What is a 35mm adapter and what does it do ?

[plainman007]

Hi, Please dont flame me. Im a complete newbie and would just like to learn what exactly a 35mm adapter does ? Why is it used ? What advantage does it give over shooting with a dvx straight out of the box ? Whats the 35mm look ? Any pics which illustrate the obvious effect of a 35mm adapter ?

 

[zoostory]

A 35mm Adapter in reference to these forums is a product such as the redrock M2 (redrockmicro.com), letus, mini35, or brevis35 (cinevate.com)

it is a device that somehow mounts on to the front of your camera (usually with rails or a screw on mount) that allows you, more or less, to use 35mm lenses from still cameras (such as nikon lenses) and some even allow you to use a PL mount and professional film lenses like cooke and zeiss.

basically, you are filming a film gate with your stock lens. Usually, there is some light loss involved and the image filmed is upside down, so you have to flip it in post. With some exceptions.

So why might you ask would people spend so much money to get these adaptors and do that?

Simple. The number one reason is the limited depth of field you can achieve. Prosumer and digital cameras notoriously can't achieve a very good limited DoF. Meaning Everything is in focus. Well if you ever see a big Hollywood film, you'll notice, especially in close ups, that the background is very much so out of focus and the subject is in focus. These devices allow you to do that. Second, lenses come in all different shapes, sizes, and qualities. Arguably, many 35mm lenses have better optics than your prosumer cameras stock lens. In addition, some people clame they get better contrast, better lattitude (seemingly) and a more "filmic" look. That's kind of generic and being debated right now, but there's no debate that a good adaptor in a good DPs hand can make some amazing looking footage.

Currently, this is one of my favorite examples:

http://www.cinevate.com/images/tracksLaneway.mov

Notice how in some shots, very specific things are in focus.


Also, read up on different adaptors if you are interested in them. They come in all different shapes and sizes, from do it you self, to things that look like nuclear submarins. You need to find what is best for you, in terms of light loss, ground glass, lens mounts, etc.