Anyone using 35 Adapters for Documentary & Corporate Work

W

weismangroup

Active member
Hello All:

I'm looking for some user feedback from people who have firsthand experience using 35 adapters with SD (e.g. DVX100) on documentary and corporate work (i.e. candid type shots). I'm curious to know which adapter you're using, and how it has altered your shooting style and/or workflow, use of internal versus external monitor, etc.

We do a lot of interview setups and documentary style fundraising and corporate image films (you can see a few examples here: www.israeliliving.com).

Having worked in 16mm and 35mm for many years (albeit, but not for the last 10 years), I can appreciate very much the filmic qualities of shallow DOF. I'm getting a bit tired of essentially framing as many shots as possible at Z99 and 2.8 with the camera often a 1/2 mile or so from the talent.

Any thoughts and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

All the best,

Michael
 
A great deal of my work is interview based and the adapters are fabulous for interviews especially with small chip cameras. I cannot speak for resolution issues with SD and a DVX though as I have only used them for HD.

Lenny Levy
 
although i use hd cameras, i have shot so many interviews and corporates on adaptors, everything from M2 to Brevis to now the Letus Extreme
 
weismangroup said:
Hello All:

I'm looking for some user feedback from people who have firsthand experience using 35 adapters with SD (e.g. DVX100) on documentary and corporate work (i.e. candid type shots). I'm curious to know which adapter you're using, and how it has altered your shooting style and/or workflow, use of internal versus external monitor, etc.

We do a lot of interview setups and documentary style fundraising and corporate image films (you can see a few examples here: www.israeliliving.com).

Having worked in 16mm and 35mm for many years (albeit, but not for the last 10 years), I can appreciate very much the filmic qualities of shallow DOF. I'm getting a bit tired of essentially framing as many shots as possible at Z99 and 2.8 with the camera often a 1/2 mile or so from the talent.

Any thoughts and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

All the best,

Michael
Click to expand...

Michael:

You will love the look, it really will take you much closer to a filmic look. The downside is size and weight, not mention cost although if you are a film shooter, this stuff is still really cheap compared to film gear.

I have the Letus Extreme but I have shot with the M2 and now the Brevis. They all look good and each has it's own distinct look. A lot of bokeh junkies really like the SG Pro although it's slower than the Letus Extreme and Brevis. The adapters are great for interviews, just use good, fast lenses and you will be happy. Focus becomes even more critical with shallow depth of field so you will need to almost always use a monitor although in SD it is easier than in HD to focus.

I would read lots of posts and check out as many clips as possible to determine which adapter has the right look for you. A matte box and follow focus are good partners for the adapter and you will need rod mount and rods if you don't already have.

Also, invest in a good large case and keep the whole thing built and ready to go, you would not believe how much time you can lose in building and taking apart and calibrating your setup. I just bought the Storm IM2975, it holds the camera, fully built with the adapter and rods with the matte box and follow focus, all of my P2 cards, lenses, AC adapter, filters, etc. in one case, ready to go at any time.

Good luck,

Dan
 
Dan with the 2975 did you do foam or padded dividers? I just ordered one for other use, but am hoping to get a full on adapter in the next year. This case may serve some double purpose... I guess I could always get spare foam if I had to to make it easy to swap in when I'm taking the full rig out and about...
 
jdajda said:
Dan with the 2975 did you do foam or padded dividers? I just ordered one for other use, but am hoping to get a full on adapter in the next year. This case may serve some double purpose... I guess I could always get spare foam if I had to to make it easy to swap in when I'm taking the full rig out and about...
Click to expand...

Hi:

I ordered with the foam. I have a rough template by looking at this http://www.zacuto.com/Letus_Zacuto_case.htm

In case you didn't know, the best way to cut foam is with an electric knife, it slices through like buttah! Personally, I think the foam will allow you to achieve a better fit than the dividers.

Best,

Dan
 
jason.adams said:
I use the DVX LCD to Pull focus
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's true. I just did a shoot with my little DVX last week (without an adapter) and after using the HVX so much for the past two years, you forget how good that screen was for SD. DVX had a great screen, that's what made the HVX's screen such a disappointment.

Dan
 
Dan, are you cutting the pick n pluck foam or solid foam with the knife? I've used one to to cut styrofoam for something else and it does work great, just never thought to use it in this case. THat zacuto case is something to drool over... as is the stuff inside it...
 
jdajda said:
Dan, are you cutting the pick n pluck foam or solid foam with the knife? I've used one to to cut styrofoam for something else and it does work great, just never thought to use it in this case. THat zacuto case is something to drool over... as is the stuff inside it...
Click to expand...

I've used the electric knife on both types of foam. I used to own an audio post facility and we cut tons of foam when we were contructing our main edit bay, the electric knife is a cool trick.

I'd like to just buy the Zacuto foam but it's more than I paid for the case. Oh well, you can pay them a fortune and it's done for you or go through the PITA it is to do it yourself.

Dan
 
Yeah that zacuto stuff is out of my league for the moment... Boy do I want that handheld setup though... Thanks for the tip on the electric knife - I'll give it a whirl on my next case.
 
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