35mm adapter for adventure film

J

Jeremy7

Active member
I'm working on a documentary about my search to find Noah's ark in Turkey. It's been a film project of mine for over three years now. 15 countries, 2 cameras, one massive headache.

If you were putting together a 35mm adapter system, with follow focus, rails, lenses, etc for an adventure style filmmaker, what would you recommend? Primarily, I'm shooting outdoors, on the top of mountains and dense jungles. However, I do shoot indoors as well, including buses and planes.

I've researched the topic for the past two days and I'm leaning towards the SGpro. I'm shooting with the HVX200 in 720p.

So, if you were to lay it all out, including the 35mm adapter, lenses for this particular project, and the whole thingy thing, what would you recommend?

Thanks,

Jeremy
www.arkhunt.com
 
For something like this I wouldn't use a 35mm adapter at all. If you can't be talked out of it I would go with a very light quick-setup like the Brevis or the Letus Flip. The SGpro is nice but it's also very heavy and takes a while to put on and off. Add a monitor to flip the image and you end up with a 15 lbs rig. Carrying that around in mountain tops and jungles is an absolute nightmare, especially in run and gun situation where you're likely to bump into the zoom or focus without noticing.
 
I'm considering a 35mm adapter so I can get some telephoto lenses on my camera and film mountains from long distances. I don't necessarily find it benefical to have a greater depth of field when I'm shooting landscape type of shots, but I can't think of another way to reach long distances without an adapter. Why wouldn't you use a 35mm adapter for this type of film? Learning as I go here...
 
If you plan to do this then I would hook it up to a fig rig setup from Bogen or a Zacuto setup and have a focus puller at all times so you don't have to worry about it when shooting. Then in the action sequences I would just shoot with the existing lense on your camera and sync it up in post. Otherwise weight will be a problem as well as fatique.
 
Jeremy7 said:
Why wouldn't you use a 35mm adapter for this type of film? Learning as I go here...
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Because it's very difficult to set up and move quickly with a 35mm adapter, especially for your location. The rig itself will be very heavy and bulky, you'll have to check the adapter constantly to make sure you're getting maximum sharpness, and an HD monitor is a MUST. It's one of those tools that just aren't very well suited for run and gun work. I shudder when I think of having to carry an HVX plus SGPro, follow focus and monitor setup through mountains and forests. The potential for getting that great shot only to go home and find out that it's completely out of focus is high.

That's why I recommended lighter setups such as the Brevis, where you simply screw on the adapter, or the Letus, which flips the image for you. But seeing as how you're planning on using longer lenses you really can't avoid rail, which adds to the overall weight.
 
what? Does it matter where? I agree with Jade...it a pain in the ass to try to pull it off.
 
jade8472 said:
That's why I recommended lighter setups such as the Brevis, where you simply screw on the adapter, or the Letus, which flips the image for you. But seeing as how you're planning on using longer lenses you really can't avoid rail, which adds to the overall weight.
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Yeah, it's starting to sound like a pain, but I think it might be worth it. In a couple weeks I'll be shooting in some old Orthodox churches in Armenia and thought a couple of new lenses would really help out.

Does Brevis flip the image or do I need a monitor? So, do you recommend the Letus? Which one was it that can use both Nikon and Cannon lenses?

BTW, I heard that the Mini35 doesn't need flipped and doesn't lose as much light as the Letus. Any suggestions on this model?
 
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The Mini35 is 10K.

The Brevis is nice and light, but seems it would hinder you more then help. You could buy a teleconverter and a wide-angle for your camera and spend less, and have much less hassle and weight.

Only the Letus will flip the image out of the lower cost adapters.
 
actually jeremy, in this case i would STRONGLY reccomend an SGpro. despite its slightly heavier build, its well sealed and VERY sturdy, exactly what you need in the field. the brevis/LEtus are lighter ( until you add rails which you need), but they have issues with dust contamination. Also contrary to popular belief the SG takes like 15 seconds to attach. ITs only the first time you set it up does it take 5 minutes. once s its adjusted its instant.

Also you really dont need a monitor, if its static vistas and portrait shots interviews etc... only when doing big cmaera moves do you need the monitor to track. ive used the system upside down for weeks, and while its a hassle at first you get used to it, and it saves you 1 stop of lightloss over a flipped module. Just make sure you use your Focus assist, and chekc back focus numbers often.
 
I agree, I need something VERY sturdy. I break alot of stuff when I'm traveling.

I think I'll be going with the SGpro. I'm already using the wide angle lens for the hvx but I'd like to have something inbetween wide angle and telephoto, which you just can't do without buying a 35mm adapter.

I'm really stretching to get my pictures more like film than documentary, that's why I'm so adamant about this. My major concerns are size, usability and lighting. Those are three very important things.

Anyone have some last bits of advice before I make the purchase tomorrow? What do you recommend for a focus assist? What rails do you recommend?

Thanks for being specific. BTW, yeah it's in Turkey, but that area was once Armenia until the Turks took it from the Christians.
 
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Not so related to the adapter, but why are you filming a documentary with an HVX200? Do you have a Firestore? The HVX has very limited capacity what with the P2 cards for a documentary. Unless you're carrying around a laptop, with your HVX, and your SGPro, and your extra lenses...
 
You gotta have the green to fund the dream. Those firestores are very pricey! I think I'd feel like I was being a part of that price gouging if I bought one. Lol. Actually, I was afraid they wouldn't handle the extreme temps that I'll put it through. -30F below freezing and up to 120 degrees. Still waiting for those 32gig and 64gig cards!
 
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I'd either get an SGpro and a couple great zooms or a Brevis with 3 or 4 nice lenses (you will need rails on the brevis if you're using heavy lenses or if they're going to be on for extended periods).

Just use a mirror to flip the image.

What about skipping the adaptor and cheating DOF when you can?
 
What ways are there to cheat DOF? I know I can shoot from a greater distance, maybe use some ND filters, but what other options do I have?

BTW, what lenses are compatible with SGpro?
 
Zoom in all the way and keep a wide open aperture. The closer you are to your subject the better. Obviously this isn't always possible.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll be getting the SGpro when they open back up on the 29th. Any idea how long it takes to ship?

Just three more questions...

1. What focus assist do you recommend?
2. What rails do I need or will SGpro tell me this?
3. What three lenses do you recommend to start with? I was thinking a 24mm, 50mm and a 300mm. Canon?
 
Jeremy7 said:
Thanks for the advice. I'll be getting the SGpro when they open back up on the 29th. Any idea how long it takes to ship?

Just three more questions...

1. What focus assist do you recommend?
2. What rails do I need or will SGpro tell me this?
3. What three lenses do you recommend to start with? I was thinking a 24mm, 50mm and a 300mm. Canon?
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You can order from their website anytime but they are backordered till November. They come with their own rails and maybe by then they will have their focus assist ready. As for lenses I say 35mm, 50mm and either 85 or 135mm. Having a 300mm will tend to be a slow lens. There are some people selling SGpro on the marketplace right now. if you need it faster then I would try to get one of those. If no avail then I would go for the Brevis as the next option for your style of shooting.
 
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