Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Age of CinemaScope Lenses

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Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 03-23-2003, 11:50 PM:

How old are Bausch & Lomb CinemaScope I with the red ring anamorphic lenses? How good/bad are they compared to todays equivalent.

Posted by Matt Hale (Member # 1518) on 03-24-2003, 12:03 AM:

If the ones you have are anything like the ones I have, I believe they are the original CinemaScope adapters (not a complete lens) from the 50s. The general consensus seems to be that modern scope lenses are better (not to mention lighter!) and do not seem to have the yellowing problem that the older B&Ls had. Check out The Widescreen Museum for a history of CinemaScope and its lenses.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 03-24-2003, 02:13 AM:

On most if not all of the B&L anamorphics if you look closely inside the front element along the edge you should find the manufacture date stamped on the inside of the barrel near the front element.

These lenses were assembled with optical cement between elements. By now the vast majority of them have had that cement turn yellow casting a yellowish tint to the light passing thru it. It's easy to check the amount of yellowing by looking thru the lens at a known pure white object, light, or wall.

Compared to modern anamorphics, the B&Ls are heavier and even with totally clear optics don't pass as much light as the current anamorphics out there.

-Aaron

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 03-24-2003, 12:15 PM:

The "red" ringed ones were the older lenses. The silver ring ones are slightly newer, and of better quality. Neither is up to todays standards, although a "silver ring" B&L in good condition will put out a nice picture.

/Mitchell

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 03-24-2003, 12:20 PM:

I have a silver-ring one which is dated 1956. It makes an excellent paperweight.

Are all of the red-ring lenses older than this?

The B&L lenses that I've seen vary widely in quality. Some put out a great picture (not comprable with the latest ISCO or Schneider lenses, but still really good) and some are godawful. We had a really crappy pair at the Williamsburg Theatre (now replaced with ISCO Blue-Stars, I think). The Columbus Theatre has a very good pair, as does the Avon Cinema (the other art house in Providence, RI).

Posted by Darren Briggs (Member # 1071) on 03-24-2003, 12:57 PM:

Ive got a RED ring lens which is serial No DR2756, but can't see a date marked on it any where. On the outside it says Projector Attechment II

Darren

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 03-24-2003, 01:15 PM:

Cemented elements were also more prone to heat damage. Compare both the color and sharpness across the screen using the SMPTE 35-PA (RP 40) test film. Use a print with a full range of colors and tones to see how much the old lens degrades contrast compared to a modern anamorphic lens.