How about 35mm movie lenses?

[zhang xk]

张同志：

“东方红！” You need not look far- the "red" DRF should be coming from 中国 China. The Yasuhara was the camera which marked the renaissance of RFs- and the maker (before Cosina made the Voigtlaenders) looked east- or to the WEST since China is west of Japan - to China to have his camera made. I am certain that some Chinese 'capitalist' will pounce on the opportunity and make the digital RF for the masses. You already have the industries capable of producing this. All needed now is the great helmsman to steer the way to the right path...maybe they're waiting for you!

Jay

Hi Comrade Jay,

I know that you always have some bright ideas. I am not sure how difficult it is to convert a digital P/S to a DRF. A Russian DIY expert made such a beast with a Canon P/S digital that has a M42 mount. Of course the sensor is much smaller than a RD-1's. But how about an Olympus E300 type camera with a correct registration distance? I think an E300 is similar to OM's earlier half frame PEN-Fs. IF such a camera was made, it could have a higher rangefnder accuracy. What do you think? This kind of camera could have a larger market as it also accepts other 35mm SLRs optics with a proper adaptor.

Yes, I am a great inventor, but money talks. :bang:

 

[zhang xk]

Hi all,

Just a head up. Someone is alredy selling some 35mm movie lenses on #bay now, with a LTM 39mm adaptor. He also offered some iamges shot with those lenses. A 10mm 35mm movie lens could be a great super wideangle for a RD-1.

Cheers,

Zhang

 

[Rashomon]

Zhang,
OT/ now I'm on movies now...
I am a big Kurosawa fan, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, Hidden Fortress, Red Beard, 7 Samurais, Do-des Kaden, Dreams, August Rapsody( about Hiroshima Kenbatsu; A-bomb), Ran( Chaos )...
China's Zhang Yi-moe is on Kurosawa's tail, I love his "Not one Less" and "Chu-ju", when I watch these movie for the first time, I thought, Oh my God, this guy is GREAT, he is going after Kurosawa!
Zhang unfortunately wants an Oscar, because Ang lee who call Zhang "Senbi" ( respectful teacher) got one best Foreign Film Award( Crouching Tiger). Zhang's "Hero", "House of Flying Dagger" are flashy and suited for US audience (Japanese Sony produced).
Every time I watch "Not One Less", I couldn't hold myself, it's such a great movie. His later "Shanghai Triad", "To Live"" is also masterpiece.

Hey, you forgot a movie, one of his best! I'll let you guess the name.... Btw, did I tell you that I love Kurosawa's films? LOL

As for Zhang YiMou, he has been very disappointing to me. Like someone said, he makes very beautiful photos - as he should, since he was a cinematographer before a director. But IMHO he's terrible at his current job. Unfortunately, there aren't many *great* Asian directors nowadays to begin with. So that might have something to do with his fame in Asia and some parts of the West.

Btw, the fact that Kurosawa went sad after Red Beard was partly due to the fall of cinema and the raise of television. And partly because he and Mifune parted ways after this film. And also partly because the audiences were tired of expensive historical epics - which were his forte. These events led him to commit suicide, make a film in Russia, make a movie in low budget, and receive help from the western filmmakers. He was also in such dire financial straits that he appeared in whisky commecials. In these conditions, one cannot help but appear "sad".


As for the conversion of movie lenses, it is certainly possible and perhaps worthwhile. Take a look at http://kevincameras.com/ This guy sells an assortment of converted old cine lenses for RF and SLR mounts.