MPIC 35mm lens adaptor

[Norm_Li]

Hey everyone,

Has anyone used the MPEG 35mm lens adaptor yet?

http://www.provisionvideo.com/features.htm (scroll to the bottom)

I never heard of this before but I was wondering if it was worth shooting with
on a number of short films coming up.

Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Norm Li

[dan]

Thank you Brian,
I have posted tons of stills from footage on my site. I had the full clips as well, but due to limited bad of the net and compressions codex I took some of them off.
BTW, I just had it rented two days ago on a commercial to be broadcasted on CBC. I'll post footage when I get it. Thanks for checking it out.
Norm, give me a call if you want (604-780-1818), get your camera and you'll shoot some first hand footage to see/edit/comment about. More to come guys...thanks for checking it out.
Dan

[Yas Kassana]

Hey Dan, i've been mailing you for about 2 weeks now, and no reply. Talk about customer service.

[xl70e3]

I've seen that site and the thing looks damn impressive. The price is like $3k though, right? It'd take some very impressive footage to go with the design to make someone spend that money.

[Yas Kassana]

I wouldn't spend that money. Especially since his customer service is shit.

[mike dawson]

this product is made in canada??

[dan]

As a reply to earlier comments.
Guys, please give me the benefit of a doubt, OK?

I did not received any emails and ignored them. I always replay to any emails I get (is just common sense, right?)
Second; the website is new, I did not know for the first two weeks I had emails on info and sales@dandiaconu.com.
Took me a while to figure it out after I found similar comments on another website (poor customer service)

Give me a call when in doubt.

I don't have all the time for net information, sorry, but when I get emails, I do replay (subject to figuring out where to log in....lol)

Otherwise, thanks for your interest and if you want to see the device in person and test it, call me. You'll get some footage to take home and examine. Better, yet, we should make another meeting somewhere and demo it for more than one person at a time. I still do not know how to turn on notification when someone has a re on this thread.......

Meanwhile price has changed and I have two other products: Follow focus and Universal SLR focus gear.

Back to work.

[cinebuddy]

Dan is a stand up guy period. I purchased his follow focus which is on the way now, shipped in the timely manner stated on his website. Dude is on some other shit with his inventions, and he's industry proven...more important than that is he delivers on his deliverables. You can't go wrong coppin' a product from Dan.

Norm, you should try to hook up with Dan and test the MPIC out in person, I know Dan often offers people in his geographical area the opportunity. I'd love to get your take on it as I've always admired your work.

Greg

[Yas Kassana]

Okay Dan - fair enough - i take back my words.

[dmbdvx]

Ok, I have seen at least three post on 35 adapters, price ranges from hundreds ~ thousands.

I am tempted to buy one but as everyone knows "buyer beware". it is hard comparing units side by side. So, making a determination between the cheaper 300.00 unit and a more expensive 2000.00 unit falls beyond most peoples capabilities. Leaving a lot of guess work and trust in the hands of the manufactures and what they claim.

The MPIC looks top notch (drool) and high quality but for 2K ? I just don't see it, like everything else in life just out of reach.

It would be nice to see someone introduce an adapter for around 500.00 that delivers.

I am almost positive more people are apt to spend 500 than 2000.00 on such a device.

understanding people should be rewarded for their hard work.

[cinebuddy]

I know, I really want the MPIC but at 2g's I can't justify it right now. But in terms of innovation of build and seeming ease of use, its gotta be the MPIC.
No achromat and a small footprint really make me want the MPIC>

[dmbdvx]

I can not justify 2k either, after all my dvx was just a little over that price in the first place.
Looks like the maker of MPIC does exceptional work and possibly the best choice for an adapter. It looks awesome.

I have only a small understaning about what is involved to make an adapter so it is unfair to expect anyone to set my price range..

Anyway, I guess I will keep browser peeled for an alternative that comes in around 500.00.

regards

[cinebuddy]

I can not justify 2k either, after all my dvx was just a little over that price in the first place.
Looks like the maker of MPIC does exceptional work and possibly the best choice for an adapter. It looks awesome.

I have only a small understaning about what is involved to make an adapter so it is unfair to expect anyone to set my price range..

Anyway, I guess I will keep browser peeled for an alternative that comes in around 500.00.

regards
LOL, I tried my damndest to follow the threads at dvinfo.net and build my own oscillating vibratory spinnning dimension portal opening ground glass adapter....i gave up. Dan machines his parts and is great with the necessary calculations for offsets etc. Him and a few other guys on that board were like reading French...Hell Dan speaks French I believe.

[BLUESPIDER]

I saw some of the footages and I don't know if its my eyes but the images looks abit soft. For the price I would expect it to be really sharp. Not trying to downgrade the product but I still think the G35 produces the best image quality and has the best price!

[Yas Kassana]

The G35 does the produce the best image quality. It is pretty good.

[Big_Stein]

Whats the latest news on the G35?

[dan]

Guys,
It just happened I remembered about DVX forum (no nothing intended) I just am not in the habit to check and post here, that's all.
How do I get notified of new replays? Where is that any key button to turn ON da feature?
I don't speak French, boyz (nor Greek)

And now: ANYONE living in Vancouver: organize a meeting, name a place and a date, give me a 24h notice, get your camcorders of ANY brand and come see the image yourselves: get a tape with you and take home some footage to dissect, post from and analyze.
I have a DVD you can watch from past footage (Felix and friends...) for sharpness and so on.
Do it! Set it up and let's meet. You'll be happy to know something to reference other contraptions to. Why am I saying this?
Because I did this device to achieve a better image then Mini35 will ever deliver and I succeeded about one year ago.
Proof is in the pudding.
Matrix (local rental house) has one Mini35 available. I was there countless times and had MPIC on Z1U side by side. The image does not even come close.
Let's meet and see for yourselves.

A word about the device (and price)
I proceeded to build it knowing the shortcomings of Mini35. I know the device since 2000 when first built. I visited P+S in Munich in Sept 2000.
Any GG (regardless if micro waxed or frosted somehow) will vignette and loose light.
The only one replacement (I know of) to defeat those inconveniences is a Fresnel Focusing Screen.
All SLR cameras (film or digital) have in the viewfinder (for framing) a Fresnel Focusing screen (not a ground glass)

They used to use just GG on medium format cameras till the technology allowed manufacturing of FRESNELS to replace the GG.

Any Fresnel Focusing Screen is A LENS (type Fresnel) Like ANY lens, the focusing screen has a FOCAL LENGTH. This is why MPIC does not need an ACHROMATIC lens and the image does not degrade optically (chromatic aberrations and other distortions)
For the very same reason, I can mount it straight on the lens of any camcorder, zoom in a touch and focus on the Screen. Lock and shoot.

Long story short:

Set up a time (at Matrix if you want) to compare Mini35 and MPIC.
I do not know how happy they'll be since they have that unit available for rental (most of the time....) but we'll try.
Otherwise, you can go there on your own, see the image, check the "original Nikon mount by P+S if suitable for this kind of work!), and then meet with me.
I don't bite (in public, lol)

I just got a call today: someone will use this weekend the G35 for a music video on Fri and Saturday and he needs my set of Nikkors (rental) Let's do it this weekend.

I'll get MPIC as well and shoot some footage as well. This guy will also get some footage from MPIC. If you happen to read this message (you, the one I talked to on the phone today), accept my apologies please, I am awful at names. I could get my 30" LCD so all of us can SEE the picture(s).

Call me if you want to set up something 604-780-1818 and someone email me please with instruction for that "any key" so I can get notified when you replay here.

Greg, post your impression on the FF and images from MPIC here. I have sent you a DVD with shots (pretty much all I have the samples on my site) I am anxious to hear your opinion since you will SEE Felix and its mighty fur first hand. Tell us if the image is sharp or no. I already have a wonderful comment on the footage from Australia. I just have to find the time to gather them all and make that “testimonial” page on my site.
Back to veork, but... I’ll be back!

Best to you bros,
Dan

[cinebuddy]

I want an MPIC, but Dan you already know this. The DVD footage was phenomenal and the follow focus is a damn fine piece of pro gear. Plain and simple Dan knows what the f he's doing.

[dan]

Thanks Greg, I am glad I managed to please you.
Just for the record; I have received two POC sample diffusers (a while ago) and I am VERY happy with the picture. It looks VERY GOOD. The only problem is light loss (and a touch of vigneting). Subsequently, it is possible that the G35 CAN create a suitable image (without screen motion) I will not know until I see one (whenever that will be) but I should refrain from comments without SEEING.
Is just fair this way.

[dan]

Here it is:
The DVD I made (intended for customers only) so you know what to expect.
The SLR focus Gear, the FF and a few shots with MPIC. See it all first hand and then you'll know.
Pay Pal me $5 (to cover the DVD, Pay Pal commission and shipping) and I will send you a copy.
Thank you your interest.

[Spartacus]

Hey Dan,
I followed your quest for an P+S alternative/beater on DVinfo, but due to the ongoing flaming discussions I lost interest.
Congrats you finished your work!
I`m not happy about your pricetag, but if your claim to beat the P+S in any way is true, than I can understand your pricing policy.
What I really don`t like is your business site: It`s overcrowded, has a weired layout and structure, spelling mistakes and the quality of the information given is IMHO questionable.
Don`t get me wrong, I´m starting a small production company and really consider buying a 35mm adapter.
And I rather spend 2K and have what I need, than spend 500$ and have to live with compromises (BTW sth an indyfilmaker can live with...)
But claiming to offer professional quality and only having mediocre packshots and hey-thats-my-cat out of focus screenshots doesn't`t sell it for me...
Maybe your DVD offers more insight, but considering your adapters pricetag, you could already offer some H.264 online footage or fullres downloads, with some quality content.
And if, as you stated, the DVD offers "past footage (Felix and friends...)" then I´m not sure if this is what people wanna see, BECAUSE if I spent 2000-3000 USD on an adapter, I want to at least see professional lit scenes and some charts.
And on this forum there probably be a lot of good DPs willing to use the MPIC on a musicvideo or sth else...
Also, less things to click on, with more written information following would improve the impact of your site. I´d rather have only 3 sharp pics, than an armada of badly compressed flash animated bling-bling.
Again, please take this as some critical, yet positive input from a potential costumer.

Regards,

Chris

[dan]

Chris,

Thanks for comment/FB. You are right about the site, I will address those issues as soon as I will get the chance, they are long overdue; I had it looking like ... well a lot worse, till about one month ago (that is for some 9 months). Why? I was more concerned about content than presentation (shape) but you are absolutely right, I should work on some if not all the stills and check them truly, thank you.

I have some hi resolution stills of resolution charts looking better than on "million $ websites", I do not know if you managed to get to them, they are here:

http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/ALL-CLIP-TESTS

Felix is an all time favorite, because his fur is a real life resolution chart in motion.

I did not "set up" any professional shoots in an attempt to leave out of discussion one's skills as a DP. Obviously, lights and framing would have been part of the judgment. I want to leave those out because they are SUBJECTIVE. A resolution chart is purely technical. That is ALL one should need to know when it comes to these contraptions. Is the image sharp or no, does it loose light? is there is any diffusion? Once you have these three questions answered, the rest is purely subjective (imo)

What one can do with this contraption is up to individual user and subject to experience in framing and lighting and this is a grey area where one can say : hmm, I like it, or I don't like it, or... he should have frame it.. such and so, or the highlight is too strong or not enough.... you got the picture. That is TASTE. I want to leave it out of the question.
On the same token, if I show you the best I (or someone else) could do using the device I feel I will mislead you into thinking ; hmmm, so If I get that, I’ll do that, which is not true!
To be able to do the same means knowing the same and having the same taste for lights and framing. Subjective buying decision? IMO, YES. Will that influence you to purchase? IMO , YES. Is that fair? IMO no. I would do the same as all TV commercials do. I don’t like doing that.

I want to keep it cool and rationale. Sharp? Diffuse? Light loss? The rest being up to the user.

One more thing: a professional set means ultimately the viewer will judge the overall image which involves: the ability of the camera used to respond to dynamic range of the scene!! which leads to... how many video DP have YOU seen with a light meter in their hands checking the lights on a set to keep ALL lights within dynamic range of the camera while doing an artistic work? How many stops can a DVX100A handle? 5? 6? 4.5? 7?
How many are concerned with highlights clipping or “filling in” to compensate for highlights?
Most people look at a monitor and if they "like" it is good enough. No pun intended, but that's the way video goes and video is a lot more "sensitive" to mistakes than film.

However, I fully understand the need for some nice shoots, possibly something like this?:

http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/album48/IMGA1748
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/album48/IMGA1734
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/album48/IMGA1714
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/album48/IMGA1669
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/album48/IMGA1670

or nicer.
This is an album I added not long ago and (again) shows the kind of images the device can produce. They are all stills from footage:
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/album46?page=1

I appreciate a lot your FB and comments Chris, thanks for chiming in and I will have a close look at the site.

Dan

[Spartacus]

Dan,
I believe I get your point, but following your arguments you ought to take all non-chart pictures off your site.
Most people interested in buying such an adapter like yours, either own a DV or a HDV camera, so they all know the shortcomings of such highly compressed formats. Controlling dynamic range probably is number one on any DPs to-do list, when shooting with video.
Do you really think people will buy your adapter because you show them stills from unmotivated, random shots?
You don`t wanna show people a well lit, framed, exposed etc shot because it will influence their judgment, don't you think the random, amateurish (sorry...) pics won´t?
Thanks for the charts BTW, I didn´t see them before and guess what: I just found out another click on the image will give me the full-res version, stupid me hahaha...!
But, how many "stupid-me"s will be out there?
Your adapter sounds promising, kick out the stills, post movies made with different cameras and REALLY show people what they get for nevertheless double the price of the G35...
Don`t forget: Only a few of your customers will be electrical/optical engineers...

All the best,

Chris

[dan]

Chris,
All valid points. I can't add anything (as comment), but I can work towards improving the presentation of the products. Thanks a lot for a very fair and unbiased opinion.
Best to you as well,
Dan

[khmuse]

Hey Dan,

I looked at the images that you referenced, but the one of the res chart (IMGA0517) is kind of invalid as it seems to not be a full frame shot of the chart. Is this perhaps just the center section cropped out of the full frame or was it actually framed as shown?

The difference would be considerable.

[dan]

Valid point. Why so?
Lens used Nikkor 1.4/50. If set at closest focus, the rez chart would have been about 1/4 to 1/3 the frame size. Not good, right?
I had an achromatic from Century (+7) at the time and I set ip up in front of the Nikkor 1.4/50 to be able to get closer and focus on the chart. Focus on in..ty +7, I had to get that close to get a sharp image. Not the best way, but this is how I ended up with that image. However, there are other shoots to support the sharpness idea;
camcorder:
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/albums/album05/IMGA0475.jpg
vs image converter:
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/albums/album05/IMGA0470.jpg
same distance, same magnification ratio, same all.

I had another "disturbing" finding but I took the pics off my site. I will have them back if need be.
I took a hi rez pic through a Nikkor 4/200 and then, same field of view, same light... using the camcorder alone. I'll post the pics, they speak better.
Meanwhile have a look at these ones (same idea), and let's skip the discussion about noise; is there in both pictures; camcorder and MPIC+ camcorder:
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/albums/album05/IMGA0412.jpg
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/albums/album05/IMGA0402.jpg

I am not going to go into debates about it anymore. I offered to meet with Vancouver based people have them shoot a test and have them post their results and findings. I have a DVD you can see and decide for yourselves. I have been asked for months now for all sorts of tests (which I performed- not for me, though)

But is nice to see interest, thank you.
Dan

[cinebuddy]

The DVD is awesome, but the true star is Felix...how much for Felix Dan?

[dan]

Thank you Greg but Felix is priceless. Some day I might share a private "bath" I got: he liked my hand (or maybe I taught him into thinking he's a dog?), so... for the next 15 years he belongs here. Sorry to break your heart.

Why not share a bit more about that footage? "The DVD is awesome" sounds good, but for a lot of people it may not mean much. Let’s keep it simple here; a Yes or No to the following will do (I hope):
Is MPIC capable to produce a sharp picture?
Could it be any sharper?
Did you see a spider web?
Was that a good replacement for a resolution chart?
Did you see better footage first or second hand? (I am not asking in the “artistic” sense, just purely technical)
Do you "feel" there could be any light loss? (first shoot: mounting the camera to see the screen in MPIC)
Did you see any grain? (while the screen was in motion)
Is there any vigneting?

Point out to the frames from footage I have on my site to ref your comments, please. Thank you.

[dan]

Well...
I have uploaded a short 9 seconds (2Mb) clip that might answer most questions. Is purely technical (no art involved) but it shows in a simple manner the light loss (if any), vigneting (if any) and ease of mounting:
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/albums/Work-samples/drop_in_frame.wmv

For other sharpness tests I have a few here:
http://dandiaconu.com/gallery/ALL-CLIP-TESTS