou Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 73	Aspect ratio Filter/Lens 1. Does anybody know where I can get an aspect ratio lens or filter which can be screwed on the lens of the camera which shows me the aspect ratio of widescreen 1.75 or even 2.35. This is so I don’t have to put tape over my monitor to correctly compose my shots. 2. Does anyone know a Prosumer camera that has the 1.75 or 2.35 bars built in so you can see on the viewfinder? Thanks

July 23rd, 2007, 11:27 AM	#2
Kevin Amundson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Prague, MN Posts: 112	Before I bought my XH-A1, I had this same problem. I got a package of those screen protectors for PDA's, and cut it to the size for my screen, measured out the correct aspect ratio guides and took an Ultra Fine Point SHARPIE and drew the lines on the screen protector. Then I just stuck it on. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Kevin \| www.kraentertainment.com A picture is worth 1,000 words \| A 2 hour film at 24fps is worth 172,800,000 words

July 23rd, 2007, 11:28 AM	#3
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	1. No. There is an anamorphic lens that squeezes a 16:9 image onto a 4:3 sensor. Search for 'anamorphic lens' in google, you will have to find one that works on your camera. If you were to apply some kind of masking right up against the lens, it would be uselessly out of focus and blurry, not a mask at all. 2. Most prosumer cameras these days shoot 16:9 native. All HDV cameras do. So no trickery is involved. Oftentimes the viewfinder itself is 16:9. By 16:9 I do mean the 1.78 ratio you speak of. No prosumer camera shoots in academy/2.35. You'd need to tape over the viewfinder yourself, like I do sometimes. A few cameras have the functionality to overlay alpha masks to give you 1.85 or 2.35, but those are 4:3 cameras and you're much better off shooting in 4:3 with just the viewfinder masked to give you the maximum flexibility in reframing your shot after masking in post (i.e. reframe the shot vertically as needed to fit a face). __________________ BenWinter.com

July 23rd, 2007, 05:55 PM	#4
Kevin Amundson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Prague, MN Posts: 112	After reading Bens post I relized I forgot to add that when you capture the footage and edit it, you need to drop a mask over your video in your NLE. You can get mask from my site here: http://www.kraentertainment.com/free.html __________________ Kevin \| www.kraentertainment.com A picture is worth 1,000 words \| A 2 hour film at 24fps is worth 172,800,000 words