Marketing VS Reality: The Truth Behind The Anamorphic Look | Atlas Mercury Review

[@stalman]

Atlas are the only ones making “budget” anamorphics that are worth a damn. Glad you’re drawing attention to the key characteristics

[@joenicklo]

"Budget" indeed. Gotta use that term very lightly b/c you'll get lit up by people who don't understand how expensive the higher end lenses can be...

[@VinceCheong]

Vazens are also quite out there making decent 2x anamorphic stuffs too

[@phoenixfunny4517]

​@VinceCheong technically they're 1.8x

[@VinceCheong]

@@phoenixfunny4517 oh wait hahaa you’re right! Lol. I haven’t played with my set after loaning it to my friend that shoots more with them lol!. My bad :p

[@Christo_glenn]

Holy shit, the shots you got with these lenses are next-level! I love how these lenses strike the right amount of softness and the image is so damn creamy.

[@willvazquez3218]

90% of the creaminess is because Cam shot on Red V-Raptor. Put these lenses on the FX3 and they won't be nearly as creamy.

[@KaceyBakerFilms]

@@willvazquez3218I dunno mate, The Creator looks pretty darn creamy to me. 👌🏻✌🏻

[@Itaketoomanypics]

we did a music video with a set of atlas and the ursa mini g2, that was such a massive rig but it looked so good.

[@KofiYeboah]

This is WICKED, and im jealous

[@reneolmos5112]

Same!

[@jbroome51791]

I’ve never seen an explanation shot this way! I love how this was done! SUBSCRIBED‼️

[@AlexDerrick_DP]

What up cam! I see you went w the big guns. Wish we could have tested my aivascope to compare w Mercury lenses. Dope video! 🍻

[@Mr_Kenneth]

Truly beautiful work man. You totally captured the essence of the west.

[@timdanyo898]

It would be amazing to do a Viltrox 1.3x anamorphics to the Mercuries- especially with the non- open gate of the FX6 and how that factors into the amount of crop in you’ll need in post to match industry aspect ratio standards.

[@KyleSliger]

I too would like to see the two compared. Open gate with the 1.33 is enticing to desqueeze and still have 16:9 for social and reframing without losing as much picture but my concern is do we sacrifice too much character with the 1.33x? Do we lose that oval bokeh and distortion I crave?

[@ProFilmmakers]

What a great episode this is. You nailed the true essence of the anamorphics. Can't wait to try these on our upcoming komodo-x. This is going to be such a sweet combo.

[@MichealBeaulieu]

That's it - dirt, mess, super damn wide, more light, more love, pure vibe. I love your channel and just getting into doing video projects, I'm stalking every video.

[@cammackey]

I appreciate it brother! Thank you for the comments!! Loved your last one, hope it can start a conversation and help gain some more clarity and insight to the moves I’m making!

[@iam607]

Bro i just got this video in my feed and to my horror, relaized that you've been uploading. For some reason youtube unsubscribed me from your channel?!? Wtf it's good to be back

[@zran3097]

Nailed it!! Always amazes me how many people don't use their eyes and just repeat something they heard Roger Deakins say. "Cinematic" look = "Artistic" = distorted as hec

[@joe7949]

I can't wait for the next video, I've watched this twice and want more KZbin content shot at sunset on anamorphic! Looks like a freaking movie

[@PALALALALALALA]

"People complaining about Blue Streak flares are the same that shoot on clinical spherical with added diffusion filter & grain and halation in post" 🙏🙏🙏🙏 AMEN 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@bemboing4338]

The one pincushion distortiin i love are from the Cooke anamorphics. But they're high end if course. The image look " Full " as oppose to sharp. The people looking for clinically sharp lenses are usually those that are gonna use for slowmo for weddings, real state, tv ads. Im also tired of people complaining about crops in high frane rates like zach snyder style is the only way to make cinematic shots.

[@MARZILLI]

Great points as usual, Mac. Please, don’t forget about your OG followers… We love OG Fuji gear… 😮😂

[@davidwendt3613]

Hi Cam, It was nice to see you at NAB this year. Did you get a chance to check out the new Pavo 2x Anamorphic lenses by DZOFILM? If so, how would you compare them to the Atlas Lens Co. 1.5x? Thanks for keeping it real, I like your style. And I would love an RS3. With your production quality and great information, 50,000 subs will be a small stop on your way to a million.

[@cammackey]

I didn’t get a chance to test them out properly. Maybe they’ll wanna work with me one day haha. From what I’ve seen tho, they’re pretty clean and with pincushion distortion.

[@LeeZavitz]

I love the look of these lenses.

[@cammackey]

Gotta see you do something with them man!!

[@billpalmer6686]

Great video. Very telling that in a video that shit on all the imperfections in the Atlas Mercury series, all the footage looked like it was for a corporate safety class. In this review, the footage is incredible. Art is in the imperfections.

[@cammackey]

Yeah I’ve learned that people are unoriginal and jsut mimic eachother and their opinions. You won’t ever find that here brutha!!!

[@pdcorlis]

Location, Location, Location! Damn sir -who needs a “studio” with locations like this. 👏🏻

[@jonwaldman94]

Awesome review! I want to test these out for a spec commercial. Does It matter if I shoot on a FF sensor vs s35? I own an fx6 but have been looking at other bodies for this project - Burano, Alexa Mini, Raptor.

[@RoweFilms]

Great video mate. I was lucky enough to try these out recently and fell in love with them. Character by the bucket load.

[@katecrabb1958]

this was vey helpful! I haven't seen a lot of videos discussing the anamorphic lens the way you break it down in this video.

[@Sushanttechworld]

The footage, I am about to busttttt 🔥🔥. Jokes apart, your videos look so unique. Just like i am wating tele not youtube.

[@cammackey]

😂😂😂😂

[@AL3XFPV]

you got a good point with this video, its time for lenses with more character

[@agnieszkapajor8990]

Hi Cam! Just discovered your channel and binge watched a whole bunch of your videos. I really like your style, you shoot beautifully, you’re creative, knowledgeable and seem approachable and friendly. I’m a videographer/ filmmaker / photographer from the Yukon 🇨🇦 and I work for an indigenous owned and operated media company. It’s been a fantastic experience learning the cultures and doing commercial and documentary work, especially that I’m originally from Europe 🇵🇱 We’re considering upgrading our camera systems and looking into Komodo X and anamorphic lenses, considering the FX6, FX3, and so on, and your videos have been truly informative, inspiring and well done. So thank you for that! 🎥 I’d love to see more videos using the Atlas Mercury lenses, both productions and performance analysts. Keep creating! I’m jealous of the beautiful surroundings you live in, looks warm 😊🌵 Subscribed.

[@RayGallardo]

Damn I'm happy I stumbled upon your channel. Long time anamorphic shooter from vintage scopes to Orions. I'm glad someone is saying this.

[@ChevitosJourney]

You deserve way more subs! Your content is by far, one of the best on KZbin. I don't understand! Thanks for the content by the way! Keep em coming!

[@cammackey]

Thank you 🥹

[@Apatura123]

Man I like those Dulens!

[@TAKUMISEGI]

News. He hit 50k ❤🎉well deserved

[@BrendanKenney]

The most cinematic review! I can already tell the lens collection is crazy

[@aliencreative]

How do you like those Dulens APO Mini Primes with and without the Blazer adapter…?

[@smallbrownfox594]

Spot on, cammackey. I’ll start saving up. These look mint.

[@collinausbury]

this is an amazing episode. preparing for a shoot and this is super helpful. thank you

[@nexa_s]

Really love this video as someone new to anamorphics, I learnt so much just from an 8 min video

[@MortyFilms]

Dang man, I just rewatched this and noticed it's pretty much the exact same vid I wanted to make about the Mercurys 😅

[@samueldavidsnaps]

So good to see you using the Komodo again!! Komodo + anamorphic is what brought me to your channel all that way back! This was my favourite video of yours in a while! 👌

[@cammackey]

Yey we used the Raptor and Komodo X on the cowboy shoot. But this whole video was on the FX3

[@samueldavidsnaps]

@@cammackey so the actual cowboy shots were RED and then all shots of you and BTS were FX3? Hell yeah

[@cammackey]

@@samueldavidsnapsyup!

[@gladimarv3855]

Obsessed with this video! Stunning AND so helpful!!!! Subscribed!

[@KaceyBakerFilms]

Mate this is your best footage yet, that opening horse montage was like smooth velvet. Have a 42 in order and can’t wait :)

[@JQhardge]

👏🏽👏🏽 nice breakdown of pincushion vs barrel it really helped…. Great review!

[@jasperianjones]

Thank god, this is what I talk to my friends about when we talk anamorphic. I’m the only one who seeks out any kind of character from vintage anamorphic lenses.

[@DominikMBlock]

glad i got your video recommended, i like your style! Subscribed to learn more about anamporphics :D

[@joenicklo]

My man went and filmed his A-Roll through the rear-view mirror of his car. That folks is some style. Regarding the lenses, yeah...the Atlas Mercurys are really really nice looking in your hands. Would love to test them out. Regarding people not liking the flares, I'd say that they're allowed to have an opinion. Personally, I don't like overpowering flares (which I experienced with the Orions) but if you're shooting anamorphic for the dirty characteristics...you hit the nail on the head.

[@cammackey]

Yes agreed! This was just my very loud opinion 😂 I’m like that grumpy old man “back in my day!”

[@joenicklo]

@@cammackey That's why I love you man.

[@ROCKKHOUND]

Nailed it. Now Atlas needs to hurry and ship my set already!

[@gillesdabe3152]

I've just found out your channel, I never comment KZbin videos but I really wanted to tell you that you're producing an amazin work and I hope that you'll get waaaaay more famous than you already are. I'm giving you my energy.

[@cammackey]

Thanks 🥹

[@WakeUpMatt]

Already put my preorder in. Can’t wait to get them!! Also, how about the Dulens?! Love those little guys too🤘🏼

[@benellis9866]

The shadows looks very blue and well, cold overall. Is that a grading decision or a factor of the lens?

[@cammackey]

On which scenes? If it’s around sunset or after.. it’s most likely the natural ambient blue light. I grade to mimic films deeper gamma and saturation. So whatever it is you’re seeing, it’s most likely my choice in grading.

[@GHPod]

I love the way you shot this video! Traditional youtube style, but shot so well and creative!

[@HenryOrtlip]

Amazing footage Cam! Can't wait!

[@user-kl4ld5zr4y]

you are awesome, saying what needs to be said!

[@blahblahblah2243]

Mitch Hedberg is alive and a KZbin DP!

[@hersh_yt]

Can I ask whats the intro country music was that ? mackey boi you rock

[@HaloUnion]

Shot my latest film on the Orions and now Ill never shoot spherical again (well maybe not never). Be prepared for how heavy they are though.

[@tgamron]

I agree; character matters when it comes to the lens. Back in the 2000's I updated some of my lenses to the newest version and was disappointed with the results. The lenses were boring. But the corner sharpness was outstanding.

[@cammackey]

Yeah def for commercial work (depending on client) I will just use my Sony lenses cause they’re perfect. Like I love a good sterile lens when it comes to certain jobs. Even when I’m doing stills for fashion work, I oddly love a clean lens. But anything regarding filmmaking… cake on the character haha

[@anthonyrock5039]

@@cammackeyfor sure. On the client side, often details are important when it comes to displaying products. I have two extremes stills clinical Hasselblad and Canon fd . To each their own.😂

[@kapu3000mi]

Cinematic review/tutorial god level😅 it was really a pleasure to watch.

[@Ewok8080]

I know nothing about these lenses but this video was amazing and your shots are beautiful.

[@weltkai]

love the video! really inspired me to go out with my DIY 2x anamorphic!!! Please share a review of the NERO 1.5x adapter !! Wish there was an informative video about it! I loved the short clip with the FD 50/1.4 and the gun ! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

[@cammackey]

Hopefully I can work something out with the Blazar team! Getting kinda hard to shoot full time plus do gear reviews 🥴

[@aram.v]

Great video 🫵🏼

[@shanefoleymedia]

LOVELY images. Not a lot of footage doing these lenses justice imo so this is a treat. These are coming at the right time for filmmakers looking to create something more "dirty." I'm curious though about cropping in on the fx6 sensor, as opposed to filming vertically for a 9x16 format. Thoughts?

[@cammackey]

I hate shooting vertical. Most likely will never do it. Majority of brands I work for need both horizontal and vertical delivery too. The vertical content is jsut going on social media anyways, by the time that stuff is uploaded it’s so compressed.. doubt any regular viewer will see the difference

[@shanefoleymedia]

@@cammackey +1 for hating vertical 🥴🥴

[@hzjp_8668]

I like your video style. thank you for your sharing

[@ShaneVanLitz]

I persaonlly enjoy that there are clean and dirty anamorphic options, although it would be nice to see more vintage looks at lower prices for sure. It's not just at the low end that we see a clean and modern / sharp look - if we look at the high end the Arri anamorphics are extremely clean with practically no flairs and the Cookes have pincusian distortian. That's not to say those characteristics are universally desirable, just that they aren't necessarily undesirable either.

[@cammackey]

Yeah I believe people mostly use the cleaner ones when doing heavy VFX type work. So I get why

[@ShaneVanLitz]

@@cammackey I wouldn't quite say that, it's a style choice as well as anything else. Plenty of high end productions want anamorphic bokeh and stretch without looking like they were shot in the 70s, which is a delightful look as well, and thats not to even mention commercial TVC work. But yeah, good to be spoiled for choice IMO.

[@EdProsser]

Fantastic vid, loved it! Simple and to the point. Really want to try these out!

[@ConnorMcCaskill2]

Bro love this content! Keep killing it 🤙🏻

[@BrandonTalbot]

I've been waiting for this!!!

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Golden flares are the best! 🤣 Great video as always ✌

[@directorjayalex]

your content always looks good!!

[@toneohm]

Cam with anamorphic content..!?? Can't click fast enough : )

[@lukaswunsch8332]

Again, Amazing Video!

[@ChadtheFilipino]

Hey Cam. Great video. Love your look per usual. I've heard of the 1.5x vs 2x being better on 16:9 sensors vs 4:3 (I shoot mainly on FX 6/9). Do you mind elaborating on why that is? I still haven't understood properly why. I personally prefer the extra squeeze for that harsher look but I definitely also understand the loss of ability to crop for social use afterwards

[@cammackey]

16:9 sensors crop out the tradition 3:2 or 4:3 open gate of sensors. So whether it’s a 16:9 readout on a S35 or full frame sensor.. you’re gonna be losing even more resolution to get a useable crop fit 2X anamorphic. You can still do it obviously.. but on full frame you’re basically shooting at S35 and on S35 you’re basically shooting at 4/3. So 1.5X just allows you to use the most of your 16x9 sensor.

[@ChadtheFilipino]

@@cammackey gotcha! thanks for replying. So aside from the non-traditional usage of the open-gate aspect of it and the loss of resolution...the 1.5x Mercury does seem more convincing in this regard unless you're able to shoot on a 4:3.

[@cammackey]

@@ChadtheFilipino yup exactly! Also, 2X desqueeze on your 16x9 camera monitor is insanely annoying. It gives you this extremely wide sliver of an image. So if you’re using a 5in monitor.. it gets very difficult to focus. And there’s not a lot of monitors that will let you punch in and desqueeze without losing screen clarity. So once again, 1.5X solves this issue

[@TheSkyHighFilms]

What a funky channel you have! (In a good way) :D The anamorphic cowboy! Btw, really enjoy your reviews!

[@GodFearNman]

that's sick...always look your work

[@calebbrown3602]

So sick. Feels like a movie

[@ahmaddsameh]

love your content dude!

[@CINENIMUS]

In case some newbies watching - don’t throw away you cheap anamorphics - distortion “correction” is only one simple setting in Resolve away. Literally can be changed in post and dead easy.

[@cammackey]

Agreed, but still never looks the same

[@CINENIMUS]

@@cammackey yeah also one less step to piss about haha I really hope the hype will keeps going up and more and more players join the game. More competition = cheaper lenses 🙏

[@cammackey]

@@CINENIMUSagreed!!! Excited to see all these anamorphics come out over the rest of the year

[@itbekhalid]

Jesus christ your content is next level

[@dccoletrain]

I’ve been tempted to buy one of those blue streak filters and shoot DCI 😂

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

Awesome video. Side question, do you still shoot Fuji for personal work?

[@cammackey]

I feel like I never shoot personal work haha. I’ve been shoot more film tho lately

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

@@cammackey nice. I love film. Keep up the great content. Take care

[@AfoteyAnnum]

Stunning images! Also, #TeamBlueFlares

[@SLCyborg]

Story telling is next level bro. you will hit 1M very soon

[@phoenixfunny4517]

Sirui have 1.5x anamorphics??

[@Searchingk9]

Love it!

[@EsbenLykkeskov]

Those lenses look great!!

[@PeterPoulos]

How’s the 36mm on the Komodo? I ordered 36/72 since I own a Komodo and want a wider option, but now I’m wondering if I should switch the 36 to a 42.

[@cammackey]

It’s pretty wide! As I shoot kroe and more anamorphic I start to like tighter focal lengths tho, so I think the 42mm is a good in between

[@WHITEDIRTV]

Great points as usual. How do you get in on the give away?

[@cammackey]

Just subscribe and share!

[@Breonnick]

The complaint of blue flares is so weird to me. Because a big selling point I been seeing on youtube videos for budget anamorphics (Sirui Vs nanomorphs) is that Nanomorph's doesnt flare as much. But I have been hesitant on trying a nanomorph because I dont like nanomorph's flares there so washed out. They feel fake but I adore Siruis by how strong they get. They have that ultimate scifi look to them.

[@cammackey]

Yeah since all these kids are complaining, it forces the company’s to make silly moves like that. Like give us flares, but give us better looking ones. That’s the issue with KZbin. KZbinrs review things they don’t understand from a KZbin perspective and then it affects all of the consumer products

[@connornyhan]

The nanomorphs are aight. I got the silver ones. The flairs are pretty subdued but not too bad. Strong light makes strong flares.

[@Breonnick]

@@connornyhan Like legit. The only reason the nanomorphs has my intrest is because there smol. And there design is soppose to help fight anamorphic mumps. Which I heard the constant desqueeze design is why the flare game is meh compared to Sirui.

[@connornyhan]

@@Breonnick I’ve spent more time with them now, shot a short with them. Strong-ish sources and something as basic as a clear filter make the flairs go nuts!!! That paired with the incredibly lightweight design and beautiful stretched bokeh have made me love them so much more. They also have a secondary flair which is nice (but unpredictable)

[@Breonnick]

@@connornyhan I should see if there is a place I can rent a nanomorph.

[@kazlepek6552]

Thank the Lord I preordered these when they were $5K a pop 😩🙌

[@tomtomtheninja]

Hmmmm, I do need that RS3 Pro….

[@willgavillan]

Cam, I’m a huge fan of your work. These lenses look great in your hands. I do wonder though how different the lenses would perform on your ff camera. Seems a lot of people testing these are shooting on komodos and not ff. The few I have seen on ff had some issues as you know from the discussion on that one yt vid. It would be great if you could do comparison of a few of these mercurys on your fx3 vs komodo to see differences side by side. Wide, med, close. I have a preorder in, but after that northwest vid I got a bit scared, can’t lie. Keep doing you, Cam

[@cammackey]

Most of those shots were on the Raptor! And that opening shot of me in the car and all the the other ones from that setup were with the FX3 in full frame mode..

[@willgavillan]

@@cammackey that is really great to hear! Thanks a lot and keep up the great work. Love your style and look forward to your doc work

[@ddaavvee2796]

i might just have to wait for that x-pro 1

[@cubul32]

And if you made that music too ... oh man.

[@itbekhalid]

Is this whole video shot on the anamorphic lens?

[@cammackey]

Majority of it

[@armangurcell]

Your choice of lenses is always great! You should really get into shooting feature films or independent movies! 👍👍

[@cammackey]

Slowly but surely!

[@confusedactor5447]

Hey does ronin 4d can hold that 36mm mercury lens. Can you make a video on it.

[@cammackey]

I haven’t been able to check sadly

[@stephendegenaro6387]

I'm the 1K like :) Good stuff.

[@Point_of_View_Content]

Luv ur videos bro

[@actnreact1321]

hey Cammakey just deleted my original comment about the siriu lens 35 mm realized you already mentioned it was a great introduction to anamorphic but my next question is there a good option for anamorphic lenses on a tight budget you personally would reccomend

[@cammackey]

It’s a mixed bag man. Depends on a number of things. There are more small anamorphics coming out within the next 3 months that might be a good option. But I think currently the best bang for your buck would be the Blazar Nero anamorphic adapter. Gives a lot of anamorphic character and you can swap taking lenses on it so you basically get u limited lenses in one.

[@actnreact1321]

@@cammackey okay I appreciate it I'm not familiar with the adapter this looks like a great option for me thank you overall I love your videos new sub looking forward to all your content and learning more

[@ThomasFransson]

Insane! Yeah, get some lenses with character, anamorphic or spherical.

[@elcuad]

"Anamorphic Whiners" - yup, spot on.

[@PeterDiBussolo]

I’m all of a sudden regretting the cancellation I did on the 42mm lol

[@ALeprechaunn]

Haven’t used them obviously but I feel the 42 and especially the 36 had way too much barrel distortion. I saw another video on the 36 handheld and it was making me seasick. Also I can’t imagine how difficult that’d make any motion tracking for vfx work, but it’s hard to tell without actually using them yourself.

[@cammackey]

I hope you watched the whole video lol.

[@ALeprechaunn]

@@cammackey lol I did. I totally get wanting character in your lenses but I’m just thinking practically. I really just want to see more from these lenses especially the wider ones.