35mm Adapter Shootout

Joseph Stunzi

Joseph Stunzi

Veteran
Hey all,

Next month, I will be shooting a 35mm depth-of-field adapter comparison test. This will be produced by my production company, IENCE. The goal is to shoot with the newest revisions of the M2, Extreme/Elite, Ultimate, Blade, Brevis, Cinemek G35, and a few others. Not to mention the original P&S Technik mini35 that inspired this entire industry.

The goal is to test light loss, resolution, edge-to-edge sharpness, workflow, and provide an overall comparison of these nifty little devices.

If you have any setup suggestions, test footage suggestions, basically any suggestions at all... please feel free to contact me via PM or email. Also if I'm forgetting an adapter that you'd like to see include, please contact me as well.

And be on the lookout for this test footage being released in February!

Regards,
Joseph Stunzi
 
I'm finishing up a jib test currently... so after that's done it's on to this 35mm DOFA test. Challenge is getting all the different test charts, test equipment, etc together. I'm also going to try to get a bunch of the newer indie adapters in the mix. Like the RNG and some of the other ones out there for the smaller cameras. That way it's truly a comprehensive test.
 
HVX and a EX-3 okay with everyone?
The more cameras... the more testing I have to do unfortunately.

I would do HVX200A, HPX170, EX-3, HV20, and maybe the Canon XH-A1. But that's a lot more charts, scene setups, and the works to do sad as it is! I would put the HV20 in there for the small new indie adapters and what not.

However since there's no cash involved... this test comes second to some other shoots I have going. But don't worry. You'll see it soon enough.

I'm waiting on some new adapters to be released (Redrock micro M2 encore and Cinevate MP.2) as well.

And maybe... just maybe there'll be some relays in the mix too! :)
 
I would like a canon xh-a1, red, hmc-150, ex1/3, hvx 200, hpx-170, sony v1/z1, hv20/30/40 and this guy:

vme555la-01.jpg
 
Joseph! This is great news. The right moment to do such comparison! This is gonna be sticky...
If you have enough time (and good weather) I'd suggest:
1. shooting some resolution charts so that people can compare e2e sharpness
2. doing it with different camera lens aperture values, so we can see how it affects the e2e (all in all this is what ultimately determines the light loss)
3. shooting non-flipped as well - there are some mixed opinions about the flips reducing CA. Also, it would be nice to compare the light loss of the flip vs non-flip - people say flips loose hardly any light, but with most adapters you have to zoom to a different extent to get the proper frame size when shooting flipped vs non-flipped, which might affect the overall light loss.
4. shooting sky at different shutter speed and 35mm lens aperture to check for gg pattern in the footage
5. shooting some tree branches against sky for CA... or maybe not - we should be able to tell the CA from resolution chart...
6. don't forget about 150/170... if you have any of them
7. last, but not least - shoot some nice girls :)

Can't wait to watching the footage...
 
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Joseph, who will be setting up all of these adapters? Will it be you?

The reason I ask is that it takes some time and practice with adapters to set them up properly and get the best performance from them. The test would be much more valuable if and experienced user of each adapter set did the set up on their respective adapter. It is so easy to make a mistake the first time out that it could yield results that are not truly representative of the adapters capabilities. Since many people will likely use your shootout to make the all important decision of "which adapter to buy", it's important that you show the best and worse of each adapter while ensuring that the results are not compromized by inexperience.
 
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mvansomeren said:
Joseph, who will be setting up all of these adapters? Will it be you?

The reason I ask is that it takes some time and practice with adapters to set them up properly and get the best performance from them. The test would be much more valuable if and experienced user of each adapter set did the set up on their respective adapter. It is so easy to make a mistake the first time out that it could yield results that are not truly representative of the adapters capabilities. Since I many people will likely use your shootout to make the all important decision of "which adapter to buy", it's important that you show the best and worse of each adapter while ensuring that the results are not compromized by inexperience.
Click to expand...

I'm an experienced Brevis, M2, and Letus user. And I think along with my background research that I should be able to setup each adapter just fine. But I do get your point and will make sure to add a disclaimer in there somewhere.
 
trez said:
Joseph! This is great news. The right moment to do such comparison! This is gonna be sticky...
If you have enough time (and good weather) I'd suggest:
1. shooting some resolution charts so that people can compare e2e sharpness
2. doing it with different camera lens aperture values, so we can see how it affects the e2e (all in all this is what ultimately determines the light loss)
3. shooting non-flipped as well - there are some mixed opinions about the flips reducing CA. Also, it would be nice to compare the light loss of the flip vs non-flip - people say flips loose hardly any light, but with most adapters you have to zoom to a different extent to get the proper frame size when shooting flipped vs non-flipped, which might affect the overall light loss.
4. shooting sky at different shutter speed and 35mm lens aperture to check for gg pattern in the footage
5. shooting some tree branches against sky for CA... or maybe not - we should be able to tell the CA from resolution chart...
6. don't forget about 150/170... if you have any of them
7. last, but not least - shoot some nice girls :)

Can't wait to watching the footage...
Click to expand...

Way to add more to the variables! I think I'm shooting 200 and EX3 and that's it for now. Some of the adapter companies only want to loan their units for a very brief amount of time and that doesn't leave a lot of room for extra camera play!

I will be reviewing workflow as well as build quality. Doing some cool tests such as shooting in a cold room to test for operational limits. And perhaps somehow shooting in an incubator to test for the other end of their operational limits. In regards to workflow, I will be talking about each adapter's support solutions for mounting their adapter. You'll for sure get a detailed writeup showing how each individual adapter was setup with each camera... including Z-number and other pertinent settings.

There will definitely be resolution charts, some scene setups (sky, nice girls, etc.), as well as light loss calculation. It's important to calculate each adapter's actual light loss as well as the total light loss due to zooming in.

I also hope to be using some loaner equipment from Omnitek for more detailed image analysis.

I'll be filming a "Behind the Scenes" video documenting every second of the test for validation if needed. I also will be capturing everything to ProRes 422 using an AJA ioHD and a CalDigit HDOne drive.



Oh and one more thing. When I first release the footage, it's not going to be labeled. I want everyone to have a little fun trying to match up each adapter to it's footage! A mindgame if you will.
 
Joseph Stunzi said:
I'm an experienced Brevis, M2, and Letus user. And I think along with my background research that I should be able to setup each adapter just fine. But I do get your point and will make sure to add a disclaimer in there somewhere.
Click to expand...


Well, I wish you luck on this almost impossible task. The possible combinations of cameras to adapters alone is staggering. For example, we all know that the EX1 has special challenges when it comes to adapters. Some adapter mfgrs. have made optimization kits, other have not. Testing an non-optimized adapter with only the EX1 for example, will cause some to cry foul because they know that other cameras, such as the XH-A1, HVX200a, etc., may not have those challenges and would likely result in a different outcome. I'm sure you have a plan of attack. :thumbup:
 
Joseph Stunzi said:
Way to add more to the variables! I think I'm shooting 200 and EX3 and that's it for now.
Click to expand...

200 is fine.

Some of the adapter companies only want to loan their units for a very brief amount of time and that doesn't leave a lot of room for extra camera play!
Click to expand...

I understand. Good you have both Panny and Sony for testing.

I will be reviewing workflow as well as build quality. Doing some cool tests such as shooting in a cold room to test for operational limits. And perhaps somehow shooting in an incubator to test for the other end of their operational limits.
Click to expand...

Wow. This is going to be the serious testing! Excellent...

In regards to workflow, I will be talking about each adapter's support solutions for mounting their adapter. You'll for sure get a detailed writeup showing how each individual adapter was setup with each camera... including Z-number and other pertinent settings.
Click to expand...

You seem to have it all thought out pretty well... Any chance you're gonna shoot non-flipped as well? Would be nice to bust (or confirm) those myths about reduced CA due to longer distance between the adapter focal plane and camera lens when using flip. By the way - during his recent tests Philip Bloom was unable to focus EX1 on the Blade GG at all when using non-flip tube...
And please, don't forget about Blade RR2...

There will definitely be resolution charts, some scene setups (sky, nice girls, etc.), as well as light loss calculation.
Click to expand...

Cool! And please (once again) - shoot with different camera lens aperture settings (say, from wide open up to f4.0). This would make the comparison fair - the manufacturers specify the nominal light loss of the adapter, but in real life you usually have to stop down the camera lens to some extent to get good e2e. This is very important information IMO.

It's important to calculate each adapter's actual light loss as well as the total light loss due to zooming in.
I also hope to be using some loaner equipment from Omnitek for more detailed image analysis.
Click to expand...

Brilliant! You're very well prepared. Are you gonna compare the light loss with 35mm lens stopped down, too (f.ex. at f4.0)? This would be fair, as f.ex. Brevis is often said to be non-linear (when opening 35mm lens wide it doesn't let more light through - instead it increases diffusion, which sounds like another myth)

I'll be filming a "Behind the Scenes" video documenting every second of the test for validation if needed. I also will be capturing everything to ProRes 422 using an AJA ioHD and a CalDigit HDOne drive.
Click to expand...

I'm really impressed. This is the first time dvxuser community will have the opportunity to truly compare all these stuff. It's so hard to take conscious purchase/upgrade decisions these days.

Oh and one more thing. When I first release the footage, it's not going to be labeled. I want everyone to have a little fun trying to match up each adapter to it's footage! A mindgame if you will.
Click to expand...

Can't wait...
 
Joseph Stunzi said:
Oh and one more thing. When I first release the footage, it's not going to be labeled. I want everyone to have a little fun trying to match up each adapter to it's footage! A mindgame if you will.
Click to expand...


Love this!! A "blind test" of some sort should remove some of the fanboys comments that we sometimes see around those tests! At least, until you tell us which is which ;-)
 
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Great idea.

Great idea.

Sounds like a great idea...it is long overdue to have a comparison done between all the improvements over the year. I too would like to see the Canon XH-A1 in the mix since there are a lot of users that own this camera. Along with the HVX200 and the EX1. But also you might try the old DVX100 for those who still haven't jumped in HD yet. In addition..i would like to see how the adapters run on extreme low light conditions(IE using only candlelight), as well as wide angle (IE 24mm or wider). Even a 10.5 or 16mm fisheye will be great.
 
Keep the comments coming guys. This test will consume my life for quite some time. So don't give me too much to do! I'll see about an A1. But that's it. EX3, HVX200, and A1.

I'll be shooting using Zeiss ZF Prime lenses... and maybe some Nikon Zooms. There are so many variables, that you'll have to take everything found with a grain of salt really. I'm also going to try to get my hands on an ARRI Ultra prime or two (85mm and 35mm). However not all adapters in the test have PL mounts. Anyway... there'll be plenty of charts as well as pretty images.

If anyone is in the Atlanta area, feel free to hit me up to talk!

For those of you asking, flipped vs nonflipped will be considered.



And keep the ideas coming.
 
Will you be performing the bash your director's head with the adapter test? Though I guess a vibration test will suffice. :)

How are you going to document all of this? How about an HV20 and posting a timelapse, so that people can appreciate how much f$ing work you'll be doing.
 
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