35mm Adapter or DSLR for wedding broll cam

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DNathan

Well-known member
I'm looking into the GH1 solely for DOF broll video at weddings. I've seen 35mm adapters that look like they would do the job on a compact camcorder. I may not even need the image flipped if I just shoot with the camcorder physically upside down (flipping in post).

I have two hmc150s and will be replacing an hmc70. Which direction would you go?
 
You've asked this in the 35mm adapter forum so expect answers accordingly. I'll share with you my experience and thoughts.

The adapters are useful tools if you practice with them and have the time to set them up. It's not a case of attach it to the camera and start shooting. First you need to rig up the rails, then align it and set focus and make whatever other adjustments you need on the camera side such as shutting off image stabilizer etc. It's not rocket science but it does add about 40 minutes to set up from a bare camera.

I like my adapter and the image it makes, but I also shoot "naked" most of the time and it is a drag to have to set everything up. Yesterday I decided on the spur of the moment to go out with the adapter and by the time I set up it was getting dark. In the best of all worlds, it would be nice to have a bare camera and an adapter rig. So sometimes I think having a V-DSLR would be a more elegant solution, but I'd be sacrificing a lot of my video camera's functionality to get a stills camera with some video capability.

Also don't forget all the bits and pieces the adapter adds to your credit card: ralls, follow focus, perhaps external monitor. It adds up quickly.

What do you need/want more: a good video camera that can do DOF or a stills camera that can shoot DOF but without all the bells & whistles you're accustomed to on the video camera?

For all the aggravation, I'd still rather be shooting with an EX-1, where I can control every aspect of the camera and get good audio. For the time being....
 
Thanks for your response. With a good cam like my HMC150 I can control iris, focus and zoom with rings. With a good lens and a compact camcorder w/ adapter I would have all of these. I even found a hack to where I wouldn't need to flip the image:
http://gt35pro.blogspot.com/

It's looking a lot cheaper to go with an $800 compact w/ and adapter than a $1500 GH1. Would you agree? Are the DIY adapters any good?
 
at this point i'd go with a DSLR, the size and weight advantage alone will help make your life easier, the setup problems that can occur with 35mm adaptors are a non-issue with SLRS the biggest problem with them is the short recording time. You can also very easily use a DSLR on a steadicam or similar device which can help make a wedding video shine.
 
Interesting. I would think the size and weight of a compact camcorder would be lighter/smaller. If I went with a compact it would be without the rails and without the screen flipper (whatever the term is).

On the other hand, the GH1 films for 1/2 hour, which is more than enough for the average Ceremony.

Either way, I picture having it around my neck while I film the Processional, then establishing a static shot on the groom, then going to the front for the flowergirl shot that I often miss, and filming the bride from the groom's perspective. Then back to my tripod and HMC150. I could get some AMAZING footage not being tethered to my tripod.
 
DNathan said:
Thanks for your response. With a good cam like my HMC150 I can control iris, focus and zoom with rings. With a good lens and a compact camcorder w/ adapter I would have all of these. I even found a hack to where I wouldn't need to flip the image:
http://gt35pro.blogspot.com/

It's looking a lot cheaper to go with an $800 compact w/ and adapter than a $1500 GH1. Would you agree? Are the DIY adapters any good?
Click to expand...


I dont have any experience with DIY adapters.

You will not get the same quality out of a DSLR as you will with a video camera designed primarily as a video camera. That's the fact: video on a DSLR is an add-on, not the primary technological purpose of the device. So if you want to make videos, get a video camera. If you want to shoot stills and have the ability to incorporate video, get the DSLR. I'm not sure why anyone would buy an $1800 DSLR and then have to add all the other accessories to get back up to the tech abilities of a proper video camera, unless convenience and small form-factor are the primary concerns.

Unfortunately, there's no correct answer since so much depends on your style, workflow and what you're willing to tolerate in terms of set-up and quality. Rent! I rented a 35 adapter before buying (though I did not have to set it up!) and if I were going to buy a VDSLR, I'd rent a kit first.
 
What kind of compact video cam features would be the most important? The 35mm lens would give me excellent focus, iris and zoom controls. It sounds like the main thing would be the sensor and it being card and/or Hdd based.

Does the lcd show the information given by the lens -- focus assist, etc.?
 
I don't need to flip the image (I'd rather have smaller gear and flip it in post) and I won't need rails either if I go with something like the JAG35ST. It looks like I would be able to run n gun with it, and store it in one piece. Almost exclusively I'd be filming outside with good light and no need for sound.

Question though: With a high quality lens, does that make the size of the camcorder sensor moot?
 
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DNathan said:
Question though: With a high quality lens, does that make the size of the camcorder sensor moot?
Click to expand...

Not sure what you're asking here. The size of the sensor absolutely matters in term of FOV, resolution, low light capability, dynamic range etc. Larger sensor camera tends to be accompanied with high quality lenses, but one doesn't really replace the other, they contribute to different things.
 
How do you plan to run and gun without flipping the image? It'll make you dizzy man.

Re: the Nikon. I hope they do because I'm already invested in Nikon glass but they better get their codec #$%& together otherwise they're just wasting their time.
 
Moojangles said:
at this point i'd go with a DSLR, the size and weight advantage alone will help make your life easier, the setup problems that can occur with 35mm adaptors are a non-issue with SLRS the biggest problem with them is the short recording time. You can also very easily use a DSLR on a steadicam or similar device which can help make a wedding video shine.
Click to expand...

Short recording times are no big deal. ALIASING, poor codecs these are yoru two biggest problems. The GH1 is not really something you coudl get away with in a brodcast work or high-end corpo. the 5D can SOMETIMES give you awesome results, but only shooting heads against very soft backgrounds, shooting detaisl, etc. Lien skipping si very ugly, and affects EVERY shot.
 
In my experience the 5d is a bit sharper than most adapters, does better with vignetting on wider lenses, and can shoot in much lower light than an adapter.

Just because I know a lot of weddings get way too dark, I'd go with the 5d. I think you'll be finding yourself fighting for more stop at every juncture if you get an adapter setup.
 
The DSLR sound is no good. The adaptor rig is too heavy. I would not even bother with an adaptor or DSLR for a wedding. I would just shoot the wedding with a regular EX1 type camera and get it over with.
 
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