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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 :)

SLR Magic APO HyperPrime mini review

Has anyone purchased their set through Hot Rod cameras? If so, how long did you have to wait to get your set? I ordered a little over 2 weeks ago but my lenses haven’t shipped yet from the factory in China. I don’t quite understand why SLR Magic isn’t able to send a few sets to distributors in the US To reduce shipping times. Are that many people buying these lenses?
 
Andrew Rieger said:
Has anyone purchased their set through Hot Rod cameras? If so, how long did you have to wait to get your set? I ordered a little over 2 weeks ago but my lenses haven’t shipped yet from the factory in China. I don’t quite understand why SLR Magic isn’t able to send a few sets to distributors in the US To reduce shipping times. Are that many people buying these lenses?
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Yeh I did. Took 9 days from I ordered to the lens reaching hotrodcamera . However they are at the total mercy of SLRMagic and they've said sometimes slrmagic magic responds quickly and sometimes they don't. When they told me that I took the initiative to also email slr magic and tell them to send the lenses ASAP to hotrodcamera. So I don't know if that helped or not.
 
This is starting to get really frustrating. 3 weeks after placing my Hot Rod order and still no word from SLR about when they will be delivered. SLR are really freaking hard to get a hold of. It’s concerning.
 
Try a "No-oriented" question in an email to them.

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/blog/guest-comment/2016/08/email-magic-how-never-to-be-ignored-again.html


Instead of asking "When can I expect to receive my lenses?", ask "Have you ceased making lenses and gone out of business?" or "I've heard you have gone out of business, is that true?".

from the link:

"Now, this may seem like a rude way to address someone in business, but you have to get over that. It’s not rude, and though it’s direct, it’s cloaked with the safety of “No”. Ignoring you is what’s rude. I can tell you that I’ve used this successfully not just in North America, but with people in two different cultures (Arabic and Chinese) famous for never saying “No.”
 
I have been away from REDuser for a long time. I see I still have the last post in the other thread here on SLR Magic APO Lenses made September 2018! I am no longer able to post on BMCuser as my permissions only allow reading for reasons unknown. To summarize I have early production copies of everything spherical that SLR Magic produces related to the titanium APO primes including every filter (IE Pro, IEND, IRND) and the PL-EF adapter from 2016. I preordered the 32mm in April and included the new SLR Magic MFT-PL adapter as I’ll be shooting with the APO primes on the new BMPCC4K when that is shipping to Canada (in the next few weeks I guess). Like John Brawley, I buy all my SLR Magic products and I’m just an enthusiastic supporter. I’ve learned to be patient and I have that luxury. I don’t mind waiting for the 32mm because I need that lens to be the best it can be within the APO family. And it will be.

A word on the lens case. SLR Magic does not intend to offer a six lens case at this time, and it may never. I believe there is the option of ordering another three lens case although if the 18mm and 135mm are indeed released together, that may be the best time to include another case. As for the next lens, the 18mm will likely be T2.9 as Andrew mentioned recently at a trade show and I’m not sure if it will have a Super 35 image circle or match the other lenses. My guess is it may be Super 35 if that’s needed to keep the physical dimensions and weight in line with all the other lenses. There may be more information on BMCuser but I have been there much since I can’t participate in the conversations.

A word on the new SLR Magic 1.33x-65 Anamorphot adapter. That adapter will work with lenses that have front elements up to 65mm in diameter for the entrance pupil. It will work with lenses as wide as 30mm I believe, so the new 32mm will be supported but not the 25mm APO. PD Movie makes a wireless follow focus that allows you to focus the adapter and the taking lens simultaneously so that finally removes the dual focus problem for the Anamorphots.
 
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Rick Lang said:
As for the next lens, the 18mm will likely be T2.9 as Andrew mentioned recently at a trade show and I’m not sure if it will have a Super 35 image circle or match the other lenses. My guess is it may be Super 35 if that’s needed to keep the physical dimensions and weight in line with all the other lenses.
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I truly hope it has the same image circle and and covers full frame. It would be a terrible mistake on their part to not keep the 18mm in the "same family" so to speak. I have the 3 lens kit being delivered tomorrow and the 32mm on order. I never thought for a moment they would even consider changing such an integral feature of the remaining 18mm and/or 135mm. The primary reason I purchased the SLRMagic APOs were for their full-frame coverage and versatile EF/PL-adapter. Also, I would much prefer they make the 18 and 135 as large as necessary to maintain the same T2.1 speed. Personally, I don't care if they are twice the size as they are already small lenses.
 
darren scott said:
This 32 mm seems pretty illusive. How comes you got yours so early Paul? Rick ordered from April and and still doesn't have his. That's crazy . Doesn't look like we will be getting ours any time soon.
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As soon as i heard of it i was in there like a shot! I assume they are all hand made and there's a backlog, which explains the wait?

As for the 18mm : i have opined that it needs to be full frame, even at the expense of speed. So if enough of us mentioned that it gives weight. and the 135 will round off the set really nicely

Rick it's good to have you posting, i did follow your posts on BMCUser.

I shot show on the 85mm recently and am so blown away by how good the 85 is. I don't think i have permission to show anything just yet but when i can i'll put up some stills.

cheers
Paul
 
Mark Farag said:
I truly hope it has the same image circle and and covers full frame. It would be a terrible mistake on their part to not keep the 18mm in the "same family" so to speak. I have the 3 lens kit being delivered tomorrow and the 32mm on order. I never thought for a moment they would even consider changing such an integral feature of the remaining 18mm and/or 135mm. The primary reason I purchased the SLRMagic APOs were for their full-frame coverage and versatile EF/PL-adapter. Also, I would much prefer they make the 18 and 135 as large as necessary to maintain the same T2.1 speed. Personally, I don't care if they are twice the size as they are already small lenses.
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Mark, SLR Magic has publicly stated the 18mm lens will be T2.9 in order to keep the lens housing the same. The physical characteristics of the lens barrel including identical placement of the gears, very similar weight and length, and that the lenses are all spherical (vintage design with smooth broken, no aspherical, no special glass), means that the maximum T-stop has to increase. Thinking about it further, I’m more confident that the lens will cover at least 135 film full frame. There was a time when SLR Magic was thinking that it might be Super 35, but I’m doubting that now. At that time there were debates about keeping all lenses T2.1 and increasing the physical dimensions for the 18mm to do that. But it appears the decision to maintain consistent physical dimensions at the cost of the T-stop has been made given the recent trade show announcement its T2.9. One benefit is that all lenses can be used on the gimbal without rebalancing.

In my situation, I’m usually going to shoot T2.8 anyway with the other primes, so I’m not concerned if the 18mm is T2.9. I understand the appeal and importance to others of having that additional speed.
 
darren scott said:
This 32 mm seems pretty illusive. How comes you got yours so early Paul? Rick ordered from April and and still doesn't have his. That's crazy . Doesn't look like we will be getting ours any time soon.
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Although it’s true the lenses are labour intensive efforts that do take a lot of time to build, I think the delays have allowed some internal adjustments based on some feedback from 32mm beta testers. The Chinese holiday that may last a month might also account for the recent lack of feedback. There may also be scheduling issues or supply issues. Just speculation on my part, but over the last three and a half years since I ordered my first 50mm, I’ve learned that patience is the cost of acquiring these primes. So I may wait a year for this 32mm lens but someone else may wait a month and another may have it in a week. I’m not a beta tester and prefer it be the best lens I own when it does arrive.
 
Yeh I don't have an issue waiting on the 32mm....I just would not have bought my set now if I knew I was gonna wait a long time. I was under the impression (based on information from SLR magic) that these were coming very soon, hence why i bought my 3 lens set now. I've actually been waiting years since the 50mm was announced for them to have at least 4 lenses in the kit and so I bought it now.
 
I'd love to see John's 85mm footage when possible.

Also what are people's opinions of the color enhancing filters? I got them with my APO kit but haven't been able to test them since I don't own a camera yet.
 
I really wanted these lenses to work for me. My first 3 lens kit order from Adorama arrived with significant cosmetic damages (see photos a few pages back). Adorama claims that's how the lenses came from SLRMagic. I was cautiously skeptical, but granted them that possibility. When I re-ordered the lenses SLRMagic forgot to send the EF Adapters with the 3 lens kit (I of course ordered the kit/SKU with the adapters and Adorama confirmed it was SLRMagic's mistake). I thought about giving it a 3rd shot, but ultimately the deal breaker was SLRMagic's lack of customer service. Multiple e-mails and Facebook messages were ignored. Weeks and then months went by and never ended up with the lenses I paid for. I love the look from these lenses and their versatility with the adapters, but I don't have much faith in their service, so I ended up purchasing the Sony CineAlta 6 Lens kit. Perhaps in a few years when SLRMagic has their 6 lens kit finalized I would consider giving them another shot if I require full frame coverage at that time.
 
Mark Farag said:
I really wanted these lenses to work for me. My first 3 lens kit order from Adorama arrived with significant cosmetic damages (see photos a few pages back). Adorama claims that's how the lenses came from SLRMagic. I was cautiously skeptical, but granted them that possibility. When I re-ordered the lenses SLRMagic forgot to send the EF Adapters with the 3 lens kit (I of course ordered the kit/SKU with the adapters and Adorama confirmed it was SLRMagic's mistake). I thought about giving it a 3rd shot, but ultimately the deal breaker was SLRMagic's lack of customer service. Multiple e-mails and Facebook messages were ignored. Weeks and then months went by and never ended up with the lenses I paid for. I love the look from these lenses and their versatility with the adapters, but I don't have much faith in their service, so I ended up purchasing the Sony CineAlta 6 Lens kit. Perhaps in a few years when SLRMagic has their 6 lens kit finalized I would consider giving them another shot if I require full frame coverage at that time.
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Well you made a solid choice with the cinealtas...footage from them looks great. They are 2 big for me though. Its a bit odd that SLR magic didn't respond. I usually get responses from them...up to this week when I asked them something. Sometimes they have been slow to respond however when I send another email I usually get a response.

I went through Hotrodcameras and the service has been good. They can act as a go between and I can speak with the owner if I need to. The bigger companies like Adorama/bhphoto lose the personal touch and service that smaller place like hot rod (and the like) have.

Anyway you got some great lenses. Congrats.
 
Mark Farag said:
I love the look from these lenses and their versatility with the adapters, but I don't have much faith in their service, so I ended up purchasing the Sony CineAlta 6 Lens kit. Perhaps in a few years when SLRMagic has their 6 lens kit finalized I would consider giving them another shot if I require full frame coverage at that time.
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That's a real shame that was your experience. Where are you based? I *think* that SLR Magic have another company doing fulfilment and shipping but the lack of contact is a real shame to hear. Like Darren they're always been pretty good when i've reached out - which contact details have you been using?

The cinealtas were on my radar as well, bit too big but they have a nice render, so a good choice.

Has anyone looked at the Nisi lenses? They seem quite similar on paper?

cheers
Paul
 
paulcurtis said:
That's a real shame that was your experience. Where are you based? I *think* that SLR Magic have another company doing fulfilment and shipping but the lack of contact is a real shame to hear. Like Darren they're always been pretty good when i've reached out - which contact details have you been using?

The cinealtas were on my radar as well, bit too big but they have a nice render, so a good choice.

Has anyone looked at the Nisi lenses? They seem quite similar on paper?

cheers
Paul
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There is a thread here somewhere with someone speaking about there nisi experience. They said they flared like crazy though, very easy to flare.... But decent overall. I'll try and find the thread.
 
I can’t explain the lack of response in general, but I do find it trying if there is no response to messages directed to their official email address support@slrmagic.com although there are a few people with different roles that may respond to that email of course.

I haven’t had any update on my preordered 32mm APO prime in several weeks. Perhaps that is related to the Chinese holiday of which I have no clue about the dates except someone said it was for a month. Well I’m sure that must not be a factor now.
 
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