I appreciate that you are honest about where you are at with anamorphics these days. You have been a huge influence and inspiration for many of us. I finally jumped into anamorphics in the last few months and ended up with an adapter setup after first getting really close to pulling the trigger on the Great Joy 50. In the end I swerved toward a cinelux and Rapido instead and don't regret it. I have a number of vintage lens sets that now work for taking lenses, giving me "some" different options... and I am having a blast. Just last week we started shooting a little short film and I was able to make it anamorphic this time, choosing Takumar taking lenses (50, 105, 135, 200) on a Super35 camera (EVA1). The results so far have been amazing. An extra couple minutes spent on every lens swap has paid off exponentially on this epic looking 2.76:1 project. Sure, I would love some Atlas lenses, but I don't think there are even any Suruis kicking around anywhere near my city.

I have followed this channel and community for years.in 2015 I bought a LA 7200 Panasonic anamorphic adapter. I quickly realized it would be hard to use “adapter anamorphics” in a professional/ realistic setting. The workflow was to complex with to many variables that could go wrong. I at least made some money when a sold the adapter a few years later. I have waited and waited and now the market is giving affordable professional options. It’s truly a new golden age of anamorphic right now!

I agree. When I got my Sirui 50mm 1.6x anamorphic in the mail, I quickly put it on my S5, rigged it on a monopod and walked outside in time to catch the local saint martins parade starting just around the corner (just at sunset). I was able to catch the action without any delays, edit and publish it soon after. Having stuff that just works is worth the money.

So many great observations here - especially about how good we have it these days, and how easy it is not to appreciate that. Thanks for all your meticulous and inspiring work.

The problem is that adapters still slay low budget anamorphic lenses. I experienced this when filming a project with the Siruis and the Aivascape. For a $2800 adapter you get more value than the Sirui 2 lens set which is priced higher.

I go back with adaptors back to the Super 8mm era, yes! (Kowa Prominar 16 H) But in the Digital age, my first serious adaptor is the recently bought SIRUI 1.25x, which is an amazing piece of glass. I shoot for the classic 2.35 Aspect Ratio, flares and bokeh don't tell my stories, the medium is not the message. With this SIRUI adaptor, my S5 with the kit 20~60mm lens, becomes a 3X Anamorphic zoom, maintaining AF and without any vignetting throughout the entire zoom range when shooting in the APSC mode. The resulting AR from 16x9 gives 2.22:1 which I slightly mask to 2.35 (Panavision NOT Cinemascope) in post using Resolve 18 Studio. I have tested it with a variety of other spherical lenses, both primes and zooms with very good results. LIKED 👍

Whilst I completely agree with what you say regarding adapters, for amateur tinkerers like me, I think they still have their place. I was lucky enough to be left a Leica 50mm lens by my late father, and picked up a Lomo anamorphic adapter for £50. The two pair very well (lucky me again) so aside overcoming the mounting issues it’s nearly free!! However, as much as I would love an atlas or a Vazen etc, I can’t afford anything like that. Not even a Sirui!

Agreed, adapters are a pain, nothing like a proper cine lens! Adapters are great when starting out though. Helps one understand how anamorphics work too :)

Adapters are STILL the only way to get great quality and flexibility. There's still no good ef lens at a decent price. Even is there were, that's only two focal lengths (with some of them only being ONE), which is not bad, but adapters allow for more. I get your point, but get one great adapter and never look back.

Truly appreciate the refreshing honesty and introspection on your journey. It's difficult to hear, as I just ordered a couple of adapters 😅 I have learned allot from you Tito, and will continue to do so, every video is an instant watch 😀

Alright, so it wasn’t much of a secret. Your constant swipes at adapters didn’t go unnoticed. I pretty much agree, but I still like my adapters. Glad you got it off your chest. I do think that trying to force 2x anamorphic on FF along with the heavyweight of the lenses and fidgety nature of frankomorphics constantly making you feel like you are a weaker person than you are probably is what drove you to burnout more than anything else. If you do ever do any more adapter videos I would be interested in in seeing anamorphic adapters paired with the super small Lomography Neptune modular lens system.

This video makes me appreciate the soon-to-be-shipping Samyang V-AF anamorphic adapter. By limiting it to the V-AF line as "taking lenses" with bayonet mount (vs filter thread), Samyang can solve nearly all these usability and performance problems -- at least potentially. I'm looking forward to serious reviews, pros and cons, cost vs benefit.

The “BUT TITO WHYYYYYYY” gets me lmao

Love love love this video, my dude. I've taken a massive step back from the adapter set up thing and reevaluated my options for what I want. I don't do much video anymore and what I do do is on my iPhone. So my little Baby Isco 8/1.5x paired up with Filmic Pro is perfect for that. I may rig up one special adapter with a Rapido FMJ/RMJ in the future to shoot with a mirrorless. May being the strongest word. But... lately I've been experimenting with anamorphic adapters and medium format stills cameras. I tried with a 4x5 but the results were a bit lacking. If I were doing more "serious" documentary video I would definitely buy a set of Sirui glass. Since I'm not I'll focus more on my documentary stills. This video pretty much spelled out my frustrations with adapters - they're too finicky and are a distraction! So thank you.

I've just purchased a mk4 Avaiscope 1.5x. To my surprise, it is quite better and easier to use than I imagined. I've seen it on mid-high end commercials as well. I know it's still an adapter but..

0:23 I haven't watched the rest yet but I can definitely relate, I have a similar feeling with FPV drone hobby "FPV purists" as I call them, hate me because I'd rather buy a DJI Avata than build a comparable size cinewhoop which takes a good 10 minutes to deploy and get ready for shooting, requires me to take apart a GoPro, do an hour or two of soldering to put the whole thing together and transport it in a sci fi suspension chamber lest I damage a tiny delicate wire It's very fun to fiddle with ghetto-ass DIY setups, but a decent commercial product just works better for my everyday filmmaking needs

I always found adapters intimidating and this is helpful perspective. I really like the anamorfake approach with oval decals and post-production tips from your prior videos. Still aiming to perfect it for my tastes but I think it’s a satisfying way to stay small and autofocus-ready on the go.

Saw the thumbnail and the title and thought this was a cinemasins video Don't scare me like that dude

You and others have kept the anamorphic lens demand alive. Forever grateful. Glad to have met you in person too - got my Isco 36 fixed and won’t be selling.

@Anamorphic on a Budget , great video! although none of this has been a problem (because I only have ever used the full lenses, not adapters) it still helped me a lot and will probably help a lot of other people too when considering adapters

Completely agree! I lost much time for a 16h rig which I almost never use because it is not processional enough (not quick to operate, switch, and I worry too much)

I agree, I loved experimenting and learning with projector lenses and adapters, but never found any solution that was reliable enough for serious filming. Renting real anamorphic lenses is the way to go, and we also now have plentiful cheap alternatives from Sirui and the like for less serious gigs. Having said that, the ony adapter I've used which I would still recommend and which I've found both easy to use and reliably sharp is the Aivascope. What's more, I've found combining the aivascope 1.5x with a Sirui 1.33x delivers spectacular 2x anamorphic results! I'd love to see you do a video on that.

Amazing video. We all appreciate frank honesty, you have illuminated me. Thank you.

Completely agree, from start to finish. Long story short, collecting and problem solving these things took up so much of my own energy that I stopped actually filming anything besides tests. However, I just got myself the Sirui MFT line to slap onto my OG BMPCC, and despite all their limitations, I'm looking forward to producing some real narratives again. I can't help but look at boxes of old glass and accessories in my basement and cringe at how much I sank into them, but in terms of hobbies, at least it wasn't meth. Cheers on speaking truth, Tito.

I would also buy a dedicated lens. But the price gap is so big that, still it is just a dream. But adapters can give you a great starting point. Also you can learn allot, and thank You for sharing you experience with us. You deserve good anamorphic glass, and I can see You are putting it to good use

I only did adapters a couple of times and wouldn't really try it again. Too much of a timesuck on set. The minutes are precious and I'd rather spend them on lighting or working with actors. If a particular project demands anamorphic, scrape a budget together and rent a set. Atlas Orions can be quite affordable and there's Lomo sets out there that can be had for a steal. My main issue with the new single focus block lenses coming out is that they simply lack character compared to what you can get by combining the right vintage lens with an adapter. A Kowa with a VD strapped to some old radioactive lump of shit can look AMAZING and newer lenses just don't capture that feel. I hope that someday, some company allows you to choose what taking lenses go inside your set. Would much prefer adapting Canon FDs or Olympus OMs than just having some sterile new spherical components.

As an owner of an anamorhic adapter, I have to agree. Fun to tinker with and got me into the world of anamorphics but theres lots of nice options these days!

That's why Iscorama is the best adapter, get few of them and... If someone came out with a Full frame set of 40-45mm, 75-85mm and 135mm Iscorame based lenses which have Sonnar typed design in taking lens part, amber flares, old fashioned coatings so I don't get purple blobs, true 1.5x (even though 1.42 isn't bad), I'd buy such set for $5k per lens.

there is more cookbook chapters? great!

Regarding that impossible anamorphic with 2x (constant) squeeze, full frame coverage, good bokeh and flares - all at a not unreasonable price? Suspect a lens meeting all or most of those will be released within the next year. The Great Joy 35 comes close. Very close. Price still a bit too high, underwhelming flares, but otherwise, close.

Completely agree. Interesting to get your honest thoughts on this. Thanks for the video.

I have been tweaking and have finally had a good working setup with 5Es on two different rigs. One with a 40mm f2 and the FVD24a and the other with an 85mm f 1.4 or a 105mm f1.8 with the 2nd 5E and an FVD16B with Rapido Achromatic close-up filter. The reason for two rigs is to keep the time between switching FOV to a minimum. However, this is double the cost. My setup is working great and has been quite reliable. Though, I would happily sell everything for a set of Atlas lenses!

Finally made it to watch this episode. I actually completely forgot we had this talk before, keen to see what others had to contribute and what I actually said, haha I think it's super easy to slash the adapter crowd today. Sure, it is overall worse, there's no discussion on this IMO. But you put it nicely in the end of the video - we couldn't do it any other way, back then. And even though fidgeting and all the small pieces cost a lot, back then there was no other choice. Today, with things like Nanomorphs that's different, or with GreatJoy and Sirui (if you are into their stretch factors, that is). But even when Atlas came on, there's no way two of those lenses is less or even close to equal compared to everything that e.g. I have paid on this. Only money wise of course, but not everyone has the chance to simply "work more" and get more funds

Once again you’re on top of… what I was warned about from camera people who are pros. Unless you trust your adapter, and your whole rig, don’t bring it to a set where you are on a time constraint you can’t control. But, if your like me, take the knowledge you got here and use it for fun. I am using my Aviascope on a big protect where my taking lens is quite cheap. It works for me, for this.

It would be nice if this video drives down the price of anamorphic projection adaptors... I think it will help; along with the increasing availability of new Chinese-made single lens options.

Tito's coming-out moment. :)

Really appreciate about stopping me from jumping into the swamp!

Thanks for this video. But after I viewed your "Anamorphic on a budget" (name?) on MZED, I stopped even considering adapters. I have four Sirui MFT lenses I love and three Sirui RF Anamorphic lenses I love too.

I feel like I have never seen an amateur use an anamorphic adapter such that the alignment wasn't off by at least a few degrees.

I love the current space. Adapters are much cooler (no pun intended) and easier to use now. And we have amazing inexpensive native anamorphic lens options that don't cost multiple thousands of dollars. WE ARE LEGITIMATELY SPOILED I personally prefer the affordability, ease of rigging of modern adapters and/or native anamorphic lenses over the image quality of the vintage adapters Awesome video Tito Ferradans

Did you ever make the "everything right with anamorphic adapters" video that was teased at the end?

Good job young man! You really know your stuff! 👍

You had me thinking for 5 seconds selling my aivascope and Zeiss lenses vs one Mercury😂❤

I totally agree with you !!! These systems with 2 objectives are given very good results, but it is time to go to Scope objectives alone since they arrive at very good prices. The Sirui 1,24x adapter or the return of DIY! With the 35mm FF and the 75mm FF Sirui Scope, I bought the 1,25x adapter, I just tested it with my Lumix S1 (6k Open Gate 24P mode) the Sirui FF 35mm lenses and the 50mm FF; Well, it vignette on the 2 goals! There are fewer fields of vision than without the adapter! I really regret having spent money on this adapter, (at the same time, there was no 35mm + 100mm + suitcase offer but without the adapter it seems to me) the 1.25x me adapter Recalls the complicated installations of the separate scope objectives in front of a spherical primary lens, as I did with my Camera Eclair ACL for film 16mm + Scope, transferred and projected in film 35m Scope. (I mean that I have manipulated the scope "artisanal" scope format) I find very well the series Sirui Scope Full Frame, but I regret the purchase of this adapter which promises a lot of development problems and Horizontality on existing Scope Sirui objectives. The adapter does not vignette on the 50mm FF or on the 75mm FF, but I would not use it, the imprecise installation of the adapter over these objectives, destroys the interest of having 1 SCOPE lens, In addition, in the viewfinder the image less "piqued" I speak of the vignetting with the Lumix S1 in 6k Open Gate 24P, with other cameras, I do not know how it goes.

I would love to get anamorphic lenses for my GH5, but I am unaware of any 1.33x lenses with GOLD, orange, or amber flare. That cold blue flare seems to dominate everything and does not suit me.

There is an expectation here that adapters should fit a professional workflow and setting. Why? The old Iscorama was first released as a hobbyist tool for photographers to make panoramic slides. I'm a hobbyist. I like taking panoramic photos. For me, there is nothing wrong with that adapter because I'm using it as it is meant to be. It saves me both time and effort. Using it on other lenses is a fun extension of its capability. I am also not under the pressure of a production workflow or the rigors of a production schedule to care if the adapter needs a bit of additional time to set when switching lenses or aligning. So, I think as photographic tools, these adapters are ignored in the discussion as there is an expectation to exclusively use them for cinema. Putting a 1.33x adapter vertically on a 4:3 sensor like MFT or medium format gives me a square ratio, which I also love - and without sacrificing sensor area. The bonus for me is that I can also use them for videos.

Good stuff. I am currently shooting with the GJ adapter. But I have my eyes on those Laowa Nanomorphs.

I look at it a bit differently-you influenced in industry! Even from just a year ago new lenses at all major price points are being announced.

Thanks Tito! Great ideas here and you're best qualified to express them. I know I'm grateful to your decade of persistent tinkering and I'm certain your insights have been an enourmous inspiratiin and contribution to all the new, affordable anamorphic glass available. As you grow, we grow. Now shooting anamorphic on a budget is easier because of "Anamorphic on a Budget" So thank you my friend:)

I got my hypergonar for 100 bucks and I paired it with my Helios 44-2. I still search a way to deal with weight but for basically 130€ I have something to step in tried and see if it work. It's for fun, and especially, on a budget.

I love this. This conversation is less about adapters and more about approach.Your take totally makes sense for someone like me who believes the opposite as well. For one, when I couple my isco with say a mamiya 645 35mm or a leica summicron 50/2 on a pocket 4k, for me it outperforms every budget anamorphic lens on the market. Be it the bokeh, the focus fall off or the skintones. but that is just MY TAKE. If anyone is holding on to this because 'this is the right way' or you are picking on people OR think of anyone as less coz they are using a chinese anamorphic solution, then that's just absurd. It's the quickest way to go extinct and outdated. It's like how Nolan and Villenue have so much mutual respect for each other but the most mediocre analog and digital photographers would be fighting like cats and dogs to establish superiority of their medium. The end of your video is such a great advice. If you wanna make film, you make film. Each person has to prioritise certain things that the other won't. For some, convenience in gear enables them to focus on more important aspects that they prioritise.

thank you, for your immaculate conclusion, after following your stuff right from anamorfake through anamorphic adapters to plane anamorphic lenses. I just have to say one thing: FLAREVORS!!! (that's gonna be like greetings when we humans start lo live on mars)

I also have the same feelings, but what we need to do to solve the problem with a very short budget?... Ofcourse there is no doubts to buy a native anamorphic lens when it's possible... But sometimes there is no money to do so... so adaptors are the only thing at reach.

Great video. Love when you say “just go out and make them”. I have a film on yt with 20m views and people ask what editing software I used. Like it maters. It doesn’t it WHAT you edit that matters. But tutorials are fun to watch tho ;)

I’m going to mostly agree, however, I just received the new Sirui 1.25x adapter… and it’s pretty awesome. I paired this with the Sirui 50mm T2.9 1.6x anamorphic lens and it looks pretty good. Granted, it’s larger and heavier than the lens by itself. But I do wonder how this adapter would pair with the Laowa nanomorphs… especially the PL versions, as they natively have the required 82mm front filter threads. Interesting video in any case. I will try to post some footage from the Sirui 50mm / 1.25x combo later today.

I totaly understand you, adapters are fiddly, while looking great it's not ideal. The only thing they keep in their own is : great coating / characters for the price. I feel you, I have a Kowa 16H / Rectilux, invested a ton in it but I'm not using it more lattely : impraticable and too much squeeze... Right now I would go for a AIVASCOPE or try something else, more modern. Would love a wide 1.33 lens adapter or 1.33 lens that has some characters (1.33 can look dope, I've shot on V-Hawks 1.33) to produce 16:9 and 2:0 formats. While shooting anamorphic with less squeeze than 2x was impossible in my head for me for years and years I must admit that now, it's late 2022, and work must now be delivered in 16:9 , 4:5, 1:1 and 9:16. While I love widescreen, I'm more looking know into small stretch to add characters to my picture that will be chopped down by editors. I don't get to shoot everyday on big ass lenses.

So what is everyone's thoughts on 35mm to Full frame Cine lens Expanders? I'm personally not feeling it as well.

How does your new thinking relate to your soviet lens collection? I’m a newbie that just invested in soviet lenses to shoot without an anamorphic adaptor but interested about your thoughts, will you no longer use your soviet lenses and only use your anamorphic lenses? Thanks for the great video

I have been watching your channel for a year or two and treated myself to a Siuri 50mm anamorphic lens for my Panasonic GH5 before upgrading to GH6. I have also watched just about all your Cookbook episodes a few times and got "Brain Overload" with all the information trying to work out the maths of de-squeeze aspect ratios. I would be most grateful if you could point me at one or two of your episodes, or even a website that helps me to work out the maths for the de-squeeze ratios for editing on Davinci Resolve? The only way that I have been successful, so far, is to print off an A4 size piece of paper "Test Sheet" with circles printed on it and film that sheet of paper for a few seconds before going into Davinci Resolve and placing a ruler onto my display monitor to measure the filmed page until the image produces perfect circles in Davinci Resolve. Its not sexy but the only way I could solve this problem. Cheers

As someone who's been contemplating a possible ultrastar setup, this has reconfirmed my reservations. The headaches seem to far outweigh the benefits and investment into something more reliable will ultimately reap more rewards.

Hi, could you tell me which would be the best anamorphic adapter for my LOMO KMZ 160PF12-1 Cinema Zoom Lens, F = 10-100mm f2.5

Tito, where can I find a tutorial/explanation on using single focus for anamorphic adapaters? I can't find it anywhere. I've seen you mention Single Focus Solutions and Diopters like 35 times but I have no idea where to look. What even is a Single Focus Solution?

Can I ask what you're using at 1:31? Is that a handle specifically made for the front of the support rails? I'm not able to find anything like it online (although I've only been looking for a couple minutes) and as someone who loves my heavy anamorphic adapter, I imagine something like that could be quite useful.

AMEN. just spent 4k on adapters. feels extra stupid!))

Anyone knows what the rail-height-adjuster-mount-adapter-holder thingy used at 3:02? Been looking for that solution all over the place for the FM Lens!

Fantastic video Tito!

I feel personally attacked! 😂 (JK, I get it to a certain point. I think you hit on some of your issues… mainly failing to focus on optimizing one worthy adapter.) my Kowa 1.75X is fully production ready, I’ve even rented it out, same with my Aivascope!

Um 2:30 in, what are these lenses? A Full set of T2 1.33 Anamorphics?

Using the best Anamorphics roughly everyday for the past decade, I wish the industry could be more accepting of adapters. Obviously good Anamorphics are ideally suited for professional work, but, there aren’t a lot of great anamorphic lenses, and the further we progress the less I’m attracted to seeing the same lenses. I’m much more inclined (especially with these new amazing cameras like the MiniLF or the Alexa 35) to desire non clinical rendering, and never before seen lens variations.

Yes! For example your iscomorphot 8/1.5 review was not considering that it is the perfect anamorphic in combination with Sony 35/1.8 Oss on a sony aps-c body.......this combo is insane with sharp images (center) wide open! The look wows my fellow DOP-friends time and time again and the image looks like it was recorded with a very expensive vintage anamorphic..the flares are among the best i've seen on any anamorphic IMO...the whole combination weighs about a pound (rough estimate) is so easy to focus ....has IS !!!!!!!!! and you can even use AF to an extend although i wouldn't recommend it......the "rigging" is ultra-easy with the 40€ adapter from Rafcamera (basically just an step down-ring)........the perfect pocket/travel anamorphic-setup .....haven't found anything that comes remotely close but your review didn't reflect that at all..........anyway...thank you again for taking the time to do those awesome videos Tito!

Great video, Tito!

kudos for (among the other merits of this video) being open about evolving your perspectives as you grow and the field shifts - definitely something we need to normalize - looking forward to the companion video ! ... i've been using an enormous 35mm Isco Ultrastar 2X adapter that's super sharp and big enough to put in front of equally enormous taking lenses and shoot full-frame, but it can't go very wide, there's no suitable variable diopter, etc. - so it's amazing within its limitations, but the limitations are considerable

at 3:41 of this video..... I need to know what lens/sensor combo that is because it's such a nostalgic image. Anyone know? Thanks in advance!

What DUAL focus? What difficulties? LA7200: just put it on with no rails and shoot with continuous AF what ever you want. Even on Ronin. Just don't pay too much attention to the corner not_sharpness. Anyway, why almost all other adapters aren't THAT easy??

Waaaait. According to the description of this video isn't it implied you shot the A Roll of this with an adapter though? Or does that just need some updating

At 13:26 shouldn't the beams cross at the iris? ;)

Before the door closes on adapters, If you put a 1.33x adapter on a 1.6x lens (Lets just assume the coverage works), you'd go beyond 2x. Is there technically any consequence to going further than a 2x squeeze?

Forgot to mention the 35mm anamorphic Len is a full frame.

So I have an 82mm taking lens (SLR Magic APO) which adapter would you recommend? REALLY appreciate a potential response!

now if Laowa would do a 2x or 1.8x S35 anamorphic lens with a lot of character but muted flares, T2, in a size no bigger than the current 27mm 1.5x PL mount (although by that I expect it to be only mirrorless-mount and not PL), in something like 27mm and 40mm and some tele, that would be great :)) I just described Atlas 40mm, didn't I? :))

I see that you are the person I should ask; I bought the Sirui 50mm 1.8 for my Canon RP full frame 4k camera, with 1.7 crop, my question is what is the perfect adapter for this lens and that it looks like old school lenses. as Panavision series C

Wow your channel looks pretty good now. I remember how bad it was initially especially the sound department. Your improvement is pretty impressive 👍👍

I could not agree more with you, I will buy a native anamorphic lens, I can buy one laowa, also i can buy one atlas but it is 5x more expensive with the same 1.5x fiel of view, what do you think? have you tested both lenses? I am old fashioned and I am more focused on the story than the lenses or the camera, 85% of the cinemas world wide are just 2k, netflix 4k is oversampled doing interpolation upscaling from 2k at their servers...

Just wanted to suggest the term "host lens" instead of "taking lens".

Do you sell them?

Hello friend thanks for sharing a long history of anamorphic lenses. I’m new to anamorphic stuff I just bought a Panasonic S5 and a 35mm Sirui anamorphic Len. What is the best in camera settings to take advantage of this Len. This Len has a 1.6 squeeze however I don’t see that feature in my S5 menu. Again I’m new to video making and editing and sorry to ask dumb question.

Any thoughts on the new Sirui adapter?

Sounds like you old guys in anamorphics have some unresolved tramua; I'd see someone about that.

100% agree

Here Here! How old are you in this video? You look really young. and What is the next video?

I have a feeling the "screamo Tito" could become a 2022 meme if we post it in the right reddit and 4chan boards :))

Is that a toe at 7:52?! 🤣

oh shIt, it's THAT video! :)) ok, maybe not quite, not yet

7:52 Nice toes 👀👣

I'm agree, adapters are the worst

this dude reminds me so much of young Frank Whaley! voice and all.