G35 vs Blade

nantnee

nantnee

Well-known member
I recently saw some videos shot with the G35 and i have to say it looks pretty awesome in terms of bokeh, and the blade (as mentioned in other threads) loses less light with good bokeh. One of these two choices will be the adapter i'll buy. Now, here are my problems, my camera broke recently leaving me with 3700 bucks towards a new camera. It will either be my previous camera, the A1, or the HMC-150.

Now,

The 150 has the ability to flip the image on the LCD screen, which means I would not need the flip module for the Blade, saving me a couple hundred of dollars. The G35 doesnt have a flip module so the price stays the same.

The A1 doesnt have the flip capability to flip the image, but it is $300 cheaper than the 150. So that saves me money. But, then I would want to get the flip module for the blade costing me about $300. The G35 is still the same.

So it seems the prices would be relatively close (camera + 35).

Does anyone have any footage with the HMC-150 and G35 and Blade?
Or the A1 with the G35.

I do remember reading about a shoot out, which I'm excited to see and hopefully will be concluded before my purchase. I'm just looking for opinions.

thanks
 
It seems that a major consideration for you should be the tape vs tapeless workflow...

As far as the adapters are concerned, they are both going to look great, I think everyone can support that. The G35 has no moving parts, so it's going to be the easiest to set up and will be low maintenance. But the Blade is going to allow you to stop down further and collimate your lens quickly and easily.

My humble opinion is that you are already going to be using a processor-intensive codec when editing (AVCHD or HDV), so you probably want to work with images that are already flipped so that you are not killing your processor when editing. Unless you plan to use Raylight to ingest, I would get the Blade with flip module. But that's just me. You won't be making a bad choice either way.
 
Will Clegg said:
My humble opinion is that you are already going to be using a processor-intensive codec when editing (AVCHD or HDV), so you probably want to work with images that are already flipped so that you are not killing your processor when editing. Unless you plan to use Raylight to ingest, I would get the Blade with flip module. But that's just me. You won't be making a bad choice either way.
Click to expand...

If he's using cineform like me, then you have to convert your files anyway. Once converted the files are easy to edit with - like MiniDV. And the cineform reder can flip the images for you.

So I agree, the workflow would make the argument.
 
yes. it is difficult. I cant find much footage on the G35 + A1. But from what I've seen, it is really good. And maybe I dont have eyes for it, but I can't see the grain people are referring to. Ive seen some of PaPa's demos with the SGBlade and A1 and it looks really crisp.

But things to consider. G35 doesnt have a mount for the HMC-150 yet. Blade does.
If you dont have the HMC-150 that is able to flip the image for you, then you would want the Flip module for the blade costing a little bit more.

I have a few weeks to decide. Hopefully i'll find more footage from both.
 
nantnee said:
. . . G35 doesnt have a mount for the HMC-150 yet . . .
Click to expand...

Actually, Cinemek does sell a universal mount for the G35 that fits 72mm for the HMC150 (and the HPX170). The only you lose with the universal mount is the hood that covers the focus ring.
 
nantnee said:
yes. it is difficult. I cant find much footage on the G35 + A1. But from what I've seen, it is really good. And maybe I dont have eyes for it, but I can't see the grain people are referring to. Ive seen some of PaPa's demos with the SGBlade and A1 and it looks really crisp.

But things to consider. G35 doesnt have a mount for the HMC-150 yet. Blade does.
If you dont have the HMC-150 that is able to flip the image for you, then you would want the Flip module for the blade costing a little bit more.

I have a few weeks to decide. Hopefully i'll find more footage from both.
Click to expand...

Hi
I have been using the G35 for a couple of weeks now, with a Sony PD150. I am very happy about the results, bokeh is wonderful and the image hasn't got the sharpness typical of video or of some other adapters' footage I have seen. Provided the focus is perfect, I find this texture of the image a plus rather than a problem.

Grain was never an issue for me in interiors, it can be a problem if you don't use the adapter properly in sunny exteriors, meaning that you need a matte box and a set of ND filters. I tried using the camera ND - despite the fact I knew I shouldn't - and I stopped down to f 8 and of course it was a mistake. But this is no secret as it is even published on the G35 website.

I do not have any experience with other adapters, so I cannot make a comparison, but the G35 is rather heavy and you do need good support. I went for the Zacuto, including the small arm for the monitor, I spent a lot of money but I do not regret it at all.

The only real problem I encountered is the locking pin on the nikon mount, it is very short and two of my nikon lenses do not lock in properly, the other three lock in without problems. I spoke to Jonathan about it and he has been fully supportive, he conceeded the probelm lies with the pin and they are going to modify its design, I'll get a replacement mount as soon as they are ready. I think this shows how serious they about their their products and client's support.

As I said, I am shooting with a PD 150, that's all I have for the time being, the camera hasn't got a great lcd but I could not imagine focusing without a proper external lcd. Actually, I find the Swit monitor I am using not sharp enough and I am thinking of getting an Ikan or Marshall. This is to say that the flip issue is a non issue because you can easily flip the image on the monitor. The DV footage doesn't need any rendering in Final Cut to be flipped, not sure about HDV.

I'll try to post some footage the coming week.
 
G35

G35

Hey all. I probably don't spend enough time on here answering questions so my apologies. A few quick notes about the static design of the G35. We have stuck to this design for many reasons. The biggest for me is this. It works. There is nothing to go out of alignment, or to be "cleaned" The unit is totally sealed and there are no user serviceable parts. As a working DP I feel this is the most important thing. Batteries are a pain, don't work in the cold and lets face it, the only reason people move i.e. spin a screen is because of the grain. Is it worth having a moving element just so you can stop down to F22 and shoot the sky in a pan?

As for stopping the lens down, you can easily stop down to F8 without issues and you are not limited by high shutter speeds. Setup is very very easy. The Universal mount works on all 72 mm threaded cameras. (and other cameras for that matter with step up or down rings) If you have any issues with the adapter send it back to us for a repair or replacement under your warrantee. No questions asked. We can do this because the design is very simple and easy to support.

1. No batteries.
2. No screen misalignment issues.
3. Unlimited shutter speed options.
4. Silent operation.
5. Unparalleled durability allowing for shooting in the harshest of conditions.
6. True 35mm bokeh rendering.

Feel free to email me if you have any other questions. Thanks!
 
nantnee said:
G35 doesnt have a mount for the HMC-150 yet. Blade does.
Click to expand...

The blade uses a 72mm threaded mount similar to our universal mount. The G35 is the only adapter on the market which also offers camera specific mount which utilize the bayonet Hood mount for very quick setup. Currently we only have HVX and DVX mounts in stock but are adding many many more mounts in the following weeks.
 
Im not sure of the suitability of the beyonet on a camera which is designed to hold the hood. The screw on thread is obviously designed to hold optics to the lens, so it is precise and concentric. The beyonet is often moulded into the plastic body of the camera, and the lens hood is usualy quite loose and rattley on the front of the camera. This makes me think that this beyonet is not really precise enough or suitable for holding such a delecate (optically delecate) device up to the lens. Also the lens hood is very light weight, whereas the adapter and SLR lens will obviously weigh a lot more. Im not convinced that the more plasticy cameras (like the FX1) would take the weight or would provide enough support to hold the adapter in an accurate position.
 
hoarp001 said:
Im not sure of the suitability of the beyonet on a camera which is designed to hold the hood. The screw on thread is obviously designed to hold optics to the lens, so it is precise and concentric. The beyonet is often moulded into the plastic body of the camera, and the lens hood is usualy quite loose and rattley on the front of the camera. This makes me think that this beyonet is not really precise enough or suitable for holding such a delecate (optically delecate) device up to the lens. Also the lens hood is very light weight, whereas the adapter and SLR lens will obviously weigh a lot more. Im not convinced that the more plasticy cameras (like the FX1) would take the weight or would provide enough support to hold the adapter in an accurate position.
Click to expand...
Nearly all (I say nearly because there are a few I have not used) "Prosumer" cameras utilize the same methods when it comes to manufacturing the front threaded filter section of a camera. Most companies use a high impact plastic or a light weight aluminum which contain both the threads and the tabs for the bayonet mount all in one piece. You are confusing the poor tolerances in the hood manufacturing (which is just molded plastic) with the camera side of the bayonet mount. Every one of our bayonet mounts has been tested extensively against it's corresponding camera. It's not an issue. Now, repeated threading and unthreading of a threaded mount on camera threads which are intended to attach a UV filter can cause huge issues.

We don't recommend anyone use and adapter without support. We state that our adapter can operate without support. We cannot take liability for people being reckless with their gear.
 
JHouser said:
The blade uses a 72mm threaded mount similar to our universal mount. The G35 is the only adapter on the market which also offers camera specific mount which utilize the bayonet Hood mount for very quick setup. Currently we only have HVX and DVX mounts in stock but are adding many many more mounts in the following weeks.
Click to expand...


thanks for the replies.


and thats good news J
 
Any suggestion for a rail setup for the G35. I was told the Zacuto work well with it. But it is to far out of my price range. Any ideas?
 
JHouser said:
The blade uses a 72mm threaded mount similar to our universal mount. The G35 is the only adapter on the market which also offers camera specific mount which utilize the bayonet Hood mount for very quick setup. Currently we only have HVX and DVX mounts in stock but are adding many many more mounts in the following weeks.
Click to expand...
When do you think you'll have a bayonet hood mount for the HMC150?
 
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