looking to get a nice rig

Steve Laramie

Steve Laramie

Veteran
Already have the HVX200a but I now want to buy a 35mm adapter follow focus and matte box. Not sure what to get. I have worked with the SG pro and hate it. I am really attracted to the redrock m2 mainly because of the professionalism it offers IE. measuring to get focus and haveing a really nice matte box and follow focus with wips. I already have tons of Nikon lenses with the selectable f stops so I want it to be for nikon lenses. Also I want it to not be flipped upside down I want to get the right side up module of whatever I get. Thanks
 
Ehhhh. I'd suggest the SG pro. I used the M2 for 2 years and know it intimately. The SG pro is a better adapter.

You can still use the RR follow focus (I do) and whatever else.

Don't waste your money on a matte box yet (even though the RR unit is a steal.)

.
 
iv had a lot of problems with the sgpro. It might have been an older model but I notice that if you go within a few feet of a solid colored wall its almost like the corners are allot darker and the center is normal.
 
like the corners are allot darker and the center is normal.
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thats called vignetting (vin-yet-ing). it has some to do with lens choice as well as the adapter and the setup.

keep researching.
 
well I know what vignetting is this is a little bit different. Its not like your seeing the inside of the adapter or edges of the optics its just like the light is only being centered instead of filling the whole lens or adapter. It could very well be the lens but if it is the lens its probably just the way the interface between the adapter and lens is. Also is the SGpro only from england? Im in the us and dont know if its worth paying that kind of shipping and figureing out conversion between pounds and usd. I think its like 1pound = 1.93 usd. I am still for some reason have my heart set on the redrock.
 
your 503 will be fine. as long as its locked down or youre not looking for super elegant or complex pans and tilts to a good stop point. you will never get good camera moves from any bogen below the 510 - ive used them all and it just aint gonna happen. not without a lot of work anyway ; )

well I know what vignetting is this is a little bit different. its just like the light is only being centered instead of filling the whole lens or adapter
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clearly you dont, because thats what vignetting IS. what youre describing is a faulty or poorly set up adapter.

Im in the us and dont know if its worth paying that kind of shipping
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shipping isnt the biggest problem with the SG. the problem there is do they have them in stock. i was talking to wayne at sg before i got my brevis. i liked the look of the sg more but it was going to be a few weeks before the next production run. so i went with brevis

and figureing out conversion between pounds and usd. I think its like 1pound = 1.93 usd
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you dont really have to worry about that. it is what it is and the exchange rate only changes a few pennies on a short term basis. - if thats going to effect your purchase decision you dont need to be buying one anyway.

am still for some reason have my heart set on the redrock.
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all the specs say the redrock is the worst for light loss. i think you need to do more research
 
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lair, my reply above may seem kinda assy. but it sounds to me that youre very young and like youre making a lot of decisions based on limited experience and incorrect assumptions.

i think youre going to be better off doing more reading, and asking more questions before jumping off on the wrong adapter.

all the bigger name adapters will be fine. but each has their own plusses and minuses and each has their own idiosyncrasies.

from what ive read, the letus EX flip is leading the pack on light loss and build quality. and will likely be my next purchase. IF i can get over having to jack all my gear up on the rails 2"
 
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The reason im asking questions about this on this forum is because I have limited experience with adapters. All I can say is Iv used the sgpro and dont see whats so great about it. Let me tell you guys what I really want and then please give me a response based off of that. I am not a fan of super shallow DOF I find it cliched. I just want to be able to use Nikon lenses. For example if I want a large dof I would put an 18mm or 28mm on the adapter if I want shallow id throw an 85 or 300mm on it. Id like to be able to controll the depth as much as possible. I know you can close the fstops on the lens itself but not if it is dark. I have read the adapter comparason table in the adapter forum but it wasnt much help to me since everything basically balances out in the end.
 
also will I absolutely need an ext monitor? And whats the cheepest way around that. Iv worked with the Marshall 7inch and I love it but it is pricy!
 
YES an external monitor is crucial (whether or not you use an adapter) and ikan v8000hd is about the cheapest HD monitor youre going to find - PERIOD. it has its good and bad points. but for $800 its a superb deal. for framing/focus and at least ballpark exposure reference its more than worth the money.
 
I am not a fan of super shallow DOF I find it cliched
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okay then use a lens that doesnt deliver SUPER SHALLOW DOF. done. but that's really the ONLY benefit an adapter is going to give you - the ability to control depth of field. which many will argue that you can do with the stock lens anyway (given enough room from your subject to your camera)

using nikon (or canon or pentax or olympus or any other brand) 35mm lenses isnt going to improve your image. all its going to do is (and yes, i am simplifying things for sake of discussion) give you a more filmic (based on variable DOF) look. and cost you light and complicate your life.

if DOF control is important to you. and you have the time on set and the ability to control lighting - get and adapter. if not, dont.

sounds to me that you want DOF control. so you will need an adapter. you want the flip feature - they all have that now. letus leads the pack in light loss. and thats what everybody wants. i say buy letus.
 
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Why cant I just use the viewfinder for focus? IV been doing that for a while now and havnt had any problems. (I never use the LCD for focus)
 
I think the best thing to do is find someone in your area with the other adapters. Since u hated the sgpro, im thinking u may have lense issues. If u do, u will have a problem with all the adapters. i would hate for u to throw down 1000-1300 and hate that adapter also.
 
try looking at the Brevis, I'm happy with it. It all comes down to the glass though. Oh, I hated the Ikan, couldn't even sell it (****, I'd give it to you for $100 it's such garbage), ending up just biting the bullet for the new Panny (very happy).
 
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My problem is I dont know when I can start making decent money with an adapter setup. I do wedding videos and would never think to use it for weddings but I am also a DP and just do weddings to support that. I have 4-5 bands interested in music videos and If I get some deals going I will get the rig in a heart beat. I wasnt really expecting to buy a monitor too since about an hour ago. Everytime iv used an adapter I have used a marshal but I have also had fine results focusing with the eye piece. I am looking to spend $2000 right away and then maybe another $1000 within the following months.
 
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