35mm Adapter experiences

A

aFox

Active member
Well i am thinking about using a 35mm adapter for my next Project, which will be spyfest, because our local camera rentals business just got the Mini35. I never shot with a 35mm adapter before, and for five days it will cost about 600 dollars, so thats quite alot for me.

Still bevore deciding on anything, i would like to know something about your experiences when working with a 35mm adapter. What was good about it, what was bad. Where there any surprises? Well anything you can think of. I just want to get a feel, how the workflow might change, what will be more difficult, etc...

thanks, guys
 
I have no exerience as of yet using a 35 mm adapter, however I am in the market for one and have researched prices. In my opinion you should fork out the extra 300 bones and buy a Redrock M2 at about 900 (street price) use it for your shoot, then resell when you done. You will end up spending literally nothing at the end of the day. good luck with the shoot.
 
Afox,

I have the M2 and it's really good for the money. I bought the holiday bundle so I got the follow focus, support rods and such. At first I was getting really really frustrated on alignment issues. But then I just dropped 25 bucks(less) to get the hardmounting gear. I like it, even though I haven't used it on a shoot yet, but it looks beautiful. I am borrowing(will buy soon) an XL2 and it works fine with it. It's worth the price to me.
 
Yea, I would consider buying one instead of forking out the $600 bones to rent the mini35. Better yet, depending on where you live, you might be able to rent an M2, Letus, etc. I rented an M2 a while back for $45/day, so it would be a little cheaper.

Things to consider:

Keeping focus is a new challenge with an adapter. The LCD on the camera won't be enough to ensure that you are spot on with the focus (not for me anyway). A standard CRT field monitor doesn't have enough vertical lines of resolution to show you when the image is truly in focus. Your best bet is to use a nice LCD monitor with true DV resolution. I've used the Marshall LCD in the past which is a little overkill since it is an HD monitor, but I had no problems telling if I had good focus.

If the adapter you use doesn't flip the image, then of course the image will be inverted on the camera's LCD (and in post). That is unless you use the magnet trick (DVX 100 and 100A) or the HVX trick (HVX and DVX 100B). Or whatever tricks there are for the other cams. The Marshall and most other LCD monitors can be mounted upside down, so that shouldn't be a big problem (I think the Varizoom 7" widescreen even has a "flip" switch).

You will have a much easier time using a follow focus of course. I have been using a geared Indifocus for over 6 months now and love it. There is a hair of play in the gears as with some of the other less expensive follow focus gears, but it doesn't take long to get accustomed to it.

Taking the time to block out each shot and mark you focus points is a good idea (unless you have somebody like Tim Young who can nail it freehand every time).

If you can swing it, it would be a good idea to have a person dedicated to working the follow focus. I know it doesn't always work out with small crews, but it will sure be nice for the camera op (again, unless you have Tim Young's magic focusing fingers).

Also, depending on the adapter you end up using, you will want some time to set it up and play around with it. Different focusing screens can change the color slightly and cut out varying amounts of the light.

Lots of extra work, but having the ability to alter the DOF is a great additional tool.

Good luck on your SpyFest entry!
 
I've been using the Brevis for a while. The workflow isn't drastically different. Set up for the Brevis is very simple. My problem has been keeping track of lenscaps when using a lot of different lenses! I really like being able to create a more cinematic look using the 35mm adapter. I posted some vid using the Brevis recently here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=87251
 
thanks, for the info, i will look into the m2 adapter. But i am a bit concerned about the adapter giving me a flipped image. I am operating the camera myself, and normally i really want to look through the viewfinder and onto the lcd and i think you cant flip the image there, or can i?
 
Nope, You need to use a seperate monitor and output to it. I used the M2 this weekend. Easy to use. A little tricky to setup, gaffer tape on the focus and zoom rings. But the images are amazing. Im personally buying a Letus 35 FE here soon.
 
Afox,
I'm of the mentality that you should always buy buy buy. So I bought my M2. Love it. have just recently been doing test shots and they look great. I can't remember which one of the lower priced adapters loss very little light, but the M2 + the lense losses enough light that you have to keep that in mind. (small price to pay for the images it produces)
$600 sounds like a lot. If you are renting just the adapter for that and still have to get lenses, then definetly just buy the damn thing. look at used ones on this web site. if on the other hand it comes with 4 or 5 lenses. then you might want to rent? (people keep saying you can get lenses for $100-$150) but the reality of it is that you need lenses that are no more than f-stop 2. maybe 2.8 on your wide open ones 24mm or your zooms 180mm and up. but these lenses are usually more expensive than $100. I got mine from the used department of a camera store. some were $175, but most were $300 and up. so keep that in mind.
and good luck.
ps: I love my M2, but I haven't tested any other ones to compare it to.
 
I used the M2 with a Nikon yesterday on a test shoot for my next short and I was pleased with the results. I posted a thread with some pix here.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=87377&highlight=redrock

I believe you can save a lot of money in the long run by investing in the M2 and if you do decide to go this direction I would highly suggest hardmounting the rig to keep it aligned proper.

Although I have the PL mount for the M2 I have yet to use it because I am still getting solid results from my Nikon lens, another way to save money if you have any canon or nikons laying around.

best of luck
 
getken said:
I've been using the Brevis for a while. The workflow isn't drastically different. Set up for the Brevis is very simple. My problem has been keeping track of lenscaps when using a lot of different lenses! I really like being able to create a more cinematic look using the 35mm adapter. I posted some vid using the Brevis recently here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=87251
Click to expand...


haha, so true! I have lens caps coming out of my ears these days! I have a hard time keeping a handle on all of them.

I really would suggest renting one as opposed to buying one if theirs is properly adjusted and such. Just because that's the hardest thing about getting one, is making it work just right.
 
Well yeah, the $600 would be without the lenses... hmm, but it would be properly adjusted thats true. I just was at the redrock adapter side, and it looks like they have a lot of different options. So how much do you think i would have to spend if i would buy one, $900 or more?

Still does any of you know, if i can see the right image through the viewfinder with the m2? I know you cant control the focus that way, but operating the camera is great in my opinion, when you can look through the viewfinder.
 
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