Feature Film Needs Accessories

J

JayCro

New member
Good afternoon everyone; I've been lurking for a few weeks now, reading and listening, and now here comes my first post.

I'm a cinematographer from a primarily film background; I've been hired to shoot a narrative feature film and the company has decided to buy two cameras (DVX100A) and all the accessories. While I've been doing all my homework, I've got limited experinece with these cameras, so I'm looking for suggestions from other users/owners. Cost isn't such a factor to me right now, since reliablity and long term use are of greater interest (and they told me not to worry about money since they want "the best").

WHat I'm looking at right now is as follows:
-4x4 Matte Box (likely Chroziel)
-Follow Focus (again, Chroziel, though some have been saying you need the century manual focus adapter for it to work right?)
-.7x Wide Angle and 1.6x Tele Converter (probably Century Optics, but will they create a problem with matte box or the follow focus?)
-Filter, batteries, etc.

Although it will be a 16x9 production, I think we're going to go without the anamorphic adapters since it's a straight to video production and the resolution loss doesn't seem like too much of a hit to me (or am I wrong and need a re-education? I haven't been able to get a hold of hard numbers regarding lines of resolution with cropping versus without cropping).

Any thoughts or suggestions from the other forum members? Also, if anyone has vendors/dealers they like, I'm happy to hear about them before I suggest purchases.

These are going to be cameras used not only for this shoot (a 24 day feature film), but also for a number of future productions with this company.

Thanks to all!
 
Re: Feature Film Needs Accessories

If you want versatility, want to shoot with various Century lens adapters, and possibly the anamorphic adapter in the future as well, then the best mattebox for your needs would be the Chrosziel 411-53PK. This is the only mattebox that can accomodate all the Century lenses you listed, along with the anamorphic adapter, and still provide excellent function as a 4:3 mattebox. As you know, Chrosziel manufacturers high end products; you won't be disappointed with the build or quality.

If you do decide to purchase the anamorphic adapter, be sure to purchase Barry Green's Panasonic Anamorphic Adapter Guide from this site. At $10, it's a steal considering the info you'll receive.

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/anaguide/

As for vendors to go with, definitely check out http://www.evsonline.com. Ask for Rush or any of the good employees there and let them know you're from DVXUser.

You don't necessarily need the Century Optics Manual Focus Ring to use the Chrosziel follow focus. Chrosziel does provide their own gear ring for about $100. However, the Century ring will allow you to limit the focal range of the camera from 3 feet to Infinity and provides hard stops. It also has a white, markable Delrin ring to help you mark focus. At around $320 - $350, it is up to you if you want the Century ring but you don't have to get it if you want to just go with all Chrosziel.
 
Re: Feature Film Needs Accessories

Any advice on
01. Good Fluid head tripode?(For DVX100 ;D)
02. Essential filters(since most of the effects can be done in POST)
 
Re: Feature Film Needs Accessories

search the "hardware" section for discussions on both; they have been discussed in depth.

Jarred's filters review is probably the most exhaustive look at filters I've heard of.
 
Re: Feature Film Needs Accessories

Be aware that you may have to buy a set of 'shorty' rod extensions for the mattebox if you use the Century Tele. The Tele is longer than the standard rods can support. The 'shorty' rods just screw in to the ends of the standard rods.
 
Re: Feature Film Needs Accessories

If money is not an object, why not to get mini35?? And you could just give yourself bigger flexibility as far as lens choise.

M.
 
Re: Feature Film Needs Accessories

The Mini-35 was discussed at length, but they don't like the idea of being limited to specific focal lengths of prime lenses (ie, they love zooms) and they enjoy the small size of the DVX; with a 35mm zoom on the DVX, they lose that small mobility they like so much.
 
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