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Glazarus

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Ok, I'm planning to buy a mini35 adapter but there are so many out there that I really don't know where to turn. First off, I got some canon EF lenses, so that would be nice to use with the adapter.

Now, I want to have a list that starts out with the cheapest and ends with the most expensive adapter on the market.
I also want to know how I will be able to use the camera handheld with that kind of equipment. It's not so good if it's just for a tripod (The rod doesn't seem to be a very good thing for handheld).

I really need that list, because I feel like I'm getting a headache around this problem. The cheapest I know about is the Letus35 and I have been checking out the Letus35 Flipped, but I have not seen any footage from it and I don't know if it's good or if I should aim for something better?

Need an answer on this soon...
 
ummm, not going to look up prices for you - you go do it. Google is your friend.

if you want to go handheld you almost going to have to definitely get some type of camera support like something from dvtec or zacuto

lots of footage from the letus 35fe has been posted. Looks pretty good to me.
 
I found that the Redrock M2 is quite good. Though I have some questions.
I'm now using a DVX100 but I may buy a HVX200 in the future, so I was looking into this adapter

http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.161/.f?sc=2&category=9

Now, can I use that on the DVX100 and then when I buy the HVX200, it will work too? What is the difference between these two?

1
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.161/.f?sc=2&category=9

2
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.100/.f?sc=2&category=1


The final thing is about the flipped image. Now, how is it really practical to use this if the image is flipped? Yes you can flip it in post, but you can't be a good cinematographer if the image is flipped on set.
 
difference is the different achromats. I would imagine the HD one would work fine on the DVX though if you know you are going to upgrade.

If you want to accurately focus using the adapter you're going to need an external monitor anyways. just flip the monitor upside down. Or use a mirror in a hood for the lcd - I think one is for sale in the marketplace right now. Hoodman makes them I think. You're right its not all that practical to compose with a flipped image. Seems like there are several inexpensive monitors that do SD focusing quite well that have been discussed here. You may want to look into an HD monitor though if you really are going that route in the future. Not much in the way of cheap HD monitors...
 
i've been waiting for the new Brevis adaptor i keep hearing about that has a flip function or something that projects the image the right way without having to use a flip function on a monitor.
 
Glazarus said:
The final thing is about the flipped image. Now, how is it really practical to use this if the image is flipped? Yes you can flip it in post, but you can't be a good cinematographer if the image is flipped on set.
Click to expand...


That's why most people use an external monitor that can flip the image with their adapter (this is also a wise investment without the adapter). There's also a way of flipping the image hack on the lcd but I've heard of damage being done to it with that method. Or if your using a DVX100/ DVX100a you can flip the image on your lcd with a magnet. Or just get the Letus Flip. If you're willing to hold off redrock and Brevis are supposed to be developing a flip attachment and Wayne is exploring the possibility of making one with the SGpro. Keep in mind tha more lightloss is an issue with these attachments and the Letus Flip, so lighting is a must.

Also, If you do a search you'll be able to find footage and screengrabs for the Letus Flip and many other adapters (SGpro, M2, Brevis, Etc.).
 
The brevis currently doesnt have the flip feature. Using adapters will flip the the image. A right side up image will mean the adapter has added mirrors or a prism inside which adds to the adapter's size and weight. The lightest best value for money (in my opinion) would be the brevis which you can attach to your dvx without rods. (though the rods adds support and safety). this will allow hand held shots to be "sustainable". Other cameras, like the jvc hd200 allows you to flip the image in-camera. But for now the others need either a monitor or mirror on your LCD, if you use the current versions of M2, SGpro and brevis.

The letus flip projects a rightside up image just like the PS mini35.
 
Well, yes, I can use a monitor, but it's not practical anyway. It's easy to say that you just need to flip the monitor, but what happens when you do a handheld shot where you need to moove a great distance and can't have a monitor attached to the camera. The camera should be free and able to moove around, or else you get a very static camera.
 
Glazarus said:
Well, yes, I can use a monitor, but it's not practical anyway. It's easy to say that you just need to flip the monitor, but what happens when you do a handheld shot where you need to moove a great distance and can't have a monitor attached to the camera. The camera should be free and able to moove around, or else you get a very static camera.
Click to expand...

I'd argue that it's a necessity if you're truelly concerned with good cinematography. Especially with 35mm adaptors. And for something that's not practicle a whole lot of people on this forum seem to be able to work with it. The flip out lcd will only get you so far. They make monitors that mount to the shoe of your camera. The most popular being Marshall, but I heard Varizoom also provides a good 7" monitor.

I just got an SGpro and man I wish I had an external monitor. I really should of invested in that first. But I found a great deal on ebay and my impatients got the best of me.

If the monitor is so impracticle for you, I'd say 35mm adaptors are probably not for you. Even with a Letus flip. I'm not trying to be mean, but I feel it's the honest truth.

Good luck to you with whatever you decide.
 
Well, honest truth or not, if your going to make a scene like the exploding coffeeshop in "Children of Men", you need to be able to move handheld.
I like tripods and dollys but please, if you are a good cinematographer, you know what handheld means and you know you cant be able to watch a monitor if you are moving from one room to an exterior into a new room etc.

A monitor is very impracticle if you aren't on the same spot. If you move around, especially if you turn 360 degres, you can not use a monitor. It doesn't matter if a director watches it, the camera operator must be able to see what the heck he's doing. There must be some way to do this without breaking apart the LCD, putting it upside down.
Also, I'm very concerned that the rod will make the shot very unbalanced.

I have seen footage in here and I have seen handheld, but not much of these features a camera moving around and when it does, the camera operator sure operates like he's taken a few pints.

A cinematographer that don't understand all parts of cinematography isn't a good cinematographer. What happens if the great cinematographer suddenly gets a call from the director saying he want a handheld uncut scene?
Will he just go "no, I can't do that because I need to be stuck at the monitor".


I'm trying to brainstorm this issue about the flipped LCD... isn't there like an ipod that has a video input? Then I can put it upside down and use it instead.
And what about the rod? Should I hold the camera shoulderwise? How can I then see what I'm doing?

These are pretty important things and you can't just say "If the monitor is so impracticle for you, I'd say 35mm adaptors are probably not for you". That is like saying, you will never get a good DOF when doing handheld, because noone looked into the issue...
 
I think they're talking about monitors that you attach to the camera body ike this: http://dvcreators.net/lcd-monitors/. Those aren't going to tether you down and keep you from being able to do handheld. If you've got an Israeli Arm you can position it so it's in the same place as the LCD--only much bigger and offering better resolution.

With time you can probably adjust to shooting upside down. To me The best reason to get a monitor is for assistance in focusing. Ipod's only have 320x240 resolution right? When you upgrade to the HVX that's not going to be very helpful with getting sharp focus in HD. Besides, when you're moving around and shooting handheld it's easier to use a bigger screen with high resolution. That way you can pay attention to the action going on rather than squinting at a tiny LCD trying to figure out what's in focus and what isn't.

I'm trying to remember the last film I worked on where the cinematographer didn't have a monitor of some kind attached to the body of his camera. It's really not a hindrance.
 
Glazarus said:
Well, honest truth or not, if your going to make a scene like the exploding coffeeshop in "Children of Men", you need to be able to move handheld.
I like tripods and dollys but please, if you are a good cinematographer, you know what handheld means and you know you cant be able to watch a monitor if you are moving from one room to an exterior into a new room etc.

A monitor is very impracticle if you aren't on the same spot. If you move around, especially if you turn 360 degres, you can not use a monitor. It doesn't matter if a director watches it, the camera operator must be able to see what the heck he's doing. There must be some way to do this without breaking apart the LCD, putting it upside down.
Also, I'm very concerned that the rod will make the shot very unbalanced.

I have seen footage in here and I have seen handheld, but not much of these features a camera moving around and when it does, the camera operator sure operates like he's taken a few pints.

A cinematographer that don't understand all parts of cinematography isn't a good cinematographer. What happens if the great cinematographer suddenly gets a call from the director saying he want a handheld uncut scene?
Will he just go "no, I can't do that because I need to be stuck at the monitor".


I'm trying to brainstorm this issue about the flipped LCD... isn't there like an ipod that has a video input? Then I can put it upside down and use it instead.
And what about the rod? Should I hold the camera shoulderwise? How can I then see what I'm doing?

These are pretty important things and you can't just say "If the monitor is so impracticle for you, I'd say 35mm adaptors are probably not for you". That is like saying, you will never get a good DOF when doing handheld, because noone looked into the issue...
Click to expand...

You CAN do hand held with a monitor. If you read my post I pointed out that there's monitors that mounts to the shoe of your camera.

http://www.varizoom.com/products/monitors/vztft7.html

It's more than just turning the image upside down. It's focusing, framing etc. Again, your flip out lcd is only gonna take you so far.

With a 35mm adapter a monitor is essential. Without a 35mm adapter, it's still damn near essential.:beer:
 
davide said:
I think they're talking about monitors that you attach to the camera body ike this: http://dvcreators.net/lcd-monitors/. Those aren't going to tether you down and keep you from being able to do handheld. If you've got an Israeli Arm you can position it so it's in the same place as the LCD--only much bigger and offering better resolution.

With time you can probably adjust to shooting upside down. To me The best reason to get a monitor is for assistance in focusing. Ipod's only have 320x240 resolution right? When you upgrade to the HVX that's not going to be very helpful with getting sharp focus in HD. Besides, when you're moving around and shooting handheld it's easier to use a bigger screen with high resolution. That way you can pay attention to the action going on rather than squinting at a tiny LCD trying to figure out what's in focus and what isn't.

I'm trying to remember the last film I worked on where the cinematographer didn't have a monitor of some kind attached to the body of his camera. It's really not a hindrance.
Click to expand...


Exactly.:thumbsup:
 
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