Getting the Brevis

I am considering getting the Brevis 35 for my HVX200 and wanted to get some practical advice before I did so...

What is the minimum setup for this system to work wth my camera?
Can I just get the HD kit or should I conisder other things as well like the rail system?
What diffusion filters should I conisder?
What lenses should I look for?
Any advice about external monitor vs. flipping the hvx screen?

Thanks for any additional advice you may have to offer. I am a full-fledged newbie who is used to shooting with a still camera and would love to get my dearly beloved DOF back.
 
- I'm using Canon FD lenses and they seem to work well, though for most of them you have to do a 'trick' to free the apeture otherwise they're stuck wide open. Most people are using Nikon's and the big plus with them is they all have the same mount. Either way you go you'll want to buy the fast lenses.

- You can either use a mirror to flip the HVX LCD or another cheap alternative (which I'm about to do) is use a portable dvd player. The one I'm looking at is the new LG 7" model as it's very light and folds flat.

- A rail system would be a good purchase as it takes the weight from your 35 lenses off of the adaptor/hvx. It's pretty essential if you're going to be using longer lenses. Also you should get the 'brevis-to-rails' adjustable height mount if you get a rails system.

- I have the CF1 and CF3. There are new versions of these which apparently eliminate vignetting. CF3 has 2.5 times the diffusion of CF1 for a more 'film look'. People on the cinevate site do complain about the grain in the CF3 though. CF3 also requires more light. If you're only buying one diffuser maybe go the CF1 (I think it still looks nice.)

Ian
 
IMO, the brevis is the ONLY 35 adapter that doesnt REQUIRE rails.

i say get you an external monitor like the ikan v8000hd as the hvx on board monitor BLOWS for crit focus!

as far as lenses go, its almost as wide open a discussion as it is for still shooters. but here is a link i enjoy:
http://www.pixelmill.com.au/Mini35/Lenses.html
 
The Brevis is a very good choice. Most people use Nikon lenses.

wgzn said:
IMO, the brevis is the ONLY 35 adapter that doesnt REQUIRE rails.

i say get you an external monitor like the ikan v8000hd as the hvx on board monitor BLOWS for crit focus!

as far as lenses go, its almost as wide open a discussion as it is for still shooters. but here is a link i enjoy:
http://www.pixelmill.com.au/Mini35/Lenses.html

I disagree, you might get away with wide lenses up to a 50mm, but heavier lenses need to be supported. You will need a rail system. And a Brevis to rail mount.
 
I've been waiting what seems like an era for the hysonfilms.com rails, check them out, I think they're going to be excellent and to be released soon.
 
I have an M2, and lately I have been very impressed with the image from the Brevis, and it's also quite a lot smaller than the M2, making it less heavy and whatnot.

Is the Brevis 72mm Achromat any different than the RedRock one? Would I be able to just get the Brevis adapter and not rails or achromat, and use the stuff I already have with it?
 
wgzn said:
IMO, the brevis is the ONLY 35 adapter that doesnt REQUIRE rails.

i say get you an external monitor like the ikan v8000hd as the hvx on board monitor BLOWS for crit focus!

as far as lenses go, its almost as wide open a discussion as it is for still shooters. but here is a link i enjoy:
http://www.pixelmill.com.au/Mini35/Lenses.html

you can use the Go 35 without rails as well.
 
Aculag, check out the cinevate site for your question about the RR achromat with the brevis, I fairly sure someone asked that on the forum there.
 
tmnt said:
Aculag, check out the cinevate site for your question about the RR achromat with the brevis, I fairly sure someone asked that on the forum there.

Will do, thanks!
 
I had both the M2 HD achromat and the Brevis one, they both work fine.
I have been using Zeiss lenses and Nikons but have the mounts for Canon and Canon EOS also because you never know what that free lens is going to be from your uncles basement. Switching between them is super easy and you dont need rails because the unit is super light.
I do have them for when I put the camera down to protect everything.
I never have had a dust problem, the unit seems pretty damn sealed to me.
Its easy to do surgery on the GG if you change it out for another. The battery lasts forever.
 
he aram if you have the FD mount, lets start putting together a Brevis/SGpro/M2/Go35 shootout. not neccesariyl to see whats "better" but o see what the different adapters bring.
 
tmnt said:
-
- You can either use a mirror to flip the HVX LCD or another cheap alternative (which I'm about to do) is use a portable dvd player. The one I'm looking at is the new LG 7" model as it's very light and folds flat.
Ian

That's a great idea. Didn't think of that. The product description for the LG says it rotates 180 degrees. Cool.
 
You can just mount it to a c stand upside down. I have one where the screen twists around and folds down and then I clamp it on a tripod but I find just turning my Sony over is better for focus.
 
Hey Luna, I got the LG portable dvd player (pd170 i think). Seems really good, it's not pal/ntsc switchable though and as a sidenote, doesn't play divx etc. I'm going to use it a fair bit I think, just waiting for hyson films to release those damn rails so I can mount it on an arm.
 
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