2.35 Research

[Joe Taylor]

Doing some reading about "George Washington" and it's been said that the cinematic process is "2.35 Research."

 

Does anybody know what that means?

[David Mullen ASC]

They used JDC (Joe Dunton Cameras) anamorphic lenses, some series of which are called strange names like "Crystal Express" and "2.35 Cinema Research".

 

Most of the lenses are made from Cooke S2/3 elements combined with anamorphic elements made in Japan. He made some high speed anamorphics from Zeiss Super-Speeds, I think.

 

http://www.joedunton.com/

[Max Jacoby]

Yep, the spelling he uses is Xtal Express. 'George Washington' was shot on the anamorphic Cookes.

 

JDC's Zeiss set does not really seem to get used much. In the catalogue it is under 'Speedstar Anamorphic set' and includes a 35mm, 50mm and 85mm.

 

The also have spherical Xtal Express lenses, which are rehoused Elite lenses.

[Lester Dunton]

The name 2.35 research came from a name of a company which was set up between my Father and Samuelson film services in the late 80's. It was supposed to be a stand alone entity which would focus on developing and renting anamorphic lenses. Things changed when Panavision purchased sammys, and we excercised an option to purchase sammys's share. We then slowly reverted back to JDC Xtal Xpress names as there was no longer a need for a joint venture...just some history.

[David Mullen ASC]

Thanks Lester.

 

Now that you're here, what's going to happen with the JDC anamorphic lenses now that you're owned by Panavision? And what about Joe's plans for building some 1.34X anamorphics?

[Lester Dunton]

One of the main reasons for us selling to Panavision is their firm commitment to the Anamorphic lens system. Our Lens inventory is all available from PV, but we are investigating new products - these include 1.34 and 1.5 systems as well as improvements to our original lenses still in PV.- these include 1.3 and 1.5 systems. Its still early days yet, but we are excited about the future.