New Equipment

[ntbullock]

I recently bought a Panasonic HVX200a camera for its 24p capability. I still haven't sold my SONY Z1U, but will eventually. I'll say that the HVX can have a "noisy" image with the wrong settings. It's definitely "noisier" than my SONY. You really have to be decent with lighting using the HVX.

I've spent the last two weeks really spending most of my time researching equipment because we're trying to shoot a feature soon on an ultra low budget. My business/writing partner and I have invested in even more equipment to make that possible. It's been mostly my job to research this to death [it feels like it], and make the call on what to ultimately get. We ended up investing in the Brevis35, which allows one to place 35mm SLR lenses on your video camera. This give you a more filmic look for several reasons [an example would be depth of field].

Researching all these independent companies has been quite the chore, but the Brevis seemed to meet our needs. Then we need a follow focus system and Redrock appeared to be the best bet and worked well with the Brevis35 setup.

As if enough research hadn't been done I then had to research lenses. We went with Nikon for several reasons. You can only use certain kinds with these systems and on top of that some are better than others - and ON TOP OF THAT some are better at different focal lengths and f-stops. Tiring.

I ended up ordering a couple lenses that didn't work so well, having to send them back, and order a whole new set. I've got a 28mm, a 50mm, an 85mm, and an 80-200 zoom lens on the way. Right now I'm borrowing a 50mm lens for tests.

Here's the setup with the Panny HVX200a, the Brevis35 adapter, and the Redrcok follow focus:



I've never had to research so many different elements at once - especially that had to work in tandem with one another. And we still need to get a matte box and some neutral density filters. Everything keeps adding up. I decided to get software that would turn my laptop into a waveform monitor while shooting. I had to get a PCMCIA/ExpressCard converter for my MacBook Pro to handle the P2 workflow. Before the shoot happens I have to buy another P2 memory card - not to mention about 3 terabytes of harddrives. And the list goes on... ... Here goes nothin'.

[3DPiper]

Nice package! (wait, I hope that didn't sound weird)

I've posted several projects shot with that camera and it looks great. The owner ended up selling it, though, because the workflow didn't fit his needs (couldn't easily get the footage into his Avid). There's a couple of Red cameras in Jackson, they are very nice. In the end, though, you just need clean and in-focus footage. There is so much you can do in post (if you have the time and budget) almost anything is possible (it makes ADs and DPs lazy!)..

We're still shooting with the tried-and-true Z1, but will probably upgrade to the new EX3.. Lots of nice features and in our budget. I still mostly do post work (mainly film or varicam footage), and have moved up to Toxik.

I've seen you around Hattiesburg a lot lately, but haven't been able to stop and say 'Hi'.. I'm entering the next phase of life: my kids are entering cub/girl scouts! Yet another expense (both in monely and time) in my ever shrinking available life units.

Good luck with your feature and other projects!

-Matthew

[ntbullock]

Thanks. This pic is old. We ordered a matte box and hand grips/shoulder mount too. This thing bulked up pretty quickly. We'll be selling the Brevis35 when we can. It looks great, but there is a learning curve. We want to step up to Red somehow.

[solmanol]

Does it record in miniDV, DVD, HD or something else?

[3DPiper]

We ordered a matte box and hand grips/shoulder mount too. This thing bulked up pretty quickly.

We have those items, but have just never used them.. Well, we use the matte box and follow focus.. But the shoulder mounts are rarely used.. These cameras are so small, its not like a 35mm Panaflex on your shoulder! Our cinematographer prefers to mostly shoot hand-held, or we'll rent a JLG or Jib.

We'll be selling the Brevis35 when we can. It looks great, but there is a learning curve.

Yes, specialized adapters and lenses are more of a rent-them-when-you-need-them item. We rent probe lenses and 35mm lens adapters and lenses only for the project that needs that specific tool (and include that in the price of the bid)..

We want to step up to Red somehow.

There are several in Jackson, I know eyevox has two or three. The last time I talked to someone who worked with one, he said the workflow wasn't 100% there yet. I'd like to get some raw footage and look at it myself, but in the end no one is broadcasting commercials in HD (yet) so everything has to be downconverted. The Z1 (which shoots beautiful pics if lit well), the Varicam, 35mm packages: in the end it all comes down to 720x486! (At least for commercial work, I did work on a few projects for an aerospace company and a museum where we finished in HD for kiosks).

-Matthew

[ntbullock]

We bought the adapter so we'd be knowledgeable about it before shooting a feature. We'll sell it soon enough.

The Red workflow will be better off by the time we get to shooting another. We've got a couple other scripts written, but it'll be a while before we get to shooting them.

[Maek]

It looks like a highly modified scope for a sniper rifle...who ya takin' out NT?!?