An HD100, an M2 and a some 40-year-old Nikons

[Liam Hall]

This was my first attempt with the M2.
I did it as a favour for a mate (the chef in the film) and also as an equipment test.
I learnt a lot about shooting with the M2 and used the equipment a lot more effectively on my second shoot with it - a half hour doco that we are finishing up at the moment. I should be able to post some of the scenes from that film next week and you'll be able to see the improved technique.

It was a one-man-band shoot with one light and a couple of large reflectors.

http://www.liamhall.net/grayshott.mov

Liam.

[Eric Darling]

There are some nice shots in there, Liam. The chef is likable, but somewhat milquetoast on camera. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on vignetting at different focal lengths as well as how tedious it really was to work with a flipped image, presumably in HD through post. Further, what kind of lighting did you use in lighting the cooking scenes? They had a clean, real look.

I had a look at your reel on your site, too. You have a strong body of work!

[Rati Oneli]

Hi Liam, very nice work. I am very interested how you did time-lapse??? was it with HD100? how did you achieve time lapse? Thanks a lot

[Jordi Dusanek]

Wow, amazing video.

[Liam Hall]

Originally Posted by Eric Darling

There are some nice shots in there, Liam. The chef is likable, but somewhat milquetoast on camera. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on vignetting at different focal lengths as well as how tedious it really was to work with a flipped image, presumably in HD through post. Further, what kind of lighting did you use in lighting the cooking scenes? They had a clean, real look.

Thanks Eric,

Great word "Milquetoast", I had to look it up and yes you're right, he was a little timid; probably because he was talking to an imaginary interviewer (I was firing questions at him whilst he held an eyeline to a mark on the wall).

The first thing I learnt on this shoot was get some good glass; sharp and fast. The lenses I used weren't really up to it. Vignetting wasn't a major problem though, as I was usually shooting at f2.8 or f.2.

The biggest challenges were the initial set-up, trying to achieve edge to edge sharpness and monitoring. I've certainly improved the set-up since this shoot and now handling the M2 seems a breeze.

As for the lighting on the food prep shots, It's backlit through the window and I used two 6'x6' silver reflectors to fill.

Originally Posted by Rati Oneli

Hi Liam, very nice work. I am very interested how you did time-lapse??? was it with HD100?

Hi Rati, Yes it was all shot on the M2. The timelapse shots are just locked-off shots that have been frame cut.

Cheers,

Liam.

[Robb Cox]

Lovely work Liam, very impressed.

Cheers

[Gary Morris McBeath]

Liam,

Some of the best work I've seen yet with this camera. Kudos!

I note on the Redrock website that the M2 is mounted to the front of the lens, not directly to the camera. Did you have any trouble with the horizontal color aberations (red and green banding across top & bottom of the lens) the 1/3" lenses exhibit?

Where is the aperture set on the stock lens when using the M2?

I happen to have a bag of old 35MM f mount still camera Nikon lenses just begging to be used.

Thanks,

Gary
SaltAire Cinema Productions

[Liam Hall]

Thank you Rob and Gary, very kind.

Gary, the setup on the HD100 means you are usually zoomed-in to around 33mm - the sweet spot on the stock lens - so chromatic aberration (CA) is not a huge issue. I noticed a fair amount of CA on this shoot. It seems to be down to having the adapter miss-aligned with the stock lens. Since this shoot I've vastly improved the set-up and CA is not really an issue (cheap nikon lenses blooming and breathing is another thing though, I must invest in some decent glass).

People must remember using these adapters is a cheat and there's always a pay off. They are difficult to work with, back focus, light loss and judging focus are all big issues with these devices. But with a little knowledge and a bit of practise the results can be stunning. There is a clearly defined learning curve and I hope that when I'm able to post the second shoot I did with the M2 you'll be able to judge how a little learning can go a long way.

Cheers,

Liam.

[Liam Hall]

Originally Posted by Gary Morris McBeath

Where is the aperture set on the stock lens when using the M2?

I happen to have a bag of old 35MM f mount still camera Nikon lenses just begging to be used.

You set aperture on both. I tend to set depth-of-field on the Nikon and adjust exposure on the stock lens. It takes a bit of getting used to, but after a while it's no big deal.

Liam.

[Gary Morris McBeath]

Liam, thanks.

I look forward to your next shoot posting.

Gary