Big decision- Better editing station vs 35 mm adapter kit

[KOHR]

Hey everyone, you may remember seeing my thread a week or so ago about switching to mac. Well, I've basically decided to go with the Macbook Pro, because portability is a key factor for me now. However, I've been thinking about the best deal I could get for the funds I've got available to me. Unfortunately, I'm quite torn on the subject, and I was wondering if I could get some advice on the subject. Here are the two ideas

#1- I could buy a 17" Macbook Pro, hi-res screen, and get 4gb and an external firewire 800 harddrive after the fact from macsales. Along with this I'll be purchasing new software- Final Cut Pro Studio 2.0, Shake 4.1, and Vue 6 Infinite.

#2- Or... I could buy a 15" Macbook Pro (base model), get 4gb and an external firewire 800 harddrive after the fact from macsales. Then, I'd buy just Final Cut Pro Studio 2.0. I could then stretch my budget a little bit to buy a redrock m2 adapter and follow focus.

So does any one have any reccomendations which is the better buy? Obviously if I don't go with the first one, I'll be taking a break from vfx, which is something I've been doing on previous sorts for a little while now. I'd also have a generally less powerful computer, with less workspace... but I wouldn't need that as much because I wouldn't be doing vfx. Keep in mind that I'm still only making amateur short films 10-30 min in length... but I am shooting in HD.

Thanks!

 

[Tim Joy]

I would say that it depends on what you are shooting. Having DOF control is yet another tool to aid in your storytelling. For me it makes a big difference and looks less amateur. Don't ignore the "hidden" costs when you get a DOF adapter, ie Lenses, more lights, focus puller, external monitor, extra time on set to rehearse, etc... So if you are stretching your budget already it might not be wise.

Do what you love doing the most. if it's VFX, go for the computer, if it's storytelling, get the M2 and pinch those pennies on the editing system.

Good luck.

 

[KOHR]

I would say that it depends on what you are shooting. Having DOF control is yet another tool to aid in your storytelling. For me it makes a big difference and looks less amateur. Don't ignore the "hidden" costs when you get a DOF adapter, ie Lenses, more lights, focus puller, external monitor, extra time on set to rehearse, etc... So if you are stretching your budget already it might not be wise.

Do what you love doing the most. if it's VFX, go for the computer, if it's storytelling, get the M2 and pinch those pennies on the editing system.

Good luck.

Hey thanks! I've been getting pretty caught up with VFX since I really got into a bit ago. So much so that I think my movies started becoming VFX demo reels... which isn't why I got into this in the first place... lol. Anyway... so I went with getting the cheaper editing system, and I'll be ordering a Sgpro rev3 and follow focus to complement my XH-A1 in a week or so! Thanks again!