"The Bench" - short film teaser

Jason R. Johnston

Jason R. Johnston

Well-known member
This is a link to the teaser for a new short film called "The Bench" I wrote and directed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emnqxl5zHV0

or

http://www.vimeo.com/2876691

I'm using the new RNG35 v3.1 on an HVX200. This was my field test with the new DOF adapter. The movie is looking great so far. Clicking on the link gives you access to both the standard version and the HD version. I'm shooting in 1080i/24P on P2 and finishing in Final Cut Studio 2.
 
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The RNG35 v3.1 is my first DOF adapter and I've only been using it for a few weeks. The Bench is the first project I've shot with it and it seems to have performed very well. But like all good things...

  1. There is significant light loss.
  2. Image quality is degraded.
  3. It adds weight to your camera and especially to the filter threads in front of the camera's front lens element.
  4. The motor on the 3.1 has an issue with turning itself off or not turning on at all sometimes. I'm working on this issue with the manufacturer.
  5. The RNG, like anything attached to your camera, is not a toy and must be handled respectfully.
  6. If you get a DOF adapter you MUST buy more gear, not just the adapter. You also need rails, support brackets, lenses, maybe a focus wheel and mattebox and all the little accessories like step-up rings and miscellaneous errata. This costs money on top of the initial purchase of the adapter: another reason I chose the RNG over others.
  7. Your raw captured image will be inverted. This makes it hard to shoot without a flip-device (more light loss) or external monitor (needs a mounting device) and also your footage will later have to be re-inverted in post...every shot...over and over again...which is easy IF your editing software can do that without needing to render everything.
  8. All vibrating DOF adapters are expensive.
  9. All vibrating DOF adapters have moving parts that will break down and need servicing.
  10. All DOF adapters are bulky and cumbersome.
  11. A DOF adapter will make you have to work more for your final image.
  12. Your wallet will get lighter...quickly.
So if you can live with that...

  1. Movies need a lot of light. Deal with it. If you're cheap use the sun until you can afford to rent a grip truck.
  2. There's a lot more glass in front of your camera. But image quality depends a lot on the 35mm lens you're using. So get good glass and things should be okay.
  3. The RNG is actually very light weight. The 35mm lens at the end usually isn't. Fix this by getting a rails support system.
  4. But when it's on....oh my God...totally worth it.
  5. So don't let your kids play with it.
  6. But if you have an expensive camera, you can probably afford the extra $3k on accessories.
  7. I recommend a monitor. You can flip it or some of them can electronically flip the image.
  8. ...but worth it.
  9. So make sure you get one with good service to back it up. Lee Tracey, the dude in charge of the RNG, is awesome.
  10. ...but worth it.
  11. ...but it's worth it.
  12. ...but it's so totally frakking worth it.
So there ya go.



Here's my rig with an HVX200, RNG35 v3.1 and all the bells and whistles, recharging for day two of The Bench shoot. Sexy.
 
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the lightloss and quality of the build are the biggest issues, its hard to spend the money on an adapter when there is so many out there.

Do you think it was worth your 700 or would you have rather spent money on a Brevis, Letus, etc?
 
I am quite happy with the RNG35: it gets the job done and is solid enough to work with in the field. I feel it has been money well spent. I've never held another adapter in my hand so I can't comment on them, but I know that if I had the money to burn I'd have gone with the RedRock Micro. Or, of course, if money were no object: the P+S Technic Mini35.
 
Yeah, you can totally do that. But if you're going to pimp it out with a matte box and focus wheel, then yes you'd need a rail support. I recommend Chrosziel or Cavision.
 
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