Hi there, and welcome to the Anamorphic Lens-yclopedia, a community effort to catalog and distribute
access to hard data about anamorphic lenses and adapters.
This is a perfect resource to help you decide what’s your next lens, or to argue with
friends about “what’s the best anamorphic out there”!
The coolest thing about the lens-yclopedia is anyone - including you - can contribute
with data!
Click on ADD LENS at the top banner and start sharing info on your most prized scopes!
Over the next little bit I’ll go over how to collect the data so the process is as easy
as possible for us to build this library together.
Looking at the website, there’s a variety of things to collect!
We’ll start with your info, so the team knows our key collaborators!
This will also help speed up the approval process as you submit more lenses.
Now, what type of entry are you adding?
Is this an anamorphic lens, adapter, a focuser or a diopter?
Pick one from the drop down menu and that’ll affect some of the other fields.
Let’s pick the classic “anamorphic adapter” and talk about the differences later.
Add in the lens name, the manufacturer, the stretch factor, and a nice photo while you’re
at it.
You’re a photographer or cinematographer.
You know what a “good photo” means!
Please make it 1200 by 700 pixels so it fits the template!
In Coverage, type in what’s the widest you can go on this adapter along with sensor size
information!
Like, 35mm on full frame.
Does this adapter have front filter threads?
What’s their size?
If they’re non-standard, make sure to use a thread gauge to add the proper pitch!
How much does this adapter weight?
A simple kitchen scale will do!
Please note if you’re adding the info in pounds or grams!
For Size, we’re referring to the length of this adapter.
A ruler will do, but a caliper is ideal for a more accurate number.
Next, measure the focus throw by checking how many degrees you can turn the ring between
infinity and minimum focus.
While you’re at it, write down the minimum focus and specify if it’s in imperial or
metric.
On “Mount”, add info about rear threads or if the adapter has any other built-in mount
system.
If nothing is present, write down N/A.
Pick the focusing mechanism from the dropdown menu.
If we’re talking about adapters, the most likely option is double-focus.
Now you should use a caliper to measure the lens’ front and rear elements - in milimeters.
And repeat the process for front and rear threads - plus use a thread gauge to get their
pitch.
This is incredibly valuable info that helps with making clamps and rigging in general.
On “Mounting Solutions” you can go over what you see as the best way to mount this
lens.
Does Rapido offer a clamp?
How about RAF, or redstan?
Is it a DIY clamp?
On "More Info" you can add anything you find relevant about this lens that hasn’t matched
any of the previous fields, and in “Shot On”, share with us some work using this lens!
Then hit submit and you’re good to go!
This will send the form over to the admin team and we’ll implement the info onto the
database!
Now, if if you’re submitting info on something else than an anamorphic ADAPTER, there are
small differences.
When adding data about an anamorphic LENS, you’ll definitely have Mount information
or options, and a max aperture value.
In Coverage, add the sensor size covered by this lens, instead of “how wide does it
go”.
When adding a Focuser, the stretch factor becomes “Wide Angle Factor”, as almost
all focusers are based around a variable diopter system which ends up making the whole system
wider!
If you’re unsure about the Wide Angle Factor, add here where the donor optics are coming
from!
Last, for diopters the Stretch factor is replaced with diopter power (+0.5, +1, +2, etc) and
a lot of other fields are disabled/hidden.
For the sake of consistency, some fields can’t be added by the everyone, such as distortion,
sharpness and flares, but if you’re confident in the quality of your tests, reach out through
the Contact Us page and we’ll work out how to include your findings.
This project’s been in the making for several years, so it’s a great relief to finally
put it out there!
Now, really, help us build it up!
Tito Ferradans, out.