35mm adaptor basic questions

[sodotoguwangus]

I performed a search on this topic, and came up empty-handed.

Questions:

1. How do you know what lenses to buy, and what will be the effect for each? Is there a good general-purpose lense that will work for most situations and give you good cinema-style shallow DOP? Or do I need to buy several lenses? Is there a good rule of thumb to follow? Or can someone suggest a good lense setup? (note: I know nothing about still photography. )

2. I can get shallow DOP with my HVX as is, but it's so inconvenient. First I have to be really far-away from the subject. then I have to open the iris. Then I have to put on the ND filter. Such a pain in the ass. And, with this method, it is virtually impossible to get nice shots inside a small, inclosed space such as an automobile. Question: does a 35mm adapter allow me to get good DOP without having to do all of the above? In other words, with a 35 mm adapter, could I achieve DOP effects while standing, say, three or four feet from the subject instead of three or four yards?

Sorry for the long-winded questions. And thanks in advance for your response.

 

[snodart]

Check out the sticky thread in the DIY section. Also, take a look at this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field_adapter

In short DOF adapters provide you with the same DOF options as 35mm film lens. There are several drawbacks with the adapters, but many feel that the option of having a more shallow DOF is worth it (I do). A 50mm lens such as a Nikon or Canon 35mm lens from a still camera is pretty much standard, but many use other lenses as well for different effects etc. There is also scattered DIY info around the web and in the DIY section here. Good luck.

 

[ovjamaica]

1. There is no all-in-wonder kind of lens that will work for every situation. You could get a zoom lens with a decent range, but it will be a slower lens and you generally need as much light as you can get with an adapter. If you stick to primes (fixed focal length lenses just in case you didn't know) I would recommend something kind of wide (maybe 28mm), a normal lens (50mm), and a telephoto (80mm or above). The smaller the focal length the wider angle of view the lens will have. Hope that helps.

2. With a 35mm adapter you can achieve the depth of field of whatever lens you have (and depending on your aperture and). But yes, you won't have to stand really far away from your subject and zoom in to obtain a shallow depth of field.