Cinevate Brevis 35mm adapter ???

[Randall_Oelerich]

Is the Cinevate Brevis (http://www.cinevate.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=71&osCsid=e521c4356787ac787fb9d1493b23592c) an alternativ adapter to the Letus system for attaching 35mm lenses to a camcorder (such as the Canon XH-A1)? Just when I thought I had it all figured out, thinking I would order a Letus Extreme adapter system with rails, mount for Canon FD lenses, today I saw a banner ad here on dvxuser for the Cinevate Brevis adapter, clicked it, and now I am confused. Can someone advise me-- should I be looking at this Cinevate Brevis adapter as an alternative to the Letus Extremem adapter? Are they roughly the same thing? Advantages or disadvantages to either? This would be for a Canon XH-A1s that I just ordered yesterday actually.
~randall

[Dennis Wood]

Randall, if you're in Duluth...we're a scenic 3 hours away up the North Shore to Thunder Bay :-) One of the easiest ways to check us out is via Cinevate's Video University (http://cinevate.com/website/index.php/cinevatevideouniversity/), or by checking out the pile of footage (http://cinevate.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2) on our site :-) The XH is what I'd consider a nearly perfect match for our MP.1 flipped rig and it's one of our standard in-house test cameras as it's optics are excellent on our system.

Stillmotion has at least 3 XH-A1's in their collection and you'll find their award winning work here. (http://www.stillmotion.ca/blog/)

[Randall_Oelerich]

How weird, I came back here to edit my post, add that I just noticed on your website how you are just a few hours up the highway from Duluth MN where I live! I just sent you an email I think, at least it went out to your sales email address. Right now I am just trying to understand your product, the Brevis35, if it is a 35mm lens adapter much the Letus Extreme that I was going to buy in a few weeks; I know enough only to be dangerous at making decisions, I barely understand the whole adapter situation, so if you or someone could tell me if this Brevis35 product is essentially the equivalent of the Letus adapter that would get me started. I like the look of the Brevis greatly, very intrigued.

EDIT: Okay I found your Cinevate University on your website-- confusing at first, I thought that link was for a film course or something. I can not seem to find photos of the Brevis35, except for the one photo on its product page-- perhaps you might consider some additional photos of it from side, front, back, good photos that can be clicked to see enlargements, to gauge the aesthetics of the product. Just an idea. Aesthetics of a product are very important to me as a consumer, FWIW.
~randall


Randall, if you're in Duluth...we're a scenic 3 hours away up the North Shore to Thunder Bay :-) One of the easiest ways to check us out is via Cinevate's Video University (http://cinevate.com/website/index.php/cinevatevideouniversity/), or by checking out the pile of footage (http://cinevate.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2) on our site :-)

[Dennis Wood]

Sorry about that...our entire site is up for a rework based on comments just like that. The adapter is only one of our growing array of products...although that's what got us going 4 years ago. In terms of visuals, stay tuned for our MP.2 launch video coming very shortly. It's exactly what you're looking for in terms of the product visuals. Three days of studio time was spent on just shooting the Brevis Mp.1 system along with some other surprises in a 60 second clip. Also, check the "show off my rig (http://cinevate.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3)" section of our forum for all kinds of pictures taken by our customers with our gear. That thread goes back to 2006 so you can enjoy a visual history of our products. If you're going to NAB09, we'll be there in our own 20x20 space this year so there'll be plenty of hands-on.

Funny thing is that last weekend I toted my wife and two little girls to our favourite Duluth hang out in Canal Park :-) We're there several times a year.

[DM_rider]

Randall, I live in Duluth and shoot with the redrock m2. PM me and I can fill you in on the whole adapter game.

[Dennis Wood]

In that case, you should both drive up for a capucino. Our facility and studio is always open for visitors, and if it's after 5 I'd even sneak you a beer :-)

[DM_rider]

In that case, you should both drive up for a capucino. Our facility and studio is always open for visitors, and if it's after 5 I'd even sneak you a beer :-)

My family has a cabin 10 minutes from Grand Marais, so about 2 hours from Thunder Bay. I've been meaning to get up there for a weekend of shooting and seeing your facilities. I'll make it happen in the next few weeks, I'd love to get up there and chat.

[thefilmaddict]

Cinevate makes some great products. I live pretty far away in the US. If you get to take a tour of the place, please share your experience with the rest of us! I bet it will be a pretty cool experience.

[Randall_Oelerich]

Cool. DM_rider maybe we can collaborate somehow, help each other with a short, or share contact info for regional talent (actors) and crew-- that is something I have a hard time recruiting (talent and at least one crew person to work a boompole and help tote stuff); I have a nice actress who I worked with last October, she along with her daughter are going to act in a short this summer (they both have acted in several film projects). I have 2-3 shorts I have written and want to produce this summer around Duluth. Just bought a Canon XH-A1 and will soon buy an adapter and a few prime lenses. I will PM you about discussing adapters, etc.
~randall



Randall, I live in Duluth and shoot with the redrock m2. PM me and I can fill you in on the whole adapter game.

[Beat Takeshi]

Here are a bunch of production shots of the adapter in use.
http://mikeks.smugmug.com/Production%20shots/628763

[Dennis Wood]

Thanks Aram for that post :-)

Guys, we really do enjoy visitors here and our space has sort of become a hangout for local film makers who stop by all the time to see what we've got cooking. Our new board room is pretty much open (and free) to local filmmakers who can meet with their clients, take advantage of the equipment there, and tour our studio space. For guys working from their apartments it gives them a nice meeting space ... and keeps us feeling good about supporting the local film community.

[dadoboy]

Well of course you're a hang out for the locals Dennis. Cinevate is in Thunder Bay, Ontario! What else is there to do but play with cool gear :).

I grew up in Woodbridge myself. Back when I was a kid, trees covered Canada from coast to coast and Thunder Bay was a thriving fort.