Lens Choice - Matching Master AnamorphicS

[Tavner Murphy]

Hi all,

I am finishing up shooting a short film half of which was shot earlier in the year on Helium 8K with a lovely set of Arri/Zeiss Master Anamorphics that we were able to score a deal on, but unfortunately due to limited budget and the high demand of those lenses we simply aren't able to get them again for the second go-round.

My question is, with that limitation in mind do you think it is safer look-wise to stay loyal to the Anamorphic format and go with something like Kowas or Hawks (with all the distortion and optical differences that follow), or simply go with the Arri/Zeiss Master Primes and crop the frame. Any other alternative suggestions for matching the Master Anamorphics as closely as possible in this format are appreciated.

I am leaning towards the Master Primes but wanted to see some other opinions on the issue.

Thanks very much!

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

I'd say Master Primes or Angenieux anamorphic zooms which are quite clean for being anamorphic (so relatively sterile like the MA).

I'd avoid more organic anamorphic in this instance, you risk the viewers to perceive the images as set in another plot timeline or worse...imho

 

[Reuben Isaac]

If you are trying to match the original shots go with the Master Primes.

There was another thread recently with a great comparison of anamorphic lenses you can see it here: https://vimeo.com/219428744

The Master Anamorphics are in a class of their own in both focusing and bokeh. The lenses that come the closest to matching are the Elites but those have a warmer tone than the Master Anamorphics so coloring is going to be a nightmare.

I personally think that going with another set of anamorphic is going to be more noticeable and more difficult to work with in post than just using master primes.

 

[Jens Jakob Thorsen]

I would use the Cooke Anamorphics as they are pretty boring too.