Ask David Mullen ANYTHING

[David Mullen ASC]

Don't know -- I haven't gotten into owning equipment, not yet.

[Ryan E. Walters]

Mr. Mullen,

So my friends and I were watching 8 1/2 last night and we saw these flares that we could not identify / figure out. I was wondering if you had any insight as to what is going on here? From what we surmised, it is a flare off of the internals of the optics of the lens. There is nothing consistent about the flares, as they change shape through out the image- some starry, some circular, some wave shaped ... so we did not think it was from filters ...

[David Mullen ASC]

Looks like raindrops on the lens not quite cleaned off.

[Ryan E. Walters]

Thanks. :)

[J. P. Sendall]

Looks like raindrops on the lens not quite cleaned off.

I bet it was on purpose

[Shawn Nelson]

Looks like raindrops on the lens not quite cleaned off.

I can see that for the flares to the left that go 360 deg around the light, but look at the flares to the right, they are like crescent shaped

[Shawn Nelson]

David, how would you personally go about it if requested to recreate that shot? Maybe drops of water or oil on an optical flat?

[Ryan E. Walters]

I bet it was on purpose

Yep, I bet the are intentional as well. These flares are the only ones like them in this scene, and it happens when the are approaching a "space exhibit". They do help add to the feeling / setting of the scene. After these shots, the rest of the flares in the scene are normal.

[Mark Wilkinson]

Thanks David, but I figure for that price, it's well worth a gamble, lets just hope i got a STEAL of a deal.

Also what do you think the price would be to get it serviced, also being that I'm new to s16 glass what is all involved with a Lens being professionaly serviced?

I just serviced 2 Angenieux s16 lenses at Visual Products - converted one from Cameflex to PL mount. Greased, though not a full rebuild. $750 total if that gives you an idea of cost.

And they look great, BTW. Old glass is great. I'm addicted.

[David Mullen ASC]

David, how would you personally go about it if requested to recreate that shot? Maybe drops of water or oil on an optical flat?

Yes, it's always best to try things out on an optical flat rather than the actual lens.

Ever seen "I am Cuba"? There is a cool sequence where they poured oil in front of the lens during a student riot.