Nipponscope Anamorphic Set

By Daniel Kharlak

One of our most unique vintage lens offerings at Scheimpflug Rentals is a

one-of-a-kind Nipponscope anamorphic set. Nipponscope was a domestic Japanese

anamorphic system that used 2x squeeze cylinder groups manufactured by Shiga

Optical matched to a variety of different taking lenses. It was introduced in the late 60s

and was widely adapted by Japanese film studios and was the basis for legendary

widescreen formats like TohoScope and NikkatsuScope.

In the 70s and 80s, Shiga was discovered by Western venders and began

exporting high quality anamorphic glass to Italy (Technovision), England (Joe Dunton

and Co) and the United States (Todd-AO 35), in addition to continuing to service

Japanese rental houses under brands like Cineovision, Fujivision and Toyo/Eiki. All of

these systems used the same Shiga cylinders and focusing groups combined with

either Cooke, Zeiss or Canon glass. Anamorphic zooms were built by adding a rear

anamorphic group to Cooke Varotal or Angenieux zooms. Hundreds of classic films

were shot with these lenses and they represented a serious competitor to Panavision’s

domination of the market at the time.

Still from Short Film Crossed Checked.

What was unique to Nipponscope was the fact that it allowed the taking lenses to

be separated from the anamorphic group and changed. This brought down the cost of

the system for budget conscious Japanese producers since the cylinders were quite a

bit more expensive than the spherical lenses behind them.

Depending on the front

diameter and exit pupil, one anamorphic group could be shared between three or four

taking lenses. Common configurations were 40, 50 and 75mm or 50, 85 and 100mm.

The most commonly used taking lenses for Nipponscopes were Schneider Cine

Xenons which rendered low contrast, pastel-colored images with soft flares. Other sets

utilized Cooke Speed Panchros (the most common taking lens in most anamorphic

systems of the day), Canon rangefinder and SLR optics, Cine-Fujinon and Kinoptik

lenses. There were also monoblock high speed versions made from Zeiss super speed

lenses and ultra-wide-angle 24, 25 and 28mm primes.

Scheimpflug’s set comes with three Olympus OM primes, which we have not

seen in anyone else’s set. There is a 50mm f1.8, an 85mm f2 and a 100mm f2.8. The

close focus is 3 feet regardless of focal length and is set on the anamorphic unit which

attaches to the taking lens with a bayonet locking ring. The Olympus OM primes supply

a more contrasty image than some of the other options with smooth warm skin tones

and soft highlights. The anamorphic group adds striking golden layered horizontal flares

and some halation in strong backlight. All three focal lengths provide crisp sharpness in the middle with painterly bokeh and creamy fall-off towards the edges of the frame. The

system is mump-free at all distances due to the variable diopter focusing design.

While the focal length range is a bit limited, the set provides good coverage on a

wide range of sensors, covering top to bottom on Sony FX-series sensors, open gate on

Arri Super 35 and up to 7K on Red VV sensors for 2.35:1 output. The set is supplied

with 0.8 gears on both focus and iris, as well as an Arma Orbital unit that allows for the

use of a clamp-on matte box. The Arma Orbital must be partially disassembled in order

to allow the taking lenses to be changed, but with a little practice, this can be done in a

couple of minutes.

Still from Student film Crossed Check

Our Nipponscope set is a great choice for short films, student films, music videos

or any other project that demands a real vintage anamorphic look on a modest budget.

It is also a great B camera lens set for clients that rent our JDC Xtal Xpress or

Technovision anamorphic lenses, both of which use the same Shiga-made cylindrical

optics. The Nipponscope system delivers a real vintage 70s/80s anamorphic look and

feel in a compact, cost-effective and easy-to-use package.

For more technical information listen to the following interview where Our Chief Camera Technician, Daniel Kharlak, delves into the details of our rehoused Nippon Scope Anamorphic Lens set, now available for rent at @flug!