The Epic SLR Magic Anamorphot 40 Review
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Is the Anamorphot 40 a better choice than Sirui's 50mm T2.9 or the Great Joy 35mm? Can it compete with $9K anamorphic lenses like the Atlas Orion series? I took a deep look at the power, quirks, and shortcomings of SLR Magic's Anamorphot 40, arguably the cheapest quality-oriented option for going anamorphic and asked, "is it a professional tool or a toy?" It turned out to be a very complicated question, so I've included a ton of test footage and examples.
If you want to learn more about anamorphic lenses-- especially those that cost under ten grand, you have to check out Tito Ferradans UA-cam channel, Anamorphic on a Budget.
INDEX:
0:05 Pros and Cons Summary
0:53 Introduction - why anamorphic?
2:22 The best argument for anamorphic
3:25 Why I chose the SLR Magic Anamorphot 40
3:53 The basic specs
6:04 What it's like to use
6:32 Pricing
6:42 Making a set of anamorphic lenses
7:31 Unpredictability with individual lenses
8:26 Comparing to spherical lenses
8:53 Barrel distortion
9:12 Chromatic aberrations
10:07 Contrast
10:19 Bokeh
10:48 Sharpness
13:20 Dual focusing system
14:40 Autofocus
14:47 Focusing tip for Sony users
15:22 Viewing on cameras without anamorphic de-squeeze
15:33 Thoughts on operation in the field
15:43 Single focusing systems: SLR Magic Cine Rangefinder, Rapido 16A
16:58 Varying de-squeeze issue
17:55 Flares
18:27 Unpredictability issues
18:55 General impressions
20:24 Close focusing advantage with the Anamorphot
20:49 Drawbacks review
21:43 Strengths/advantages review
23:16 Can you use it for professional work?
26:57 Conclusion - wrap up
29:11 What about the Anamorphot 50?
This is the best review I've ever seen of any product.
Many thanks!
This is the best review ive ever seen. I wish i had teachers like you
Many thanks!
Wow! Now this is an SLR Magic Anamorphot 40 review, thank you very much
Thanks! I worry that it's a bit all over the place, but the darn lens was hard to pin down to simple results.
@@hurricaneimagesmedia is a great review, it is genuine, and that's a plus over here on this platform; I'm still confused if spending extra bugs for the x1.33 50 or a Sirui 50mm f/1.8 Anamorphic 1.33x. This is my first anamorphic buy; I have 2 vintage contac Zeiss (25mm 2.8and 50mm 1.4), so the question is if I'm going for the anamorphic 40 and saving some money but still working with good quality anamorphic footage, or spending an extra dollar on the anamorphic 50 or siruir 50 (APSC) what do you think?
I can't say the Anamorphot 50 is better... it has different strengths and weaknesses. The main weakness is that it's bigger, making it more cumbersome. On the "neutral" side it's flare is radioactive yellow/orange; it's not so much "better" as different-- avoiding the traditional blue streaks. But still too bright and sharp for my tastes. It technically can attach to bigger lenses, but in with my set of lenses it really performed about the same with each lens. And intuitively it the image felt sharper and cleaner, but in tests it really looked identical. I haven't gotten to my full test of the 50, so I haven't teased out just when it performs better or the same. I had originally planned on either returning or selling one of my two Anamorphots, but due to the fact their similar in performance but slightly different in characteristics, I haven't been able to decide which one. What camera are you using? Is it APSC? If you love and use both of your Zeiss lenses, it might be hard to limit yourself to just the one Sirui.
Thank you again for your time, I’m working with a Sony a7IV,and because of the crop on the 60p, and the extra crop of the IBIS, mostly I use the camera like a APSC than FF.
Bravo! Well done. Thank you. Answered a number of my questions, as I'm contemplating purchase.
what a beautiful review. thanks for putting the effort into this video! so helpful! :)))
I bought the Anamorphot 40 a few months ago. I’ve seen other vids which were very good, but you have provided the best comprehensive video I’ve seen so far on this adapter. I now understand why I was having issues with this adapter with some of my current lenses and filters. I’m a writer, and not as technical as I could be; this was VERY helpful for me as I’m doing things on my own. I’m now subscribed. Look forward to your other videos and your review on the Anamorphot 50. Amazing work; thanks.
Thanks! Glad it was helpful. I'm a bit burnt on UA-cam videos right now, so it might be a while before I produce something, especially regarding the Anamorphot 50. I will say this-- they're eerily similar. The 50 may have a hair more clarity/resolution but that advantage is balanced against being bulkier. The 50mm diameter doesn't really offer wider adaptability in terms of lenses (they both vignette with 35mm lenses). The biggest difference is the anamorphic flare, which is yellow-green. I like that color better than blue, but it isn't very organic looking either, so that's just a fractional improvement for me. If I had the 40, I wouldn't purchase the 50-- not enough improvement-- and vice versa. Having both already, I can't decide which to get rid of, though I do use the 40 more because of it's size and portability, especially for run and gun. If I were shooting a film, however (and moving slower and more methodically), I might opt for the 50.... until it needs to go on a gimbal. FYI, I recently bought a Samyang 45mm f/1.8 and it's a great combo with the Anamorphot.
Thanks again for all of your info. Sound like the Anamorphot 50 may not be worth it. Yes, UA-cam videos can be tiring. I’ll look into the Samyang 45 f1.8. Whenever your next video, see you then. Really appreciate you producing such quality work with budget options. Your channel is phenomenal!
Thank you for making this video. I really appreciate how you combine honesty with attention to detail. You also have great sense of what details to focus on, and I feel that your content is very relevant to what I actually want to know about without the fluff.
Hey, thanks-- that's a great compliment. I'm going to keep trying.
Your writing, production, and thought process are fantastic. Great channel glad I found it, subbed. Also Bay Area shoutout…
Thanks for the sub!
Thank you very much for the detailed and professional review. My respect
At the end of this video, you mentioned "acquiring" (stealing? LOL) the 50 version, and that you you might do a review of it. I'm debating between the 40 and 50 and so, looked for your review. Didn't find it. Did it happen? If not, care to make any comments about the differences? Thank you.
Len
Len! Yeah, this one was so extensive I didn't have the energy to tackle the 50, especially since they're very very similar. The 50 is bulkier, which makes it slightly more cumbersome; and I'm not sure the autofocus (with an autofocus lens) is as snappy. Those are the negatives. On the positive side, it's also a hair sharper-- though I didn't do the extensive testing required to know which lenses it works best with-- and instead of neon blue flare it has a yellow flare that is equally sharp (and slightly green). It's slightly more "natural" than the blue, but only by a little. The 50 is bigger, but it doesn't work with wider lenses than the 40... they both tap out around 40mm. So in the end I can't recommend one over the other. I prefer the 40 for run and gun work, but might choose the 50 for more "planned" shoots. Hope that helps.
Thanks for your very quick reply. Your reply was the answer I needed. Planned shoot? Rarely works out that way. Extra weight? Already carrying too much. Best wishes.
Thank you, I have SLR magic anamorphot 50 adapter, it’s have beautiful Bokeh around Nikon 50mm F3.5 but you to use Marco focus , to get that a little egg Bokeh, you should check it out
Really enjoyed the aesthetic nature of your review. Subscribed!
Thanks!
Great review! Thanks! Looks it will work perfectly on my Ricoh GR IIIx by experiencing the charm of Anamorphic
The Ricoh GR IIIx! That's not a camera you run across every day. I didn't know it had a front lens thread.
Really fantastic review! So much so I think I want to go out and grab one of these adapters myself! Well done, sir.
Thanks! I really can't emphasize enough that my satisfaction with the adapter was dependent on the fact that I had several 52mm-ish threaded lenses. I'll have to say, by the time I got done with editing this (and after I could make any changes), I was very pleased with how the Samyang performed with this adapter. A considerably nicer image than with my Nikon 50 (which was still pretty good). With the auto-focusing Samyang it was hard to fault the Anamorphot. It kept the contrast better, was sharper longer, was incredibly compact, and much easier to use in the field. The Nikon 100 also had some pleasant surprises, though at that focal length more of a niche use. (As for the Anamorphot 50-- a sneak preview-- it offers many of the same challenges and not a clear advantage over the 40. It's bigger and heavier, and the larger size really doesn't translate into expanded compatibility with other lenses: you're still pretty much at 40mm and up, only with lenses with 62mm threads. On the positive, the flare is yellow-orange (still too vivid), and the image feels intuitively slightly cleaner, but it performs nearly identically in other respects).
Honestly, the best video I've seen on this subject. I think if you want a clean looking image, this adapter isn't for you. When you think of a dirty look, think of "The Batman", that film looks amazing and was made to look dirty with the choice of lenses. It all comes down to what you are going to shoot it for, for commercial work you wouldn't but for films that "need" a gritty look, then it may be for you. Great video, very impressive.
Thanks! Yes, it's definitely "dirty." I think was videographers/cinematographers we often struggle to find the balance between aesthetic looks, convenience, and versatility. We don't often have the time to pick a lens for a specific shot, but that's where this adapter shines. Not good everywhere, but darn interesting in certain situations... and more versatile than many anamorphics.
Man, what a GREAT video. I was particularly excited by the twist at the end because I'm in a similar situation, although the 50 I'm considering is more like AU$900 than US$85.00
I think in the end I'd go with the 40 anyhow, because I'm using a Canon M50 and the 50 will just be too darned heavy to use for "run and gun" type work. Thanks you from the bottom of my heart, you have a new subscriber.
Thanks! Have fun with the 40. If the Anamorphot 50 is much more expensive it's not worth it. There's just not that big a difference between the two, and the 40 is so much lighter, especially for run and gun.
fantastic review! I ordered this adapter few days ago! cant wait to try it!
Awesome. Drop a comment after you get it and let me know what you think, what lens you're using it with, etc.
@@hurricaneimagesmedia for sure
This lens adapter cannot create halation because halation is a process that occurs inside a film stock (analogous processes exist in digital) and is completely independent of a camera's optics.
The SLR Magic Cine Rangefinder can work with the 1.33x - 40 Anamorphic Adapter?
Fantastic review and information! One question: are you using your 35mm lens in full frame or crop mode with this adapter?
I'm a full frame guy-- so all the examples and evals are done using the full frame of my Sony. Crop mode should have even fewer issues if you prefer that format.
@@hurricaneimagesmedia That's great news! I have the A7Rii and the fact that this combo also works in full frame mode give this solution a lot more flexibility, because I'd have the option to switch into crop mode (plus clear image zoom on top) to get a range of focal lengths with just this one lens... :)
Can camera still do face/eye detection auto focus with an auto focus lens and this adapter? Thank you!
Does it work with helios 442 lens?
What if you put a step up ring on the front, wouldn't that help with filter vignetting?
Sorry, no-- I actually use one already, stepping up to 77mm for my filters. There's something about the way it distorts the incoming light that's much wider.
@@hurricaneimagesmedia Oh okay, it seemed reasonable to try, but there's always something we just can't see (so to speak) until we just do it 😉 Thanks
TELEPROMPTER MUCH?