Century Optics 16:9 Ratio Converter DS-1609

• Alias: Century Anamorphic

• Anamorphic Adapter by Century Precision Optics
• Fixed Focus
• Mount: 58 MM

Today we’re talking about the Century Optics 16:9 anamorphic adapter. This little bugger goes by many names and brands, all of them almost equal regarding their strengths and weaknesses.

They were made during the 90s, when the 16:9 aspect ratio was becoming popular but there were still a large amount of good 4:3 video cameras around. Made by Optex, Soligor and mostly Century Optics, these adapters have a 1.33 squeeze factor that converts 4:3 into 16:9. Fortunately for us, 16:9 becomes 2.35:1, our beloved Cinemascope aspect ratio.

Since there was a plethora of cameras with different mounts around, these little adapters have regular threads such as 37 and 58mm but also some strange bayonet mounts. The one I’m using now is the most desired 58mm version, but check below for a quick and dirty tutorial of how to adapt threads into a bayo mounted Century! Unfortunately, they don’t have front threads, but Redstan has clamps specially designed for them. It’s also very easy to stick a step ring at front, using electrical tape.

I used an 82-72mm step ring, which will introduce some vignetting on wider lenses, but make the adapter much easier to use since now I can put diopters in front of it.

These adapters have a metal body and weighs around 250g. Alignment is adjusted by loosening the tiny screw on the side and rotating the front element. Then, tightening the screw back in place. Be careful with this piece, since it can come off and it’s very easy to lose it.

Being a fixed focus adapter, in which all the focusing is done on the taking lens, quality can take a hit if you don’t use it with optimal settings. Distances closer than 4 or 5 meters already get the Century struggling. Diopters are a must and with them you can get pretty good detail with this cheap lens and a fast setup.

Edges are pretty bad, though, doesn’t matter the aperture. Lots of softness and chromatic aberration, much more visible with wider lenses.

On top of that, the Century doesn’t like neither long lenses nor large apertures. You’ll need diopters for both situations since it won’t achieve focus past 85mm, not even on its original focus range, from 5m to infinity, and will create terrible looking images below f/5.6

Its strong blue flares are very sci-fi and easy to achieve. Sunlight does wonders and any direct light source can cause them. I find them very attractive. You can see some better ones at Vintage Lenses for Video tests.

A great advantage of this adapter is being able to use wider taking lenses. I have an almost vignette free image at 37mm on the 5D3, full frame sensor. Aspect ratio is 2.36:1 instead of 2.4:1 as the previous tests. Vignetting becomes more intense when I add the step ring to use diopters. The only lenses that can beat this are the larger Century WS-13 and the Panasonic LA7200.

Whenever I use this adapter I remember I actually like wide angles. Focusing isn’t as fast as an Iscorama, but once you get the hang of diopters and become fast swapping them, one can achieve wonders using this lens. Being lightweight and compatible with wide angles makes the Century a very versatile lens, good for anyone starting with anamorphic lenses. The stretch is so subtle that this adapter doesn’t create ovals, but its flares are just beautiful.