I Could Shoot a Feature Film With Just This Lens.

The video discusses the affordability and quality of the Survey 35mm anamorphic lens, which offers a 1.33x anamorphic effect at a significantly lower price than traditional options. The lens is praised for its barrel distortion, sharpness, and impressive bokeh, though it lacks the oval shape typically associated with anamorphic lenses. The video also addresses the lens's limitations, such as its minimum focus distance and issues with veiling flares in high contrast situations. Overall, the presenter considers it a valuable choice for those seeking a budget-friendly anamorphic lens for wide-angle shots.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The Survey 35mm anamorphic lens is an affordable option at $618, significantly cheaper than traditional anamorphic lenses.
• 📈 It offers a 1.33x anamorphic effect, providing a modern anamorphic look at a fraction of the cost.
• 🔍 The lens is sharp and clean, defying common expectations of softness and distortion associated with inexpensive anamorphic lenses.
• 🎬 It features a distinct barrel distortion and field curvature, reminiscent of Wes Anderson movies and Panavision feel.
• 🌟 The bokeh is impressively sharp and almost oval-shaped, enhancing the anamorphic aesthetic despite not being perfectly oval.
• 🔧 A simple modification with a 3D-printed oval aperture insert can further enhance the anamorphic effect by making the bokeh oval-shaped.
• 📸 Available mounts include Canon RF, Leica L, Micro Four-Thirds, and Sony E, with potential for adaptation to Fuji X mount with modification.
• 📱 When used on a full-frame camera, the lens can benefit from digital zoom techniques like Sony's Clear Image Zoom for wider field of view and more anamorphic characteristics.
• 🚫 The minimum focus distance is 33.5 inches, which may limit close-up shots without additional close focus diopter filters.
• ⚠️ The lens has some issues with veiling flares in high contrast lighting situations, which can be problematic and reduce the overall image quality.

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 very expensive. It provides a distinct anamorphic look with features like barrel distortion and oval bokeh, making it a popular choice for filmmakers seeking a high-quality yet cost-effective option.

How does the price of the Surrey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens compare to traditional anamorphic lenses?

The Surrey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens is much cheaper than traditional anamorphic lenses. While the cheapest anamorphic lens used to cost around three to four thousand dollars, and most were priced between ten to thirty thousand dollars, the Surrey 35 millimeter lens is available for under a thousand dollars, making it an extremely cost-effective option.

What are the defining characteristics of an anamorphic lens according to the script?

The defining characteristics of an anamorphic lens, as mentioned in the script, include barrel distortion, field curvature, and oval bokeh. While lens flares are often focused on, the speaker believes that barrel distortion and the overall anamorphic feel are more important to the look.

How does the Surrey 35 millimeter lens perform in terms of sharpness and bokeh?

The Surrey 35 millimeter lens is noted for being incredibly sharp and clean for an inexpensive anamorphic lens. It also offers amazing bokeh, which is almost reminiscent of a Leica Dr Sumicron lens, with a soap bubble effect and very clean insides. The lack of chromatic aberration in the bokeh is particularly impressive for a lens in its price range.

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

The speaker disassembles the lens and adds a 3D-printed oval aperture insert behind the lens aperture. This modification results in oval-shaped bokeh, which enhances the anamorphic appearance of the lens.

Which mounts does the Surrey 35 millimeter 1.8 lens come in?

The Surrey 35 millimeter 1.8 lens is available in Canon RF mount, Leica L mount, Micro Four-Thirds, and Sony E mount. The speaker also mentions the possibility of adapting it to Fuji X mount with some modifications to the lens barrel.

How does the lens perform on a full-frame camera?

When used on a full-frame camera, the lens results in a crop factor due to its APS-C format. However, the speaker mentions using Sony's Clear Image Zoom, which upscales the footage digitally, resulting in a wider field of view and enhanced anamorphic characteristics.

What are the two main issues the speaker has with the Surrey 35 millimeter lens?

The two main issues the speaker has are the minimum focus distance, which is not close enough for some shots, and the lens flares, particularly the veiling flare that occurs with big contrast differences in light sources. The speaker suggests that a more flare-resistant version of the lens would be ideal.

Why does the speaker believe the Surrey 35 millimeter lens is perfect for someone on a budget?

The speaker believes the Surrey 35 millimeter lens is perfect for budget-conscious filmmakers because it offers the anamorphic look at a fraction of the cost of traditional anamorphic lenses. With its sharpness and distinct anamorphic characteristics, it provides high-quality results without breaking the bank.

What focal length does the speaker prefer for anamorphic lenses?

The speaker prefers a 35 millimeter focal length for anamorphic lenses, as they find it to be the sweet spot for their filming needs, especially when shooting on the wider side.

Would the speaker use this lens for an entire feature film if budget was a constraint?

Yes, the speaker could easily shoot an entire feature film using just the Surrey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens if they were on a budget and could only get one anamorphic lens, highlighting its versatility and effectiveness for filmmaking.

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 and the new generation of inexpensive options available. The paragraph emphasizes the lens's distinctive features, such as barrel distortion and field curvature, which contribute to the classic anamorphic look reminiscent of Wes Anderson movies. The author argues against the common focus on lens flares as the defining characteristic of anamorphic lenses, instead valuing sharpness and bokeh quality. The paragraph also describes a DIY modification to achieve oval-shaped bokeh, enhancing the anamorphic aesthetic.

05:03

📷 Performance and Compatibility of the 35mm Anamorphic Lens

The second paragraph delves into the performance of the 35mm anamorphic lens when used on a full-frame camera, such as the Sony A7S3. It praises the lens's compatibility with various mounts, including Canon RF, Leica L, Micro Four Thirds, and Sony E, and muses on the potential for a Fuji X mount. The user shares their experience using the lens on a full-frame camera, noting the wider field of view and enhanced anamorphic characteristics achieved through digital zoom techniques like Sony's Clear Image Zoom. The paragraph also addresses two issues with the lens: the minimum focus distance and the lens flares' tendency to create veiling flares in high contrast situations. Despite these drawbacks, the author recommends the lens for those seeking a versatile and budget-friendly anamorphic option, suitable for shooting wider shots or even an entire feature film.

Keywords

Anamorphic lens

An anamorphic lens is a type of camera lens that is used to create a widescreen aspect ratio by horizontally compressing the image, which is then decompressed horizontally to its original aspect ratio during projection. In the video, the speaker discusses the affordability and quality of the Survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens, which is a new, inexpensive option compared to traditional anamorphic lenses that were previously very expensive.

Barrel distortion

Barrel distortion is a type of optical distortion where objects appear to be stretched or bulging outwards from the center of the image. It is a common characteristic of anamorphic lenses that contributes to their unique look. In the video, the speaker appreciates the barrel distortion of the Survey 35 millimeter lens, comparing it to the aesthetic of a Wes Anderson movie, where this distortion is often used to create a stylized and engaging visual effect.

Oval bokeh

Oval bokeh refers to the shape of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph, which is typically circular but can be elongated or oval due to the anamorphic elements in the lens. The speaker in the video notes that the Survey 35 millimeter lens does not naturally produce oval-shaped bokeh, but by modifying the lens with a 3D-printed insert, one can achieve this distinctive anamorphic aesthetic.

Lens flare

Lens flare is a photographic effect that occurs when light is scattered or flared in a lens system, often creating a characteristic 'halo' or 'starburst' pattern around bright light sources in the frame. While some people consider lens flare as a defining feature of anamorphic lenses, the speaker in the video disagrees, stating that they find lens flare to be the least interesting part of the anamorphic look.

Field curvature

Field curvature is an optical phenomenon where the image plane is not flat, resulting in a curved focus across the image. This effect is often associated with anamorphic lenses and contributes to their distinctive visual style. The speaker in the video appreciates the field curvature of the Survey 35 millimeter lens, describing it as a desirable characteristic that adds to the anamorphic feel.

Minimum focus distance

Minimum focus distance refers to the closest distance at which a lens can be focused on a subject. In the context of the video, the speaker notes that the Survey 35 millimeter lens has a minimum focus distance of 33.5 inches, which they find to be a limitation as it prevents them from getting as close to subjects as they would like.

Close focus diopter filters

Close focus diopter filters are accessories that can be attached to a lens to allow it to focus at a closer distance than it would normally be capable of. The speaker in the video mentions these filters as a solution to the Survey 35 millimeter lens's relatively long minimum focus distance, allowing for closer focus while sacrificing the ability to focus at infinity.

Full-frame camera

A full-frame camera refers to a digital camera that uses a sensor whose dimensions are equivalent to or very close to the 35mm film format, typically 36mm by 24mm. In the video, the speaker mentions using the Survey 35 millimeter lens on a full-frame camera like the Sony A7S III, which requires cropping the image in post-production or using digital zoom techniques to achieve the desired field of view and anamorphic characteristics.

Clear image zoom

Clear image zoom is a digital zoom technology that uses algorithms to upscale and refine the image when zooming in, resulting in a clearer and more detailed image than traditional digital zooms. The speaker in the video praises the clear image zoom feature of their Sony A7S III camera, which allows them to crop into the image and maintain high image quality, enhancing the anamorphic effect of the Survey 35 millimeter lens.

35 millimeter focal length

The focal length of a lens is the distance from the optical center of the lens to the point where it focuses light onto the camera sensor. A 35 millimeter focal length is considered a standard focal length that provides a natural perspective for framing scenes and is often used for general photography and filmmaking. In the video, the speaker expresses their preference for this focal length when using anamorphic lenses, as it offers a balance between wide-angle and telephoto perspectives.

Budget filmmaking

Budget filmmaking refers to the process of producing a film with limited financial resources, often requiring creative solutions to achieve high production value on a smaller budget. The video's main theme revolves around the affordability and quality of the Survey 35 millimeter anamorphic lens, making it an ideal choice for filmmakers working with budget constraints.

Highlights

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

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

The survey 35 millimeter lens is recognized for its strong anamorphic look, with impressive barrel distortion reminiscent of Panavision and Wes Anderson movies.

Lens flares are often associated with anamorphic lenses, but the speaker believes barrel distortion is more defining.

Oval bokeh is a characteristic of anamorphic lenses due to the anamorphic elements that squeeze the image.

The survey lens is noted for its sharpness and cleanliness, despite its low cost.

The bokeh of this lens is described as the best the speaker has seen on an inexpensive lens, with a soap bubble effect and minimal chromatic aberration.

The speaker modified the lens to achieve more anamorphic-looking oval-shaped bokeh by adding a 3D-printed oval aperture insert.

The survey 35 millimeter 1.8 is available in Canon RF, Leica L, Micro Four-Thirds, and Sony E mounts, though 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 techniques like Sony's Clear Image Zoom.

The lens's sharpness and modern anamorphic characteristics make it an attractive option for feature film shooting on a budget.

The minimum focus distance of 33.5 inches is a limitation for close-up shots, which could be improved by 15 inches.

Lens flares can be an issue with the survey lens, particularly in high contrast situations, where a more flare-resistant version would be beneficial.

For those looking to invest in an anamorphic lens for wider shots, the 35 millimeter focal length is ideal.

The speaker could envision shooting an entire feature film with just this one anamorphic lens due to its versatility and quality.