35mm adapter with Canon GL2? price?

nho

nho

Well-known member
I'm interested in getting a 35mm adapter for my Canon GL2 that will also work with a Canon XHA1, as I plan to sell the GL2 and get an XHA1, I just don't know how long it will take (or if I'll even be able to) sell the GL2.

I've been looking at the Redrock M2 quite a bit, but am rather confused about pricing. I've seen an M2 with rails/support (what's the difference?) for $500, but then I also keep seeing the same combo of the adapter and rails/support for like $1400, what is with the massive price difference? I'm looking to spend less than $1000 for an adapter, rails/support, maybe even a shoulder mount too.

is there a specific 35mm adapter that would work better for the GL2 and (hopefully) the XHA1?

any information on this would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to drop all this money (as I'm a college student on a tight budget) and later find out I should have bought something else.
 
For the GL2, you'll want something in the size range of the Letus35 Mini. This is an adapter with a flip module that is optimized for small (58mm, 43mm, and 37mm filter thread diameter) camcorders.

It will serve you well on the GL2 (I use it on a Panasonic HMC40), but when you move to the XHA1 you'll need a bigger, heavier, and more expensive adapter like the Letus35 Extreme/Elite/Ultimate. Worry about the most optimized gear for what you have NOW, not what you *might* get later.

For under $1000... you can get the Letus35 Mini kit (rails, carrying case, a lens mount or two, and the adapter) for around $700-800ish on the buy/sell board here. That leaves $200-300ish for a decent tripod like the Manfrotto 190XproB with a 501HDV fluid head ($290ish new). Also consider the Spider Brace for under $100 as a two-handed, simple, cheap shoulder mount for your rig.

I recently got the Letus35mini kit with Canon EOS, Nikon F, and M42 lens mounts, rails, case, and both 43mm and 37mm camcorder coupling rings ($1400-1500ish worth of adapter gear) for only $800 on this forum, so I know that the deals are out there!

As a former ramen-eating college student and gearhead film enthusiast-turned-9-to-5-A/V-geek, I will caution to view any money spent on equipment as money you'll never see again UNLESS you're using the gear to shoot paying gigs. Equipment isn't an investment that generally pays dividends unless you're shooting paying gigs. Shoot a few weddings, events, or whatever is paying in your area with your GL2 to save up for that XHA1 and fancy big-rig 35mm adapter!

Shoot first and ask questions later,
Jason :-)
 
Don't buy a Letus Mini because I can guarantee you that it'll have no resale value. If you can't resell it, it becomes dead weight once you upgrade since it will not work with an A1. The days when smaller cameras like the HV20 are used with adapters are over, DSLR are the new budget items now and nobody wants to spend money on a specialty item like a Mini. You can easily find a Letus Extreme for around $700-800 and that will work on a wide range of camera.

As for the Redrock, the $500 price is probably for the older M2 with no flip optic, not the newer M2 Encore. The old M2 is frankly a terrible adapter, and since it doesn't flip the image you'll have a hell of a time using it.

My advice would be to not get an adapter at all until you get an A1. Adapter + SD resolution + inadequate GL2 LCD=mush.
 
^Dude, you have no idea what you're talking about. Tried and true equipment doesn't magically stop working just because newer technology is out. Would he get better results from a DSLR? Probably... but he doesn't have an SLR. He already has a GL2 and a limited budget.

Buy a used adapter, sell it when you're done with it. There is still viable demand for that equipment on the used market... just look at the buy/sell board on here.

Also, $700-800 used Letus Extreme adapters don't come with rail support, and won't work with what he has currently.
 
JasonAllen127 said:
^Dude, you have no idea what you're talking about. Tried and true equipment doesn't magically stop working just because newer technology is out.
Click to expand...

Instead of a knee-jerk reply, if you will actually READ what I wrote you will see that is not at all what I'm saying. I've been an adapter user ever since the Letus Extreme came out and continued to be a supporter of adapter technology. What I AM saying is when you buy you have to be smart and practical about its usefulness to you in the present and your ability to transition into the future. A Letus Mini has ZERO resale value, none. Do a search on Letus Mini sales within the past year or so and you'll see that it's nearly impossible to unload one nowaday. It was created during a time when smaller palmcorder 24p cameras were the vogue, and nobody is looking for that anymore. If he buys it now, uses it for a few months and then couldn't sell it, how would he transition into something that WILL work for his new camera?

It's a common sense advice: adapter is going out of style, and even though there'll be plenty of people who continues to use it (like myself) if you're going to invest in one then you need to thinking about it for the long term because in all likelihood you're not going to be able to sell it. And if you're thinking long term, do not buy an adapter on a limited budget because you will get far WORSE result than if you just shoot on a bare camera. A good (not cheap) set of rail, HD monitor, decent lenses are all going to be crucial in getting good results.
 
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Originally Posted by JasonAllen127
^Dude, you have no idea what you're talking about. Tried and true equipment doesn't magically stop working just because newer technology is out.


I can't begin to tell you how sick I am of reading this kind of response on a forum. Show some courtesy and humility please.

Huy Vu has been on this forum for a number of years and has shown many lovely little films made with these adapters. He's generally a "dude" who does know what he's talking about and in this case I tend to agree with him. There is no right answer to the question anyway.

Lenny Levy
 
Huy Vu,
it had certainly crossed my mind to wait to get an adapter until I get an XHA1, because I wasn't sure how well an adapter and an SD camera go together.

I'll keep working with my GL2 as it is, and try and get an XHA1 as soon as possible, and THEN look into an adapter, as I really would love to obtain the look that goes along with 35mm lenses and an HD camera.

I wouldn't mind moving over to a DSLR, but I worry that it may not fulfill all my needs, as they're still relatively new to the market. If I did look into getting one, what else would I have to purchase along with it? I'm assuming audio equipment needs to be invested in for DSLRs, lenses of course, anything else specifically?
 
So, for the past hour I've been looking at footage from and reading about the Canon T2i. I get the feeling that moving to an XHA1 would be rather pointless at this point, and I should shoot for a DSLR. The only thing I worry about is, like I had mentioned in my previous post, what audio equipment I would also need to invest in, as well as lenses, a monitor, follow focus, and whatever else someone may tell me.

Thoughts?
 
Unfortunately it is all changing very fast. My guess is that with in a year there will be full size sensor dedicated video cameras that will make the Canons and 35mm adapters look like a horse and buggy for video work . First up is the new Panasonic 4/3's camera.

In the meantime nice thing about the T2i is that its a great still camera too and you can get a pretty good lens in the Tamron 17-50 relatively cheap (though I prefer the Canon lenses). You can also put the same vintage Nikon or other 35mm glass on the Canon. But its limited as well and has audio issues you have to overcome.

I agree that I wouldn't get an M2 which really is soft and especially wouldn't use it for SD. I think the T2i with some kind of audio kluge would be more fun and make you much hipper for the time being and it will suffice as a still or 2nd camera for a long time. Plus its fun and lightweight. L:ook into the Nikon as well.

Below is a good source of info on what you need for the DSLR's.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/forumdisplay.php?f=187
 
Lenny and Hu's advice is right.
As someone who made 3 adapters and used them during the adapter era, I would add, your better off getting a cheap 550D if your looking to learn what DOF is about.
An adapter + consumer cam is no longer ideal TODAY. -if you pursue the cam+adapter route, it will tax your budget and patience later on.

In a few months or years when you've learned the ropes, and decide to pursue this career path you will have learned and new tools would be available. Makers are already cooking em, serving them very soon.
 
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