Upgrading gears... at DVinfo.net

Michele Lombardo · August 19th, 2008, 11:14 AM

Hi everybody
I'm going to update my video gear toward a system based on sony ex3.
I'd like to have you suggestions and answes about some questions...

My setup will be:

Sony PMW EX3
Letus35 Ultimate (directly to camera body, when avaible...)
Nikon photographic lenses

My main question is:
it's better to mount a letus adapter and nikon (or PL mount) lenses or use the 1/2 adaptor included and a good 1/2 lens?

I precise I'm a filmaker and I'll use these gears to produce short and music videos.

Thanks a lot to everyone!

Miki

David C. Williams · August 19th, 2008, 06:20 PM

It depends on what you want the image to look like. The whole point of 35mm adaptors is to reduce the depth of field of your focus. With shallow depth of field you can pick out your subject while keeping the background blurred, drawing the viewers eye where you want it. It also add complexity to operating, as you need a way off adjusting focus in a precise way for anything other than static shots. You need a Focus Puller device which can be direct mechanical, wired remote or wireless remote, and someone to operate it. You also have tighter lighting tolerances within which to work which you must take into account.
If you want the film like shallow depth of field, use a 35mm adaptor. If you don't need that type of image, stay with 1/2" lenses, which will save time, money and effort generally.

Michele Lombardo · August 21st, 2008, 11:33 AM

Thank you.
I'm a filmaker, so my first usage is for "cinelook". Thus, without Letus35 I'll not be able to mount PL lenses, right?

Another question:
With the 1/2 adapter the B4 lenses have a little magnification... HOW MUCH?!

Thank you!

Michele

David C. Williams · August 22nd, 2008, 12:00 AM

Yes, to use PL mounts you should use a 35mm adaptor to get the full field of view from the lens. Putting a 2/3" on a 1/2" gives approximately 73% of the 2/3" lenses field of view. Here are a few rough figures, probably not exact across different cameras, but close enough to estimate.

Diagonal sizes.

- 1/3” TV: 6mm
- 1/2" TV: 8mm
- 2/3” TV: 11mm
- 35mm Academic: 27.2mm
- S35 on Red One: 28mm

8mm/11mm=0.7272*

August 19th, 2008, 11:14 AM	#1
Michele Lombardo Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Italy Posts: 32	Upgrading gears... Hi everybody I'm going to update my video gear toward a system based on sony ex3. I'd like to have you suggestions and answes about some questions... My setup will be: Sony PMW EX3 Letus35 Ultimate (directly to camera body, when avaible...) Nikon photographic lenses My main question is: it's better to mount a letus adapter and nikon (or PL mount) lenses or use the 1/2 adaptor included and a good 1/2 lens? I precise I'm a filmaker and I'll use these gears to produce short and music videos. Thanks a lot to everyone! Miki __________________ Michele Lombardo Milan - Italy

August 21st, 2008, 11:33 AM	#3
Michele Lombardo Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Italy Posts: 32	Thank you. I'm a filmaker, so my first usage is for "cinelook". Thus, without Letus35 I'll not be able to mount PL lenses, right? Another question: With the 1/2 adapter the B4 lenses have a little magnification... HOW MUCH?! Thank you! Michele __________________ Michele Lombardo Milan - Italy

August 19th, 2008, 06:20 PM	#2
David C. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: melb.vic.au Posts: 447	It depends on what you want the image to look like. The whole point of 35mm adaptors is to reduce the depth of field of your focus. With shallow depth of field you can pick out your subject while keeping the background blurred, drawing the viewers eye where you want it. It also add complexity to operating, as you need a way off adjusting focus in a precise way for anything other than static shots. You need a Focus Puller device which can be direct mechanical, wired remote or wireless remote, and someone to operate it. You also have tighter lighting tolerances within which to work which you must take into account. If you want the film like shallow depth of field, use a 35mm adaptor. If you don't need that type of image, stay with 1/2" lenses, which will save time, money and effort generally.

August 22nd, 2008, 12:00 AM	#4
David C. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: melb.vic.au Posts: 447	Yes, to use PL mounts you should use a 35mm adaptor to get the full field of view from the lens. Putting a 2/3" on a 1/2" gives approximately 73% of the 2/3" lenses field of view. Here are a few rough figures, probably not exact across different cameras, but close enough to estimate. Diagonal sizes. - 1/3” TV: 6mm - 1/2" TV: 8mm - 2/3” TV: 11mm - 35mm Academic: 27.2mm - S35 on Red One: 28mm 8mm/11mm=0.7272*