Great Joy 50mm T2.9 Anamorphic 1.8X AMBER - Sony A7IV

Sony A7IV, Great Joy 50mm T2.9 Anamorphic 1.8X, Sigma 35mm f/1.2 Art, Helios 44M Cine Mode
BUY MY LUT: www.buymeacoffee.com/egillbjarki/e/91819
KZbin Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:14 Unboxing
1:30 Sample Footage
4:36 Variable Squeeze
5:08 Helios 44M Cine Mod
6:33 Sigma vs Great Joy
8:25 Summary
Anamorphic calculator:
www.tferradans.com/blog/aspect-ratio-calculator/
Appearances:
byseanwhaley
helgabjo
therealaanchal
ksquared_beauty
My Instagram:
egill_bjarki
My Portfolio:
egillbjarki.cargo.site
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www.buymeacoffee.com/egillbjarki
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[@robertdouble559]

Great vid EG. Hong Kong. What and awesome place for a photog/cinematographer to live. So much cool stuff to shoot! I visited about 5 years ago and LOVED it! Great food too!

[@EgillBjarki]

Much appreciated Robert, HK really is an amazing city, one of the more dynamic places to visit! Glad you enjoyed your last visit, say hi next time!

[@j43l35]

Really nice to run across your channel, and cool to find another creator based in Asia! Love the slice of life subjects that you find, and looks gorgeous with the promist on front. I use the Sony E version too - I know you mentioned Sony doesn't have any IBIS for anamorphics - I highly recommend completely turning stabilization off. Keeps skewing at bay

[@EgillBjarki]

Hey Jack, appreciate the compliment, especially from a fellow creator here in Asia! Just watched your video, quite a good perspective on the lens. Totally agreed on the IBIS, found out after the fact. Figured I would include the footage anyway, as a part of my journey with the lens. Thanks for reaching out! Just subscribed to your channel, looking forward to your future content 😊

[@j43l35]

@@EgillBjarki aw thanks man! 🙂 I know what you mean, as you saw in my video I'm also really new to anamorphics. I'm waiting on the 35mm to arrive, you too? I'll make another video about it once it arrives, in case you're considering it! Looking forward to more content from Hong Kong too!

[@EgillBjarki]

@@j43l35 I’m in general more drawn to longer focal lengths. So the Great Joy 35mm is not as appealing to me personally, but the upcoming 85mm is! Also, really been looking heavy into anamorphic adapters, as using older character rich lenses is very appealing to me. But who knows, I might regret this whole adapter idea and go straight back to anamorphic lenses in the end 😆

[@j43l35]

@@EgillBjarki ahh makes sense when doing that kind of quiet observer type content! I'm looking forward to the 85mm too. Haven't considered the adapters yet, but vintage lenses are definitely on my list 😁 just haven't pulled the trigger yet. Been very interested in Ironglass, but they are in Ukraine, and for some reason I haven't been able to find any info online about whether their service has been interrupted

[@EgillBjarki]

@@j43l35 Great Joy seem to be on a roll, look forward to your perspective on the 35mm! Iron glass are making some seriously cool stuff! Very intriguing, but also a bit pricey 😅 There are so many options and directions to go into, feel like an amazing time, to be into camera gear, regardless from what perspective 😃

[@heyitsjaredbender]

Great video man, that story of being banned on eBay is crazy! If you ever make a video on that topic that'd be really interesting to hear more about. Thanks for the info!

[@EgillBjarki]

Thank you, really appreciated! Sure, I'll make a video on the Ebay situation, the whole thing is so absurd 😄

[@EricShaquille]

Thanks for the insightful video! You mind sharing what type of film emulation you use? Out of the thousands upon thousands of color grading/film emulation youtube videos I've seen, I honestly thank yours is by far the best. Seriously gorgeous work.

[@EgillBjarki]

Thank you very much Eric, really appreciate the kind words! My next video on this channel will be about my grading process. If you are in a rush, or if you feel like supporting me, I have made the exact look for the night shots available for purchase in the video description. Otherwise, feel free to wait for the full breakdown, and step by step video guide in FCPX 😀

[@seanwhaley8547]

Great video. Very informative and loved the shots! Good job

[@EgillBjarki]

Thank you Sean, much appreciated. Big thanks also for your modeling services 😉

[@SuperFilm2011]

Hey. Thanks for this Video. Do you think this anamorphic lens would be able to capture landscapes? Or are they just needed for subjects/ portraits? Peace.

[@EgillBjarki]

Thanks allot for the watch and comment. Anamorphic lenses in general are great for capturing panoramic landscapes. In fact, a few months back I went on a full week road trip in the US, and almost exclusively used an 85mm anamorphic lens. Love the results and am definitely inclined to use anamorphic lenses for photography.

[@Dabash]

wow impressive low light performance, did u use any noise cleaning?

[@EgillBjarki]

@@Dabash Thank you 🙏 No noise reduction applied post, just used the second base/native iso, using Slog3 on A7IV is at 3200, that’s all this is 😊

[@raymondjevans]

Have you noticed much rolling shutter effect using anamorphic on the a7iv? My understanding is that it increases the rolling shutter effect when using anamorphic. In this case by the same factor as the squeeze - x1.8. I'm considering getting the a7iv because its a good all rounder yet I wonder if the a7siii/fx3/zv-e1 might be a better option for anamorphic. Also! Have you by chance tried Sony's Catalyst Browse software for stabilising and/or correcting rolling shutter when using the greatjoy? Would be a great test to see if it works. Might you consider doing a video on that? Thanks for the great content!

[@EgillBjarki]

I have noticed a bit of a “wobble” to the image, but I think that may have more todo with the IBIS rather than rolling shutter. A7sIII has a faster sensor readout compared with A7IV, but people have the same issue there, using anamorphic lenses. Perhaps Sony did not anticipate anamorphic lens use when designing IBIS, they have only just recently, in 2023 added anamorphic de-squeeze via firmware in FX3 and FX30. The FX3 might be the best option with Sony for that reason, but I would honestly strongly consider Panasonic S5ii. They not only have a ibis mode for anamorphic lenses, but also an open gate 4:3 full sensor mode. Regarding Catalyst Browse, I personally don’t like the workflow. You currently need to first stabilize your footage and then export for your editing program. Unless you pay for a plugin within Adobe. Also, to get the best results, you need to shoot the footage at a very high shutter angle, to avoid motion blur. I personally much more prefer the smoother look of the 180 degree shutter angle. I have opted using a gimbal in the cases I need stable footage. I’m also quite certain that if you attempt to use the stabilizer in Catalyst Browse on an anamorphic lens, the horizontal flares will come out moving or at different angles, depending on how the camera is tilted. I might be wrong, could be worth a test! I’m getting the Great Joy 85mm this week, could be interesting to see if Catalyst Browse is a viable solution to the IBIS wobble. Appreciate you sharing these thoughts Raymond, thank you for commenting 😊

[@cloudstorage9928]

Amazing gem of a channel. Instant sub. ❤️

[@EgillBjarki]

Thank you kindly 😊

[@JohnJordache]

Which panasonic would work better with this lens ? The S1H or the S5 ?! Would this two cameras also suffer from the “ variable “ issue ?! 🤔 or did I miss understand 🧐 Thanks for your content! The footage is beautiful m8! 👍🏻

[@EgillBjarki]

Thank you so much, really appreciate it. That is a really good question! I would be torn between the two cameras! The thing is, I do commissioned work, as a photographer and videographer, sometimes both same time. I guess S1H would be the preferred choice for video, but S5 has face detect, great for photographic work. The wobble issue is due to me not turning off the IBIS in Sony. To my understanding, Panasonic offers a special IBIS mode, for anamorphic lenses. Would love to get my hands on a Panasonic FF camera to test this!

[@philippeborgne5546]

Really great video with nice samples!!! Good job !! Is it an amber flare version ?

[@EgillBjarki]

Really appreciate it Philippe 🙌 Yes, went with the amber coating, it’s very subtle.

[@philippeborgne5546]

@@EgillBjarki i agree !

[@nicklaytonUK]

Well done. Love this. The out at night stuff didn't impress me for resolution. The studio stuff looked great. I have the Sirui blue 50mm and got some lovely results on my z-cam, but a full frame lens is coming at some point. What did you shoot yourself with if ok to ask?

[@EgillBjarki]

Appreciate the comments and thoughts on the video, helpful for the next one. It’s a really fun time to dip into anamorphic lenses right now, so many affordable and interesting options! Adapter are very interesting as well! I shot myself with a Sony A1 and a 50mm f1.2 GM, just using daylight in my home office. Very clean setup and just works, but the look is almost clean to the point of being sterile 😅 That’s what got me originally looking into some alternatives.

[@nicklaytonUK]

@@EgillBjarki Thanks for that. It's a good look - not too sterile IMHO. Often with lighting we are fighting to get that same look. If I only had daylight balanced shoots, I would go with that GreatJoy, but as you say, it is a very exciting time. I will hold off a few months and then hopefully Laowa will go full frame is my hope.

[@Penguins247]

Thank you for posting this Egill! Good review. How would this lens perform stopped down as a camera lens? I've always loved shooting panoramas, but there is no true digital X-Pan. Would this work well as a stills lens stopped down? Could you post some still samples somewhere please?

[@EgillBjarki]

Great idea! I’ll take some samples photos and make them available for download 😃

[@kamensway3817]

Have you tried the Anamorphic-de-squeeze Video Monitors. Good job on the video.

[@EgillBjarki]

Thank you :) I have now, picked up Atomos Shinobi. Helps allot!

[@pjtavera]

I am also eying for this lens to test the Anamorphic side of filming. The look is great with less of the wild A-Flares which is good, but i have noticed hint of jello effect in the footages. Would this be the IBIS of A7IV or is it just my vision? I would like to know. In general, this was a GREATJOY of an Anamorphic lens! I hope they will develop at least a trinity set. Hoping to get one soon!

[@EgillBjarki]

The jello effect is all me, left the IBIS on, as I really enjoy the look and feel of handheld. But I think the move might be to leave the IBIS off and work off a tripod. Great Joy already have a campaign on a 35mm lens and they have announced that later this year they will also make an 85mm! Loads of exciting stuff happening in the affordable anamorphic lens category 😃

[@pjtavera]

@@EgillBjarki that is my I thought, thanks for this information. Truly this is an cost-effective and best choice to start an Anamorphic projects (though still expensive for many). Wow, good news for the 35mm & 85mm releases. I wish I am in HK/China, its much easier to purchase ALL of them there, i guees 😅 Cheers!

[@romsprod]

Great vidéo and images 👍

[@EgillBjarki]

Thank you, really appreciate it 🙌

[@fparkes6]

Great video, is yours the amber version? I see they have a blue and amber version.

[@EgillBjarki]

Hey, thanks allot! Yes, I got the amber version in E mount. Supposedly, there is a bit less flaring in the amber vs blue. I just preferred the amber flares, nothing against blue version.

[@fparkes6]

@@EgillBjarki I really liked your footage, I much prefer the more subtle look. Thanks mate!!

[@Filya-chan]

Thank you for the review. Never heard of this lenses.

[@EgillBjarki]

Much appreciated, glad you liked it! Anamorphic lenses are also a relatively new concept for myself. It's allot of work, coming from years autofocus, but rewarded with a unique look.

[@danieltremble2394]

Thank you so much for making this video.

[@EgillBjarki]

Thank you Daniel, glad you appreciate it 🙌

[@timdanyo898]

Does the sony internal gyroscopic meta data work with these lenses?

[@EgillBjarki]

Hey Tim, I’m honestly not a big fan of the gyroscopic workflow, prefer using a gimbal 😅 But to my understanding, if the lens provides meta data, it should work 😊

[@tomowens7499]

they should call that 'coffee bean bokeh' @ 5:35

[@EgillBjarki]

Thats not a bad idea, quite appropriate 😆

[@seasideshutterworx]

I'm came for the lens but now I'm far more interested in how you get the beautiful colours in your videos. Do you use any luts?

[@EgillBjarki]

Thank you 🙌 I use the official Sony “SL3SGCtos709” as a neutral base. On top of that I add 50% of a LUT called “Vinteo” and a costume curve for a little touch of green into the shadows. Perhaps a more detailed journey through my grading process could be my next YT video 😊

[@seasideshutterworx]

@@EgillBjarki That would be fantastic! You have a new subscriber. Looking forward to more of your work.

[@seasideshutterworx]

@@EgillBjarki where will I be able to find the vinteo lut. Did a quick search but nothing comes up

[@EgillBjarki]

​@@seasideshutterworx I have through the years purchased a couple of different LUT packs. This is part of something called "ASCEND LUTs". But I think you can basically purchase/use any type of LUT, and come up with a look that is uniquely yours. I will make a YT video on my workflow and I think that will open up allot of ideas for you, to do just that.

[@seasideshutterworx]

@@EgillBjarki Thank you Egill. That would be much appreciated!

[@KaceyBakerFilms]

Looks great!

[@EgillBjarki]

Really like it, just picked up the 85mm, even more excited about that one 😃

[@moinmohazzab947]

is it possible to mount on full frame sony cam?

[@EgillBjarki]

Yes, this review is based on the e-mount version, the samples in this video are all shot on Sony A7IV, with a little bit of a crop. The edge of frame is not fully covered on the 50mm version.

[@lincolnparadoxphotography8277]

love the grade you did, i own a sirui T2.9 50 mm so its like kind of the same! But well done! ;-)

[@EgillBjarki]

Much appreciated! The Sirui lenses are no slouches from what I hear! The constant squeeze ratio is also an advantage for sure. Sorry if I was a bit blunt in my comments towards the flares from the Sirui, just a personal preference 😄 If you like the look, you can get my LUT here: www.buymeacoffee.com/egillbjarki/e/91819 It’s optimized for Sony Slog3, but I also tested it out on my Fuji XT4 Flog and got great results using the same LUT. Enjoy your Sirui, appreciate the comment! One thing you can try, is using your 50mm for photography! You got your self a panorama camera with this lens 😉

[@lincolnparadoxphotography8277]

@@EgillBjarki not at all, no worries ;-) best wishes and happy new year bro ;-)

[@eliostamm7393]

Great sample footage.

[@EgillBjarki]

Thanks allot 🙌

[@bricefurne5168]

Hi from France, and thank you for this video. Really interesting point of view. And really nice imagery. For the desqueeze problems, you should consider to use an accsoon cineye, with an old smartphone attached on it. It is the best/more versatile solution I found. Concerning the 270° focus problem ... well, that's a cine lens ^^ Personaly I hate short focus throw. It is unaccurate. You should try Tilta Nucleus nano + side focus handle.

[@EgillBjarki]

Appreciate your perspective, very helpful. Since making this video I have purchased both Atomos Shinobi, and the accsoon phone clamp (prefer the phone solution). That helps very much! But makes me significantly more noticeable, that part I don’t enjoy 😊 You are absolutely correct on your point on the 270 degrees focus pull, that’s simply how cine lenses are designed. But they are also usually operated with a focus puller, that is unfortunately not a part of the budget for most of my projects 😅 Just a personal preference to have a shorter focus throw, as a solo operator. Appreciate the comment! Keep creating and moving 😃

[@SameirRomero]

Interesting lens, I would pair it with the bmpcc 6k pro

[@EgillBjarki]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but that camera does not have a FF sensor, right? With the rear element of the Great Joy, you canmot use it with a speedbooster. Would it not make more sense to go with some of the S35 lenses, like the APSC offerings from Sirui or the Laowa Nanomorph series?

[@scooteractual]

@@EgillBjarki its a S35 sensor and there is more than enough room with the rear element to work correctly. Plenty of reviews of this lens on BMPCC 6k/pro cameras that work great. Sirui doesnt make an EF or PL mount Anamorphic option FYI so they wonr adapt to Blackmagic 6ks.

[@EgillBjarki]

@@scooteractual Speedbooster is something often used with FF lenses on S35 sensors. Would be interesting to compare Great Joy to the much smaller and less expensive 50mm T2.4 Nanomorph on crop.

[@888berg]

Excellent video, would love to see more of your anafake 44m :))

[@EgillBjarki]

I just might make one, appreciate the interest :)

[@888berg]

@@EgillBjarki that would be awesome Mate, love from Australia:))

[@Studio23creation]

why don't you just use a screen for desqueze during shooting? also is more convenient for framing, focusing, and being more confident in nailing your shots.

[@EgillBjarki]

Picked up Atomos Shinobi recently, helps allot! Anything else in an anamorphic workflow you can think of, that could be useful to know?

[@Studio23creation]

@@EgillBjarki sorry To tell you, but shinobi is not great for anamorphic. You will end up with a very tiny image, because you cannot crop into the image. It is better with the shogun but the screen is big. Lots of people say the smallHD screens are good for it, but i never tested it. Something important to have is diopters for close focus. Anamorphic is often limiting in close focus.

[@Studio23creation]

@@EgillBjarki also don't forget to disable ibis, but i guess you knew that

[@EgillBjarki]

@@Studio23creation I think the Shinoboi works quite well. Might not be the best, but still gets the job done. What anamorphic setup are you working with?

[@EgillBjarki]

@@Studio23creation absolutely, IBIS should be off, not great results when left on 🫣

[@DynamicLearning4u]

great review. thank you.

[@EgillBjarki]

Glad you liked it, thank you for the watch 😀

[@PALALALALALALA]

The variable stretch is a dealbreaker for me. I happens aswell on higher end vintage anamorphic (Lomo SF, Kowa Evolution ertc). While I saw sandman and I saw a creative show on a Fantasy between "the dream world" and the "man's world" and I understand the strange skew of the image, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work for me in 99% of my work. Too much work in post.

[@EgillBjarki]

It is a bit of extra work in post, for sure. Personally, using this lens, I have ended up having quite a bit of close up shots, or at minimum focus distance (at 0.7m). This does help allot for editing, knowing the lens is 1.62X there. At infinity it is 1.8X, but everything in-between requires a little bit of "eye balling it". I am sure the ratio is a bit off in some of my example footage. The alternative, Sirui 50mm T2.9 1.6X has way less variability, with 1.51x at minimum. But for me, the overall "neutral" look of the Great Joy was the decisive factor. Are you leaning in any particular direction with anamorphic lenses at the moment, perhaps opting to wait a bit?

[@azecece1]

Yeah, for now only laowa nanomorph don't make that problem under 1000 bucks.

[@EgillBjarki]

@@azecece1 unfortunately only for S35/crop sensors…

[@azecece1]

@@EgillBjarki not really a problem, some FF are better in S35.

[@mex5341]

great joy now is the best value/money anamorphic lens for FF

[@EgillBjarki]

I’m very happy with it, Great Joy have since followed up with a couple more very intriguing options. As you wrote, best value, totally agreed!

[@convolution223]

i was also banned on ebay for no reason. Ebay's a terrible company anyway. This lens and your video were great though. Very informative!

[@EgillBjarki]

I am strangle comforted by you having the same experience, and holding the same opinion on Ebay :) Thanks allot!

[@John-e4p1x]

1:43 poor babies... beautiful pets.

[@EgillBjarki]

These might be intended for food 🥹 Right next to a restaurant. If you ask me, it’s not appraising at all, more cruel 🥹

[@John-e4p1x]

@@EgillBjarki I know my friend. Someone recently took one home and has made some videos about it, the lobster has as much personality and feelings as any animal, as a human, as a dog... kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6SsaIqsmrNqrM0

[@kronk358]

The inconsistent squeeze and the vignetting make this lens a no go. The whole point (for me, anyway) of having an anamorphic lens, is to get that aspect ratio, while still using the whole sensor. If after desqueezing you have to crop in, you might as well just use a spherical lens and letter box crop. That way you dont have to also worry about worbly looking footage, your IBIS works, you can add lens flares only where you want them, still have autofocus, and you dont have to buy anything new. The only thing you dont get is oval bokeh, which Ive never understood peoples obsession with anyway. And there are options for getting that from a spherical lens as well.

[@EgillBjarki]

No matter how you spin it, using an anamorphic lens is inconvenient. The question is, if the character and look you get in return is worth the extra effort. You can use the whole sensor, if you got a camera with an open gate option. The Great Joy 50mm has well documented flaws. Personally I still prefer it, over the Sirui, with it’s much more pronounced flair. It’s honestly great to have so many options today. Just a few years ago, going anamorphic on a budget required quite a bit of tinkering. I still feel the 50mm Great Joy is a great option, for those who are willing to make the extra effort for a different look, sacrificing autofocus.

[@danialfarzam]