Anamorphic Filter Tests

Once I had crafted my Anamorphic filter it was time to put it through a series of tests, to see there effectiveness. To begin I just laid out a very simple test, with a BB8 figure I had in focus then I used my flash light into the lens of the camera to see the effects. I first shot the scene with no filter on the camera so I has a control test to compare.

I then did the exact same thing again but only this time the filter was added to the front of the camera.   You can see from the screen grabs that there is a noticeable difference between this one and the control test. Obviously the most recognisable goes to the lens flare across the screen, I didn't think the tests would have this noticeable of an effect from the get go. I thought there would have been a lot more trial and error than there was. I also feel like when comparing the model of BB8 there is a difference, the second image seems to have a wash over the image which I think improves the image in my mind, a more cinematic look if you will. 

Next I experimented with the structure of the lens flares. I wanted to see if the direction of the flares could be changed depending on the angle of the filter and what other effects this would have with the image. You can see in the image below that the lens flares are running horizontally, just like the initial test.

In the image below however, you can see that I have alters the flares direction, so that they run vertically rather than horizontal. This effect was simply achieved by changing the orientation of the filter from running the wire vertically to running it horizontal across the lens. The opposite to how you would first think the flares would respond to the filter.

Finally, I tried to highlight the distortion that the filter was bringing to the image, because the changes are so subtle I was finding it difficult to pinpoint an example of this. I had read online about 'Bokeh' which is basically the part of your image which is out of focus and in the background. So I shot with the Black Magic from outside my bedroom window towards a street lamp pulling the focus from its peak to then an in focus image. Again I did this twice, once without the filter and another with.

It wasn't until I came to view the footage back on the Black Magic and I could compare between the two that I realised the significant difference. You can see that the oval shape of the filter has distorted the shapes of the light. As the focus is pulled, you can see more of the Vignetting forms all around the street lamp.

I also did a few experiement's outside, trying to capture a landscape type shot with the lens. I felt the shots looked nice but it may have been a little too dark when I finally got outside and ready to shoot. However I felt the detail you got with the filter on the tree closest to the camera was really special. The filter is supposed to give you a more cinematic depth of field meaning a lower depth of field and I felt you definitely felt that when using them here.