Thanks Buddy, Your review just solved my problem, I should find your channel earlier! I really like anamorphic lens ,however, the Vazen 40mm didn't work on BMPCC4K well, because I watched the Alexandru's review too!!!!! I bought this lens and felt bad for the performance. I think the BMPCC's menu system is the best one! so I didn't go for the Zcam E2. Therefor I was waiting for the Panasonic GH6 for years till today I it released. Fortunately I find your review before I preorder the GH6! The test clips are awesome! Thanks Again Clifton!!!
Thanks for this video, I have this lens and monitoring on the Pocket 4K + GH5 has been driving me crazy! Glad to know the Portkeys BM5 does do custom scaling, I couldn't find any other videos stating/clarifying that & no other monitors seem to offer 'non-standard' pixel aspect. Thanks again!
Right there with ya Camcorderkid TV! Gets frustrating trying to properly judge framing, focus, etc if it's just squeezed 10% off of the 2x desqueeze (or worse if there's no desqueeze at all!). Not to mention clients scratching theirs heads over a just-noticeably distorted image. I've got a full review on the Port Keys BM5 II here coming out soon (in which I'll be noting some worthwhile things about the BM7 as well), in case you want to stay tuned for that sort of thing!
@@starsieve 100%! as well as just the pocket 4k only showing anamorphic if in the mode or 1.33x ONLY for the viewer (I also try/prefer to shoot the full 4K width to get the extra resolution on the sides). Would be interested in seeing that to see how the focus peaking looks/works as well just general use good/bad things :)
Perfect man thank you. I watched Alexandru's review on this lens and he made it sound like it's a horrible use case when paired with the pocket 4k. But I wondered if you just didn't use anamorphic mode then surely it'd be better. Glad to see my suspicions were correct. Great video man, clips looked amazing
Just saw a review saying this particular lens and the bmpcc4k don’t work well together. That it is so soft. And now I see your review and can definitely see its sharp. Should I go for this setup?
Thank you! I think it's important to show more than just a focus chart and a bored-looking model (or wife/girlfriend)! Field use is what we're all going to end up doing with whatever kit we're researching anyway!
Great review! Can you tell me more about shooting full sensor on the BMPCC4K? So you would just set it to DCI/UHD and when it comes into Resolve, do you still set the Pixel Aspect Ratio to Cinemascope and Project Settings to 2:39/1?
Thank you, SuperSetCA! If you right click the video file within Resolve and go to "Clip Attributes" there is an option to change the pixel aspect ratio / anamorphic mode. And there is already a 1.8 preset in there! You simply choose that and it will apply the necessary squeeze/desqueeze for you in addition to scaling your footage to fit your project resolution! Makes the whole thing very manageable in post.
Thanks Richard! And haha, yeah it took a bit to accumulate, and there seems to be no end to how much more there is to get. Gear acquisition syndrome is real!
Thanks! Yeah I may have to go ahead and make a film dedicated to the full-sensor look of this thing. It's just too cool a feature to not take advantage of!
Alternatively, just use a native 4:3 with more rez (HI, Zcam E2, Kinefinity Mavo LF) and get anamorphic that looks noticeably different than the BMPCC4K
probably the best review on the vazen thus far. I'm super interested in using it with the full width of the sensor. I've done some tests with the SLR magic anamorphic.
It's a very cool aspect ratio; and definitely looks really good on a super large screen. Gets a little skinny on a phone screen, and looks a little silly in a FB or IG feed, I think. But may be worthwhile for a festival film!
Hey Hector. When working with a Vazen anamorphic, I use an external monitor that allows me to set a custom squeeze. For example, my Portkeys BM7 does not have a 1.8X Anamorphic mode, but it does let me set a custom pixel aspect squeeze. So instead of desqueezing 1.8X horizontally, I'll squeeze 0.56X vertically to get the same proper aspect ratio.
Great review Clifton! I could have sworn they had a dedicated lens support, but can't find anything. Seems like an odd move. I wonder if the V3 Support Beam from Rapido Technology might fit?
i think they made it 1.8x because if u squeeze it into 1.8x, the human face will be fat, so u could squeeze it into 1.66x more or less, the human face will look long as good, and the oval will reach 2x like panavision C series 2x, anamorphic lens is for making arty movie not shooting products, so we dont need to keep things exactly like their actual proportion...human face first...
I've not worked with the Anamorphot lenses, but I can say that I'm generally not a fan of inconsistent apertures across a set of glass (personal gripe), and a very real concern: The focus ring on the SLR Magic's are all the way out at the very front lens element, making it a challenge to put a follow focus on the thing! Have heard negative things about how the SLR Magic's look wide open, but I've not tested this myself in real-world shooting conditions (and people poo-poo Xeens, but I get tremendously positive feedback on projects I've shot with Xeens, so who knows!). For my money, however, yes. I'm personally be investing in the Vazen lens set.
I can make a video about differences in sensor sizes and what that means in regards to image (depth if field, field of view, pixel density). Anamorphic and sensor size are different things, however. May be I can show / mention the difference between how an anamorphic lens on a smaller sensor differs from just shooting with a bigger sensor?
@@starsieve I know Clifton, and you got it right. What I meant is this anamorphic lens is for micro-four third, but if you know any other anamorphic lens made for full frame sensor. With similar price tag.
I absolutely loved ur review just subbed, My biggest question for this vid~ is it worth investing 3K into a lens with a M 4/3rd lens mount as opposed to a more future proof PL mount that you can grow with? ex reds arri alexa and so on~
Hey Dreaming of Reality; thanks for the kind feedback and the sub! I was never really a native-MFT person... especially with how many different lens mount standards there are - and the whole new world of full frame / "Vista Vision" sensor coverage happening now - it is hard to justify buying a native mount like MFT or E (when there are adapters a-plenty for EF and PL lenses to fit other mounts). But in the instance of a really high quality anamorphic lens at this price point... I imagine it will be some time before any PL-mounted anamorphic options approach this kind of image quality while still being this cost-effective. So yeah. If you're into cameras like the Pocket 4K, GH-series, or Z-Cam E2 - along with whatever other MFT cameras are to come down the road - it may very well be worth actually investing in this glass. Personally, I really like the look of these Vazens for MFT and the Atlas Anamorphics for larger sensor coverage.
@@starsieve Thank you so much for taking the time I genuinely appreciate it! ah I have some thinking to do lol its going to be the vazen or atlas or the new Xelmus apollo can't wait for ur next vid!
The way I see it is if I wanted to shoot a short, or a feature, on my own. Buying PL anamorphic is out of the question. Renting PL is the same budget... Now for renting an Alexa and a PL anamorphic, you can buy a Gh5 or BMPCC4k and buy that lens. It might even come cheaper. But you own it. (so any reshoot or next film, is covered!). I am sure there is a market for it.
Hey Cristobal! Thanks for reaching out. I'm currently sorting out a minor manufacturing setback (I've got pretty exacting standards when it comes to products I develop; and I don't want to give anyone a sub-par unit!). Want me to follow up when things are moving again on our end?
Clifton Stommel yeah!! Please let me know when you got everything on track!! Here is my directors reel if you wanna check it out! www.rexfilms.cl Thanks a lot!
I'm super fond of the Hollywood Black Magic Filter (my standard go-to), and sometimes I'll use my own custom pieces of glass to take the sharp/digital "edge" off an image in camera. Probably worth making a whole "achieving looks in camera vs in post" video!
Thanks Buddy, Your review just solved my problem, I should find your channel earlier! I really like anamorphic lens ,however, the Vazen 40mm didn't work on BMPCC4K well, because I watched the Alexandru's review too!!!!! I bought this lens and felt bad for the performance. I think the BMPCC's menu system is the best one! so I didn't go for the Zcam E2. Therefor I was waiting for the Panasonic GH6 for years till today I it released. Fortunately I find your review before I preorder the GH6! The test clips are awesome! Thanks Again Clifton!!!
I am a Vazen 40 mm lens owner and its been an amazing upgrade to or line up of gear!
Seriously! It's a pretty awesome addition to the lens collection. Can't wait to try out their new 28mm (and eventually own all three)!
do you use it on a bmpcc4k?
Thanks for this video, I have this lens and monitoring on the Pocket 4K + GH5 has been driving me crazy! Glad to know the Portkeys BM5 does do custom scaling, I couldn't find any other videos stating/clarifying that & no other monitors seem to offer 'non-standard' pixel aspect. Thanks again!
Right there with ya Camcorderkid TV! Gets frustrating trying to properly judge framing, focus, etc if it's just squeezed 10% off of the 2x desqueeze (or worse if there's no desqueeze at all!).
Not to mention clients scratching theirs heads over a just-noticeably distorted image.
I've got a full review on the Port Keys BM5 II here coming out soon (in which I'll be noting some worthwhile things about the BM7 as well), in case you want to stay tuned for that sort of thing!
@@starsieve 100%! as well as just the pocket 4k only showing anamorphic if in the mode or 1.33x ONLY for the viewer (I also try/prefer to shoot the full 4K width to get the extra resolution on the sides).
Would be interested in seeing that to see how the focus peaking looks/works as well just general use good/bad things :)
Perfect man thank you. I watched Alexandru's review on this lens and he made it sound like it's a horrible use case when paired with the pocket 4k. But I wondered if you just didn't use anamorphic mode then surely it'd be better. Glad to see my suspicions were correct. Great video man, clips looked amazing
I think I saw the same video, have you used it on a bmpcc 4k? does it suck?
Just saw a review saying this particular lens and the bmpcc4k don’t work well together. That it is so soft. And now I see your review and can definitely see its sharp. Should I go for this setup?
Very useful and love that you actually when out and use it on the field :)
Thank you! I think it's important to show more than just a focus chart and a bored-looking model (or wife/girlfriend)! Field use is what we're all going to end up doing with whatever kit we're researching anyway!
GREAT review and test footage. Quality and informative content.
Thank you Tarajosu! Really appreciate the feedback!
Awesome 2.35 aspect ration. Loved it.
Thanks!
@@starsieve I'd love to see more of your short films on that aspect ratio, so keep up the good work.
Great review! Can you tell me more about shooting full sensor on the BMPCC4K? So you would just set it to DCI/UHD and when it comes into Resolve, do you still set the Pixel Aspect Ratio to Cinemascope and Project Settings to 2:39/1?
Thank you, SuperSetCA! If you right click the video file within Resolve and go to "Clip Attributes" there is an option to change the pixel aspect ratio / anamorphic mode. And there is already a 1.8 preset in there! You simply choose that and it will apply the necessary squeeze/desqueeze for you in addition to scaling your footage to fit your project resolution!
Makes the whole thing very manageable in post.
i'm so jealous of your gear shelf. But also, another amazing video.
Thanks Richard! And haha, yeah it took a bit to accumulate, and there seems to be no end to how much more there is to get. Gear acquisition syndrome is real!
nice work Clifton. love this review
Awesome review dude! Would love to see more footage&tests with the bmpcc4k recording with full sensor and this 40mm beast :)
Thanks! Yeah I may have to go ahead and make a film dedicated to the full-sensor look of this thing. It's just too cool a feature to not take advantage of!
I just got this lens for my 4k. I shoot bands and I hope this will make my music videos look more cinematic.
That's awesome! I imagine you'll be pretty impressed with the footage you can get with this lens. Especially playing with flairs during performances.
Alternatively, just use a native 4:3 with more rez (HI, Zcam E2, Kinefinity Mavo LF) and get anamorphic that looks noticeably different than the BMPCC4K
Oh that's interesting! How's the vertical coverage on the Mavo LF?
great review
Thank you, Joshua!
probably the best review on the vazen thus far. I'm super interested in using it with the full width of the sensor. I've done some tests with the SLR magic anamorphic.
It's a very cool aspect ratio; and definitely looks really good on a super large screen. Gets a little skinny on a phone screen, and looks a little silly in a FB or IG feed, I think. But may be worthwhile for a festival film!
Stellar review !!
Much appreciated!!
Clifton, when setting your custom aspect ratio frame lines on an external montior what are you using putting for the 1.8x desqueeze ?
Hey Hector. When working with a Vazen anamorphic, I use an external monitor that allows me to set a custom squeeze. For example, my Portkeys BM7 does not have a 1.8X Anamorphic mode, but it does let me set a custom pixel aspect squeeze.
So instead of desqueezing 1.8X horizontally, I'll squeeze 0.56X vertically to get the same proper aspect ratio.
Clifton Stommel on my BM5 (when shooting full sensor 4K) the image looks super wide. What’s your 4K resolution in post?
Great review Clifton! I could have sworn they had a dedicated lens support, but can't find anything. Seems like an odd move. I wonder if the V3 Support Beam from Rapido Technology might fit?
Hey, that looks really promising!
i think they made it 1.8x because if u squeeze it into 1.8x, the human face will be fat, so u could squeeze it into 1.66x more or less, the human face will look long as good, and the oval will reach 2x like panavision C series 2x, anamorphic lens is for making arty movie not shooting products, so we dont need to keep things exactly like their actual proportion...human face first...
What about the SLR Magic 35mm 2x Cine anamorphot? Is it worth that extra cash for the Vazen?
I've not worked with the Anamorphot lenses, but I can say that I'm generally not a fan of inconsistent apertures across a set of glass (personal gripe), and a very real concern:
The focus ring on the SLR Magic's are all the way out at the very front lens element, making it a challenge to put a follow focus on the thing!
Have heard negative things about how the SLR Magic's look wide open, but I've not tested this myself in real-world shooting conditions (and people poo-poo Xeens, but I get tremendously positive feedback on projects I've shot with Xeens, so who knows!).
For my money, however, yes. I'm personally be investing in the Vazen lens set.
How and when can I purchase the bezamod for the pocket 6k?
Will update everyone soon (as soon as I sort out a little manufacturing hickup we've run into)!
Can you make similar video about full frame camera? Meaning affordable anamorphic.
I can make a video about differences in sensor sizes and what that means in regards to image (depth if field, field of view, pixel density).
Anamorphic and sensor size are different things, however. May be I can show / mention the difference between how an anamorphic lens on a smaller sensor differs from just shooting with a bigger sensor?
@@starsieve I know Clifton, and you got it right. What I meant is this anamorphic lens is for micro-four third, but if you know any other anamorphic lens made for full frame sensor. With similar price tag.
I absolutely loved ur review just subbed, My biggest question for this vid~ is it worth investing 3K into a lens with a M 4/3rd lens mount as opposed to a more future proof PL mount that you can grow with? ex reds arri alexa and so on~
Hey Dreaming of Reality; thanks for the kind feedback and the sub!
I was never really a native-MFT person... especially with how many different lens mount standards there are - and the whole new world of full frame / "Vista Vision" sensor coverage happening now - it is hard to justify buying a native mount like MFT or E (when there are adapters a-plenty for EF and PL lenses to fit other mounts).
But in the instance of a really high quality anamorphic lens at this price point... I imagine it will be some time before any PL-mounted anamorphic options approach this kind of image quality while still being this cost-effective.
So yeah. If you're into cameras like the Pocket 4K, GH-series, or Z-Cam E2 - along with whatever other MFT cameras are to come down the road - it may very well be worth actually investing in this glass.
Personally, I really like the look of these Vazens for MFT and the Atlas Anamorphics for larger sensor coverage.
@@starsieve Thank you so much for taking the time I genuinely appreciate it! ah I have some thinking to do lol its going to be the vazen or atlas or the new Xelmus apollo can't wait for ur next vid!
The way I see it is if I wanted to shoot a short, or a feature, on my own. Buying PL anamorphic is out of the question. Renting PL is the same budget... Now for renting an Alexa and a PL anamorphic, you can buy a Gh5 or BMPCC4k and buy that lens. It might even come cheaper. But you own it. (so any reshoot or next film, is covered!). I am sure there is a market for it.
hey man! im trying to purchase your Bezamod PL mount for my BMPCC 6k... can you help me please?!?!
Hey Cristobal! Thanks for reaching out. I'm currently sorting out a minor manufacturing setback (I've got pretty exacting standards when it comes to products I develop; and I don't want to give anyone a sub-par unit!). Want me to follow up when things are moving again on our end?
Clifton Stommel yeah!! Please let me know when you got everything on track!!
Here is my directors reel if you wanna check it out! www.rexfilms.cl
Thanks a lot!
What filters did you add for warm/soft?
I'm super fond of the Hollywood Black Magic Filter (my standard go-to), and sometimes I'll use my own custom pieces of glass to take the sharp/digital "edge" off an image in camera. Probably worth making a whole "achieving looks in camera vs in post" video!
@@starsieve Excellent - thanks for the rec!
Wow I'm earlier than I realised.
Haha, yeah you got here first!