AG - DVX100 w/Anamorphic 16:9

Publish : 27th January 2004

Has anyone had any experience with the Anamorphic Adapter for the AG -DVX 100? Anything to look out for?

I've used one in the past on a PAL Vx-1000 made by another manufacture and had issues with focus (uneven plane where the left side was in & the right side slightly out).

Also has anyone used one with a mattebox (Chrosziel maybe?). Any issues with vignetting?. I would like to be able to use filters with it. I wouldn't object to taping/rigging.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Dan Schmeltzer
San Francisco

I have not used the anamorphic adapter for the AG-DVX100 and doubt if I'll use it in the future.

Unless the project is definitely going to be output to film and already has the money set aside for the transfer, I would much rather be using the Century Optics wide angle and their telephoto adapter for added flexibility in shooting and in selecting focal lengths.

Producers will submit their project to festivals and hope that their project will be picked up for distribution and the distribution company will pay for the blow up.

This seldom happens. Virtually all MiniDV projects which are fortunate enough to get a distribution deal end up going straight to video. Theatrical releases are extremely rare.

If the production already has the money in the budget for the blow up, then it would make more sense. (Unless you consider that for the $30K they have set aside for the blow up would probably be better spent on production.)

Jessica Gallant
Los Angeles based Director of Photography
West Coast Systems Administrator, Cinematography Mailing List
https://cinematography.net/

>Has anyone had any experience with the Anamorphic Adapter for the >AG-DVX 100? Anything to look out for?

It's really nice as anamorphic adapters go. Holds focus with the aperture open from fully wide to about 15-20mm before you need to start stopping down to maintain H & V focus at the same time. On full telephoto, plan to be at f/8 or smaller. Having said that, it's fully zoom-through, with no vignetting I've seen. On the three set-ups I've worked with there was no side-to-side focusing issue.

At full wide expect some barrel distortion.

Folks who've used it full film style (see http://www.stealart.com - select "play", then click on "tech photos") go with a 6x6 filter set and matte box to match; the camera kinda gets lost behind all that stuff. Do watch out for dust or dirt on the filters, because it WILL show in the picture!

As to wireless A/V sync, the cams will run wild but maintain frame-accuracy for many minutes. Locking 'em is not possible as they have no sync or genlock input. Wireless video transmitters exist but I don't know the regulatory climate for using them in the NL. If taping ISO's, just record a reference audio track on each cam and post-sync 'em to the frame. If trying to record multicamera, link 'em back through frame syncs or a frame-synced vision mixer like the Panasonic WJ-MX50 or MX70.

Cheers,

Adam "Has DVX100, will gladly travel to NL" Wilt
Menlo Park CA USA

Thanks Jessica.

Apologies for not being clearer. I'm looking for advice specifically on the AG-DVX 100 with a 16 by 9 anamorphic adapter and being able to use filter(s) whether they go in slots intended or by rigging them.

This is for a feature I am taking over about a third of the way through as DP and the anamorphic adapter is already in play.

Has anyone used this adapter and if so any suggestions on using it with filters.

Thanks.

Dan Schmeltzer
San Francisco

Sorry, I misunderstood the question. Here I go again!

The camera has 1/3" CCDs, so depth of field is an issue. Keep the filters as clean as humanly possible, shoot relatively wide open, and be careful about using diffusion filters with patterns because they'll show, esp. when you're using wider focal lengths.

Jessica Gallant
Los Angeles based Director of Photography
West Coast Systems Administrator, Cinematography Mailing List

> go with a 6x6 filter set and matte box to match

Why is such a large filter needed? Is the field of view really that wide?

Blain Brown
DP
LA

> Why is such a large filter needed? Is the field of view really that wide?

I've used a 4X5.65 mattebox with the Century Optics 0.6X adapter and it works (though it's cutting it pretty close).

Jessica Gallant
Los Angeles based Director of Photography
West Coast Systems Administrator, Cinematography Mailing List

Blain Brown writes:

> go with a 6x6 filter set and matte box to match

>Why is such a large filter needed? Is the field of view really that wide?

Have you seen the size of that anamorphic adapter? It's huge. As I understand it, the smallest filter to cover it is a 138mm (5.5") round. 6x6 just makes it easier to use multiple filter and quick loading trays.

Mitch Gross
NYC DP

Dan Schmeltzer wrote:

>Has anyone had any experience with the Anamorphic Adapter for the >AG-DVX 100?

Hi Dan,

The anamorphic adapter is a useful tool but there are some things you definitely want to keep in mind.

1) If you aren't using an external 16:9 monitor, you have to operate with the image stretched. Or get the desqueezing hoodman.

2) Mounting the adapter is counter intuitive. You need to snug the locking screw before screwing the adapter on the camera, then after screwing on the adapter you'll need to loosen the screw to correct the horizontal alignment. Finally, you need to tighten the screw firmly so that the adapter locks in place.

3) There's only one "factory made" Chrosziel 4"x4" mattebox system for the anamorphic adapter. There are also some modified Cavision matte boxes out there as well. Otherwise you'll need to go 6"x6" and while it does the job, the whole thing just looks weird.

4) Century plans on releasing an anamorphic adapter for the DVX100 before NAB, so if you're planning on purchasing something you may want to hold off until the Century system is released.

Illya Friedman
Senior Camera Rental Agent
Moviola Cameras
Hollywood, CA

Mitch Gross wrote:

>Have you seen the size of that anamorphic adapter?

I used two 4x5.6 paper taped to the front for entire feature and had no problems at all.

Brian Fass
Cinematographer
www.watchreels.com/brianfass
www.demoreelnetwork.com/brifast
NYC