About to buy a 35mm adapter, a couple questions

K

KOHR

Well-known member
Okay, I'm basically buying my new 35mm setup tonight and I've just got one or two questions to ask as I buy all of this...

First of all, I've decided to go with the Letus Extreme Starter bundle and a Redrock FF... primarily because it just seems like the best deal to me and because I've looked at footage from all the adapters and my conclusions essentially were...

Redrock M2- Shallowest dof, but too much light loss, and apparently too much hassle to set up properly
Brevis- I like the technical specs on this one, but the images i've seen produced by it don't really catch my eye
SGpro- A close second for me, but some of the footage i've seen produced by it just don't seem filmic at all... as if the person didn't have the adapter turned on.
Letus- Low light loss, good price, good bokeh, built with flip already inside

it was a pretty hard decision, as there really isn't just one "best" adapter... so I just had to go off of eye-tests and personal preference. Anyway, heres my questions...

1) When purchasing the starter bundle from letus direct, should I get the 30cm rails or 45 cm rails? Is one too short or the other unneccesarily long? I'll be using an XH-A1, but I don't plan to use a mattebox or an arm-attached monitor for a long while (i'll be going into debt with this purchase!! haha)

2) Will my tripod (which supports up to 11lbs) be able to support all of this? I'm a little worried, the XH-A1 with battery and tape is just under 5lbs...

3) I don't have much money for lenses, does anyone have a suggestion for the ONE lens they would reccomend as a basic starter for a kit that I'll build over time? something that I could use for a couple shorts while I'm saving money to add more lenses to my collection? (I'm probably going for Nikon lenses, because they seem to be quite easy to find and have pretty good quality)

Thanks!

P.s.- does anyone have any experience with this software- "Big Mug Software's Monitor Magic v1.1" as a monitoring solution? because I'm nearly broke, I'll be forced to use my MBP as a monitor for the time being, and I'm wondering if this program will be okay for monitoring or even focus pulling on occasion
 
Last edited:
I'l attempt to answer the Cinevate questions specifically:

1. Check here: http://www.cinevate.com/website/index.php/demo/

2. We do lab testing with the Asus G2S which has a 17" 1920x1200 screen and using Adobe OnLocation. My one recommendation is that regardless of PC or MAC, getting a true 1920x1200 screen is very, very highly recommended and makes the laptop a much more effective tool. Getting anything less these days is a waste of money IMHO.

4. No, but wait until the end of the week until we start shipping the new base plate system debut'd at NAB. I'm biased of course but it's an incredibly stiff and versatile system, and the only one using solid carbon rails.

Cheers,
Dennis.
 
2. I use an LH80 for exposure/color reference and a totevision 700 series for framing/operation and steadicam work. Total cost about what a MBP costs. Totevision stuff is cheap enough to beat up, but it doesn't take it very well. I've been satisfied and its great for AC's who want to be spoiled.

3. I've given my .02 on the indifocus about 10 times now, but I guess it just doesn't pop up in the search. Is the RR worth $200 extra? IMO absolutely. If you are serious about narrative work, get the right tools for the job. The "speed crank" and the "whip" that indifocus sells are a joke (I quoted them to add emphasis). The whole thing is made out of hand tools. And their accessory port is NOT industry standard. I also find the unit to look far less professional, which is important if you have a client. I think most of the indifocus customers like spending bottom dollar and don't put the product through rigors of film making, thus making the product a good purchase for them. I not only shoot on my gear 4 to 5 days a week but I also rent it out to dozens of clients a month. My RR units are still rock solid.

4. I find the Brevis rail system to be one of the best due to its versatility and price. Its the only one that freely fit all adapters without major reworking. I prefer the much more solid base of my RR system or z-riser from zacuto, but now with the new Brevis system you can greater support off the back.

5. You'll probably receive the SG by the end of May (last week it would likely ship). Well worth the wait if you can spare it. Head to head it is difficult to match the SG for performance all around. I love my Brevis inside but it lacks the spinning glass quality for exterior work.
 
Wow, that was quick and very informative! Thanks everyone! Now my decision is even harder on which adapter to get. haha. Unfortunately, my MBP is only the 1050 version, but it'll be a hell of a lot better than no monitor or just the tiny screen on the xh-a1. Also, I'll make sure to wait till at least the end of the week if I'm going to pick up one of the brevis rails systems.

One last question-- Whats everyone's opinion on the SG follow focus unit-- in comparison to the RR and the Indi?
 
Go to dvxfest.com... A lot of films shot with adapters. The info page for each film in LoveFest for example may give you what some of the adapters were.

I shot my entry with an adapter as well (shameless plug) :)

later,
Jason
 
One last thing I need confirmed- If I buy the brevis rails system, do I need the brevis-to-rails mount if I were using a LEX... it would seem like that is only necessary for the standard brevis35 because it is designed straight out rather than with a flip module like the LEX. But, if I rest the LEX on the rails while the camera is adjusted higher, will I still be able to use the Redrock FF on there. Or am I missing something?
 
I have just finished shooting a short with the SGPro flip, its in post now.

Looks fantastic though, heres a still grab for it...

bench.jpg
 
well, I think I've decided just to pick up the Letus extreme starter bundle and a Redrock FF, thanks for your help everyone! :laugh:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top