I own an HVX200 and i want your opinion on a purchase ...

J

JPschmidt

Active member
This winter I plan to purchase either a Letus Extreme 35mm Adapter OR something along the lines of an Arri Arrilite 1000w 3 light, light kit ...

The only lighting setup I currently have is a mixture of 40-300 watt true color bulbs and clamp lights. Along with DIY bounce boards. And cheap car reflectors.

Lens wise I have what comes standard with the HVX200.

I am a amateur filmmaker, cinematographer, and videographer.
I'm looking to getting more into videography and music videos locally, etc ...

Which purchase in your humble opinions would be best?
 
if budget is an issue i say go with the lights. as 3 lights have any number of uses. but if you buy a 35mm adapter youre going to need rails and a follow focus to effectively use it. not to mention a collection of lenses...
 
The rails I would be buying with it, the follow focus no ... and the lenses i could borrow from my photography friends they have an arsenal of nikon lenses, but the follow focus i could see being an issue.

I'm more or less looking to spend around 1800, less is of course welcome. but that's my max, roughly.
 
I can't offer any advice towards a 35mm adapter. I myself am working towards
that.

But you can't go wrong with some type of light kit. I started with a Lowell kit
(4 banger) for about $1,100.00 which I still use today.

I then bought a used (but mint condition) "miss-mash" Arri kit which had an
assortment of lights. 3 1K open light face, 1 600K open light face, 1 300 Fresnel
and 2 150 Pepper Spots and cases for all.

Good luck.
 
lights first for sure... that 35 adaptor is going to slow the camera down even more, perhaps a stop to a stop and half slower... the camera will be thirsty for light.

There's alot of beautiful work that can be done with the 200 in it's stock form, with good lighting (a true statement for nearly any decent camera I suppose); but that being said, while the 35 kit is a good accessory, it shouldn't preclude your having a decent light kit to play around with first.
 
I'm more or less looking to spend around 1800, less is of course welcome
Click to expand...
sounds like youre young and marginally experienced. which everyone here was at one point ; )

i just bought a britek florescent "quasi-dimable" kit for about $650 + $200 for diffusers and gells, to accommodate my "budget challenged" clients who cant afford my price to rent a full-on pro kit.

its not great, but may give you the same or better end result as that arri kit - with FAR less HEAT and FAR cheaper

go here:
http://www.lincoinc168.com/40fllikitwib.html
 
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JPschmidt said:
The rails I would be buying with it, the follow focus no ... and the lenses i could borrow from my photography friends they have an arsenal of nikon lenses, but the follow focus i could see being an issue.

I'm more or less looking to spend around 1800, less is of course welcome. but that's my max, roughly.
Click to expand...

There are hidden costs with 35mm adapters. Rails, follow focus, lenses, HD field monitor, shoulder mount rig...

As someone who has shot extensively with digital cams both with and without the adapter, good lighting and composition is more essential to creating a great looking film than the glass you're shooting through.
 
I'm more than open to suggestions. Lighting kits and lighting are something I'm new to. I'm used to low budget productions with clamp lights and work lights ... so please :) feel free
 
My Lowel light kit is

1 Tota 750 with softbox
2 Omni 500s
3 Pro light 250s

Lowels can be had on Ebay really cheap.

I am using cheap impact stands, and just c47s for gels with no gel holders.

I really don't like lighting KITs. You should build your own by buy each individual light you need for your unique shooting needs.
 
i started out with a nice britek kit too. i got lights and got me more jobs without having to dish out to rentals. finnegan is right.

Finnegan said:
good lighting and composition is more essential to creating a great looking film than the glass you're shooting through.
Click to expand...
 
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