Zacuto DOFA

I like that their solution for a 'universal' system' is one in which you have to use a different adapter not just for different cameras...but also for different lenses. So if I want to use more than one lens, I have to buy a different lens adapter each time... sounds like the opposite of "universal"" to me.

But, sounds like doing it that way is what is going to let them move away from using a ground glass - not sure what the theory is behind this adapter, but I might guess they were going for an optical relay system. Anyone have any idea?


I don't the HPX500 listed - but it does have the HDX900 on there...so its probably safe to assume it'll work. Of course, by the time this adapter comes out the HPX500 might be old news.
:)
 
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If you're going to get this adapter and the HPX500, why not just get a Red (I know you'll have to wait 'til Spring to get it,) but you'll also save some bucks and wind up working with a lot less glass - not to mention a far more versatile system.
 
For me is no really a matter of chosing one or the other, I already ordered a RED, but I'm looking for an alternative (less expensive) to a Pro35 for my hp500, and @ 12K with prime lenses, this DOFA is interesting.
For some of our clients/projects the HPX500 will make more economical sense that a Red. Currently we have a hxp500, canon XH A1, HV20, we use them in different projects, before we had 2 JVC HD100 (Great camera by the way, even though this may no be the right forum for it). RED is on his way, but until next year for me (I ordered back in NAB).

Any news from Zacuto DOFA will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Hi Ian,

I think this is a good option, special if the budget is around 1000 or if one needs some "special shot". I like the camera.
We did some night shots with the camera attached to the site of a car just to shot the wheels spinning and going out of a highway, the result were quite good actually (we turn on the camera's light). Some footage at low light have less noise and artifacts that its big sister (XH- A1, ok we didn't play too much the the A1 setting, because right of the bag, the hv20 worked better for us). The rig for the HP500 would ended up bing too much of a hassle or quite dangerous for the camera, so the HV20 worked beautiful as a crash camera :thumbsup:

We had also use it for some a music video (the singer with the camera on his chess while singing and walking in crowded street and in a bus) and some student videos ( we rent equipment to students, so they are our main customers for the canon cameras, we use the HP500 for commercial, we're planing on using the Red for features) and with the right lighting the HV20 produces very nice pictures (you may want to pump up the color saturation if you're used to the panasonic images).
 
I had a really great reply to this thread. Guess what? Firefox crashed!

Anyway, my thought on the Zacuto DOFA rig are as follows:
First of all, take a look at their website if you are completely clueliss as to this matter. Zacuto makes top notch products. Are they expensive? Depends on your needs. Are they functional? Would the be in business if they weren't? Are they top notch? Yes. I have played with Zacuto rigs and am considering purchasing one myself. They just work. I'm sure a Zacuto DOFA would just work as well.
If you take a look at FreshDV's podcast feed, you can see both the Zacuto rig and the next thing I'm about to discuss. In their footage of HDExpo in Chicago (i think?) they review a JVC DOFA. Why would JVC need to make a DOFA? Because it eliminates a glass element by attaching the adap. directly to the camera. This increases light efficiency (i.e. light loos decreases). Not this is not a universal system. A few step down rings, an archomat, and different lens connectors cannot make this JVC DOFA work for everyone. However, Zacuto seems to be doing something along a similar line. It will be new and different I'm sure. Why an adap module for every prime lens? I think that has to do with optimizing the system for working with that specific Zeiss prime. Zacuto's system is not for the Indie filmmaker that runs a production business out of his mom's basement. Zacuto's DOFA is for a serious professional who doesn't want to purchase cinema lenses and systems.
Get a RED vs. a DOFA? That seems both illogical and stupid. RED is a high end camera for people who can handle a 4K workflow. While I and many others can handle 4K in terms of hard drive space and computing power, many people cannot. Yes you can use RED to do 2K and just 1K HD. However, I don't think my heart could take not pushing my RED camera to the limit. (I don't have one yet!) RED is making it's own set of primes and they aren't cheap! Zacuto's system is designed for ZEISS lenses. RED has its own lenses that are going to be awesome! just look at their founder and his background. Anyway, RED is not comparable to Zacuto's DOFA? Why you may ask? ? Because RED is a camera, Zacuto's DOFA is an adap. Buying RED, which I totally support and want to, would negate the use of your camera. Buying RED only for pulling focus while continuing to use your normal camera (HVX, watever) is a waste of an awesome piece of machinery.
So in conclusion, there's one thing to say about this Zacuto DOFA system. No one knows whats in store. It mostlikely will have differences in comparison to the M2, Letus, Brevis, homemade systems, and other DOFA. But, the Zactuo DOFA is designed to work with a specific superior prime set. It's design to work with your current workflow and no one knows any specifications yet. If you want a universal system, buy one. If you want 4K revolutionary quality, buy RED. As always with the film industry and technology in general, we'll all just have to wait and see!

~Joseph Stunzi
 
Once Dennis comes out with their b4 direct mount adapter, it will be FAR more affordable than the Zacuto stuff.

Nevertheless, Zacuto is never known for being economical to begin with.
 
Dxmetal, here's my thoughts on the matter. Zacuto and Cinevate both have awesome customer service. The Brevis is amazing. The Zacuto rails system is rock solid. In terms of cost, well the Brevis used to cost more than the majority of the 35mm DOFAs until the recent addition of the Letus Extreme which breached the $1k range. However, you get what you pay for. As is always said on DVXUser, you get what you pay for. Want a stellar DOFA, go with the Brevis, I just ordered mine today. Want a stellar rails system, get a Zacuto system! It can adapt to any configuration you need in terms of monitoring, etc. etc. Note that Cinevate also makes a rail system, carbon fiber too! But I see Cinevate with a future in optics and who knows what else. They have a follow focus, a jib, a dolly, a flip module all coming down the line (as seen on their forums). Zacuto has a future in camera support and who knows what else. Zacuto makes some amazing equipment. Dvxmetal, if you doubt that Zacuto makes excellent products, fly over to Georgia and I'll show u why they're an amazing company. My allegiance is to both companies. However, I take everything product by product. No matter what the brand name is! It's hard to nail every product. However based on past experience, Z and C are going to do great things

~Joseph Stunzi
 
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