35mm Adapter Accessory for Cavision Rail System

Ed Kishel

Ed Kishel

Veteran
There is a growing concern re: the use of 35mm adapters with the DVX. Many fear the weight and the length may put too much stress on the front plastic threads of the cameras lens. Swinging the camera around and smacking the adapter into something could potentialy break it off if not supported. This is primarily a concern for those of us using static adapters, like Letus, My35, or the DIY project we are currently working on in another thread. Many who are carefull need no support and will be fine without one. But some of us dont want to risk our DVX or the adapter we have paid so much for, or spent so much time in building.

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The most cost effective solution is the affordible rail system built by Cavision. The RS15IIM retails for about $175 and can be found at EVS and B&H and directly from the manufacturer in Canada. Now Cavision does make a lens support adapter for the rails front mount, however it is not quite long enough to reach some projects.

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I have built an accessory for RS15IIM that allows you to adapt your Cavision's front mount to support 35mm adapters. It not only takes the weight off the front threads, but also includes an optional velcro strap that hold the adapter in place, snugly agains the riser. This allows for much greater stability for the camera and adapter.

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This setup will obviously not completely protect the DVX from a serious hit, as no support would. It is an stabilizing aid- and care should be taken in manuvering the camera with a long adapter hanging out front. My protoype is at work so I dont have the exact measurements with me, but on monday I can post numbers and materials and how I made these.

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So let me get this right, you made the little black support arm? If so, damn nice job!!!

I've been toying around with parts for the last week trying to get this to fit. I like the strap idea with the rings, I'm using a high powered magnet and a strap.
 
Thanks, my adapter actually doestn weigh that much but when I am focusing the 35mm lens, I'm afariad of it pulling on the threads. I'm just glad Cavision makes this rail system. I cant afford Chrosziel or Century Optics. Its pretty well made considering its price. No wonder it sells out within a day or so when B&H gets them in.

I have extra materials to make more if Cavision owners want one. Just PM me. Thanks!
 
You gotta' admit that this forum rocks. Edweirdo... it's funny how you went from being a clever poster with some humorous and interesting comments to litterally a hero on the boards.

This somehow reminds me of Fight Club... in that we have a collective of people on these boards who is empowering normal people to do incredible things with their productions.

When I first saw the PSC 35 and the accompanying footage I said the same thing everybody said... "Oh... my... God... I want that!"

Immediately followed by... "HOW MUCH?"

So anyway... as I was reading this thread and the other DIY thread I got a warm feeling washing over me... You're enabling ordinary folks to take their productions to an insanely polished level.

Something else you may want to consider just for yourself is the Samsung LCD TV that I posted about a while back... I use it for a production monitor and while it's not perfect (by a long shot) it is freakin' handy as all get-out to use on a shoot. When coupled with a Bogen Magic arm you can mount it right off your tripod and the best part (as it applies here) is that you can easily use it upside down AND mirrored. It has a feature called "picture flip"... so when I get your DIY adapter done none of that stuff will even be the tiniest issue for me.
 
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my new non 35mm adapter

my new non 35mm adapter

Edweirdo said:
Thanks, my adapter actually doestn weigh that much but when I am focusing the 35mm lens, I'm afariad of it pulling on the threads. I'm just glad Cavision makes this rail system. I cant afford Chrosziel or Century Optics. Its pretty well made considering its price. No wonder it sells out within a day or so when B&H gets them in.

I have extra materials to make more if Cavision owners want one. Just PM me. Thanks!
Click to expand...


I like your posting. I've been trying to post my new non 35mm adapter with photos and I have not found out how to do it. Can you help me with that? I can't even find any answers anywhere. I have photos and text.
Thanks
 
hey thanks for the kind words. With the stuff that I made, I learned much of it through others who gave me the info for free. That’s what I want to give back. There are some people here making 35mm adapters and charging for them. They have made discoveries/improvements to improve their images and now want to sell that discovery.

And that’s totally cool. They worked hard and don’t just want to give away what they have learned. And hey we all have bills to pay and projects to finance :) But I see both sides of the fence: I want people to have access to all the info I have for free so that they can build it themselves. But at the same time those who want to pay me to make them one cause they don’t want to mess with it, well I would not say no. But first and foremost I want people to try it first from themselves.

There is just so much buzz about 35mm adapters right now that some people are confused/scared/don’t care/how much/do I need one/how do I make one... the list goes on and on. Its a relatively simple concept: 35mm lens projects image on ground glass, and that is then magnified to be recorded by the video camera.

I’m glad that it has empowered people to believe in themselves, that they can make something with their own hands. If you have the time and patience and ask questions, you can do it for yourself. Its the old teach a man to fish kind of thing....

You don’t always have to buy everything. If you have money but no time than buy one or have someone make you one... but trust me, whatever it is you make, you will enjoy it allot more with the pride of knowing "I actually made this!"
 
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Ed,Thanks for the lens support adapter for the front mount . Your job was excellent really like that strap, I had paid Cavision $10 for there strap and did'nt like it. If you guy's are looking into one you won't be disappointed.

moe52
 
I bought one. My first major purchase. I've been lurking on here two months now and you guys got me to buy this...I don't even have a camera yet. But it's coming, along with a lot of other stuff. So keeping pitching this sheet, I love it.
 
I did mine with a modified Cinevate Universal block, It is fully rubber padded to grip the lens and also absolb the vibration of the Brevis or Letus.

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I not so sure, if you can get the things from your hardware store. Becase I live in Munich, my local hardware store doesn't carry all the things I need. I need to go to a special screw store to get some required parts, the screw can be lock down with a hex key from internally and also oxidisation takes time. The standard top clamps are 72mm - 78mm. I can also get clamps up to 105mm for big zoom lenses. The clamps are all covered with rubber paddings.

I can get the part for you but the shipping alone cost 15euros to the U.S and the parts cost about 30euros with oxidisation taking 3 days. But it is still cheaper even when one buys the Universal block from cinevate then the Whole Brevis mount to rail.

There are 2 on the image. one to clamp and one to support.You can take off the top clamp or use it It grips the Brevis and doesn't scratch the lens because of the rubber paddings , . . I used to have the Original Cinevate and the Cavision lens support , even the Geardear lens support. I came up with this solution because I didn't like the vibration from the 35mm adapter and the possibility of also sctatching my zoom lens.

I think it will also work with the Letus Extreme as long as it is round.
 
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Thanks David. I'll look around at some hardware shops in my area to see if I can find something similar.

If not, you may be hearing me :-)

Taormina, I'll have a look at the RedRock as well. It looks like it just supports it from underneath though.
 
Leo, yes, but it does have two holes on either side of the mount that holds the lens up. I rigged a similar strap system on it made from black zip ties, which looks cleaner and less busy. It's solid as a rock.
 
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