I Could Shoot a Feature Film With Just This Lens.

GxAce
29 Aug 202208:39

TLDRThe video discusses the affordability and quality of the Survey 35mm anamorphic lens, which offers a 1.33x anamorphic effect. The reviewer praises its sharpness, barrel distortion, and unique bokeh, while noting its limitations such as minimum focus distance and lens flares. Despite these issues, the lens is recommended for those seeking a budget-friendly anamorphic option, suitable for shooting a feature film.

Takeaways

  • 🎥 The Surrey 35mm anamorphic lens is a budget-friendly option at $618, making anamorphic lenses more accessible than ever.
  • 🔄 Historically, anamorphic lenses ranged from $3,000 to $30,000, highlighting the affordability of the Surrey 35mm.
  • 🌐 This lens offers significant barrel distortion and field curvature, contributing to a cinematic 'Panavision' or 'Wes Anderson' style.
  • ✨ Barrel distortion is emphasized over lens flares as a key characteristic of the anamorphic look, contrary to popular focus on flares.
  • 🔍 Oval bokeh, a signature of anamorphic lenses, is produced by cylindrical elements in the lens that squeeze the image by a factor of 1.33.
  • 🔧 Despite its low cost, the Surrey 35mm lens delivers sharp images and high-quality bokeh, comparable to more expensive lenses.
  • 🛠️ A DIY modification involving a 3D printed oval aperture insert can enhance the anamorphic bokeh effect.
  • 📏 Available mounts for the Surrey 35mm include Canon RF, Leica L, Micro Four Thirds, and Sony E mount, but not Fuji X mount.
  • 🎞️ When used on full-frame cameras like the Sony A7S3, the lens requires cropping in post or the use of Sony's clear image zoom for optimal results.
  • 🚫 Challenges with this lens include a longer minimum focus distance of 33.5 inches and susceptibility to veiling flare in high contrast lighting.

Q & A

  • What is the significance of the 35 millimeter anamorphic lens mentioned in the script?

    -The 35 millimeter anamorphic lens is significant because it offers a more affordable option in the market for anamorphic lenses, which were previously expensive. It provides a distinct anamorphic look with barrel distortion and field curvature, reminiscent of Panavision and Wes Anderson movies, and is considered a game-changer for its price point and quality.

  • How does the survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens compare to older, more expensive anamorphic lenses?

    -The survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens is much cheaper than older anamorphic lenses, which used to cost between three to four thousand dollars at the least, and could go up to ten to thirty thousand dollars. Despite its lower cost, it offers a high-quality anamorphic look with sharpness and clean bokeh, unlike the softness and distortion typically associated with expensive anamorphic lenses.

  • What are the defining characteristics of anamorphic lenses according to the script?

    -The defining characteristics of anamorphic lenses, as mentioned in the script, include barrel distortion, field curvature, and oval bokeh. These features contribute to the unique aesthetic that anamorphic lenses provide, which is highly sought after in filmmaking.

  • How does the script describe the sharpness and bokeh of the survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens?

    -The script describes the survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens as being 'insanely sharp and clean' for an inexpensive anamorphic lens. It also highlights the bokeh as being the best the speaker has ever seen on an inexpensive lens, with a soap bubble effect and a clean inside, almost resembling the bokeh produced by a Leica D-R Sumicron lens.

  • What modification does the speaker make to the lens to enhance its anamorphic look?

    -The speaker modifies the lens by disassembling it, 3D printing an oval aperture insert, and placing it behind the lens's aperture. This modification results in oval-shaped bokeh, which enhances the anamorphic look of the lens.

  • Which mounts does the survey 35 millimeter 1.8 lens come in?

    -The survey 35 millimeter 1.8 lens comes in Canon RF mount, Leica L mount, Micro Four-Thirds, and Sony E mount. The script also suggests that with a little modification, it could theoretically be adapted to Fuji X mount.

  • How does the speaker use the lens on a full-frame camera?

    -The speaker uses the lens on a full-frame camera like the Sony A7S3 by cropping in post-production or using Sony's Clear Image Zoom. The Clear Image Zoom is noted for its impressive upscaling capability, which allows for a wider field of view and enhanced anamorphic characteristics.

  • What are the two main issues the speaker has with the lens?

    -The two main issues the speaker has with the lens are the minimum focus distance, which is not close enough, and the lens flares, which can be problematic with big contrast differences in light sources, causing a veiling flare that can ruin shots.

  • Why does the speaker prefer a 35 millimeter focal length for anamorphic lenses?

    -The speaker prefers a 35 millimeter focal length for anamorphic lenses because it provides a wider field of view and is ideal for shooting on the wider side, which suits the speaker's filmmaking style. They even suggest that they could shoot an entire feature film with just this one type of lens if it was their only option.

  • What is the speaker's overall verdict on the survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens?

    -The speaker's overall verdict is highly positive. Despite a couple of issues, they believe the lens is perfect for someone looking to pick up an anamorphic lens on a budget. Its affordability, sharpness, and anamorphic characteristics make it an excellent choice.

  • How does the script suggest improving the survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens?

    -The script suggests that if the survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens could be made more flare-resistant, it would be amazing. Additionally, improving the minimum focus distance by about 15 inches would make the lens more versatile and easier to use.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Introduction to the 35mm Anamorphic Lens

This paragraph introduces the 35mm anamorphic lens, highlighting its affordability compared to traditional anamorphic lenses. It discusses the historical price range of anamorphic lenses, emphasizing the significant reduction in cost with the introduction of new, inexpensive options. The paragraph focuses on the Survey 35mm lens, which offers a 1.33x anamorphic effect and is praised for its barrel distortion, reminiscent of classic Panavision and Wes Anderson films. The speaker critiques the common fixation on lens flares as the defining feature of anamorphic lenses, arguing that barrel distortion and oval bokeh are more essential. The lens's sharpness and lack of chromatic aberration in the bokeh are also noted, with the speaker expressing surprise at the quality given the lens's low cost. The paragraph concludes with a mention of a DIY modification to enhance the anamorphic effect by creating oval-shaped bokeh.

05:03

📸 Using the 35mm Anamorphic Lens on Full-Frame Cameras

The second paragraph discusses the use of the 35mm anamorphic lens on a full-frame camera, specifically the Sony A7S3. It mentions the lens's APS-C format and the necessity of cropping in post-production or using digital zoom techniques like Sony's Clear Image Zoom. The speaker praises the zoom feature for its ability to maintain image quality, even when cropping in to achieve a wider field of view. The paragraph also explores the lens's sharpness and anamorphic characteristics, such as field curvature and warping, which enhance the overall aesthetic. However, the speaker identifies two issues: the minimum focus distance, which they suggest could be improved, and the lens flares, which can be problematic in high contrast situations. The paragraph concludes with the speaker's recommendation of the lens for those looking to experiment with anamorphic lenses on a budget.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡35 millimeter anamorphic lens

The 35 millimeter anamorphic lens is a type of camera lens that captures a wider field of view and produces a unique visual effect, often used in filmmaking. It is characterized by its 1.33x anamorphic squeeze, which horizontally compresses the image, allowing it to be expanded back to its original proportions during post-production. In the context of the video, the Survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens is praised for its affordability and high-quality image production, making it an attractive option for filmmakers on a budget.

💡anamorphic

Anamorphic lenses are a type of camera lens that is used to create a widescreen image by horizontally compressing it, which is then decompressed during projection or in post-production. This results in a distinctive look with unique characteristics such as oval bokeh, field curvature, and barrel distortion. In the video, the anamorphic lens is discussed in terms of its cost-effectiveness, visual appeal, and the specific features that define its look, such as the 1.33x squeeze factor and the soft, dream-like bokeh effect.

💡barrel distortion

Barrel distortion is a type of optical distortion where objects appear to bulge outwards from the center of the image, creating a curved or 'barreled' effect. This is often considered a characteristic feature of anamorphic lenses, contributing to their unique visual style. In the context of the video, the barrel distortion produced by the Survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens is praised for giving a 'Panavision feel' and is likened to the aesthetic found in Wes Anderson movies.

💡oval bokeh

Bokeh refers to the aesthetic quality of the blur in out-of-focus areas of an image, and when it is oval-shaped, it is a distinctive visual characteristic often associated with anamorphic lenses. This effect is produced by the anamorphic elements within the lens, which squeeze the light in a cylindrical fashion, resulting in a more elongated and soft-edged blur. In the video, the oval bokeh is mentioned as a defining feature of anamorphic lenses, and the speaker notes that the Survey lens produces amazing bokeh, although it is not as oval-shaped as desired.

💡lens flare

Lens flare is a visual phenomenon that occurs when bright light sources or strong contrasts hit the lens at certain angles, causing streaks, circles, or other artifacts to appear in the image. While some filmmakers view lens flare as an undesirable effect, others, like the speaker in the video, consider it a stylistic choice that can add character to footage. However, the speaker also notes that the Survey lens can have issues with veiling flare, where the flare reduces overall image contrast and can be visually unappealing.

💡field curvature

Field curvature is an optical aberration where the image plane is not flat, causing the image to be focused differently across various parts of the frame. This can result in a slight curvature or warping of the image, especially at the edges. In the context of anamorphic lenses, field curvature can contribute to the distinctive look and is often considered a desirable feature. The speaker in the video appreciates the field curvature in the Survey lens, as it adds to the anamorphic characteristics and overall aesthetic.

💡minimum focus distance

The minimum focus distance is the closest distance at which a lens can focus on a subject and produce a sharp image. A longer minimum focus distance can limit the lens' ability to capture close-up details or macro shots. In the video, the speaker notes that the Survey lens has a minimum focus distance of 33.5 inches, which they find to be a bit too long for their preferences, indicating that a shorter focus distance would be more convenient for certain shooting scenarios.

💡full-frame camera

A full-frame camera refers to a digital camera that uses a sensor whose size is equivalent to the traditional 35mm film format, which is typically 36mm by 24mm. Full-frame sensors are larger than those found in crop-sensor or APS-C cameras, resulting in better low-light performance and increased depth of field control. In the video, the speaker uses the Survey 35 millimeter lens on a full-frame camera (Sony A7S3) and discusses the benefits of using the lens in this context, such as the ability to use Sony's Clear Image Zoom to achieve a wider field of view and enhance the anamorphic look.

💡Sony E mount

The Sony E mount is a type of lens mount used by Sony for their line of mirrorless cameras. It is designed to support a wide range of lenses, including those made by third-party manufacturers. The E mount is known for its compact size and electronic contacts, which allow for fast and precise autofocus capabilities. In the video, the Survey 35 millimeter lens is mentioned to be available in Sony E mount, making it compatible with Sony's mirrorless camera bodies.

💡Leica DR Summicron

The Leica DR Summicron is a series of high-quality lenses produced by Leica, a renowned German optics manufacturer. These lenses are known for their exceptional sharpness, clarity, and the unique 'soap bubble' bokeh effect, which is characterized by a smooth transition from in-focus to out-of-focus areas with a pleasing, bubble-like appearance. In the video, the speaker compares the bokeh produced by the Survey lens to that of the Leica DR Summicron, highlighting the impressive quality of the bokeh achieved by the more affordable Survey lens.

💡close focus diopter filters

Close focus diopter filters are accessory lenses that can be attached to the front of a camera lens to alter its minimum focus distance, allowing for closer focusing on subjects. These filters can be particularly useful for macro photography or when a lens's native minimum focus distance is not close enough for the desired shot. In the video, the speaker mentions the use of close focus diopters as a workaround for the Survey lens's relatively long minimum focus distance, enabling the filmmaker to achieve closer shots while still maintaining the anamorphic look.

Highlights

The survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens is a 1.33 x morphic, offering a more affordable option compared to traditional anamorphic lenses.

In the past, the cheapest anamorphic lens was around three to four thousand dollars, with most ranging from ten to thirty thousand dollars.

The survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens stands out among new inexpensive options for its strong anamorphic look and panavision feel.

Barrel distortion is a defining characteristic of anamorphic lenses, contrary to popular belief that lens flares are the most significant.

Oval bokeh is another defining feature of anamorphic lenses, produced by the anamorphic elements' squeeze factor.

The survey lens is sharp and clean, despite its low cost, which is unusual for anamorphic lenses known for softness and distortion.

The bokeh of the survey lens is remarkable, resembling the high-quality bokeh of a Leica Dr Sumicron lens.

To enhance the anamorphic feel, the user modified the lens with a 3D-printed oval aperture insert, resulting in oval-shaped bokeh.

The survey 35 millimeter 1.8 is available in various mounts including Canon RF, Leica L, Micro Four-Thirds, and Sony E, but not in Fuji X mount.

When used on a full-frame camera, the lens can provide a wider field of view with the help of digital zoom technologies like Sony's Clear Image Zoom.

The minimum focus distance of the lens is 33.5 inches, which could be improved for closer focusing capabilities.

Lens flares can be an issue with the survey lens, particularly with large contrast differences in light sources, resulting in a veiling flare.

Despite its flaws, the survey lens is ideal for those looking for an affordable anamorphic lens, especially for wide shots.

The 35 millimeter focal length at 1.8 is considered the sweet spot for anamorphic lenses, making it a strong contender for feature film production on a budget.

The user's preference for anamorphic lenses and the survey lens's performance make it a top choice for a single anamorphic lens in budgetary constraints.

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