Various SGpro topics
 

Hello,

Does anyone know the distance from the AG-HVX200 base to its lens centre? This is regarding the SGpro's support system, to check compatability with this cam. I have checked panasonic website and downloaded the manual, but cant seem to find this info. Any help would be great.

Hi Wayne,
You're just a day too late - I had the camera in my hands at the BBC in Cardiff yesterday, or I could have measured it for you,. However, it didn't seem to be much different regarding the lens axis to its base fron the Z1.
As for the actual camera, my first impressions were disappointing - not for the images, but for the general user interface: the access to menus and controls were just a bit too clunky.
I didn't like the LCD viewfinder at all - I think you'd have a job assessing focus with it - the Z1 is far superior...
I'll probably be getting one back later to do some more tests with - maybe I'll change my mind with further use, but - first impressions and all that!

Robin

Thats Robin,

The SGpro support as about 62mm of travel, so as long as the HVX's base to lens distance is under 62mm, I should be fine.

SGpro Rev2: setup tutorial (by popular demand)
 

Hello there,

Just finished a web based setup tutorial for the SGpro. This is part 1 for setting up the rods support system. Part 2 will deal with the camcorders zoom and focus settings.

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/pages/setuptut/setuptut.html

Please take a look and let me know what you think (easy to follow etc).

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for this first part, it's really interesting. Just a small question : don't you have an achromat instead of the rear tube ? What setup delivers a better quality : the achromat or the tube ?

Another one : the "order" link doesn't seem to work.

Thanks, can't wait for the 2nd part !

Kristin

Kristin,

There is a high quality achromat lens inside the tube, close to the camcorder. The tube in Revision 2 is longer then Revision 1, and this both increases image quality (combined with the new Rev2 achromat) and also makes the unit compatible with a much wider range of camcorders, including the HD100, which did not work with Rev1.

The setup looks long but this is due to the slim profile of the box. The distance from SLR lens mount to camcorder filter thread is still shorter then some of the adapters out there, like the M2.

All orders are currently being taking via email info@sgpro.co.uk while we finish the order page.

Only issue = typo, "trail and error" for "trial and error".

Thanks Bob,

That will teach me for typing too fast...

Thanks Wayne, I didn't understand that the achromat was inside the tube. Do you know if there is a Parisian owner of your adapter Rev2 ? This way I could make a few tests (especially closing the lens, as previously said).

Thanks ! Kristin

Hi,

Well i just got an order from Livry Sur Seine, France but that was with an EOS mount, so not the best to test stopping down aperture.

SGpro r3 - new adjustable rods support system
 

Hi guys,

I have taken some pictures of the new support system for the SGpro r3. This new system adds an extra level of adjustability, as shown in the pictures below.

One of the main comments from users of the Rev2, was that they wanted more rods length for longer telephoto lenses and a matte box. The new r3 support system allows the user to adjust to suit their shooting situation, either full rods length, more compact or anywhere in between.

http://sgpro.co.uk/SGpro_r3_rods_support_front.jpg

http://sgpro.co.uk/SGpro_r3_rods_support_side.jpg

Also, the distance from the rods centre up to lens centre is now standard 85mm on the r3 (Rev2 was 100mm). This means that lining up matte boxes and accessories should be fine.

Please let me know what you guys think...

Hmm... what's your current turnaround time?

Jon,

Please check the order page of the website for current shipping dates...

"Stated shipping date is not reserved until we receive full payment (once the funds have cleared into our PayPal account)."

As I've said before, I'd purchase an SGPro if you'd sell me the adapter sans rails/support... I have enough unused parts in a bin.

Hi Jon,

We do not currently sell the SGpro and rods support separate, although we hope to do so in the near future.

SGpro r3 footage
 

Hi guys,

I shot some footage over the weekend with the SGpro r3 and my FX1. I hardly ever get a chance to shoot anything so made a nice break from assembling adapters :)

Below are some grabs, no CC:

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2001.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2002.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2003.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2004.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2005.jpg


My problem is I want to upload a video, but I cant find any good output/render settings. I am using Premiere pro 2 and captured using premieres standard capture (not cineform).

Im not sure to if I should output to quicktime h.264 or a wmv file. I try but it comes out really soft, and I want to show how sharp this footage has come out.

Would anyone be kind enough to share some output settings so I can show the footage?

I also have tests shot with 1/600th shutter that I would like to show...

----------------
EDIT:

I have uploaded a small version of some of the shots:

640x360 wmv, 96MB:

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/SGpror3_FX1.wmv

If people would like to see full res parts of this (say about 8 second clips), let me know which part.

I still need to upload the 1/600th shutter test....
-------------------------

Some more:

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2006.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2007.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2008.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2009.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%20010.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%20011.jpg

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%20012.jpg

What F-stop was each still taken with? ND? Cam aperture?

Will you be uploading full resolution pics and footage?

I prefer DivX .avi files... they look so much better than h.264 .mp4's.

Hi,

The 50mm lens was mostly @ F4, the FX1 aperture around F3.5 with ND filter on.

The 85mm lens again @ F4, but the 20mm lens was wide open @ F2.8

Here are 2 full res clips:

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2004.wmv

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/Sequence%2003.wmv

Im just uploading some more stuff....

I have uploaded a small version of some of the shots:

640x360 wmv, 96MB:

http://www.sgpro.co.uk/SGpror3_FX1.wmv

If people would like to see full res parts of this (say about 8 second clips), let me know which part.

I still need to upload the 1/600th shutter test....

Thanks.

Bokeh looks good.
In both clips, there's a weird black outline on objects when they're in focus (wheat, left side of the man's jaw, right sleeve of t-shirt, etc.) they're in the frame grabs as well... what's causing that? The camera?

Hi,

Not too sure what you are refering to?

Maybe it's just me but I'm seeing a lot of grain in the out of focus highlights, they also seem a bit grey and murky as they make the transition form out of focus to focus.

Maybe it's the compression. Or maybe it's that I've been staring at a screen at the editors all day.

Stephen,

The grain (actually video noise) is in the uncompressed footage, coming from my FX1.

The murkyness is the wmv compression.

If you like, I can upload a low compressed quicktime of a short clip.

But, it would be nice if you could pop around again to test yourself, been about 2 years?

The only reason I noticed it in the first place is because it comes and goes.

Gotcha!

The sharpness setting on the FX1 is set to 12, maybe its too high.

Sounds like the culprit for the black edge and the bokeh grain.

Yeah, default is 8 (middle), i set it to 12, months ago, when i first got the FX1.

Maybe beyond the cams ability, huh?

I've never been impressed with Sony's affordable line.

And I've always been impressed with the SGpro. Really fantastic work Wayne. I'd be an owner long ago if I didn't have a vendetta against The Box design (shudder). Keep the sharpness at or below the 8 setting, and you should be fine.

What this possibly says in subtext is that the SGPro system resolution is sharp enough to provoke the artifact, which on normal direct-to-camera deep DOF imaging would be buried in background textural clutter.

So it should probably be seen as a compliment, not a deficiency in the adaptor imaging. Certainly, I like the images and lament I am being left way behind nowadays.

I've always liked the SGPro's bokeh. I also dislike the box (sometimes using rails sucks). I'd probably buy an SGPro if I could buy just the adapter.

Still... I'd like to see footage without drawbacks.

Thanks guys.

I think im going to shot some more this weekend with the sharpness set to 8 on the FX1.

Wayne, any stills without 16:9?

David,

The FX1 is a 16:9 only cam.

I think you can shoot 4:3 in SD mode on an FX1.

Thanks Stephen, good to know. I dont think i've had it in SD/DV mode since I bought it :)

SGpro flip module is here - footage up this weekend!
 

Hi Guys,

We have tried to keep our hat on this for the last few months, but we are pleased to announce that the SGflip module will go on sale in about 3 weeks time. We have the first release version of the flip module in today, all looks great. We have it all rigged up, looks the business. Quick tests reveal no noticeable lightloss compared to the non flip setup!

I'll get footage up with rig pictures from the FX1 this weekend, with planned tests with the HVX200 and JVC HD201 soon.

The module will be an addon solution for existing SGpro Rev2 and Rev3 users and we will also offer an SGpro flip package once released. The flip module has 97% light transmition, we believe the SGpro with flip will loose just over a stop. The flip modules are custom made for the SGpro by Quyen Le (Letus) so use the same prism and achromat as the new letus extreme, which is tried and tested. The flip module replaces the existing tube of the SGpro. The flip module raises the camcorder by 44mm. A 44mm raiser shim and longer bolts will be provided.

Here is a little preview picture of the flip module:


http://sgpro.co.uk/flip.jpg


The price of the flip module will be around £279 ex VAT for Rev3 users, and £294 ex VAT for Rev2 users (extra part needed for Rev2).

We will be uploading footage from the HVX200, JVC HD201 and Sony FX1 with the flips release :)

Great to see Wayne, can't wait to see the footage.

Yes!!! Just realised I need to do more work with my SG Pro again. Love it!

It will shorten the setup as well, won't it?

Great job,

Thomas