Zacuto Rig for the HPX-170 Advice

mdslammer

mdslammer

Well-known member
I'm putting together my package for my HPX-170 and wanted some advice re: a 35mm adapter setup along with a Zacuto Rig.

I'm not really sure what kind of 35mm lenses to go with. I've been told Canon, Nikon, Zeiss etc.

I'm not made of money but want to make a good choice on my investment. Also,
something to build on for the future.

Any setup advice or lense selection to begin with would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Mark Dalzell
 
If you plan on buying Zeiss lenses with the nikon mount you should know that not all of them can be used with a FF unit. That is because the focusing barrel spins an almost complete 360 and this renders it useless to be used with the zip-gear design of any company (not just Zacuto's).

I'm not sure if this applies to other still lenses made by other manufacturers.
 
you can also have them geared, by a number of people. i had my zeiss set geared by paul duclos' team in LA.

the big question i have with the panasonic cameras and 35mm DOF units is getting the rig off the tripod. are you buying zacuto's shoulder mount system? if so, i'd be interested to hear your report. i can get that you could run it that way, but seriously, how is a person supposed to run all the gear + a monitor (essential IMO) AND pull focus (assuming you're not with a dedicated 1st AC).
 
I own a 170 and a fully accesorized Letus Extreme rig with seven Nikon lenses. To be honest, unless you are making a film or shooting a big project right away, I would wait a while for the new RED products to become available and to see what else Canon and Nikon have up their DSLR sleeves.

Do the 35mm adapter rigs work well? Yes.
Are they clunky and awkward to use? Yes. (my rig is about two feet long, heavy and a PITA to handhold).
Will there be product within the next 12-15 months that probably make 35mm adapters somewhat obsolete? Probably.

Guess it just depends on what type of production you are doing. I like them but I can't help feeling as if 35mm adapters are merely a stopgap solution to a problem that will soon have integrated really nice solutions that are much cheaper, smaller and easier to use.

That said, I have shot and have viewed some really nice projects shot with adapters.

Just get ready to spend a lot, when all is said and done, my adapter rig and all of the mounts, lenses, accessories, etc. are around $12k. Could have bought a nicer camera if 35mm depth of field wasn't important. I am in production/pre-pro on several television pilots and shows. None will be shot with the adapter as the concepts and workflow do not lend themselves to 35mm adapter shooting at all.

Dan
 
Dan,

All good advice. For now, I think I'll keep gathering info and wait until NAB in April to see
the new products available.

Best.

Mark
 
I would wait unless you have an immediate need. I have to say that overall, my 35mm adapter rig has not been a good business move. It has been fun but most of my clients could care less and will not pay extra for it. I bought it for me to play with and I have but there is discontinuity with shooting with it and without it that makes the footage not cut together too well. Basically, if you are going to use an adapter, you need to use it for the entire shoot, not just here and there. And that becomes a huge PITA.

I am surprised that Panasonic or Sony have not figured out a way to do shallow depth of field with some sort of workaround. Imagine a camera the size and price of an EX1 or HPX170, but with 35mm depth of field capability that could be switched on or off like an effect. Shooting an event, run and gun? Switch it to normal. Shooting a short film or music video? Flick a switch and throw it into 35mm mode.

Wouldn't that be amazingly better than all of the hoops we have to jump through now?

Dan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top