American Cinematographer - March 2005 - 14

Special effects are an increasingly
important part of many theatrical
releases, television programs and
commercials. Audiences have
come

to

even

expect them.

Accordingly, growing numbers of
post production houses are being called
upon to transform ideas into "reality"
through costly digital technology.
Spending from $10,000 to $50,000 for a
single scene is not uncommon.
Needless to say, many DPs,
Directors and Producers have openly
wished there were more things that
could be done through the lens-and
not in

post.

We've listened...and done
about it! Clairmont Camera's

something
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 film. Instantly.
Technically speaking, Clairmont's
exclusive (patent pending) Squishy
Lens™ is
of

a

device that attaches in front

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
a

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
of the

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

Clairmont's Unique

uishy lens

TM

Ml

down the lens the smearing
objects
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
as

you stop

is diminished and you can see
American Cinematographer - March 2005

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