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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Anamorphic distortion

Luke Rihl

Luke Rihl

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On a production using the Kowas, and the distortion on the 40mm is pretty harsh. Is there something older with less distortion that we could swap out that focal length with for another wide angle that would match the older look of the Kowas? Lomo 35 roundfront looks like it has quite a bit less distortion, but I can't find any kind any direct comparison. Can anyone attest to this? Trying to avoid getting something modern like Cooke to swap in but even that would be preferable to this distortion.
 
Shoot a grid with it and let the post guys rectify it for you. But the fishyness actually helps to make pans and tilt look smother, so Im not sure you would prefer it rectilinear when you see it.
 
Nothing really matches the kowas, but I'd recommend just using the 50 instead of 40 if u can,
 
I recently shot with the kowas, and supplemented with the Cooke anamorphic 20mm, it looks so different, the lomo would be a better match but the color will be warmer
 
If your asking me i can't yet, movie isn't released yet
 
The 40 has insane distortion to the edges. It even tends to be soft to the top and bottom of frame. Fucking love that lens though
 
The lomo square is preferred over the round front 35 for size and less distortion.

Nick
 
If anyone has frame grabs from their anamorphics that they'd like to share, I'd love to see a visualization between a 50 and 40 kowa, or for instance a Lomo 35 and 50 (square and Round).

Thanks all!
 
I shot an MV using the Kowa's:


The vast majority is shot on the 40mm and 50mm. We actually liked the distortion and the overall effect of the 40mm but it is a very strong look, and definitely wouldn't work for every project. Basically nothing is sharp except the centre and the edge distortion has a swirl effect, so it's pretty easy to tell what is shot on the 40mm by just looking at the top and bottom edges. I was mostly shooting at around a T/4-T/5.6 and the effect is still extremely prominent, even the centre struggles with sharpness.

The performance moments in front of the Cherry Blossoms was all shot on the 50mm, and the majority of the CU dance was also the 50mm.

The wider performance moments in the forest settings are the 40mm.

Certainly has a very unique look...
 
Very nice piece, liked the music too. :thumbsup:

Tha raised blacks, is it the vimeo thing or is it more like my browser is playing with me? :biggrin:
 
I think a 35mm Lomo SquareFront is probably you're best bet though the flaring is different and is warmer in colour. They're silly soft open so you'd want to shoot it at T4 at least.

Cheers
Craig Lees
ED & SX UK
FD SSC & Lomo Anamorphic Sets
 
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