Need Some Guidance

F

Firehouse Studios

New member
Hey Everyone,

I am relatively new to the entire 'Videography/Film' scene. So, I have a couple of questions regarding my initial purchase of equipment.

I currently run a web design and graphics company that has expanded to the digital photography and video side of things. We're currently looking to take on weddings and commercial video/photo and have found quite a market for it. We're currently using 2 Nikon D300 SLR Cameras and various lenses, and are preparing to purchase the video equipment.

I have read some really great things about the XH A1 and think that it would be good for what I need. My question is more about all the junk to get with it. I plan on purchasing a 35mm DOF Adapter, but I get lost when it comes to the follow focus, the camera jib, the monitors, the battery systems, the tripods, and get even further lost when I look at pictures of these people with a zillion attachments on their cameras.

If someone could help me out with the equipment that would be great to start with, I would appreciate it. You can tell me the brands and items that you would think to buy. I have little over $8,000 budgeted for the video equipment and would love it if I could use some of our existing Nikon lenses.

Thanks for the help,

Brad
 
To answer the question about the DOF adapter and accesories it needs, It basically comes down to this:

First, you need to select which DOF adapter you want. There are basically four main brands - Letus, SGPro, Brevis, Red Rock. There are others but these are the ones you'll find the most info about in this forum. You also have to decide if you want one that flips the image upright or not. Look for examples of footage to help you make up your mind as to which adapter produces the look you want.

Next, you'll need to decide which 35mm lens you'll be using. Sounds like you want to use your Nikon lenses. Some brands offer changable mounts. You need to know this before ordering your DOF adapter because you need to specify the mount.

Once you have decided on which adapter and lenses you'll be using, you'll need a support system to support the DOF adapter and lenes. A rail system of the proper length is required to do this. You'll also need it for the Follow focus you'll have to purchase. Most of the DOF manufacturers offer rail systems as well, or you can go to other manufacturers. Prices vary widely.

You'll need to purchase a Follow Focus. That's the only practical way of focusing your shots with 35mm lenses. You won't be able to use Auto Focus on your camera.

If you chose not to get an adapter with a built in or a flip module, you'll need an external monitor that you can use to flip the image upright. Otherwise it will be very difficult to shoot your video. The external monitor will also help you focus better.

You'll also need to consider a tripod that can handle the weight of this setup. And if you're going to use it hand-held, a shoulder mount system or steady cam type system will also be necessary since the camera will be very nose heavy and hard to keep steady.

This is very general info....hope it helps.
 
Last edited:
In your position I would not exactly suggest going straight to DOF adapter... Here is the order I would suggest going in...

1) Camera (apparently A1 is what you are going with)

2) Fluid head tripod (503HDv - lower end / Vinten, Sachtler - higher end)

3) Audio Kit - Boom Mic (Sennheiser/Shure), Lavs (Sennheiser G2-lower end / Lectrosonics - higher end), Mixer (Sound Devices), Cables etc... Often times overlooked but possibly more important than the camera... Good audio is 75% of your picture...

4) Light Kit - You really need quality lights... Kino's, Arri's etc... You may already have these as you do photography stuff...

5) 35mm DOF adapter... I personally have the Letus Extreme... Nikon lenses... Great results... Lower light loss and a corrected image orientation... I think most people that make the ungodly camera rigs make it a point of pride to make it heavy, enormous, and look like it just survived a nuclear holocaust... Though *some* of the accessorizing is absolutely useful it is not always necessary...



Other things you may consider are shoulder braces, steadicam, HD monitor, and a workhorse machine to edit the video...
 
Last edited:
If you're looking at the wedding market, I would say that your critical list is:

1 - 2 camcorders. You need backup if one goes down, but also, you get a lot of benefit from fixing one in position and moving round with the other. The fixed one gives you your basic wide shots/cutaways, and the mobile gives you the close-ups and moody stuff. The fixed wide shots make the edit much easier later, by giving you a thread to hang everything on.

The 2 cameras should use the same media. So if you have an A1 as your main, an HV30 as backup uses the same tapes, and could double as a capture deck (and is cheaper than a second A1).

2. Mics. Good shotgun like Rode or Sennheiser

3. Tripods. Manfrotto are good, I have a Libec 38 which I love.

4. Then you can think about 35m adapters. I see exactly why you want to go this way, but the other 3 come first.

Obviously this is all my personal view - but hope it helps

Nick
 
Thanks a ton for all of the replies. The main reason I was focusing on the 35mm adapter is the fact that it seems to just blow away any 'wedding' or 'commercial' photography I've seen in my area. Part of this I understand is probably the camera and things the 'videographers' are using.

I hadn't really thought much into the microphones, so that's definitely something that I'll have to look at and It's good to have some suggestions going into it. I had planned to purchase a nice tripod and a simple jib when I made my initial purchase, but just didn't know much about the quality of the brands I'm reading about.

I would definitely go with the flip adapter since it would just take one more thing out of the equation when editing. I was also wondering if there's any sort of hard drive system that can be used with the A1?

I think that I've also decided to go ahead and purchase the HV30 as it's not terribly expensive and some of the footage I've seen from it is pretty great. We'd use it as a 2nd PoV and backup as mentioned.

Thanks again for all the response, and please add more if you have anything.

Brad
 
event filming (weddings and the like) aren't dependent on 35mm adapters, they aren't necessarily to putting together a documentary-esque wedding video.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top