35mm Adapter
- Thread starter Jfilm19
- Start date
There's a whole forum on DVXUser dedicated to 35mm adapters. Read up... loads of information there. You can build your own (if you have decent DIY skills) for $300 or even less. You can buy one for anywhere from $300 (Jag35) up to $2k or $3k.
What does it do? It allows the use of 35mm lenses with a video camera. The light coming in through the 35mm lens is projected onto a ground glass, and the camera's stock lens is macro-focused onto the ground glass and records that image.
Now, this is very important: too many folks think that the 35mm adapter is strictly about getting the shallow DOF from 35mm lenses... and so they go and get themselves a tricked-out adapter rig and proceed to shoot just about everything with shallow DOF. Shallow DOF is not, I repeat not the mark of professional cinematography. It's a technique used conservatively, and only when the viewer needs to be isolated from the background and focused intimately on an item or person. Go rent a DVD... or 5... and watch the movies carefully. Keep a notepad with you. Mark down how many shots you see that have a shallow DOF and how many have everything in focus (or mostly in focus). Also pay attention to when.
The 35mm adapter gives you a wide selection of lenses to use for vast creative possibilities outside of depth of field. And the ground glass can add a visual texture that increases the film-like quality of the image. Use it properly and you'll get some good stuff. Shoot everything shallow and everyone will know that you bought a 35mm adapter.
What does it do? It allows the use of 35mm lenses with a video camera. The light coming in through the 35mm lens is projected onto a ground glass, and the camera's stock lens is macro-focused onto the ground glass and records that image.
Now, this is very important: too many folks think that the 35mm adapter is strictly about getting the shallow DOF from 35mm lenses... and so they go and get themselves a tricked-out adapter rig and proceed to shoot just about everything with shallow DOF. Shallow DOF is not, I repeat not the mark of professional cinematography. It's a technique used conservatively, and only when the viewer needs to be isolated from the background and focused intimately on an item or person. Go rent a DVD... or 5... and watch the movies carefully. Keep a notepad with you. Mark down how many shots you see that have a shallow DOF and how many have everything in focus (or mostly in focus). Also pay attention to when.
The 35mm adapter gives you a wide selection of lenses to use for vast creative possibilities outside of depth of field. And the ground glass can add a visual texture that increases the film-like quality of the image. Use it properly and you'll get some good stuff. Shoot everything shallow and everyone will know that you bought a 35mm adapter.
Austinv
Well-known member
shallow DOF actually really sucks. So you should get some lights first then an adapter. So many times ive seen that people buy and adapter the fastest lens (ie. 50mm 1.4) strap that on so they loose less light and then your focus is inches which makes filming impossible and just look stupid. Say your actor moves while he is talking, are you going to pull focus with those 2 inches? I dont think so. Light your scenes right and then you can still get a shallow DOF but atleast it will be more than and inch.
Do not buy an adapter new, go look in the marketplace and buy one. There are tons of knew ones every week.
I like what C2V said about the notepad. DO THAT there really isnt that many scenes with shallow DOF and when it looks really shallow its usually because the background is really far away.
Another thing is, do you really need the adapter right now? Go shoot some films first then upgrade, I have got really good stuff from just moving back and zooming in, most of the time a lot of your shots are Mediums and close ups so zooming in works well in most situations.
Lighting tops 35mm dof so really consider what your getting into. The cost of everything is outstanding. You need rails, a nice tripod, lenses, follow focus, monitor (yes and no), cases, and the list goes on.
I enjoy my adapter but sometimes I really do not want to use it because when you use and adapter lights are important.
I use a 24mm for Wideshots, 50mm for the in between stuff, and and 85mm for closeups and I try to stop down to F4.
Good luck and read up in the forum.
Do not buy an adapter new, go look in the marketplace and buy one. There are tons of knew ones every week.
I like what C2V said about the notepad. DO THAT there really isnt that many scenes with shallow DOF and when it looks really shallow its usually because the background is really far away.
Another thing is, do you really need the adapter right now? Go shoot some films first then upgrade, I have got really good stuff from just moving back and zooming in, most of the time a lot of your shots are Mediums and close ups so zooming in works well in most situations.
Lighting tops 35mm dof so really consider what your getting into. The cost of everything is outstanding. You need rails, a nice tripod, lenses, follow focus, monitor (yes and no), cases, and the list goes on.
I enjoy my adapter but sometimes I really do not want to use it because when you use and adapter lights are important.
I use a 24mm for Wideshots, 50mm for the in between stuff, and and 85mm for closeups and I try to stop down to F4.
Good luck and read up in the forum.
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jeff
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jeff
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