Vista Vision vs Academy 35mm

Dennis I have an odd question. Since I shoot large format film.

Have you ever attached a hasselblad**to Nikon adapter to your nikon mount. Since Medium format lenses deliver a much larger image surface projection area in theory you would be using more of the sweet spot of the hasselblad* or other medium format lens. Any thoughts?

Thanks Dennis
 
Dennis Wood said:
Yes. Many users have (or will have shortly) HD external monitors to help with focus, and are quite happy to flip in post. These users would normally not use the flip.
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Dennis,

However if the Brevis with Flip module is in the same price range as buying Brevis with HD achromat package why even go the Achromat path anymore.?

If using A1, HVX, HV20 type of cameras, It seems there is no need to go the current HDbundle path anymore since you get better performance with Brevis/Flip package in regards to better image quality measurably to a certain degree; also avoiding the need to flip/render the footage in software afterwards. Which most people want to avoid doing.

Correct?
 
Marco,
I assume you were shooting with Brevis CF1L? If so then that's why you were not troubled by too little DOF. I think the comparatively higher DOF of the CF1L is quite condusive to a normal feeling in dramatic shooting.

Had you shot with say a Redrock there is much less DOF and sometimes it could be difficult for dramatic work. We see lots of examples on these websites. But they are all tools to be used for expression.

It sounds like you were fortunate enough to have a good sized crew and an ample lighting budget. For many low budg films though increasing the interior light levels is often just not an option.

- Lenny Levy
 
I assume you were shooting with Brevis CF1L? If so then that's why you were not troubled by too little DOF. I think the comparatively higher DOF of the CF1L is quite condusive to a normal feeling in dramatic shooting.
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Absolutely right, but also why I need to make a point that people shouldn't be so worried since we have tools at hand that make this possible.

Had you shot with say a Redrock there is much less DOF and sometimes it could be difficult for dramatic work. We see lots of examples on these websites. But they are all tools to be used for expression.
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I don't believe the Redrock allows shooting the VistaVision frame, though.

It sounds like you were fortunate enough to have a good sized crew and an ample lighting budget. For many low budg films though increasing the interior light levels is often just not an option.
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Our interior light levels were really low, hehe. The wide shot with the dining room table was done with a 4FT 4BANK Kino Flo with only two banks illuminated and my lens was set to f/4.0. For most of the rooms we simply bounced lights off the ceiling. This was enough light even though most of the windows had duvatine over them (in keeping with the script that describes an old house with boarded up windows). The maximum that we ever had going was two 1Ks bouncing off the ceiling with a 4FT 4Bank as a key, but that was for a dream sequence that we shot in 60fps and I needed the extra output.

The entire feature was shot for less than $13K. For the majority of the shoot I had a gaffer, key grip, 1st and 2nd ACs and that was it. My 1st pulled focus for me while my 2nd handled P2 card transfers.


Marco
 
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Your experience is what I think many low budg features are up against which is why I kind of bristle on some of these forums when guys say "just use more light" or you need to shoot at 5.6 to get good focus corner to corner. Hey I can't do that and most people I know can't and we've been in the business many years.


Redrock does have the same full frame as a 35mm SLR BTW - which is what we're calling Vistavision. You would have needed vastly more light though and had much lower DOF with it. For a different project it can be beautiful though.

BTW - Your stills look great.
 
The HD bundle will still be a lower cost option (non-flip) for folks who've already invested in an HD external monitor, don't mind flipping in post, and still want the lightest rig possible (steadicam for example). That way we can offer the same very high quality build and optics to those making that choice. The flip module is very compact itself, so our complete rig is very similar to the Letus in form factor. You have the option too of mounting the camera above or below the optical axis as your needs dictate.

Our market is still the Indie film maker, meaning we still feel the need to offer the same high quality optics/build for flip, or non flip users.
 
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One of the engineering versions is on tour with Canon Canada right now (we showed it at the Canon Pro Expo in both Toronto and Montreal). Pics of that unit are posted, but we're keeping the retail version housing under wraps for another week or so until it's complete. It's CNC milled from a solid billet of alluminum and at this point is rather bare and shiny. The SA compensation optics are also not here yet.
 
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Dennis when will you have footage shot with the flip available?

When will you start taking orders too?

Thanks for all your time answering every question. Im sure your quite busy getting ready for the release.
I gotta say the Brevis and the way you run your company is very professional. I look forward to what's to come..


Michael Pappas
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Footage from the flip unit ( a lot of it) will be posted as soon as the correct optics are here. Introducing vertical planes into a circular waveform is a tricky thing, and we're not content with just using a normal achromat. For testing, an achromat is fine, but for professional work, not adequate in my opinion. I suspect that reviews of the current flip options out there will demonstrate the need for this approach, if not already.

We won't take any orders until the product is in hand. We're dealing with the same issue with the follow focus as I've decided to delay their release and use a modified gearset that can be pre-loaded for zero lash, and still rotate smoothly (coming from a guy who drives an autocross modified 1984 VW :-). I am OK with a pre-order list, and as soon as an automated method for this is in place, expect an announced here.
 
Your experience is what I think many low budg features are up against which is why I kind of bristle on some of these forums when guys say "just use more light" or you need to shoot at 5.6 to get good focus corner to corner. Hey I can't do that and most people I know can't and we've been in the business many years.


Redrock does have the same full frame as a 35mm SLR BTW - which is what we're calling Vistavision. You would have needed vastly more light though and had much lower DOF with it. For a different project it can be beautiful though.

BTW - Your stills look great.
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Thanks Lenny and thanks for your contributions to the discussion.
 
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