FS: Iscorama 50mm f/2.8 1.5X Anamorphic Lens

[Phil Holland]

I have for sale an Iscorama 50mm f/2.8 1.5X Anamorphic lens. This lens to date is the only anamorphic lens designed to cover FF35/Vistatvision without vignetting. It's extremely compact and light weight as well. These are pretty rare and typically sell somewhere between $3000-$7500.

The lens itself focuses from 6 feet to infinity. Close focus can be achieved through use of diopters. It's aperture range is f/2.8-f/16.

Included are:
- Iscorama 50mm f/2.8 1.5X Anamorphic lens
- Nikon to Canon EF Adapter
- Front Metal Cap and rear plastic Canon cap
- Hoya +1, +2, and +4 Diopters (in their own case)
- Tokina +0.5 Diopter

I am looking for $3300 from this sale. Payment through Paypal preferred. If you're in Los Angeles, cash is fine for a local pickup.

This lens has some paint wear, but the glass is in very good shape.

Here are all the diopters:

Here's some of the paint wear I describe. Just needs to be touched up.

A photo of the rear element:

The front:

The original metal cap:

I typically put the cap on the Tokina +0.5 diopter and attach the cap to it. That way you have the most common focus distances right at your disposal.

Sample images from a FF35 DSLR, Red Epic, and Red Scarlet X cameras:

There are two of these on Ebay at the moment. One is $4500. The other is $ 2,350, but it's a custom/rehoused lens without the stock Iscorama rear 50mm f/2.8. Which will produce a more noticeable fisheye-like distortion.

 

[Matt Choules]

Any chance I could some video examples of this in action. I'd particularly like to see how it breathes during focus racking.

 

[Phil Holland]

I'll see what I can do when I get home to upload some clips. I have used this lens for images that are on the big screen though.

 

[Matt Choules]

Hi Phil, I've just googled you see your credits - i see you know a thing or two about a thing or two. Can I call first refusal on this please?

One question, why are you selling?

 

[Clayton Burkhart]

I have for sale an Iscorama 50mm f/2.8 1.5X Anamorphic lens. This lens to date is the only anamorphic lens designed to cover FF35/Vistatvision without vignetting.

Both the Isco 36 and Isco 54 also cover FF35 Vistavision without vignetting using an equivalent focal length (Nikon 50/1.8 for instance) for a taking lens.

 

[Phil Holland]

Are you calling "dibs"? You're the first who contacted me. Got two emails too. No worries. When I'm all done today I'll shoot a test and upload to show you it's pull.

 

[Matt Choules]

Dibs, first refusal, whatever you want to call it.
I'dloveto know what close focus you can get with the 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 diopters is.

 

[Phil Holland]

Both the Isco 36 and Isco 54 also cover FF35 Vistavision without vignetting using an equivalent focal length (Nikon 50/1.8 for instance) for a taking lens.

Correct, but the Nikon f/1.8 causes more barrel distortion and isn't as "flat". This was designed for the format. The 54 is/was an adapter for projection and capture.

 

[Phil Holland]

Lots of interest on this. More than I expected. I guess word travels fast. Here's some samples I shot about 2 minutes ago. Scarlet X 4K:

These are "squashed". Meaning they are using the full 4K frame and not stretched from a crop.

Wide open captured at 4K:

Wide open unsqueezed:

f/8 captured at 4K:

f/8 unsqueezed:

A couple other notes about this lens. This is a "stock" Iscorama. It has focus "limiters" within the barrel that have two "clicks". One allows you to get bit more close focus on the lens, the other click allows you to take the front anamorphic element right off. I know of one guy who sanded off the "clicks" to allow for a smoother longer focus with this lens.

Another bit of info. The front threads are 72mm. Same as most Canon L primes.

 

[Matt Choules]

Two stupid questions:
1. Does this focus click mean your focus will lock into a position until unlocked, or do you mean its like aperture clicks on photography lenses (i.e. difficult to get a smooth transition)
2. Do you have a FF camera you could post a RAW file from? I am thinking of using this for stills more than video...

 

[Phil Holland]

Two stupid questions:
1. Does this focus click mean your focus will lock into a position until unlocked, or do you mean its like aperture clicks on photography lenses (i.e. difficult to get a smooth transition)
2. Do you have a FF camera you could post a RAW file from? I am thinking of using this for stills more than video...

Those aren't stupid questions. This is one of those unique lenses that functions sort of differently.

1. The focus click gives you a focus range. You'll feel a stop when you are adjusting focus. When you unscrew past it, if gives you a smidge more of close focus. Which is really why you should use diopters.

2. Sure: Download a zipped CR2
That image is off a 5D Mark II. The vignette in this particular image is from an ND filter on top of the +0.5 diopter that overhung too much.

Another note. This lens has an adjustable anamorphic element that has two squeeze locks that allow you to adjust the angle of orientation. In case you diagonal, vertical, or a "mesmerizer" effect.

 

[Phil Holland]

Here's one without any vignette and with some impressive anamorphic streaking:
Streaky

When you adjust the angle of the anamorphic element you can adjust the direction of the distortion and that streak.

 

[Matt Choules]

I will look at these tomorrow, if thats ok with you.
I have to be up in a few hours for an italian cooking course and I need my sleep!

 

[Paul Ellington]

Phil is one of the smartest most honest cats I have met. I love this lens, whoever gets one from Phil will be very, very lucky.

- Paul Ellington

 

[Matt Choules]

Hi Phil,

Had a look at the CR2 files. What stop where you at for the beach shot? F8?
As for the streaky one, I see what you mean about adjusting the angle of the streak. Is there not a notch or something you can lock into to get perfectly parallel flares? Also that shot is very very soft, I guess you didn't want to get hit by traffic...

 

[Phil Holland]

I think it was f/8. No exif on manual lenses though.

There is a "marker" for perfect horizontal streaks. If you look in this image you can see the two red marks that you use:
http://www.artbyphil.com/phfx/photography/lens_IscoramaAnamorphic/bigs/_MG_6482.jpg

The best way to get it level is test it out before hand with a flashlight and tape off the lens with electric tape once you find where you want it. Yeah. That was wide open and I was moving across the street at night.

 

[Matt Choules]

So, the taking lens is removable? I ask as matching to other lenses might yield interesting results...

 

[Phil Holland]

Yes. I've used it with the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D to see if I could get a "faster lens" back there. Some adapt it to 100mm primes too. It's usually a job for adapter rings. The Nikon lens seats pretty easily with the right rings, which is nice. You set the capture lens at infinity and focus the anamorphic glass.

A couple of things that happen. A different type of flare is created and there seem to be more internal reflections. If your goal is crazy flare, well you'll get that. However, since other capture lenses were not designed to be used on any anamorphic lens you will see more "fisheye" distortion on the wider lenses like the 50mm. Less so on the 100mm.

Here's an example of the flare you get with the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 behind the anamorphic element:

 

[Evaan Kheraj]

I have this same lens and it is amazing. A lens like this will never be made again and this glass produces an image like no other lens I have ever used before. I had my up for sale but decided to hold on to it. You won't be disappointed

 

[Nick Morrison]

This lens is bonkers. Phil I can't believe you are selling it!!!!