SGPro Blade Flip + Hpx170 Review

[LuckyStudio 13]

Just got the Blade in this morning. More to come when time permits. If you have specific questions regarding the setup or the blade. Fire away and we will try to find an answer.

http://www.ramjetfilms.com/lucky/BladeTest/blade.JPG

http://www.ramjetfilms.com/lucky/BladeTest/Blade1.JPG

Built Quality

Very very solidly made product, the built is comparable to the Letus Extreme and the Nikon stainless steel mount is way built better than the Nikon Mount on my ex- Letus Extreme. Only on my Nikon 108mm f1.8 which is extremely sticky (& require service) you can find the Nikon mount jiggle and move with the follow focus.

All the pieces fit extremely tight and snug together. Having owned & used the 1st generation Letus Extreme, the flimsy built quality of the adapter mount and the constant self loosening bolt had me apprehensive about getting a non "lunch box" rail mount system and wished I have waited for the new RedRock adapter, but all worries were set to rest as the SGPro mount is built way way better then the Letus Extreme's mount. The mount is built up to par to Zacuto's standard and you could've swear that it was built by Zacuto for SGPro. Most importantly, even with constant moving and lifting the camera, the mount does not buldge a mm and is attached to the adapter as solid as concrete. If you were like me, that worries about the integrity of a single bolt mount and wished SGPro would retain the lunchbox design, you can scratch that worry away as the new mount design is as solid as any rail "lunchbox" mount.

I also managed to put the entire setup into the Panasonic Porta Brace Shoulder bag so this mean no more assembling and disassembling the entire rig after every gig.

Motor Noise

One negative so far on the SGPro is the noise of the motor. It is Loud, and I dont remember my ex Letus Extreme or my ex Redrock M2 were ever being that noisy. The high level of noise is with the standard RR1.

With a typical Shotgun mic mounted on the cam, the cam definitely picks up the noise of the Blade's motor. In this case, we use the Sennheiser MKH-416 with the RR1 at Full Motor Speed and then once more with the Motor at Half Speed. The test sound clip will be uploaded soon.

The Blade with RR1 at full speed with a cam mounted Shotgun will definitely need some sound editing done to remove the noise of the motor. At half speed, the noise of the motor with RR1 is barely audible at all. <sound clip test will be uploaded soon>. RR2 motor noise will be in the next test agenda.

http://www.ramjetfilms.com/lucky/BladeTest/Blade2.JPG

The Hpx170 version of the adapter requires an extra spacer to be fitted onto the camera. This is to prevent the achromat from touching the cam's lens. Here you can see the extra 5mm spacer that goes into the cam's lens before connecting to the Red SgPro's ring. The packaging of the entire product is superb and very professional and impressive. The manual is printed on very nice paper and made into a nice little booklet.

<more to come>

[LuckyStudio 13]

SGPRO Blade Motor Noise Test.

<Please right click and save the file to your computer>. Sorry but if our bandwidth is going skyrocket high, we will have to halt any future test. So please download the file to your computer for viewing.

The Mic: Sennheiser MKH-416
RR1: Full & Half Speed
Recorded to 1 track and mixed to both L&R track at 0 db (No Gain).

http://www.ramjetfilms.com/lucky/BladeTest/Blade_RR1_Motor_Test.mov

[LuckyStudio 13]

SGPRO Blade Footage Test.

<Please right click and save the file to your computer>. Sorry but if our bandwidth is going skyrocket high, we will have to halt any future test. So please download the file to your computer for viewing.

This is just a quick test done today over sushi lunch with the Nikon 35mm f2 + RR1.
The camera is set to wide open and the first part of the test was f2 and the later was f5.6. Expect some not so perfect focus, as we did not have any proper monitoring aid. Everything was done spontaneously with just the on cam's lcd and a follow focus.

We were trying to test the CA on the adapter, that explains the supernova bright light coming in from the window. With my previous $8999 Canon 2/3" CAC Lens on the hpx500, a condition like that will summons Barney all over the footage.

http://www.ramjetfilms.com/lucky/35f2.mov

Indoor Scene with the Nikon 80-200mm f2.8
http://www.ramjetfilms.com/lucky/BladeTest/The%20Undeserving.mov

A quick 30 secs Trailer of the short
http://vimeo.com/3517424

<as usual more test to come with more lenses as time permits>.

[LuckyStudio 13]

SGPRO BLADE Frame Grab.

Indoor Shots with the Nikon 80-200 f2.8

http://www.ramjetfilms.com/lucky/BladeTest/pic4.jpg

http://www.ramjetfilms.com/lucky/BladeTest/pic5.jpg


http://www.ramjetfilms.com/lucky/BladeTest/pic3.jpg

[Tomas Riuka]

so finally you got it too! :)

[Wayne Kinney]

Thanks for the review!




One negative so far on the SGPro is the noise of the motor. It is Loud, and I dont remember my ex Letus Extreme or my ex Redrock M2 were ever being that noisy.

Try setting the speed to 50% which should be good for most shutter speeds.

[Avenger007]

From what I've seen its dead quiet even turned up. Is it MOS audible or just faint?

[mvansomeren]

One negative so far on the SGPro is the noise of the motor. It is Loud, and I dont remember my ex Letus Extreme or my ex Redrock M2 were ever being that noisy.

<more to come>

I'm guessing that you've got RR1 installed. RR1 can be noisier than RR2, in my experience. The RR1 can make a sort of buzzing sound at high speed. Something to do with it being glass as opposed to acrylic. When I installed the RR2 it was completely silent. In fact, I have to put my ear to the Blade to hear the RR2 motor.

[Avenger007]

RR2 is the SG Pro-like version correct? ...Which is acrylic?

[mvansomeren]

Correct

[LuckyStudio 13]

Yes, the loud motor noise is with RR1. I will mount my shotgun mic to the cam and report back on how audible the noise is.

[reem12]

where is the footage?

[LuckyStudio 13]

One quick footage was taken today during lunch. This is to test CA so we sat next to a giant window. Nothing much and non scientific because the Sushi was dang delicious.

[reem12]

footage?

[LuckyStudio 13]

some new test uploaded on the first page. enjoy

[Tim Naylor]

The frame grabs look soft. Any backfocus issues.

Tell us how it performed. Ease of use. Picture quality. I found the build excellent the picture quailty good not great.

[Avenger007]

Is the blade on par with the edge sharpness of the SG Pro? The upgraded feature set is very promising but it seems people are skeptical of the performance of the RR2 vs the SG Pro.

[Smettli]

Is the blade on par with the edge sharpness of the SG Pro? The upgraded feature set is very promising but it seems people are skeptical of the performance of the RR2 vs the SG Pro.

Really? Who said that?

[reem12]

the blade rr2 tends to look better with the footage i've seen.

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://vimeo.com/3517424

[armisiano]

Looks interesting. The acting is kinda bad though, sorry.

[TheRealMe]

I don't agree... The acting looks and sounds ok to me.

[Avenger007]

edges look soft and seems to vignette a lot. Is that the blade with RR2? nice color choices.

[NewHPXuser]

OK - I want one for Christmas - but I "know nothing" about these things.

I have an HPX170 so could you tell me exactly what I have to order and where from? shoot35.com?? Also the bad news - how much will it cost my wife?

Also is the lens at right angles to the camera? Is that why it's called a flip?

I told you I know nothing about this!

[Tomas Riuka]

OK - I want one for Christmas - but I "know nothing" about these things.

I have an HPX170 so could you tell me exactly what I have to order and where from? shoot35.com?? Also the bad news - how much will it cost my wife?

Also is the lens at right angles to the camera? Is that why it's called a flip?

I told you I know nothing about this!

don't run and place your order, read this forum more, and find out some more information about adapters... spend a week reading, so you would know how they work, what do you need, etc, there is plenty of information, and only then order...

[Lenilenapi]

how much will it cost my wife?

I think you phrased the question wrong - The correct answer is :

"Yes it will cost you your wife!"

Whether this is a good or bad thing only you can determine.

Lenny

[LuckyStudio 13]

Couple of Grabs from few recent projects.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs071.snc3/13840_186458152411_588622411_2831980_1292834_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs051.snc3/13840_186458147411_588622411_2831979_6531479_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs051.snc3/13840_186458922411_588622411_2831985_223277_n.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs071.snc3/13840_180350012411_588622411_2792231_6457917_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs051.snc3/13840_180351232411_588622411_2792242_42518_n.jpg

[NewHPXuser]

They look great. Which 35mm setup are you using?

It would be interesting to see the same shots with the native camera minus the 35mm.

[Marc Villafan]

They look great. Which 35mm setup are you using?

It would be interesting to see the same shots with the native camera minus the 35mm.
Wouldn't be the same at all. May need to move camera forward or back depending on lens used I believe. Additionally you'll lose any depth of field unless you use zoom and wide open aperture "trick" to add some depth of field on a stock camera.

Would be interesting nonetheless to see if it effects colors, etc.

[LuckyStudio 13]

No Adapter used. http://vimeo.com/2799861

[NewHPXuser]

Very nice without any adapter too.

Luckystudio - what level of exposure do you aim for in your frame?

Can I ask generally - if I didn't go for a 35mm adapter kit just yet - is there perhaps another lens that you guys would recommend that would give even better pictures than the standard one (even though obviously as seen in the right hands that gives great results).

[Tim Naylor]

Your review almost makes me wish I didn't abandon adaptors (unfortunately, the market for them has dried up here). The Blade was the last adaptor I had and your experience is similar to mine. Here's how I sum it up:

- Blade build quality is excellent
- Sharp, but not as sharp as an Ultimate
- The X/Y and back focus adjustment are rock solid and easy to adjust
- Best low cost Nikon mount I've used to date - no jiggle whatsoever
- The mount in "Snorkel Down" is great. In "Snorkel Up" the threads weren't deep enough so I had to use washers to offset the distance. I tend to go snorkel up so it doesn't bump ino camera when balancing. In snorkel down with a front heavy rig, it'll bump into tripod.
- A low battery light would be helpful. Otherwise, you just change them prematurely out of paranoia.
- Most reliable adaptor I'd ever owned. No breakdowns, dust issues or power failures. This is a big deal because unreliability is what got me to jettison all my previous adaptors.
- Wayne's customer service is responsive and way above the rest of the adaptor world. Another deal breaker.

My only regret is we're seeing the sunset of adaptors. I hope Wayne "adapts" and comes out with other competition crushing products. My suggestions: low cost fully adjustable hand held support with ratcheting knobs (no one owns this market); Dual sided FF; A high quality MB that can go clip on or go with rods at a Red Rock price point; a better / cheaper slider with 100mm, 150mm and Mitchell mounts; etc.

I'm sure he's pondered many a product. I just like the way he does business and makes products and hope he keeps it going long after adaptors are gone.

[astigmatic]

omg, I'm having second thoughts about putting my adapter on the market...but I need a nanoflash.. errr. I know for certain adapters will be used on the 2/3 fixed scarlet and the SGblade is the only one I'd consider for it...

[Tim Naylor]

2/3 scarlet plus adaptor makes no sense. Might as well get 35mm Scarlet and save weight/headaches.

[astigmatic]

many people will probably only be able to afford the fixed...and by that time 35mm adapters will be cheap or people may already have one so it'll be free.. plus scarlet is pretty small as it is.. it won't be too bulky.

[Dino]

How do you mount a DOF adapter to a 2/3" B4 mount camera without a relay lens? The only solutions I know of for 2/3" are P+S Pro35 and Letus B4 Compact or Pro relay lens, which requires a Letus DOF adapter. These options are not cheap, the 35mm Scarlet makes more sense in many ways.

[astigmatic]

yeah, the interchangeable scarlet wouldn't make sense. The 2/3 fixed lens scarlet, which will most likey cost less than an ex1, comes with a zoom lens. so you won't need a relay.

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://vimeo.com/8263808

Night and Low Light. Everything in the promo was shot with the adapter.

[TomGruber]

Where did you get the extra spacer ring?

[LuckyStudio 13]

I got it from Wayne directly.

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://vimeo.com/7853629

another one coming up very soon.

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://vimeo.com/8285467

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://vimeo.com/7598962

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://www.vimeo.com/8625660

was snowing here 2 days ago, so i grabbed my nikon 80-200 n captures some footage with the blade RR 2.

[Tomas Riuka]

oh dude, you should see how much snow we have :D 10 inches! :D

[Zblock]

Have you even turned your unit on and had the gg not spin. Mines done that twice now. it's an easy fix, just turn the speed up a notch and it starts spinning.

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://vimeo.com/9452118

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs364.snc3/23477_308128827411_588622411_3338203_7069847_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs424.ash1/23477_308128812411_588622411_3338202_6510131_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs384.snc3/23477_308128852411_588622411_3338205_4899325_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs384.snc3/23477_308128862411_588622411_3338206_7215801_n.jpg

[Tomas Riuka]

i love color grading, though blacks are a bit too much compressed for me

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs583.snc3/30748_395498062411_588622411_3914503_589322_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs583.snc3/30748_395498397411_588622411_3914513_3425550_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs523.ash1/30748_395499177411_588622411_3914530_6372409_n.jpg

http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs583.snc3/30748_395499162411_588622411_3914528_6930620_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs523.ash1/30748_395498382411_588622411_3914512_7037440_n.jpg

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs563.snc3/30748_395498842411_588622411_3914519_5447809_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs583.snc3/30748_395498072411_588622411_3914504_2155914_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs523.ash1/30748_395498372411_588622411_3914511_169332_n.jpg

[dmc]

Very nice looking grabs! Great vintage quality about them.

The couple shots of the girl(s) running in the tall grass looks like they came from a Terrence Malick film.


Nice one!


: )

dmc

[Tomas Riuka]

dude, these are some nice shots!!!! lovely!

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs307.snc3/28948_402114597411_588622411_4076104_5257366_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs327.snc3/28948_402114152411_588622411_4076100_1318880_n.jpg

[Admir]

I might just ask here instead of creating a new thread:

Does anyone here have a side by side comparison between the rotorazor 1 and 2? I cant decide what to order, I want a nice bokeh but still don't want to lose to much light.. Both of them seem to be very nice, but I would love to se a side by side comparison..

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://vimeo.com/12474092

[Tomas Riuka]

what's with the aspect ratio?

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs035.snc4/34124_414526642411_588622411_4387282_4108896_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs040.snc4/34378_414526322411_588622411_4387277_3121432_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs015.snc4/34124_414526667411_588622411_4387287_3737220_n.jpg

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs099.ash2/38266_416397692411_588622411_4430469_8333139_n.jpg

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://www.vimeo.com/14005489