Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Anamorphic attachment focus problem

This is topic Anamorphic attachment focus problem in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007308

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-03-2005, 06:37 PM:

Okey, now I need a little help from the pros here:

I'm experiencing focus problems with some of my Schneider attachments - and these are of the older "Kreutznach" attachments, not the smaller newer ones.

Granted, I've done the horizontal/vertical focus adjustments as so quoted in the tip section with RP-40 with some lenses focusing in extremely well, where others are still a bit fuzzy. Even, one attachment is so fuzzy to where I had to borrow another attachment (an old B&H attachment I) from a friend to get a better focused picture.

The fuzzy ones to where I've traded out the backups (same focal length) and the problem stayed with the attachment (figuring that the backups had burnt or distorted elements..)

Granted, it seems like this problem leans toward the attachments than the backups, but just wondering if there is something missing that I need to do.

thx-Monte

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 07-03-2005, 11:16 PM:

You can

1) throw them away because they will never be very good or more likely

2) send them back to Schneider so that the lens elements can be set up on an optical bench. This genearation of Schneider anamorphics were known to allow their lens elements to come out of alignment (rotationally). Until they are in perfect alignment, you will NEVER get a satisfactory focus.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-04-2005, 09:39 AM:

You may know that Schneider bought Century Optics on the Left Coast. Excellent guy there (repairs administration) is John Siorgingus...I think spelling is close. I have had really good luck with the work he has supervised, esp. on anamorphics.

Louis

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-04-2005, 09:48 AM:

Now if you had quality Kowas or Sankors this wouldn't have happened they would have looked like this from the start and stayed like that [Smile]

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-04-2005, 10:04 AM:

quote: Gordon McLeod
they would have looked like this from the start and stayed like that

They would have been un-focusable from the start? Fantastic! [Razz]

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-04-2005, 03:45 PM:

quote: Steve Guttag
"...their lens elements to come out of alignment (rotationally)."

Thx for your help on this, Steve. Now a deductive question comes to being, and I may have already answered it below:

Interesting on this above statement. Now, it starting to come to light on how this occurs with elements rotating within the barrel.

Here's the scenario: These Schneiders are mounted in PR-1050 turrets - MANUAL turrets - turrets that USED to be motorized, but the mechanics were taken off because they were a "complicated unit" - to follow the KISS (keep it simple, stupid) rule of the theatre.

Thus, with "stupid" people up in the booth, they were SLAMMING the turrets around to where they actually would knock the lateral alignment way out of kilter (in which I have threaten them with their very lives and positions if I EVER see anyone swing a turret disc around that hard again...!!!), whereas the motorized turret disc rotates in a far slower manner and being easy on the lens themselves.

Thus, with this rapid rotation, this action would "rotate" the elements inside the attachment barrel themselves, thus knocking out the prime focus within the barrel.

How close am I on this deduction that I just came up with?

thx-Monte

[ 07-04-2005, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: Monte L Fullmer ]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-04-2005, 05:38 PM:

Pretty close Monty! Especially if they grab the scope lens to turn the turrett. Slamming them around also does them no good. The TU-2000 was always a piece of crap, the only option is to replace it with the Kelmar turrett.

Mark

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-04-2005, 05:42 PM:

I really do not like the Kelmar Turret Far to complicated control and not very friendly to instal

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-04-2005, 05:45 PM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
replace it with the Kelmar turrett.

..course, you know this will never happen...Have to do what with and make the best of it.

How was the mountain retreat?

Might be down in SLC around the week of the 18th.

thx-Monte

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-04-2005, 07:26 PM:

Kelmar also offers a manual version of their turret. The turret maybe not too friendly on set up but once adjusted....don't play with it [Wink]