Help m2 with stabiliser??

K

kabira786

Active member
Hi every one, I have been following dvxuser for the last 5 months, I love it.
I am from London and I have recently purchased a hvx200. Iam planning to buy m2 redrock 35 adaptor with nikon lense and a follow focus. Iam planning to shoot Weddings, Commercials etc.

Can any one please tell me which stabilizer can I use to go with the m2, follow focus, matte box.

I know If im correct I would have to use a remote focus, but im sure there must be another way, may be a stealth with thin wires. I have been looking at the varizoom aviator but they dont recommend a 35mm adaptor. smooth shooter is a hand full because of all the counter weight.

comments would be helpful
 
ya, as far as a remote focus on a 35mm lens on an M2, i havnt researched, but it would have to be rigged completly customized since all lenses are different. Might get REALLY expensive
 
ok Thank you for that info. My budget isnt that much, If I need to use a remote focus then I would have to forget this idea. Which stabilizer would be best for me if i want to use it with a matte box only and the switch it to a tripod instantly?
 
Thank you Cynic and Mikkowilson, You guys are very quick to respond.

What are your views on the varizoom prolite?
 
Konton has a rig that might be what you want to look at. lemme find it.....

here it is:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=64555

in this thread he has pics of this setup on a DVRigPro. it uses the same quick release plates so it should come off and on very easily.

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

Here is pretty much the same rig (mine) :) on the tripod using the same release plates.

1156192102.jpg


as you can see its a hefty guy, but Konton has nothing but wonders to say about it

ive never used a varizoom prolite, id have to research a little.
 
total including the HVX? the HVX is arond 5300....oh wait, thats UK money? what is that, and how much does that translate too?
 
kabir said:
Hi every one, I have been following dvxuser for the last 5 months, I love it.
I am from London and I have recently purchased a hvx200. Iam planning to buy m2 redrock 35 adaptor with nikon lense and a follow focus. Iam planning to shoot Weddings, Commercials etc.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you already know this, but I could not even imagine using the m2 or any 35mm adapter on a wedding shoot. ( well, I take that back, I have dreamed of it, but last weekend I decided it should never happen for that type of event). After a few years of this and attempting many crazy, risky things, I'm pretty convinced your overall best performance shot-on-shot for a wedding shoot is to go very light and bare. figure out how to simulate the motion of things like jib arms and steadicams--WITH YOUR OWN BODY--otherwise you will miss shots, waste time, or stand to lose or ruin your equipment.

The toys such as anything on rails, even steadicam, take too much time in a fast moving shoot to be dinging around with---unless you have an extra camera and an assistant.

Smaller tool such as monopods, WA lens, teleadapters, etc work fine, but you must be careful about not yanking out the whole front lens thread off your camera when you're in a hurry.
 
Thats very true. Setup on the M2 isnt exactly fast, with practice im down to about 5 minutes, but i would never only take 5 minutes to dial that thing in. For weddings, if they want stuff to look like a movie, go there (and charge more of course) during the dress rehersal, and plan out shots like that to add to the DVD package. Dont plan on getting anything cinematic or crazy while at the wedding, you should worry about just capturing the moments. They will be distracted by their Uncle Edward, and Aunt Merriam, Niece Nicole on the DVD , and wont be looking for anything cinematic.

Even it the M2 was there, they wouldnt notice. Is what im saying.
 
I'd agree that you don't want to get involved with 35mm adapters for weddings. The truth is that your cleints won't notice, let alone care about a cinematic look for a wedding video.

For commercials of course that's a different matter.


Don't waste your money on the Varizoom rigs, you would probably be dissapointed.

Heck, for wedding shoots you don't really need a matte box. Just get a Merlin and stick your HVX on that! $800. Can't beat that.

- Mikko
 
Thank you guys! great info. Ok I see what you are saying about the m2, good point. Q. What is wrong with the varizoom rigs, which is best for me. I wanted to look good and professional, different at weddings. I may need a stabilizer for commercials, short movies.... or do I not need a stabilizer
 
Run a search for Varizoom for info about them.

Do you want to look professional or be professional? Beacuse if you are buying gear for the looks. go see what looks best on e-bay and buy it.


To be honest, you probably do not need a stabilizer. It's something that you should consider once you have a need for it.

A stabilizer is a fair tool for an aditional camera at a wedding (presuming you have a "main" camera - the stabilized moving camera should just be for adding 'splash' to the video)

For commercial, and other dramatic production, a Stabilizer is a long way down the chain of tools needed. In camera grip, after your tripod, a Dolly and a Jib/Crane are much more important than a Steadicam.


EDIT: ...and yes, the Merlin will fly the HVX.

- Mikko
 
I just looked at the merlins site it handles weight from 0.5 to 5lb where as the hvx is 5.291lb and thats excluding the battery. If i can remember i read a post where some one is talking about adding manual counter weights to it???

oh yea also mikko bear in mind I will have the cineporter attached at the bottom of the cam.

Thanx for your feedback!!
 
kabir said:
oh yea also mikko bear in mind I will have the cineporter attached at the bottom of the cam.
Click to expand...

OH... Then the Merlin is out.

In fact this definatly adds a lot of weight to your system (in adition to moving the weight of your camera up.)


I'd say hold off on the Steadicam for now and get together other gear like a dolly and a jib first. Hire a Steadicam opeartor for the shoots that need it untill it becomes important enough for you to get your own.

- Mikko
 
thanx mikko.

Alexa, any Idea what kind of lighting kit i can buy again for weddings, commercials?

what do you think about the arri kits?
 
You got a lot of research to do... I think people dont understand the mini35 workflow. It is NOT run and gun and require a LOT of extra gear. We are talking, matte box, follow focus, rails, etc. and most of all, you need a LOT more light. Unless the wedding was outside, there is no way you could use a mini35 with available light.

Unless you are charging a fortune, I think the HVX is overkill for weddings. That is probably one place everyone will agree that many of the HDV offerings may be the better choice...




ash =o)
 
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