Making A DIY Anamorphic Lens

It keeps the nuts and bolts from scratching my polished table

I have been following this forum for a long time. I have set up my theater recently - about six months or so. Although still some work (seating) is needed. I have been very interested in anamorphic lens. I have already created one using the small prisms marketed at SS. As most of you know, it works but not great for a perfectionist. I am interested in cylindrical lenses.

Mark, you have done great work here. :clap::yourock: I would appreciate if you can pm me with information about how and where to get these cylindrical lenses. Thank you.

Thank you Doc. As the rules state, I can not list prices here, so a PM has been sent. There is a reason I am doing this project the way I am. Simply put, I want to hear wow factor stories about how great the image is, not complaints about how hard this is to get aligned.

I demonstrated the advantage of the new design of the MK5 last night to the owner on an MK4 by removing the front lens holder which allowed the front lens to slide in and out. I was able to show him how quick and easy the astigmatism adjustment will be with the new design compared to the current thread adjustment of the MK4.

If your wondering why I am doing this, then research "eye retention" and you will quickly understand the method in this madness.

I got the revised prototype back today and assembled it. It went together much easier than the first, but I think there is still some holes missing. I'll see if I can snap a photo and post it.

If it's only a matter of accurately gluing and or bolting bits together, I don't see that that would be too difficult for the average DIYer!

Prof. said:

If it's only a matter of accurately gluing and or bolting bits together, I don't see that that would be too difficult for the average DIYer!

Click to expand...

So supply a tube of glue and let them go for it? I don't know. We will have to see how this all goes when all is said and done.

There is way more to this than meets the eye. I've had the prototype MK5 assembled for 2 days now and today found myself dismantling it once again. The good news after today is: IT NOW WORKS :clap:

That's good to hear Mark..:T
How is this now looking as a DIY kit!?

Complex?

I honestly don't know how this would go as a DIY kit Prof. I ended taking the case into a machine shop today to have the outer part of the case machined. The guy charged me 'mates rates' but not sure if he'd be keen to do that for others. The need for precision alignment is paramount. You can't gave close enough is good enough like you can have with prisms. There is simply no room for error here. Having said that, I realigned this late this afternoon and watched a quick sample of video and it is stellar. So maybe there will be a few that can do this. I just don't think this is for everyone though.

If this is a modification to the original design, wouldn't you be doing this on all the MK.5's?..or are you just making the mod for each lens as you sell them?
Are they just made to order, or are you carrying stock?

I'm just "ironing out the bugs" so to speak. One the glass is aligned (2nd hardest part after the case), the lens is super easy to set up with the projector. I watched a full length film last night and saw no issues that would prevent this from going to market as is. There are still a few more things that need to be done though. I guess the first issue to sort out is for TGregory out as he already bought the glass and needs a case ASAP. If anything, I'd be happy for him to have the case as it stands right now. Any further mods I do will be simply refinements to what is already a great little (haha at 200mm, it is not exactly 'little') product.

At this stage I plan on making them as required. Turn around is about 3 weeks so not a big wait for someone wanting one.

How much will they be $$$$$$$$$$

Cheers

GOLD COAST? Shame you didn't attend the GTG I ran at BIG PICTURE PEOPLE (Robina) on Saturday evening. You could have got to see the MK5 in action for yourself.

I didnt know about it

I am running another in Brissie soon. It will be on the south side, most probably at Sunnybank Hi Fi. The last one was for DTV Forum members, so announced on that site only.

Hi Mark please Pm me with the venue date and time and i will see you there.

There will be 2 in the next few weeks. One will be at Sunnybank HiFi (hopefully this month) and the other at Aussie HiFi (July). Dates and times are yet to be confirmed.

If the MODS are OK, I might start a threat on GTGs here unless there is a section for that else where.