Brevis 35 Production Tests: XL1s, XL2, DVX, HVX, VX2100

I would be hesitant to quote a number, simply because I haven't quantified the difference very scientifically. What I can say is that the same scene done on 35mm 100ASA film, then done via the adapter on video appears to have had the exposure range compressed. For example, the bright areas are similarly bright, but the video shows more detail in shadows. There are 1000 variables there, but it's not would you would expect from film. I'd throw a number out like 1 f/stop. In my clip posted, with the straight cam, I would have had trouble with sun on one side of a face, and no light added (for example with a bounce card) and still have decent exposure. In those situations most shooters would likely just blow out the sky and expose for the face. You can't increase DV's capabilities, but like Panasonic's CineGamma treatment, obviously you can play within the parameters. And yes, to argue actual range vs. what your eyes are perceiving is another thing altogether, i.e. I've made no attempt to recover detail from the darker areas on my film tests.

Test footage using the adapter vs. straight camera (and leaving film out) would be the next step. Then the Adam Wilt's of the world can comment. I'll see what I can do.
 
Dennis,
The GS400 footage looks great, but I am unable to download the XL footage with the new achromat. I have a problem with that download site for some reason. Would you be able to upload it to the same site as the GS400 footage?
 
Latest Brevis35 development :-)

Latest Brevis35 development :-)

Here is some test footage of our latest Brevis development.

This work is based on feedback from the beta group, and some extensive testing done comparing bokeh and diffusion with several types of 35mm film. Handling of specular highlights is somewhat of a holy grail of adapter looks, and this is as close to the real thing as I can imagine.

We're doing further testing as well as making the decision to (or not to) allow user adjustment of diffusion level. Adapter light loss in this configuration is down from a .5 f stop gain, to 0 f stops loss. This means that with a 50mm f1.4 lens, your video camera will see a total of 1 f stop loss.
 
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Just a quick note...apparently my web provider is having some technical issues so the cinevate site is down. On the bright side, the 72 achromats are in my hands, and most are already shipped. Check yer emails dudes.
 
Ok, they're back up. Here are some bokeh teasers from the the swap-in diffuser option we're working on.

far.jpg




 
For those asking (and there's a lot of you :-) ) the next production run of a dozen units is back from the CNC shop and going for powder tomorrow. A quarter of these are sold already, leaving 8 that will be ready in two weeks. The 72mm achromats, and new rail systems are in stock for these too :-)
 
Guskers,
I'm not trying to steal and trade secrets or anything, but I'm curious.

Is the vibrating assembly in your adapter made out of syringes, like the letus, or something different and hopefully more durable?

It also seems like the letus mechanism doesn't totally prevent z-axis motion, does your mechanism?

Thanks.
 
I haven't actually had my hands on a Letus (although I've seen the original Letus DIY link floating around), but it's very safe to say that there are no syringes or 0-rings used in the Brevis. In fact the only thing that is plastic in the unit at all is the GG carrier, and this a CNC'd part. There is zero possiblity of any errant z axis movement. The entire unit (other than cutting the carbon fibre chassis) is CNC milled.

There is not another design quite like it...at least that I've ever seen, and that's why the adapter overall design is patent pending. How it fares in the process is for the lawyer types to figure out.
 
David, I'm working on securing some new footage from the HVX with the 72mm achromats. I'll be posting it up as soon as I get it. What I can tell you is the current HVX users are very happy with the adapter.
 
And so it begins...thanks :-) The footage looks really good, albeit compressed a fair bit for full frame HD. What lens was used?
 
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That HVX footage is very sharp, the 72mm achromats seem to be working a treat. Is that shot with the drop in GG that gives more diffusion/better bokeh, or the GG that has less lightloss? Either way it looks great.
 
That's done with the standard diffuser Wayne. It corresponds to a very close film match at f2.8/f4 to f16. I suspect the HD folks will like this setup best as it is very sharp, and demonstrates about a .5 f stop gain in the adapter. I'm loving Greg's stuff and hope to see more in the near future. Thanks for your comments :-)
 
Dennis, I was lazy and used a sigma 28-70 zoom at f4 & f2.8. Sorry about the compression but as much as I bugged you about the achro, I wanted to get something up here quickly.
 
We should have some in fairly short order. At least three of the adapters are in the hands of FX1 users...who got the 72 achromats within the last week.
 
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