SLR Magic Anamorphot 1.33x 65 Now Optimized for Synchronized Follow Focus Control

by Adam PlowdenSeptember 23^rd, 2018

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SLR Magic have developed the Anamorphot 1.33x -65 to include focusing gears, further expanding the follow focus functionality for anamorphic filming.

For a few years now, SLR Magic has been a great choice for filmmakers aiming to achieve the look and feel of anamorphic, without spending lots and lots of money on high end lenses. However, due to the design of the adapter, it wasn’t possible to focus simultaneously with the lens itself or use follow focus units with it. (In his Anamorphot 1.33x -65 review, Johnnie explains the issue in details).

Understanding the needs of the camera operator and focus puller, SLR Magic have updated the adapter with focusing gears, which has also lead to the possibility of using synchronized follow focus systems for both the taking lens and the anamorphot adapter. Mind you that this solution is not absolute in terms of focusing accuracy but as Andrew from SLR Magic explains in the above video, it is good enough especially considering the price of Synchronized Follow Focus Control unit and the lens being a T2.9 one.

Synchronize Follow Focus Control With PDMovie

A popular setup combination has been the FUJINON MK lenses and SLR Magic Anamorphot 1.33x 65, in which both the lens and adapter now have geared focus rings, but at different diameters. This poses difficulties when trying to achieve synchronous focusing of both units, this is where PDMovie comes in.

The PDMovie Live 3 is a wireless follow focus system, that can synchronize both the Anamorphot adapter and FUJINON MK lens focus barrel rotation, even though both units have different angle of rotation and barrel size. It is possible to map the end points with the PDMovie Live 3 device, so both the lens and adapter stay synchronized when focusing remotely.

Although there are quite a few synchronized follow focus systems available out there (from Chrosziel and Teradek for example), these are rather expensive. The PDMovie system is considerably lower cost.

It would be great to see SLR Magic integrating the focusing gears into all of their Anamorphot adapters, which would take away the complications of attachable focus gear rings or manual focusing, especially as the lenses are being used on a range of productions up to high end.

Would the updated SLR Magic Anamorphot 1.33x 65 adapter with lens gears solve your follow focusing problems? Does the PDMovie remote follow focus solution appeal to your needs? Let us know in the comments.