SOM Berthiot Pan-Cinor 85 f:2

[jim blair]

Hi,

 

I have a few questions on this lens.

 

Also, I would like any personal reviews and experiences with the image quality of this lens.

 

is it okay to use the lens without the dog leg viewfinder or while light leak into the hole and fog the film? I do not like having to adjust the viewfinder that is not always level.

 

Next, what is the filter thread diameter of this, it's not printed anywhere on the lens.

 

thanks all

[steve waschka]

the dog leg port is behind the iris. so not only does it allow light in, its not going to be attenuated by a stopped down iris. i have that lens. the all black version. find a cap. get a small rubber crutch tip or cap at a hardware store if you need.

 

pan-cinors have a 66mm filter thread. requiring a 66-67mm step-up ring to get you into common filter step-up and accessory rings.

 

that lens meters darker than any of the switars by about a stop. so compensate with exposure. if i remember correctly the t-stop markings are a bit optimistic.

 

overall its a good lens. the swinging dogleg is a PIA to lock down so that you have a horizontal reference. the angenieux dogleg system is more fool-proof and recommended. the horizontal does not change with the movement of the viewfinder. more adjustable. more rigid. focus is more precise etc etc etc. just get a paint marker and mark the lens joint to the body and the lock ring to the dogleg after setting horizontal disc via leveled body or gate focus tool.

 

all of those types of zooms are frontal focus meaning all accessories must be attached via slip fit and railed or not be attached to the objective end of the lens at all.

 

i have some really nice footage shot with that lens on an 8mm that produced hearty contrast on 7266 in the past few months. if you need a dogleg zoom it'll work. if you dont collect switar primes or get a poe.

Edited January 19, 2012 by steve waschka