Iris Control?

[Michael Dean Gibbs]

I was recently a 1st AC on a project where we shot on an HVX-200 using a mini-35 adapter.

The DP insisted on adjusting the iris "on camera" and leaving the film 35mm film lens wide open...which made pulling focus, at times, difficult. My question is this: is it standard protocol to adjust the camera's aperture or the 35mm lens' aperture when using the mini-35 adapter?

Any input would be helpful.

Michael

 

[Dick Campbell]

The aperture on the lens affects the depth of field - in this case wide open is very narrow, and much more critical of focus, as you observed. Obviously, this was the effect the DP was going for.