Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Magna Com 65 vs Magna Com II

This is topic Magna Com 65 vs Magna Com II in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 10-09-2009, 08:22 PM:

What is the difference between the two Magna-Com's?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-09-2009, 08:31 PM:

One is a coke bottle and the other is a pepsi bottle! There is simply no other apt description for either of them...

Mark

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 10-09-2009, 08:38 PM:

So they are the same? One is just newer than the other?

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 10-09-2009, 09:31 PM:

I have compared both and find the ISCO Magna-com 65 to be brighter and sharper than the Kollmorgen Mag 11.

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 10-09-2009, 09:43 PM:

Both of the lens I'm talking about are Kollmorgans.

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 10-09-2009, 09:58 PM:

Oh... Coke and Pepsi i think. [Big Grin]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-09-2009, 10:25 PM:

Sorry, even the ISCO version has too much distortion using it either way and it also lowers the contrast range considerably. The lens has no light baffles inside... So I'll rate it a Dr. Pepper!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-10-2009, 02:27 AM:

Don, I won't confuse you with soda comparisons.

They both suck. Don't use either. If you must, then just switch over to blu-ray with a cheap video projector. The end result will be about the same.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-10-2009, 06:57 AM:

Sorry peoples...I've used the ISCO MagnaComs with GREAT success...sharp images too. In fact, they are almost a must for curved screens as the pin-cushion distortion they introduce will mate up well with a curved screen's barrel distortion.

Don't be afraid of the Isco Magnacoms (later known as Zoom converters type L and S). They are not right for all applications and one must know what they are doing with them but they can be VERY handy tools...they are just not ZOOM lenses...they only seem to be.

Steve

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-10-2009, 11:00 AM:

Steve, Next time you run into Dwight Lindsey ask him what they do to the contrast range. If you like your available contrast range shot to hell go ahead and use em.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-10-2009, 12:28 PM:

I use MagnaComs a lot and really have had few issues with them

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-10-2009, 02:27 PM:

Mark is right on the money with this. Contrast dies with those damned things. And Steve's explanation is why I refuse to install those silly curved screens. All they do is introduce distortion and further kill the contrast as the two sides work against each other to wash out the image.

Magnacoms = suck
Curved screens = suck
Curtains = awesome

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-10-2009, 03:31 PM:

Magna-Coms (at least ISCO "Zoom Converters" are valuable tools

Curved Screens are the best, Torus Screens = Suck

Curtains are indeed great.

As for Dwight...he and I differ on some things, for sure...as for Magnacoms...perhaps Schneider's loses contrast...the ISCO's form the mid/late '80s seem to do just fine...especially the type "S".

Steve

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-10-2009, 04:06 PM:

According to Glen Berggren, the Gold Ultras had "30% more light" than the black ones. (He had previously said that Magnecoms don't lose light.)

Therefore, we have created a lens with gain!!! I suggest that large screen theatres use a 500 watt bulb along with at least 10 Magnecoms.!!! [Big Grin]

Steve: I, too, have used these on deep curved screens to help with focus. Works great if you know what you are doing. Louis

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-10-2009, 04:20 PM:

The Zoom Converter is different from the M65 Magacom. First you guys need to learn what part is what before you can claim to know what you are doing. The Zoom Converter does not have quite the contrast issue the M65 does but it still DOES degrade the contrast ratio the prime lens is capable of.

Mark

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-10-2009, 09:08 PM:

I've done tests with the Zoom Converter type L and the Magna-Com 65 (ISCO) and there were zero differences in image geometry. I did not, alas, measure contrast ratio to see what the difference was, if any.

One thing the Zoom converter type "S" has is a much larger exiting element, among other things...I'm sure that goes towards its improved performance, light and focus.

As for losing light...well nothing is a zero sum...then again, one can get a precise fit to a screen so you might retain some light there. I wouldn't use the Magna/Zoom Converter willy-nilly...that is for sure. It is a tool though.

Steve