Im new to here and just got my HPX170 and need some adivce!!

[MoGorjestani]

Hello everyone, I look forward to contributing to this forum as much as possible in the future. I hope some people here can be kind enough to help me with some of my questions, though some maybe ignorant and too general. I apologize and thank you in advance.

I just got my hpx170 and I am looking to add the following over the next two years. Im really not sure where to start since everything kind of builds on eachother. I'm also self funding everything (like im sure everyone else) but my budget is tight, however im not looking to get the cheapest thing possible and will wait for something good than rush anything. I was hoping people here had some equipment they recommended. heres the stuff im hoping to add on!

1. 35mm adapter: im lookin at the Letus Extreme or Brevis35 MP1)
-the SG blade also seem interesting, what do you guys think?
-is it worth upgrading the achromat to fit the HPX?

2. Railsystem :do i need one if i go with the hpx and the brevis with no flip module?
-if i need a railsystem what would you recommend thats affordable?
-do you guys find the flip module beneficial since the hpx flips the image?

3. what tripod would you recommend to support the hpx with the adapter and the other bells and whistles, what kind of weight support are we talking about?

4. On camera Microphone
- do you guys have any favorites that you use?

5. Shoulder mount with HandleBars kit:
-any good ones you recommend? ive seen so many kits i dont know whats good.

6. On Board LCD monitor
-if i go on the shoulder im sure ill need one, any good ones that are affordable?

7. Hard Case: any good hardcases that arent a fortune out there?

8. Matte Box and Filters: Any nice ones you guys like and use that arent a fortune?

9. is there a glidecam that could possible support the weight of a fully rigged 35mm adapter and hpx? (im pretty sure without a vest the answer is no way)

10. any other recommendations??? What order should i do my buying in??? any good sites for used equipment and if so what are the links!

- thank you guys very much, i have done alot of research about all of these questions, so im not just throwing this out there and not willing to do my own research but i dont want to add my two cents so i can just get some feedback from your own experience and research. Again, thank you

-mo:dankk2:

[AwakenedFilms]

Hello MoGorjestani
1- Most found the upgrade to be a worthwhile investment. Mileage varies. I upgraded and did before and after tests but didn't see much improvement. DO a search and you will find much discussion on the topic.
2- Rails are important when you start to add hevay adaptors, heavy lenses, follo focus and Matte Box. If you plan on using the brevis w/o flip, you can probably get away without rails.
3- 12+lbs. The tripod should outlast your camera. Get one that has room to grow into. I use the DV6SB.
4- Almost never use. Get that mic near your talent. Otherwise, all you will hear is room & camera noise, even with a decent shotgun.
5-Shoulder mount is better than bars. Get one that has a counter weight otherwise you are holding all the weight on you wrists and triceps.
6- Good reports about Manhattan, IKan, Marshall and Panasonic. Affordable and video gear don't necessarily go hand in hand. You get what you pay for.
7- Storm or Pellican case is great. Get something used if budget is an issue. Its going to get abused anyway, so why get a pristine one?
8- take your pick. Sounds like budget is king.
9- Not that I am aware of. Remember that you will need a remote follow focus if you are using a steadicam with 35mm lens adaptor.
10- Buy on an as needed basis. Camera, tripod, audio, lighting, grip, adaptor, accessories. The adaptor is a slippery slope. Once you make an initial investment, you will find that you 'NEED' other gear to make it work properly. BHPhoto is the standard for US pricing. Check DVXUSER sponsors like Spec_inc. thinktankphoto has decent photo prices. KEV has used lenses. FilmTools is good for narrative grip equipment. Amvona has cheap junk.


Jason

[wgzn]

1. 35mm adapter: im lookin at the Letus Extreme or Brevis35 MP1)
-the SG blade also seem interesting, what do you guys think?
-is it worth upgrading the achromat to fit the HPX?
ive used the plain old, bare bones brevis for a couple of years and it does a fine job. and to be honest, aside from flip or non flip, degree of light loss and moving or static screen - ITS ALL A MATTER OF PERSONAL PREFERENCE. they all have their good points and bad points. and each has their own look. best advice is to look at as much sample footage and read as many forum posts as you can. and pick the one that suits you. one thing you will learn about adpters REALLY QUICKLY is that lenses are as important as the adapter (as is a follow focus). a lot of newbies think theyre gonna get a good fast 50mm and be ready - WRONG. you'll soon want (NEED) a wide, a portrait, a macro, a fast zoom, etc, etc, etc ad infinitum...

2. Railsystem :do i need one if i go with the hpx and the brevis with no flip module?
-if i need a railsystem what would you recommend thats affordable?
-do you guys find the flip module beneficial since the hpx flips the image?
when i first bought my brevis, my choice was influenced by the fact that you didnt NEED rails to use it. i found out quickly that though you didnt need them in order to function. you did need them if you wanted to function WELL. i bought zacuto. its about the most expensive rails out there but built like a tank but LIGHT and an absolute pleasure to behold! zacuto stuff is as much a piece of art as it is gear

BTW the hpx just flips the image for viewing. the footage is still upside down.

3. what tripod would you recommend to support the hpx with the adapter and the other bells and whistles, what kind of weight support are we talking about?
no point in revisting this here. this question has been discussed to death (and recently) just do a forum search and you will find all you need to know

4. On camera Microphone
- do you guys have any favorites that you use?
again, this has already been covered. unless you're doing ENG work or just want room ambiance, never mount a mic ON your camera. its not going to provide optimum sound quality regardless of mic. octava, rode, sennheiser are three popular mics. personally, i use the sennheiser mkh416 and this really cool shure vp88 stereo mic. the vp88 aside from being stereo has a really high sound pressure tolerance so its great for shooting live rock shows (or anything LOUD) when you cant get a post-feed from the board.

5. Shoulder mount with HandleBars kit:
-any good ones you recommend? ive seen so many kits i dont know whats good.
ive used several from $100 to $3000 and none of them is perfect. again, this one is also very subject to personal preference. i bought both the $100 cb107 which is really just a bent piece of metal with a handle and counter weight. it has its uses. then i also bought a $3000 zacuto rails/plate/grips/arm kit. its also great but not for ALL uses...

6. On Board LCD monitor
-if i go on the shoulder im sure ill need one, any good ones that are affordable?
this one might actually take the prize as most asked and most hotly debated question ever! please, just search "camera monitor" and sit back for hours of reading. long and short. there are options from $500 to $3000 and you WILL get more as you pay more. but even the cheapest one works fine for focus and framing.

7. Hard Case: any good hardcases that arent a fortune out there?
pelican and storm seem to be the two brands of choice. im a dedicated pelican guy for no other reason than im used to them.

8. Matte Box and Filters: Any nice ones you guys like and use that arent a fortune?
ive used both chrosziel and petroff and love them both. again here - like everything else, it comes down to need and preference. the more you pay the better the build quality and better material. if you just want a shade and something to hold a filter, you can get away with the cheapest little $200 rig

9. is there a glidecam that could possible support the weight of a fully rigged 35mm adapter and hpx? (im pretty sure without a vest the answer is no way)
$1500 is about the LEAST you'll pay for anything like that. and thats probably a used price.
thing about a glide/steadi cam is at that point youre probably looking at remote follow focus etc... you'll find that a lot of camera stuff isnt just about buying the one cool item. you buy one thing only to find out that to use it to its capacity you need 3 other things...

10. any other recommendations??? What order should i do my buying in??? any good sites for used equipment and if so what are the links!
marketplace here is great. just read all the stickys first to keep yourself safe.
my suggestion of order of purchase would be.
case, tripod, mics (good shotgun, pair of wireless lavs, effect mic and a mixer), shoulder mount/rails, external monitor, LIGHTS (and assorted grip gear like c-stands, sandbags, etc...), 35mmadapter, mattebox

- thank you guys very much, i have done alot of research about all of these questions, so im not just throwing this out there and not willing to do my own research but i dont want to add my two cents so i can just get some feedback from your own experience and research. Again, thank you

[MoGorjestani]

wow guys, thank you so much. this was more than expected, thanks for taking all that time to help me out. I look forward to contributing here in the future as well.

again thanks alot!!