Pro35 Examples?

Mike Krumlauf

Mike Krumlauf

Award Winning Filmmaker
Would anyone by chance have any videos shot with the PRO35 Adapter? I am looking at investing in one for my varicam but can't seem to find any examples of how good it works.
 
I have to say that I wouldn't suggest this as an investment in 2016. The thing eats several stops of light, limits you to a narrow range on your lens' aperture, and in the best of times can show various artifacts. That plus it is a mechanical nightmare to maintain over the long haul (really fun when the inner seals go and it sprays oil al over the optical surfaces).

It is a creature for its time, and that time passed nearly a decade ago.
 
I don't think I'd want to spend much money investing in the support of an old 720p Varicam. A lovely camera for it's time but I'd suggest letting it be what it is, a nice 2/3" camera. You can get deals on 2/3" glass for it if you want and otherwise if you want the S35 look the Pro35 was designed to create I would much sooner suggest putting your money toward a S35-native sensor camera. If you don't have a lot to spend you could look into some older models such as the Sony F3, the Sony FS100 or even a RED One. These are all very inexpensive options and will yield higher resolution and better sensitivity results than an original VariCam with a Pro35. My vote would be for the F3, a terrific camera with a great 1080p image.

I don't want to dis your Varicam. I just think you'll get the most out of it my letting it be a 2/3" camera using 2/3" lenses. Otherwise it's like trying to use a hammer when you need a screwdriver. When a lot of people moved into S35 cameras the prices of used 2/3" glass fell considerably. You should look for a Canon 11x4.7 zoom. That's a great lens.
 
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It's funny, i owned all 3 three cameras you suggested and i enjoy the varicam over any of them.. i had the F3 prior to the varicam. Just personal preference i guess.
 
Yes, they're Christian movies...but check out the Blu-ray for Facing The Giants & Fireproof. Both shot on Varicam + Pro35. FTG was shot to tape while Fireproof was recorded to 1080p ProresHQ via the HDSDI. Both are solid examples of what the Varicam + Pro35 can achieve.

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Off the top of my head I know the movie "Heights" starring Glenn Close was shot on the VariCam and Pro35 combination, I believe with SuperSpeed primes. IMDB lists 35mm negative but that was after they did a scan. Unless they reshot the entire movie again on 35mm film, this was definitely a VariCam/Pro35 job.
 
I have Letus Ultimate with relay lens for sale..if you want to stick with Varicam.. PM me..
 
Would love to take that letus off your hands but i currently don't have the money to buy it. At this point i'm just researching my options, i am very content with my varicam and as of now have no reason to change my camera.. once work tells me to do so i will but for now all is well :)
 
Mitch - any articles stating Heights was a varicam job? if so, then thats the best example i've seen yet of the old varicam period in a narrative setting.
 
Don't know about articles. I worked at AbelCine when the production rented a Varicam and Pro35 for the month or two it took to shoot the movie. I doubt that low budget independent film paid to stick that on the camera truck and not use it.
 
Well then that should have been used to market the camera because the cinematography is excellent! It still holds up to today and is a true testimate then on how well Panasonic makes their tools and how talented that DP was.
 
Mitch - I sent a message to the DP via Facebook to figure it out.. i noticed at the end credits of Heights it says "Camera Equipment provided by CPT", no mention of anything involving Panasonic or Able Cine.. are you sure you are thinking of the same film? I wouldn't be so intrigued to figure out what it was shot on if i didnt think the images were very good.
 
It's been a decade or so, so I guess I could be mistaken. But I'm pretty sure I have it right. CPT was another NY-based rental house and the rental companies sub-rent to one another all the time to keep the equipment working.

It's always possible that the job started as a Varicam/Pro-35 job and then in preproduction or early in production they decided to switch. But my memory was of them keeping the gear for the run of the shoot. Again, I could be mistaken as it's been so long.
 
Mitch, so I found some behind the scenes footage of heights and it was shot on 35mm film not the Varicam :(. Bummer
 
Hey Mike,
a friend of mine shot a short ten years ago using a Pro35 adapter. The footage looks great. He used a 2/3 chip Pana i think? I can probably upload the film seeing as how he is no longer in the business and probably won't mind. You still looking at your options? I'll only upload if you are.

Cheers.


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Hmmm, just had a look at that footage I have, not that great. It is heavily compressed with a lot of artifacts. Shot on an SDX900 probably and the DVD compression does not do it justice. I remember the raw footage he showed me during the shoot. THAT looked good. It was a Pro35 adapter though. Plus he had an entire pro crew to work with. All the bells and whistles. So the footage SHOULD look good. I would still upload but take these comments to heart if you view it.
 
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