Sony FX2 Camera and BLAZAR Mantis 1.33x 35mm Anamorphic Lens Goes Daruma Dolls

Restriction-free music courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Enroll right here: Epidemic We just lately acquired the brand new BLAZAR Mantis 1.33x 35mm full-frame anamorphic lens to check, and we needed to pair it with the brand new yet-to-be-released Sony FX2. We’ve already reviewed the brand new Sony, however with the BLAZER APEX 1.33x, which is an APS-C autofocus lens. To finish our testing, we requested Sony Japan to ship us the FX2 once more and put it by means of its paces.This isn’t a “scientific” overview of the BLAZAR Mantis lens. The above video and write-up are extra of a “hands-on” expertise, giving an impression of working with each the digital camera and lens collectively. I needed to supply a “feel-good” piece, as all of us deserve a quick respite from this fast-paced world. So sit again, get pleasure from, and as at all times, suggestions and criticism are at all times welcome!Katsuo-ji Temple (from the timeline). Credit score: CineDFilming location: Katsuo-ji TempleSpending the summer season in Japan opens infinite potentialities to seize stunning sights and sounds (you cicada/semi/セミ, we now have an open account 🙂 ). This time, I headed in direction of Katsuo-ji Temple, positioned on the northern outskirts of Osaka. This Buddhist temple is known for its hundreds of Daruma dolls that symbolize success and granted needs, incomes its status as a “temple of winner’s luck.” Legend has it that Bodhidharma meditated so lengthy that his limbs atrophied, therefore the dolls’ round-bottomed form and their potential to return upright after being knocked over. Now, discover me a greater location to movie, meditate, and need for luck suddenly…Scorching, sunny day on the temple with the Sony FX2. Credit score: CineDSony FX2I’ve already lined the Sony FX2 and had a agency conclusion. To me, that is at present essentially the most fascinating compact digital camera in Sony’s FX line merely due to its built-in EVF. Sure, I’m absolutely conscious of what persons are saying about it, and sure, I want it may document 50/60p in full body (subsequent to 120p in 4K), however in relation to usability, particularly throughout run&gun on a full sunny day, this digital camera is a winner. If technically doable, I hope that Sony will contemplate “upgrading” it by introducing new firmware, or higher but, introduce a brand new compact FX mannequin that has the lacking options however has a built-in EVF.Additionally added to my “wish-list” is to ask Sony to take anamorphic filmmaking extra “significantly” by permitting their compact FX line of cameras to do greater than at present doable. (Anamorphic de-squeeze whereas preserving some type of stabilization is one thing that I undoubtedly wish to see.)On this specific filming day, the digital camera sustained temperatures of 34°C (93.2°F) simply, though I didn’t movie very lengthy takes.Daruma dolls at Katsuo-ji Temple (From the timeline). Credit score: CineDBLAZAR Mantis 35mm 1.33x T2.0 full-frame anamorphic lensBLAZER, as an organization, has been “killing it” currently. For instance, I do know A LOT of people who find themselves very proud of their Remus 1.5x line of lenses. Apparently, the price-to-performance ratio is sort of unmatched. Now, my private expertise working with their lenses is proscribed to testing the APEX APS-C autofocus anamorphic lenses (overview right here), and now the Mantis 35mm. And I’ve to say that I’m impressed (once more).BLAZAR didn’t have the Sony E-mount lens prepared, so that they despatched us the PL model of it, which, in fact, shouldn’t be a difficulty when you’ve got the PL/E mount adapter for it. Alternatively, the mount might be person swappable from native PL/ E Mount to all different Mounts with out restriction. For this filming event, I used the SIRUI adapter, and it labored flawlessly. As this isn’t a “scientific” lens overview however moderately an impression of working with it, I can report again that it was actually pleasant. Its dimension is compact. The lens weight is barely 790g (.74lbs), and in contrast to lenses in its class from different producers, the filter thread dimension is a typical 77mm, making it very straightforward to work with a variable ND filter. For such a lens, the shut focus distance can also be positive (0.48m/1.57ft). By the way in which, utilizing the Sony FX2 with its native twin ISO function (800/4000) proved to be nice additionally in lowlight conditions, preserving the picture clear because the lens itself might be opened to T2.0.Now, subsequent to its robustness, for those who ask me what I like most about this lens, it’s the potential to work outdoor vast open at T2.0. Perhaps by placing it on a decision chart, the lens will show to be smooth, however in actuality, the middle of it seems sharp, producing very good photos. Talking of which, throughout filming, I used to be not chasing (amber) gentle strikes, as I’m of a bokeh junkie.BLAZAR Mantis 1.33 T.2 full-frame anamorphic lens. Credit score: CineD2x aesthetics on a 1.33x lens? BLAZAR is promising a 2x aesthetic anamorphic look when working with these 1.33x lenses. Did it dwell as much as this declare? Effectively, realizing that everybody has a little bit of a unique opinion, I’ll allow you to guys determine, however for me personally, the image aesthetic could be very pleasing to the purpose that I’d not hesitate to apply it to extra demanding (look-wise) productions.Sony FX2, SIRUI PL/E adapter and BLAZAR Mantis 35mm anamorphic lens. Credit score: CineDFinal ideas At instances once we are so busy attempting to maintain up with business modifications (AI, anyone?), tariffs, and different unrelated international craziness, my remedy is to exit filming. I nonetheless very a lot love the power to create a small visible story with the minimal doable gear. Give me a small tripod, a mini slider, a digital camera, and ideally, an anamorphic lens, and I’m happy to the purpose of forgetting the second. Modifying the above quick piece was additionally a pleasure, and in case you might be questioning about grading, I used to be utilizing fylm ai to my support. Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com.Suggestions, remarks, ideas, and something in between are welcome within the remark part beneath