Slr Magic Anamorphic Technology is a groundbreaking innovation in the field of cinematography. Anamorphic lenses are known for their ability to capture a wider aspect ratio, producing a distinct widescreen look with a unique horizontal lens flare and oval-shaped bokeh. Slr Magic, a company based in Hong Kong, has revolutionized anamorphic lenses by creating compact and affordable options for filmmakers. Traditionally, anamorphic lenses were bulky, expensive, and reserved for big-budget productions. However, Slr Magic has made these lenses more accessible to independent filmmakers and enthusiasts. Their anamorphic lenses are not only smaller in size but also more affordable compared to traditional options.
Their anamorphic lenses are not only smaller in size but also more affordable compared to traditional options. This has democratized anamorphic filmmaking, allowing more filmmakers to experiment with this distinctive visual style. One of Slr Magic's most popular products is the Slr Magic Anamorphot adapter.
SLR Magic Anamorphic Adapter – Anamorphot 1,33x 40 Adapter (Compact), A Beginner’s Perspective and First Look
I recently had a chance to test the new SLR Magic Anamorphot 1,33x 40 budget anamorphic adapter for 16:9 sensor cameras that was first presented during NAB 2017. Read on for my impressions of this SLR Magic anamorphic adapter as I plunge into the world of anamorphic shooting for the first time!
Johnnie behiri – The Anamorphic beginner
Before continuing, it is important for me to state that this is my first engagement with the anamorphic world so, by all means, please treat the information here as experimental, and the video shown above as my first try. Being an “anamorphic beginner”, I tried to simplify the shooting and editing process as much as possible, as the subject of anamorphic can become complicated and, if using real anamorphic glass, VERY expensive.
Why do I want the anamorphic look?
The first question to ask is “Why even bother to shoot anamorphic?”. My simple answer is that the anamorphic aesthetic is simply beautiful, and brings us “filmmakers-on-a-budget” a step closer to that desired cinema look: that wide cinematic perspective, the oval shaped bokeh and those interesting horizontal flares are all part of the anamorphic package.
How do I achieve that look?
One way to achieve that wide cinematic perspective is by shooting a regular 16:9 image and then cropping the upper and lower parts of the frame to mimic that look. Obviously, by doing so we are literally throwing away up to 33% of the recorded information, so maybe that is not the best way to go…
That leaves us with two other options to achieve that desired look and aesthetic feeling. The first is to purchase true anamorphic lenses at the risk of ending up with a deep hole in the pocket – especially if considering to buy new lenses. The second is adding an appropriate anamorphic adapter to the front of our existing aspheric lens. Here I used the SLR Magic Anamorphot 1,33x. When shooting a true anamorphic image, one has to use a camera with a 4:3 sensor or, alternatively, a camera that can read the 4:3 portion of the sensor like the Panasonic GH5. In contrast, when using an anamorphic adapter, we are required to use the 16:9 capabilities of the sensor as the adapter will act as a device that takes in all the information and squeeze it horizontally by a factor of 1.33x. This means that the native view on your camera LCD screen/viewfinder, or the output to your monitor, will look squashed. With the help of a capable monitor, you can “de-squeeze” the picture and map it correctly for a proper viewing experience when shooting. Later, when editing, you can choose the right preset to modify your image to that wide full-resolution 2.35:1 aspect ratio at the click of a button.
SLR Magic Anamorphot 1,33x 40 Adapter
The SLR Magic Anamorphot 1,33x 40 budget adapter
So, what is so special about this new adapter and why was it important for me to test it? SLR Magic already has a kit of anamorphic lenses ranging from 35mm, 50mm and 70mm – which you can see the review of by my colleague Tim HERE – and they already have a few large-diameter anamorphic adapters. However, it was only when interviewing Andrew from SLR Magic during NAB 2017 and talking to him about this new $499 small-diameter SLR Magic Anamorphot 1,33x that I could finally start imagining shooting with this method without breaking my hard-earned savings account.
Although you can use any DSLR/mirrorless/large-sensor camera to shoot with the SLR Magic anamorphic adapter, as the number “40” in the product’s name suggests, the key element for having a successful result is to use a lens with a 40mm (or smaller) inner diameter size. I’m not talking about the lens’ outer diameter, but rather the actual glass itself. For my review, I took our beloved Panasonic GH5 and explored filming with this new adapter in two different ways:
- With Panasonic’s own 12-60mm f/2.8-4 autofocus kit lens.
- Metabones Speed Booster Micro Four-Thirds to EF mount together with ZEISS Distagon f2.8/35mm and ZEISS Planar f1.4/50mm.
Inner glass diameter of more then 40mm? NO GO with this adapter. Photo credit: Andrew Chan
Mind you, I made a mistake when using the Panasonic kit lens as the glass has a diameter of 46mm instead of the recommended 40mm, a piece of information that was communicated to me after filming my piece, so obviously I learned the hard way… The results, as demonstrated in the video above, are less than satisfying. The camera/lens/anamorphic adapter worked just OK in autofocus mode (one of the selling points of this SLR Magic anamorphic adapter), BUT I could not pinpoint if this was due to the camera’s overall autofocus behavior or due to the adapter itself. Furthermore, the image quality suffered A LOT, with very pronounced soft edges, vignetting and evident chromatic aberration. But most disturbing was the difficulty to manually focus on my objects. Needless to say, lessoned learned and, as advised by Andrew from SLR Magic, I should have used a lens with a 40mm (or smaller) inner glass diameter to achieve appropriate results.
On the other hand, putting the SLR Magic Anamorphot 1,33x on a small-diameter prime lens like the Zeiss Distagon or Planar was a totally different story. Of course, I was restricted to manual focusing, but it was not an issue at all. Also, the very noticeable chromatic aberration was gone too. These findings lead me to the conclusion that the performance of the adapter is very much dependant on the lens you choose.
What I’ve learned in my first ever anamorphic engagement and things to remember:
- Shooting with wide lenses will immediately translate into a “ cylindrical perspective”, meaning that some curves in your frame won’t be straight but bent. Some like it and consider it “artistic expression”. For me personally, it is a bit disturbing. Well. I will have to get use to it as it is part of the “look”.
- Usually a focal length of 40mm and up will help in avoiding the “cylindrical perspective” phenomenon and vignetting.
- Measure the diameter of your glass carefully without scratching the glass itself in order to determine if it will work with this SLR Magic anamorphic adapter.
- Use a monitor that can de-squeeze the image in order to see the correct image perspective.
- Choose your F-stop carefully as shooting wide open could result in ugly-looking bokeh. SLR Magic recommends using an aperture of f/4 as a maximum for achieving acceptable results.
- The rolling shutter effect will be increased when shooting anamorphic. Plan your moves accordingly.
- Watch where your light is coming from in order to avoid inner adapter reflections.
- In Adobe Premiere Pro CC (latest version), after importing the anamorphic clips to your project, you should be able to achieve the correct aspect ratio by highlighting them, clicking “Modify” – “Interpret footage” – “Pixel Aspect Ratio” – “Conform to” and choose HD Anamorphic 1080 1.333.
Lens too wide? Expect cylindrical perspective
This adapter can be attached to existing lenses, transforming them into anamorphic lenses. The adapter is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry and use on set. It delivers exceptional image quality while maintaining the unique characteristics of anamorphic lenses. Another notable innovation by Slr Magic is the creation of anamorphic lenses specifically designed for mirrorless cameras. With the rise in popularity of mirrorless cameras, these lenses offer a compact and versatile solution for filmmakers who want to achieve the distinct look of anamorphic cinematography. These lenses are compatible with a wide range of mirrorless camera systems, further enhancing their accessibility and affordability. Overall, Slr Magic Anamorphic Technology has revolutionized the world of cinematography by making anamorphic lenses more compact, affordable, and accessible for filmmakers. This innovation has allowed filmmakers to experiment with a distinctive visual style previously limited to big-budget productions. With Slr Magic's groundbreaking products, the world of anamorphic filmmaking has been opened up to a wider range of storytellers, enabling them to create stunning visuals that captivate audiences and enhance their storytelling..
Reviews for "The Art of Anamorphic Cinematography: A Guide to Slr Magic Technology"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I was very disappointed with the Slr magic anamorphic technology. The image quality was not as sharp as I had expected, and the lens gave a noticeable distortion to the edges of the frame. Additionally, the lens was quite heavy and bulky, making it difficult to carry around and use for extended periods of time. Overall, I feel that there are better options available in the market for anamorphic lenses.
2. Jane Smith - 3 stars - While the Slr magic anamorphic technology did provide a unique anamorphic look to my videos, I found the lens to be quite finicky and difficult to use. It required constant adjustments and tinkering to get the desired effect, which was frustrating and time-consuming. Additionally, the lens flare control was not as good as I expected, with flare often appearing in unwanted areas of the frame. Overall, I was not satisfied with the overall performance of this lens.
3. Mike Johnson - 1 star - The Slr magic anamorphic technology was a complete waste of my money. The lens produced severe chromatic aberration, with fringing and color distortion present in almost every shot. The build quality was also poor, with the lens feeling cheap and flimsy. I would not recommend this lens to anyone, especially considering the high price tag it comes with. Save your money and invest in a better anamorphic lens option.
4. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Slr magic anamorphic technology, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The lens had trouble maintaining focus, often resulting in soft and blurry images. It also had a limited focal range, making it difficult to capture versatile shots. The bokeh, while decent, was not as pleasing as other anamorphic lenses I have used. Overall, I found the performance of this lens to be quite underwhelming.