Help me make decision - 35 Adaptor

B

betafilms

New member
I am not an expert on HVX200 but I attended few workshops at Abelcine and I learn as much I can at this forum.

I am directing a feature in the summer in New Jersey. Most of the locations are interior and will be shot in townhomes.

I am searching for an experienced DP with solid HVX200 understanding, so I am cheking out few DPs here in NJ/NYC. The one that I spoke to suggest that we should get 35MM adapter.
I don't want to rent/buy anything unless I absolutely need it.

I am trying to figure out is there any real advantage of using 35mm Adapter for my locations.

I know that it gives a film 'look' and gives the ability to use interchangable lens. But since all my locations are small interiors, I don't know whether the interchangable lens will add anything to the movie.

I think for my locations and setups the lens that comes with HVX is more than sufficient.

The DP also told me that HVX keeps everything in focus so it looks like a video unless we get an adapter and lens. I am not sure about this.

Please help me make a decision.

Thanks
Venkat
 
if you want deep depth of field, look for another DP. personally, I'd go for the adapter --- specifically the Brevis35. just received mine yesterday for a feature i'm directing this fall (see sig). test footage from yesterday. but in my case, a narrow depth of field is thematically essential to the story i'm tellling.
 
Venkat,

Also, if you are transferring to film, the 35 mm quality may not be good. If you are planning DVD, then it adds value.

As Zak said all it depends on your way of story telling..for example, if you have lot of shots where 2 characters talking (both looking at camera), and you want to zoom on face and back to other, you need 35 mm adapter.. So it depend on your way of story telling..

Best of luck
Suren
 
Thanks for the quick replies.

I don't know whether we will be transferring to film. Atleast not with the money we have!!. The biggest problem is renting an adaptor is costing more than renting the camera.

Most of the shots will be like the ones in the DVX film "November" and I plan to use pans and slow dollies. There are no zoom closeups.

Venkat
 
It depends on what look you like best.

deep depth of field did not start on video. It started on film. The f64 style of shooting, where the iris is closed tight to maintain deep focus is a very old and sometimes very effective technique.

The latest trend in cinematography is the shallowest DOF possible.

But look at stanley kubrick's films (I'm baised because I think he was the best director ever on planet earth), very deep focus for most shots.

I guess it's just harder to guide the eye without the aid of a shallow DOF, but the best DPs can guide the eye wherever they want no matter what the focus characteristics are.

I personally like things in focus. I believe it looks less hollywood and more real.

It also depends on the story. shallow DOF definitely works better on some movies than others, but there are plenty of films with deep DOF that look great.

One is not better than the other, it is a style of choice just like almost everything else in directing/cinema.
 
I am directing a feature in the summer in New Jersey. Most of the locations are interior and will be shot in townhomes.

I am searching for an experienced DP with solid HVX200 understanding, so I am cheking out few DPs here in NJ/NYC. The one that I spoke to suggest that we should get 35MM adapter.
I don't want to rent/buy anything unless I absolutely need it.


I've shot more than a few things with the Movie tube /HVX combo and can tell you this: I like the image but it comes with baggage. Since you are shooting interiors, how much lighting kit can you afford because you'll need it. All 35 lens adpaters soak up light . Here is an example of a little Sesame St film (green screen elements not comped) www.o7films.com/mtsample > at the bottom of the page ) I shot recently with the Movie tube. We had a 1.2 & 575 HMI pars as keys and probably 8 other tungsten lights for a small interior scene. Exposure was a thin 2.8+ which in 35mm land means very shallow DOF, Want 2 characters in focus in a scene?

While I like the results you can get with the Movie tube on the HVX you must be prepared to bring light and people to help light . The position of focus puller is back in style as well. Think about what those things mean to how you approach your production. Its not really a run and gun style that so many are used to.
 
Mark... those clips look great. LOVE the boxing stuff. Just looks so darn clean and dripping with style. I can see how focus is so critical though and you'd have to have a FP there on set. Do you also use a monitor and rent the Movie Tube? it's really expensive comparatively to the other units on the market now.


I know I want to get an adapter as I plan on doing a short that requires seperation between forground, background subjects and I will be specifically looking to rack focus as much as possible and just keep things soft and all that. I do think it's a tool in the bag that is good for certain applications and not for others. Like I've used a teleconverter now and for certain things that's a better choice... as is a wide angle screw on lense. It's just good to have the options these days.
 
Your choice won't be any easier considering how the good shooters on here employ the different adapters. Incredible footage from all of them literally.
 
Justyn said:
Mark... those clips look great. LOVE the boxing stuff. Just looks so darn clean and dripping with style. I can see how focus is so critical though and you'd have to have a FP there on set. Do you also use a monitor and rent the Movie Tube? it's really expensive comparatively to the other units on the market now.

The boxing stuff was shot wide open available light with no attempt to light the scene, just get the camera to a good place. Wide open on a zeiss superspeed is not some place you want to be with lots of action in the frame, DOF is paper thin. The triangle stuff was more manageable as I had enough light to get a third closed from T2.8, but even that was marginal on the longer focal length lenses 50 mm or 85 mm.
Click to expand...
 
Movietube looks great!
Shooting outdoors with it is fine but i would take it off for interiors.
The movietube eats alot of light, even if you have the budget i would think twice about using it indoors.
 
Hey sorry to interupt this thread. Awesome footage from everyone by the way.

Have any of you transfered to 35mm with an adapter? And how good does it look? I'm considering it for a future film. And Im not sure what the quality is.
Thanks so much for any help. I think im sold on the brevis35

and quick question about what crs just said, so you would say use it outdoors and not in?, if so will it look different on a film transfer?
 
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