Mini35 lenses and accessories

[Paul_Idol]

OK, I just got a frightening quote on renting a Mini35 ($300/day, though I haven't shopped around yet) and I'm wondering about the lenses they suggested. For primes, they recommended a set of 5 Zeisses with focal lengths from 16mm to 85mm. They're T 2.1, so that's decent, anyway. The problem is, it doesn't seem to me I'm likely to get a very limited depth of field with an 85mm lens. Now, granted, I've never shot on 35 (my experience is entirely with 16 and various video formats) but that's my hunch. Should I be looking into a different set of lenses? And aren't Cookes supposed to be better than Zeisses anyway?

Perhaps a little more detail about my upcoming project is required. It's a mostly-psychological horror short, and for various reasons, some good, some bad, all unavoidable, it's going to be shot in very cramped quarters. IOW there won't be any way to back the camera way off from the subjects and to back the actors way off from the background. The biggest room is about 15' across at its widest point, and they get a lot smaller from there. But I can't use a Softscreen, because it's essential to the story that people move in and out of focus at various points, particularly at several moments of extreme intensity.

I do realize that the small spaces I'm dealing with will limit the upper end of focal lengths I can use for most shots anyway, but what I don't know is just how much, since I have no experience with 35. Does the Mini35 precisely replicate the DOF and FOV characteristics of shooting on 35? IOW can I use, say, FrameForge 3D to lay out my floorplans and then see exactly what I can and can't do?

I also have a couple side questions about support equipment. I'm guessing my Bogen 525MVB sticks and 503 head aren't up to the task of holding a DVX100 on top of a Mini35. Am I right? And I'm pretty much positive the same is true of my Glidecam 2000. Their quote recommends a Sachtler Video 20 II 7+7 head with standard legs and Sachtler 100mm baby legs, but I've never used those. Any thoughts? Ideas for better gear to rent? I'm going to need to buy, rent or build a bigger Glidecam, too. Any specific recommendations? I did get _Killer Camera Rigs_, but I haven't had time to check it out yet.

[Barry_Green]

OK, I just got a frightening quote on renting a Mini35 ($300/day, though I haven't shopped around yet)

That doesn't sound too bad. Shop around, certainly, but a mini35 costs $10,000 (they just raised the prices) so $300/day seems reasonable. Depends on how many days you need it for. You can usually get a 3-day week on most equipment, and if you really beg, you can sometimes get a 2-day week.


The problem is, it doesn't seem to me I'm likely to get a very limited depth of field with an 85mm lens.
It'd be nice to have a little longer, but you can do wonderful things with an 85mm lens. Remember that you can get a LOT closer to your subject with a mini35 setup, so that will help dramatically shorten the DOF. Look at the matrix spot I did on the mini35 -- I think most all the close-ups, the hand opening up, etc. were shot with an 80mm lens. I had also brought along a 135 and a 200, but we never used them.

For FOV comparison, set your DVX on 20mm, and that's about the field of view you'll get from a mini35 with 85mm lens.

[/quote]And aren't Cookes supposed to be better than Zeisses anyway?[/quote]
"Better"? No, I wouldn't say better, but different. I love the contrast and snap of the Zeiss, but some people say Cooke's are warmer and they like the look better. It's doubtful that you'll really see much difference on a standard-def video frame. But Cooke's are also superb lenses, so if you get a better quote on those, certainly consider them.

Also consider that you can use still-camera lenses, so if you have a stockpile of Canon or Contax or Nikon lenses, you could get the appropriate mount adapter and use those lenses instead.

[/quote]Does the Mini35 precisely replicate the DOF and FOV characteristics of shooting on 35? *IOW can I use, say, FrameForge 3D to lay out my floorplans and then see exactly what I can and can't do?[/quote]
Yes it does. But keep in mind it's using the 35mm movie frame size, not the 35mm still-frame size. 35mm movie frames are half the size of still frames.


I'm guessing my Bogen 525MVB sticks and 503 head aren't up to the task of holding a DVX100 on top of a Mini35. *Am I right?
I had it mounted on a Bogen 501 head. But we shot mainly lock-down shots, so I don't know how smooth it would have been for panning, etc. A 503 will take the weight, I just don't know how smooth it'll be. The mini35 isn't all that heavy, I think you'll be talking about under 10 pounds for camera, lens and mini35.


*And I'm pretty much positive the same is true of my Glidecam 2000.
Yeah, that's not gonna work...

[Guest]

Although 35mm still and 35mm motion picture frame sizes are slightly different I would still recommend you simply get out your old 35mm still camera and look-thru-the-viewfinder. Walk around the set to get a rough idea of both DOF and focal length you will be dealing with. Just keep in mind the small conversion factor between still and motion picture lenses when you make your rental wish list. BTW a 85mm still lens is often used as a portrait lens (along with 100mm and 135mm). Sounds like a nice package but you might want to get one real long lens. Make sure its a fast lens because the mini35 doesnt like slow lenses (too much grain shows up in the video)
Good luck on your shoot.

-Brett Erskine
www.CinematographerReels.com

[TylerGred]

Why don't you just looking into getting a zoom lens? I believe I read that the entire Band of Brothers series was shot with just two zoom lenses. I'm just suggesting this since you seemed to be surprised at the cost of the adapter. It might save you money...

[Guest]

Because...

"Make sure its a fast lens because the mini35 doesnt like slow lenses (too much grain shows up in the video)"