I think choosing camera equipment is an artistic decision that should not just be picking what’s state of the art at the time.
The equipment that a movie is shot on is going to have an impact on the final product, no matter what. Most artists get this, but they don’t take proper advantage of it.
I think recording a movie with vintage equipment, or mimicking their output, can have a psychological impact on the audience that elevates it to the level of great films of the past.
Does anyone know any examples of this being used?
Army of the Dead has a super small focal point due to the lenses JJ Abrams used and it is a noticeable affect all through the movie.
Zack Snyder, not JJ Abrams.
That was the one that came immediately to mind for me - there was a behind the scenes thing where he talked about sourcing and using these very niche old lenses.