Mini35 adapter and Cine Lenses -- Crash Course?!

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DorkmanScott

Active member
Okay, so I've been hired to DP an independent film (hopefully they don't read this board!) out in Florida. They've seen some of my other work and were interested in getting my style on their film. We'll be shooting with the HVX, which is a camera I know well, but they wanted to step it up a notch and get the Mini35 adapter and a 35mm zoom lens (they want a Battlestar Galactica "occasionally zooming" style or I'd go with primes).

They asked me if I was okay with that and I said yes, seeing as how I wanted the job. But I have no direct experience with 35mm lenses or adapters. The shoot is going to be extremely fast-paced (20 days to shoot what amounts to a feature-length film, as a spec pilot for a TV show) and I don't want to be holding it up with my inexperience with the lenses.

I'll have a day or two to play around with the equipment but I want to know what process I'll need to plan for, and if I need to make sure they've got any additional equipment (follow focus, matte box, etc.), so that the shoot gets done on schedule.
 
You'll need about 4x as much light as you would otherwise, and you'll NEED (emphasis on NEED) a qualified 1st AC to pull focus for you. If you've got those two things you should be basically fine.

You want an AC who's used to working 35mm film. Get a proper cine zoom lens and hire a good qualified experienced 35mm film focus puller. Without those, you're probably doomed. With those, it should go fine.
 
Be sure you are checking focus on the adapter. I have seen several times where part of the mount for the lense (not sure the exact piece) came slightly loose, meaning the lens was not in focus across the frame, as it was just a hair off on one side.

That, and along with everything Barry said you should be fine.

Good Luck
 
Well, they decided not to shoot with an adapter after all, for reasons unrelated to my inexperience. But thanks for your advice Barry and David, I will remember it when I get onto a project that does use the adapters.
 
Well its funny, sometimes they try to save money by shooting with a small HD camera, + 35 adpter, but many people dont understant that you need brighter lights now. Thus the cost goes up.... and up.... Sometimes its just easier to shoot without, but i like the texture.
 
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