Is a 35mm adapter a necessity?
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patcrowley
Member
Skip it. Too much of a headache. Setup time takes too long. More lights are required. You need extra takes unless you have an amazing AC. Footage looks milky in my opinion. I can do 20 setups in the time it takes to do 2 with an adapter. A great DP will make up for it. Consider it a 16mm film or rent a RED.
augenblick
Well-known member
Slumdog Millionaire just won Golden Globes for best Film(Drama) Best Director and best Screenplay. It was shot on an SI-2K camera with 2/3" Chips.
So No. To win a golden Globe it is not necessary to use a 35mm adapter. It is much more important to have a good story, good directing, good actors and good editing.
It's not the tools, it's the craft.
My 2 cents
Peter
So No. To win a golden Globe it is not necessary to use a 35mm adapter. It is much more important to have a good story, good directing, good actors and good editing.
It's not the tools, it's the craft.
My 2 cents
Peter
xmephestox
Carbonite Member
everything has its pros and cons. with adapter, u need more of everything. light, money, time, etc.
but it will look more cinematic.
but as said before, content rules all. if ur content is amazing, u can shoot ur whole feature on a dvx and it will still do fine.
but it will look more cinematic.
but as said before, content rules all. if ur content is amazing, u can shoot ur whole feature on a dvx and it will still do fine.
In all fairness, a 2/3" chip would allow a higher DoF than most cameras people are using here with 1/4" or 1/3" chips...in addition, some films that use DV cameras did use films lenses (28 days later for example) which would provide the look here that many are seeking.
If you need to move fast (and who doesn't), I would try to find an alternative. I discourage feature productions from using a 35mm adapter for the reasons mentioned above: speed, light loss, etc. Others will go for it. I personally like very black blacks and the native contrast of a chosen lens. Not only will you have to deal with the adapter, but you will also need a good focus puller if you plan to move fast. It's easy enough to find someone who will take a bunch of measurements, but if you're under the gun and have a heavy schedule, you need an experienced and good focus puller who can keep up. So you will have to budget for one.
Most of the time if its HD, I try to find them a good deal on a 2/3" camera like the F900R, Varicam, etc. and try to use longer lenses when possible.
I like the idea of 35mm adapters though - it's thrifty, ingenious and very indie. I like to use them on music videos and shorts that have the luxury of time and don't have the budget for film.
Most of the time if its HD, I try to find them a good deal on a 2/3" camera like the F900R, Varicam, etc. and try to use longer lenses when possible.
I like the idea of 35mm adapters though - it's thrifty, ingenious and very indie. I like to use them on music videos and shorts that have the luxury of time and don't have the budget for film.
PaPa
Major Contributor
Going back to your question, would it be stupid to skimp on it?
The answer is yes, if if fits in your budget.
Obviously content is weighed higher than the depth of field, but i guarantee you it iwll add production value.
Put it this way, you create your film with the bare camera, the results will be that much greater if you create the same thing with the addition of an adapter. There is a reason these things exist. If your budget allows the addition of certain pieces of equipment that will making shooting with an adapter feasible, then do it.
The answer is yes, if if fits in your budget.
Obviously content is weighed higher than the depth of field, but i guarantee you it iwll add production value.
Put it this way, you create your film with the bare camera, the results will be that much greater if you create the same thing with the addition of an adapter. There is a reason these things exist. If your budget allows the addition of certain pieces of equipment that will making shooting with an adapter feasible, then do it.
Michael Y Wong
Member
I also share the sentiments that a 35mm adapter + solid colour correction+grading will take the production value of your film to the next level.
Nevertheless content (+ strong direction) is always always king.
Nevertheless content (+ strong direction) is always always king.
Charles Lowthian
Well-known member
i'd shoot a feature on imax. why? well why not?. if i could budget it i'd love to try it - ofcourse, it would have to suit the script 
speaking of budgets, see if you can budget film processing of any type + telecine etc or if shooting digital is the choice because of budget. 35mm adapters have their own look. some dont like it. i like it, for the look it gives. see if it can suit the vision the script has created. The adapter 'film look' - shallow focus, if done 'well' will always attract over most stock hd cams under 2/3". as for lighting, again depends on the film, if you're scripting mostly closeups, 1-2 people wides, daylight outdoors, the light loss of an adapter isn't really an issue. again, some may think it is. i dont opinions. etc...
speaking of budgets, see if you can budget film processing of any type + telecine etc or if shooting digital is the choice because of budget. 35mm adapters have their own look. some dont like it. i like it, for the look it gives. see if it can suit the vision the script has created. The adapter 'film look' - shallow focus, if done 'well' will always attract over most stock hd cams under 2/3". as for lighting, again depends on the film, if you're scripting mostly closeups, 1-2 people wides, daylight outdoors, the light loss of an adapter isn't really an issue. again, some may think it is. i dont opinions. etc...