American Cinematographer - February 2000 - 22

Special effects are an increasingly
important part of many theatrical
releases, television programs and
commercials. Audiences have even
come to expect them.
Accordingly, growing numbers of post

being called upon
to transform ideas into "reality" through
costly digital technology. Spending from
$10,000 to $50,000 for a single scene is
production houses

are

not uncommon.

Needless to say, many DPs, Directors
and Producers have openly wished there

things that could be done
through the lens -and not in post.
We've listened...and done something
about it! Clairmont Camera's Special
Projects R&D team has created the
unique new Squishy Lens™ to provide
cinematographers with an arsenal of
interesting effects that can be created on
were more

film.

Instantly.
Technically speaking, Clairmont's
exclusive (patent pending) Squishy
Lens™ is a device that attaches in front
of a taking lens (using a focal length

anywhere from 14mm to 65mm -
depending on the effect you're trying to
achieve). It features a crystal-clear,
flexible, aspheric optic, whose shape is
infinitely variable. The process of
making the optic element is in itself
quite complex, with the proprietary
material formed in

a

"Class 100" clean

environment, using advanced laser

metrology. Subsequently, the optic is
"sandwiched" between two plates of
optical quality polycarbonite that shape it
relative to the camera operator's
adjustment of triangularly positioned
servo

motors.

Changing the optical characteristics

Squishy Lens™ in real time is as
simple as using a "joystick" similar to a
video game. And you'll have total "What
You See Is What You Get" control. As
an added benefit, there is no discernable
light loss through the Squishy Lens™.
There are a variety of interesting
effects possible with the Squishy Lens™.
One is to provide a volumetric "tunnel
vision" effect. When using a wide angle
lens opened up to T2.0, you can have a
positionable, variable clear center area,
with perimeter areas of saturated colors
"smearing" with other colors -as well
as the ability to have an adjustable
"center" of sharp focus. The sharply
defined edges in the central area will
produce double image halos as they
extend into the smearing zone, and as
you stop down the lens the smearing is
of the

diminished and you can see

objects

Clairmont's Unique

Squishy lens...

being stretched and pulled like "optical
taffy." Using longer lenses will diminish
the effects, and ultimately produce more
of a diffusion, with images taking on a
prismatic haze.
However, the old saying that "a
picture is worth a thousand words"
certainly holds true in this case, so we'll
gladly send you a videotape
demonstrating some of the many effects
possible.
The more time you spend using
Clairmont's Squishy Lens™, the more
ways you'll find to achieve interesting
special effects through the camera. It'll
certainly challenge your creativity!
American Cinematographer - February 2000

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