FS100 and AF100 shoot using Atomic PL Adapter with Duclos 11-16mm and Zeiss CP2 Lens

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HDshooter

Carbonite Member
***ADMIN NOTE***
HDshooter is actually Ralph from 'Atomic Camera'.
This thread has been left here so members can see what kind of marketing they employ.
We do not approve of people trying to deceive our membership.



Yesterday was the first time I used both cameras on the same shoot. I had the cameras side by side, one cu , one wide. It was an on-location behind the scenes interview with the movies director. I lit it with some Arri's and a small Chimera. Afterwards I did a quick edit on my laptop and was happy with the way the two cameras intercut with each other. Another thing that was cool was the way I could change lens (Duclos PL 11-16 and CP2 primes) really quick between both cameras. I have been using the Atomic Camera PL adapter/rod set-up with my PL lens on both cameras (micro 4/3, E-mount) with no problems for a few months now. By the way, I was on the atomic-cameras.com website last night and noticed they updated their site and are running a sale on their PL adapters. I think they were offering the whole set-up w/ rods fo either camera for $679 and if you have your own rods, the adapter and support was only $529. That's a killer deal considering I paid $875+tax for mine.
 
thanks for the head up. I'm in the market for the PL adapter too. What about the new company called solidcamera? same price range
 
I've heard good things about the Atomic PL mount, however, as of yet, I've never used it specifically.

In combination with CP.2's, does the Atomic mount realistically need support? I've been told it can be an overkill; can anyone elaborate?

To be clear, I'm curious if support is needed with only the lens attached (no mattebox, etc.)...
 
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The FS100 E-Mount is VERY weak. It takes very little to damage it. On top of that, any adapter places the load further from the mount magnifying the stresses. The CP2 lenses are very light relative to other PL mount lenses but still significantly over the acceptable capacity of the FS100 IMO - the CG is very close to the front. When calibrating mounts, we shim the mount all the way down to .001" or better so the lenses hit their marks and zooms stay in focus while zooming. This calibration is entirely dependent on the flange being perfectly parallel to the sensor. Think about what happens when gravity pulls the lens downward, it will no longer be parallel. In that case, if you focus in the center of the frame, the top and bottom could be soft like a tilt shift lens. This is what you will see more and more as you stretch the 1.5mm (tiny) screws holding the mount in place until they loosen or simply crack off.

My recommendation, is always support a PL mount REALLY well, otherwise your expensive PL glass will not achieve what it was designed for. We support the crap out of our mounts!
 
Very well stated rx8pilot... That's what I figured but thanks for the enlightening; you make excellent points.
 
Solid camera makes a nice adapter too as does Hot rod camera. When I got my AF100, Hot Rod was the only game in town and they wanted around $1800. I already had the PL lens but wasn't in the mood to spend $1800 bucks for an a PL adapter. So when Atomic camera came out with one for $875 I got that one. Later in the year Solid came out with there adapter but it still cost $1290. After getting a FS100 this summer, I called Atomic camera and they set me up with a PL version for the E-mount.
Anyway bottom line, the Atomic adapter works great for 2-3 times less $ than the other guys. I like that its light and solid feeling, it supports the lens weight, it adjusts up and down to fit different matteboxes and follow focuses, and I just like Red
better than green or blue! Now that they are blowing them out on their website for $679 full set-up and $529 with your own 15mm rods. it's a no brainer.
 
I can go on and on about safety for expensive lenses and the camera, I know Carlos can too. Ultimately it won't matter for the people who think that a cheap knock-off adapter is a good idea.

I remember a presentation done by Oakley years ago which had imitation Blade sunglasses being impaled by a giant sharp piece of metal and then real Oakleys undergoing the same stresses. It wasn't even close. The real ones kept eyes safe and the knock-offs suffered total destruction.

There are other problems with the ebay sold PL adapters including poor tolerances, flange depth and lack of PL mount lens compatibility. I know as I get people who send me this crap and ask to me please fix them, or the cameras they've damaged.

I believe it's been posted several times that this Taiwanese manufacturer on ebay, http://www.ebay.com/itm/ARRI-ARRIFL...262?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab0f8c4ee product is being sold under multiple brand names.

HDshooter do you have any undisclosed connection with Atomic? 6 of your 7 posts at DVXuser are in direct relation to that brand?
 
For the record Illya, the only reason I write anything on any production forum is to help other shooters with information or deals I come across. I just so happened to pick the Atomic PL adapter because it was half the price of yours and I had Duclos and Zeiss lens that I wanted to use right away. I first saw this PL adapter in the Panasonic NAB booth where I talked to Barry Green about it. Then I tried the mount out at a rental house and it worked so I bought one. Atomics website says they are machined and made in the USA. I called them to make sure and they confirmed that even tho the locking ring design looks like the china rip offs, it was designed, machined, anodized and tested in the USA. I have been shooting video and film professionally since 1980 and have been a IASTE union #600 and #695 member since 1988. I only use standard of the industry equipment and I like to support small companies that make cool stuff that works. I would have no problem buying your PL mount if it was red and you sold it for the same price as Atomic-camera.com....$679.
 
I wasn't question your work, or your purchasing decision. Obviously, you are free to do whatever you like. Any manufacturer would be lucky to have such a passionate supporter, especially one who dedicates their own time to promoting their product totally unsolicited! I know you didn't say it directly in your post, but I'm going to take it that you have no connection with Atomic other than being their customer.

Conflicts of interest are such a common occurrence these days. Over the past two year it has received a lot of attention thanks to the recent Federal Trade Commission regulations and hefty fines (north of $10K) for not disclosing connections and compensations for posts made on-line in blogs and forums. There are definitely some "professional" bloggers in this industry who are running some real risks not disclosing compensation from manufacturers for their testimonials.

I probably get hit up at least once a month from someone who wants to write a "review" in exchange for a (wink wink, nudge nudge) loan (gift) on piece of gear. I know it puts Hot Rod Cameras at a disadvantage by not participating in those games, but so be it. I'd rather earn the press and customers I do get, and sleep soundly.
 
HDshooter said:
I just so happened to pick the Atomic PL adapter because it was half the price of yours and I had Duclos and Zeiss lens that I wanted to use right away. I first saw this PL adapter in the Panasonic NAB booth where I talked to Barry Green about it. Then I tried the mount out at a rental house and it worked so I bought one. Atomics website says they are machined and made in the USA. I called them to make sure and they confirmed that even tho the locking ring design looks like the china rip offs, it was designed, machined, anodized and tested in the USA. I have been shooting video and film professionally since 1980 and have been a IASTE union #600 and #695 member since 1988.
Click to expand...

fruitypurple said:
Strange that you act like HD Shooter and Atomic Cameras are two separate Entities. Oddly enough Atomic Cameras Brand name for the PL mount is just another name for the Failed "Optitek" brand..... One can see with the below screenshots and by following the links that HD Shooter "Ralph" is actually Atomic Cameras
Click to expand...

Atomic and HDShooter both have the exact same phone number?!?!

WOW! What a catch! That's pretty damn low. If someone is going to spin up an elaborate lie about 'oh I just stumbled across this great thing', it's fair to assume that everything stated by "Ralph" aka HDShooter aka Atomic is also a lie.
 
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