What Mini35 to get for commercial shoot?

M

MikeC10305

Member
Hi everyone. I have 2 commercial shoots coming up in a couple of weeks and I'm going to purchase a mini35 adapter. I'm torn between the M2 and Brevis . I’ve read every article I could get my hands on (from this website and others).
I was wondering which one you guys would suggest between to two. I currently own a HVX and will use Nikon lenses. Also the first commercial will be shot outside (sunny day) while the other will be shoot indoors (dark basement). I have a lighting guy who has access to any kind of lighting I need so that’s not a problem. I’m basically looking for the best image (sharp, clear and beautiful).

Thanks in advance.
 
from what I have read the brevis seems to be the favored adapter. It seems much easier to setup and achieve sharpness with the brevis.
 
MikeC10305 said:
Hi everyone. I have 2 commercial shoots coming up in a couple of weeks and I'm going to purchase a mini35 adapter. I'm torn between the M2 and Brevis . I’ve read every article I could get my hands on (from this website and others).
I was wondering which one you guys would suggest between to two. I currently own a HVX and will use Nikon lenses. Also the first commercial will be shot outside (sunny day) while the other will be shoot indoors (dark basement). I have a lighting guy who has access to any kind of lighting I need so that’s not a problem. I’m basically looking for the best image (sharp, clear and beautiful).

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Either one will do..but the brevis will be easier to setup.
 
You should try the Movietube, it's awesome.
I am shooting a commercial tomorrow with the HVX, Movietube and the Angineaux Optimo(24-290 zoom), it looks like a cannon.
I will post pics on tuesday.
 
Whatever you get, get it quick. No matter how easy any of these are to set up (and the Brevis is generally easier than the M2 -- I had the M2 and now use a Brevis), it WILL take time to learn how to use it correctly. For instance, if you get the Brevis, you'll want to get a spacer ring since you're using an HVX (ring is available on the Cinevate site). You'll also want to test all the lenses you plan on using to see how they perform -- some lenses tend to vignette more than others (for reasons I don't personally claim to understand). And if you're shooting outside with the Brevis you WILL need ND filters.

The Brevis isn't too difficult to figure out by any means, but it's like any piece of equipment -- know it before you show up on set with it.
 
hey jason,how much of a quality differnce in terms of sharpness,vignetting and grain have you noticed with the brevis compared to your old m2?
 
ennfurno said:
hey jason,how much of a quality differnce in terms of sharpness,vignetting and grain have you noticed with the brevis compared to your old m2?
Click to expand...

1. Sharpness -- considering I was always messing with the infinity focus on the M2, I find the sharpness of the Brevis equal-to-or-greater. But I'm shooting SD (DVX), so maybe I'm not the best person to judge.

2. Vignetting -- never had any real issue with vignetting on the M2, but there was only one zoom setting on my DVX where I could get no vignetting and still focus on the GG. On the Brevis, different lenses tend to react differently with different GGs. Although Dennis is pouring a bunch of money into R&D to perfect a GG that will work with everything. But I tend to shoot with wider lenses, so I'm using a GG that works with those. For longer lenses (105mm+), I might have to switch the GG -- but I actually haven't checked for a while!

3. Grain -- The Brevis requires less light, which leads to less grain, in my experience. Although I may be confusing grain with noise. I could get great shots with the M2 outside, but didn't have the lighting gear to really use it indoors. No such issues with the Brevis.

For a clip of something shot with the Brevis using just a 22w circle flo, click on the "best thread ever" link in my sig.

Hopes this helps. Or stirs the pot! :)
 
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Can someone please clarify for me...Is backfocus the focus of your camera lens on the GG?

I have a SG35Pro and I find that I can actually focus on different layers of the GG's grain. I do this without the GG spinning. Then, I spin the GG, focus the 35mm lens. Finally I refocus the camera lens. Is this consistent with what wveryone else does?

Also, I set up a couple of poles positioned at each side edge of my 35mm's field of view as seen on the GG with the camera removed. I then attach the camera and use this to set my zoom. Again, is this a typical procedure for setting camera zoom on the GG.
 
My bad. I said "backfocus" instead of infinity focus. You are correct in how you set backfocus, and I never had an issue with it on the M2. Setting the infinity focus, however, is another matter -- changed my earlier post to be correct.
 
they aree both good. I use the M2, don't get me wrong i love it, but i recomend the Brevis. It is lighter and easier to remove and reattach. The M2 is heavy and will kill your wrist when doing hand held stuff. I've used both and can't tell a difference in light loss and sharpness. Never had vignetting problems .
 
Only with a prime lens of 50mm and below . Anything longer , and you are pushing it. I have my 50mm without rails but my 70-210 zoom on one.
 
I concur with David. I can use my 20, 35, 50 and 105 without rails -- although I probably wouldn't actually go handheld with the 105. My big honkin' zoom? No way.
 
Here is the set up I worked with yesterday.
Movietube St, HVX200 with Angineaux Optimo 24-290 t2.8
1187149277.jpg
 
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