SLR MAGIC-RANGEFINDER CINE Adapter

grisnjam

My apologies if there is already a topic on this ...

Thoughts on this new adapter from SLR magic?

PR:

The SLR MAGIC-RANGEFINDER CINE Adapter is an optical device with integrated follow focus gears. When adapted to a compatible taking lens, one could override the focus control of the taking lens with the RANGEFINDER’s built-in focus ring that provides calibrated focus markings from 3’6 ft to Infinity.

The SLR MAGIC-RANGEFINDER CINE Adapter is highly recommended for users wanting to have single focus capability on the SLR Magic Anamorphot adapters as well as users wanting to have cinema like manual focus capabilities on autofocus lenses.

It seems that it acts as a external focusing mechanism that sits in front of the lens. I figure you set your lens (or taking lens + anamorphic adapter pair) at infinity focus and then you can use the range finder to control focus with the benefits of:

focus gears
hard stops
distance markings
repeatable focus pulls even on fly by wire lenses
a single focus for dual focus anamorphic setups

This is what I read into the announcement at least.

balazer

From what I understand about focusable anamorphic adapters, moving the adapter forwards or backwards relative to the camera (and moving or focusing the taking lens) is not a replacement for focusing the anamorphic adapter. http://www.eoshd.com/comments/topic/2659-turn-dual-focus-into-single-focus/

The SLR Magic Anamorphot adatper is a special case because it requires little or no focusing of the adapter.

P.s., I think you mean focus by wire. Because a lens is not an airplane. :)

B3Guy

This is likely a variable diopter system, like the Anamorphic Shop FM lens. These systems seem to be becoming more common.

grisnjam

Ah yes a variable diopter makes sense, and yes I clearly meant focus by wire ;)

I wonder how this adapter might affect lens breathing as well? Should be interesting to watch as the tests come in.

B3Guy

There should only be breathing if the diopter system has breathing.

grisnjam

There should only be breathing if the diopter system has breathing.

Right! It they can pull off an adapter that gives you the best parts of a CINE lens on any lens that should be pretty slick. The down side would be having the lens gears no the front of the lens, might not play nice with matte boxes ect ...

nobbystylus

I'm still somewhat confused as to how this actually works. Is there a large optical element ? Would it potentially cause extra optical issues, quality loss, sharpness issues etc?

B3Guy

It's a variable diopter, presumably from zero power (infinity which you focus your system to), down to 3ft approximately by the looks of it. It's not a terribly complex thing, not with good modern glass anyway.

B3Guy

So two optical elements.

nobbystylus

Will this mean the look of the bokeh be different from the taking lens?

Vitaliy_Kiselev

balazer

Found an image of the thing: https://www.facebook.com/wolfcrowsocial/posts/941374369260331

MSRP is $599 US: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/5288245325/slr-magic-unveils-hyperprime-cine-50mm-t0-95-lens-and-magic-rangefinder-cine-adapter

grisnjam

Looks like Andrew has one and should be posting tests soon ...

http://www.eoshd.com/2015/07/slr-magic-rangefinder-converts-dual-focus-anamorphic-aka-kowa-to-single-focus-and-more/

grisnjam

Also other user tests coming in:

kingmixer

Count me as one of the people confused by this. So would I be able to use this as a way to shoot with my leica M lenses, but fix their focus breathing?

sammy

this looks interesting, but like kingmixer im little confused , So I would use it to focus ? how much closer will it get me to focus if im using isco 36 ?

grisnjam

@kingmixer It is a variable diopter that sits in front of the lens, in effect replacing the internal focus mechanism. You set focus on the lens to infinity and then leave it there and then focus with the Range Finder. Since the filter is focusing the lens it will 'fix' lenses that have heavy breathing.

@sammy When using it with an anamorphic adapter you set the taking lens and anamorphic adapter to infinity focus and leave them there and then attach the Range Finder which now gives you a single geared focus mechanism with 240 degrees of movement and accurate distance markings. It does claim to improve minimum focus distance on some anamorphics but only testing will tell by how much.

kingmixer

I guess part of the confusion was the name. Rangefinder focusing to me, means having that square in the middle of the screen and lining up two ghost images to achieve focus. Thanks grisnjam

MarcioK

And there is some image quality compromising, I guess?

grisnjam

@Marciok

Yes, check out Andrew's post, he mentions:

"Since it only arrived today however I’ve not yet had time to go in depth with it and gauge performance. Initial samples showed it produced a usable image with my Isco CentaVision 2x anamorphic even at F2.0 and although it did soften up the Canon 24mm F1.4L at F1.4 the image was still impressive and likely far sharper from F2.8. "

sammy

@grisnjam thanks, i guess for me with the isco 36 since it has one focus system, is will this allow for closer focus distance with the isco 36 with out needing to add closeups, plus if its smoother focus style or not,if its less and smoother turning ill be more in on this if the image is not too effected by it.

sebfarges

SLR Magic 1st hands on :) thanks for watching

JohnBarlow

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO is a pidgin-style saying that appeared in American culture in the early 1920s. The saying refers to the learning of a process without an understanding of why it works. Another definition implies the act of mimicry, usually with limited knowledge and/or concern of the consequences.

QUESTION: SO WHEN IS A RANGEFINDER NOT A RANGEFINDER?

ANSWER: WHEN IT IS AN ORIGINAL RECTILUX 3FF

Say NO to those who willfully copy and plagiarize the original work of others.

John Barlow Chief Design Architect, Programme Manager, Rectilux products IMPRINT TAKEN

grisnjam

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