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Author Topic: Age of CinemaScope Lenses Bill Enos Film God Posts: 2081 From: Richmond, Virginia, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 03-23-2003 11:50 PM                     How old are Bausch & Lomb CinemaScope I with the red ring anamorphic lenses? How good/bad are they compared to todays equivalent.  |  IP: Logged Matt Hale Expert Film Handler Posts: 123 From: Vancouver, Canada Registered: Dec 2002 posted 03-24-2003 12:03 AM                        If the ones you have are anything like the ones I have, I believe they are the original CinemaScope adapters (not a complete lens) from the 50s. The general consensus seems to be that modern scope lenses are better (not to mention lighter!) and do not seem to have the yellowing problem that the older B&Ls had. Check out The Widescreen Museum for a history of CinemaScope and its lenses.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 03-24-2003 02:13 AM                     On most if not all of the B&L anamorphics if you look closely inside the front element along the edge you should find the manufacture date stamped on the inside of the barrel near the front element. These lenses were assembled with optical cement between elements. By now the vast majority of them have had that cement turn yellow casting a yellowish tint to the light passing thru it. It's easy to check the amount of yellowing by looking thru the lens at a known pure white object, light, or wall. Compared to modern anamorphics, the B&Ls are heavier and even with totally clear optics don't pass as much light as the current anamorphics out there. -Aaron  |  IP: Logged Mitchell Dvoskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1869 From: West Milford, NJ, USA Registered: Jan 2001 posted 03-24-2003 12:15 PM                     The "red" ringed ones were the older lenses. The silver ring ones are slightly newer, and of better quality. Neither is up to todays standards, although a "silver ring" B&L in good condition will put out a nice picture. /Mitchell  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-24-2003 12:20 PM                        I have a silver-ring one which is dated 1956. It makes an excellent paperweight. Are all of the red-ring lenses older than this? The B&L lenses that I've seen vary widely in quality. Some put out a great picture (not comprable with the latest ISCO or Schneider lenses, but still really good) and some are godawful. We had a really crappy pair at the Williamsburg Theatre (now replaced with ISCO Blue-Stars, I think). The Columbus Theatre has a very good pair, as does the Avon Cinema (the other art house in Providence, RI).  |  IP: Logged Darren Briggs Master Film Handler Posts: 371 From: York, UK Registered: Dec 2001 posted 03-24-2003 12:57 PM                        Ive got a RED ring lens which is serial No DR2756, but can't see a date marked on it any where. On the outside it says Projector Attechment II Darren  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 03-24-2003 01:15 PM                        Cemented elements were also more prone to heat damage. Compare both the color and sharpness across the screen using the SMPTE 35-PA (RP 40) test film. Use a print with a full range of colors and tones to see how much the old lens degrades contrast compared to a modern anamorphic lens.  |  IP: Logged

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