URGENT- Need help deciding on an adapter

btownproductions

btownproductions

Well-known member
Hi, I know this topic comes up all the time. But I'm going to purchase a 35mm adapter in the next week or so, but I can't decide which one to get. My first thought was to go with the M2, I am aware of the light loss, but I thought that seemed like the best one to go with. But lately I've been reading into a lot of posts on here, and now I'm not too sure, The Brevis seems to have less light loss, but it doesn't seem to have quite the same "film look" that I've seen from the M2, I don't know a whole lot about the Letus35, but I like the idea of the built in flip module. As I said before I know this question comes up a lot, but any help would be much appreciated, and I've searched though much of this forum, and still can't decide! Any information that might help me make a decision would be great. I also wouldn't mind hearing from everyone what they think of the adapter that they've chosen, or what their personal preference would be. Thanks in advance!
 
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btown:

If you are going to let a bunch of strangers on a discussion board decide how to best spend your money and try to fulfill your artistic vision, why not just flip a coin?

You need to get into research mode and decide for yourself. Everyone is just going to recommend whatever adapter they bought to boost their decision that they bought the best one. All of the brand name adapters are VERY good, I have not seen a bad one yet. But they are all different. So just buy the one that suits your needs/preferences the best. It's simple.

Dan
 
I suggest you strongly to look the footage posted in their respective sites and compare it.
Don't trust too small movies. Look for 720p movies posted on those sites and see for yourself.
 
puredrifting hit it right on the head, and in honor of what he said, dont forget the SgPro (shoot35.com)


Cheers,

Jon
 
puredrifting said:
btown:

Everyone is just going to recommend whatever adapter they bought to boost their decision that they bought the best one.
Click to expand...

I didn't mean that I am going to go with the one that someone else tells me to buy. My question might have come out wrong. I really just would like to hear what other people's opinions are on the different adapters, and some pro's and con's to each one. I've watched all the footage I could find recently, and would just like to hear what other people have to say about the adapters they have used. I am still leaning towards the M2 after what I've seen so far.
 
I think Dan meant that instead of just looking at footages, you should be researching the technical pros and cons of each adapter instead of depending on us to tell you. The M2, SGpro are spinning adapters, the Letus and Brevis are vibrating designs. Each has it's own strength and limitation. The information isn't hard to find. I'll give you a hint: check the stickies on the top of this forum, there's a great comparison there by Timur Civan. And do a search for the rest.
 
Huy:
In my first message in this thread I stated that I have already looked at much of the stuff in this forum on the adapters. I'm merely asking for other people's PERSONAL opinions/pro's and con's on the adapters. I would just like to hear what other people have to say from personally using them instead of reading the technical pro's and con's that I've already read through. Sorry for the confusion
 
We all don't pimp what we own.

I've owned all three (SG, Brevis and LEX) at one time or another and currently I own an Sg (non-flipped). No one adaptor solves all. Perhaps you can get a flip that works on at least two adaptors.

Other questions to ask yourself: is this just for personal projects or for pro use? Some adaptors have better build than others. None of them are fail safe. I've had all three fail on me at one time or another.

For pro use, I'd strongly recommend having a back-up and a flip module. Which is what I am in the market for now.

The perfect adaptor for me would be the SG's build, bokeh and spinning ground glass, the LEX's sharpness, and the Brevis Light Loss. And last of all the PS's lens mount. All the low cost adaptors have lousy lens mounts. Hopefully the new LEX Nikon mount will take care of that.

At the end of the day you got to weigh your priorities: drama or doc, ENG or Videos, Lights or Au Natural. Once you figure that out you can rest with your decision.
 
Thanks Tim,
That's the kind of reply I'm looking for, I just want to hear what everyone thinks from their own personal experience.

For me, I'm just starting a production company that would be mostly doing dramas (well, I guess that's the most broad category I could use... we'll be making shorts as well as feature length films, not doc's or interviews or anything like that), so for now i guess you could consider it for personal use. Although, I'm aiming for the most professional look I can afford to shoot, and I want to buy something that is built to last, if I'm going to be dropping the money into it, I don't want to have to buy another one after a year or two. Also, I've decided on using Nikon SLR Primes, due to the price, quality and availability. And I'll be shooting in HD. Fairly low-budget, although, we're getting a loan for our first project, so for the time being we'll have a little something to work with.
 
HDkilledFILM. said:
Oh right HVX200, sorry, Tired I guess, sleep now...
Click to expand...

Haha, yeah.. I was about to ask you which adapter you're using, maybe I just didnt get ENOUGH sleep lol. How do you like using the M2? Any problems with it at all? I think that's the adapter I've decided on getting after all.
 
Hey HDkilledFilm. My thing is, I have SGpro, and it is so easy to setup, sharp edge to edge, good build quality, looses not too much light, everything is great exept, I have to say picture that it gives to me doesn't look like film.
And film look is that we all are after.
From what I have seen M2 gives more film like picture.

I mean out of focus bokeh is not all that gives the picture film look. You have many times lot of scenes shoot with wide angles where everything is in focus.

Maybe easyness of setup is not so big issue to us, I don't mind spending two days tweaking it If it is going to give me good film like picture. Once you set it right there is no need to take it off (to me). And if we are ready to buy all these things to achieve good looking movie then it shouldnt be a problem spending some more money on lighting. And I'd rather have a picture that is not sharp in the far edges ( most of the time the edges of the picture are supposed to be out of focus) but looks pretty close to film then have no problem with sharp edges but picture that is not so close to film.
So as you can see I am leaning to an M2.
Did you solve your setup problems with M2, what about unsharp edges?
 
Could you explain or post some stills as to why the M2 looks more filmic? This is news to me and would love to see it. What's the criterion for more filmic? DOF? Grain? Contrast?

I do know for sure of all the adaptors the SG reveals the least amount of GG grain. Sometimes this grain gives a cinematic quality for better or for worse.

Regarding edge sharpness, having as much as possible is critical for a "film look". Don't know of any film cameras/PL mount systems that have soft edges and corners. Edges out of focus is far from a desirable or standard attribute - especially when you tilt or pan or stage the full width of the frame. Don't know how Orsen Welles would've survived with soft edge sharpness.

Tim Naylor - DP
www.timnaylor.com
 
=P Have you ever seen THE THIN MAN?

W.S Van Dyke survived with soft edges. Go watch the movie and count them.
 
Filip Staresinic said:
Hey HDkilledFilm. My thing is, I have SGpro, and it is so easy to setup, sharp edge to edge, good build quality, looses not too much light, everything is great exept, I have to say picture that it gives to me doesn't look like film.
And film look is that we all are after.
From what I have seen M2 gives more film like picture.
Click to expand...

Mm thats odd, as when I was making my M2/SG decision, I thought exactly the oposite, the M2 looked less film like to me... Its all opinions on how something looks filmie, but im very happy with the film look the SG gives me.
 
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