essentials for a 35mm adaptor

G

GrahamRobbins

Active member
Hey guys quick question I have a cannon XHA1, I am in pre production for my feature. I am trying to get the gear I need for the camera, I am going with a Redrock adaptor for my camera. I have read quite a few posts and I have a general understanding of what I need to hook the adaptor to my camera. However I am a writer, director, and there are a few things that I need some help on. When purchasing an adaptor whats the deal with all the rings, I know my lense is 72mm so I need a 72mm ring for that, but what about rings for the lense I plan to attach? Also batteries how long do the adaptors batteries last do I need to buy spares? What other essential addons will I need? I have my directors monitor for framing ect, but will my camera op also need an external because we are using an adaptor? Is a follow focus nessisary, what about a mattebox can I get by without it? Forgive my ignorance, I am new to the camera department ,but I am a quick learner. I plan to figure this thing out when I get it I just dont have a Dop to council me and I need to get this stuff for production.

Thanks,

Graham Robbins
​
 
Hey graham,

I'm sorry i don't know about the battery part of your question..but if anyone else wants to chime in...


you don't need a mattebox, unless you're using filters, if not you can just make a cardboard mattebox to block light out
you don't necessarily need a follow focus, but it's really nice to have one, but you can defiantly get by without one.
you need rails to support it, and a sturdy tripod or shoulder rig to support that

I would look into this package, it's all of the essentials you need for your camera

http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.152/.f?sc=2&category=9

the 82mm - 72mm Step-Down Ring will have you set for you A1

you don't need the cap, but it sure is cool...


hope any of that helps, best wishes!
 
Awesome thanks for all of your help guys really appreciate it, if anyone knows about the batteries that would sure be helpful, and will I need an external monitor on the camera if I use an adapter?
 
Graham, I know you have purchased a lot of stuff already. But before you purchase any more, I would try to choose a DP first (DoP if outside the US I think). The reason is that the DP may come up with not only opinions on the best way to execute your vision, but also better equipment and rental options which may not match the equipment you've already purchased.
When I was directing shorts straight outta college, I found that I would purchase a bunch of stuff and then the DP I brought on in the final weeks of pre production would often come up with a better camera or equipment he had access to. Then I would regret that I had spent so much of my budget on equipment I was hardly going to use again which came to be painfully true.
Now that I serve as a DP myself, I find that when a director has his or her own equipment, it's often very constraining as to what I can achieve as I could have suggested far better tools that we could have rented. Often a DP will have a broader knowledge of what vendors can offer (and what condition the vendor's equipment is in).
That all said, you have what you have and if you are under a tight budget, you must use your Redrock and A1. My advise is to just hold off on equipment purchases until you get the technical advice and an artistic discussion with the DOP of your choice! Good luck!
 
Dadoboy,

thats a great option actually good news is I haven't purchased anything I have owned the camera since it was released and used it multiple times, but I dont have an adapter, or any equipment for it yet. The reason for this is because I may be shooting RED on this feature. I usually get my gear for free from work, but if I cant lock down the RED, then I will be shooting on my XHA1 and if thats the case your probably right I should just hold off and purchase the rest of the camera gear under the supervison of a DP. I am just an over eager director you can probably understand that I like to be prepared, but I plan to hold off on compulsive purchasing atleast another week until the formatt is locked.

Thanks,

Graham Robbins
 
Sure, I totally understand your energy to make your movie. We all suffer from it. Just hold on to your intention to shoot with the RED, Super 16mm, etc. 35mm adapters are sad to say, a compromise. Nobody ever comes to me and says they want the look of a Letus X or Redrock. Compromise will come later :cry: You never know know what deals you can get! Work with your crew to find the best deals. If they're cool they'll server your budget, not just their reel. Be thrifty because the money you save can go to lighting/locations/etc. Every serious film I've made as a director took YEARS out of my life. And they still sucked :laugh:So it's best to get it right. Good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top