35mm Lens Adapter Comparison
LAST UPDATED: 8/9/2009
A 35mm lens adapter can yield that expensive film camera look from a cheaper video camera, thanks mostly to depth-of-field effects created by external lenses (or 'glass' in film slang). PL mount lenses are what are used on 16mm and 35mm film cameras; but much cheaper glass can be had that uses mounts standard to SLR still cameras such as Nikon AF or Canon FD mounts.
Popular HD video cameras to adapt include the Canon HV20 and Panasonic HVX200. Here is a list of adapters by price that might be of interest to independent filmmakers...
Red Rock Micro M2 DIY GuidePRICE: $45 + materials
For $45 you get a ground glass and a set of instructions on how to build your own M2-style adapter.
MORE: Red Rock's website
Letus35 Flip EnhancedPRICE: $699
1.5 Stops of light lost. The lens image is flipped right side up. Mount for Canon FD or Nikon AI.
MORE: Specs
Letus35 EconomyPRICE: $899
Same as the Letus35 Extreme but made of plastic, not milled aluminum. Only a half stop of light loss.
MORE: Specs
Letus MiniPRICE: $1,099
Designed for small camcorders such as the Canon HV20 or others with a filter size of less than 43mm. It comes with a choice of one free mount (Canon FD, Nikon AI, Canon EF [EOS], Pentax K mount, Minolta MD).
MORE: Specs, FreshDV announcement
Letus35 ExtremePRICE: $1,199
Letus' top of the line. It's just like the Economy, with .5 stop light loss, but is made of milled aluminum and has an LED on/off light. Letus OIC means it flips the image upright. Comes with your choice of one free mount (Canon FD, Nikon AI, Canon EF [EOS], Pentax K mount, Minolta MD).
MORE: Specs
Cinevate Brevis35 Preflip BundlePRICE: $1,286.01
This bundle is designed for the DVX, HVX, HD100/200, Sony HDV, PD150, XL1s, XL2, XLH1, XLA1, and HV20 cameras. No PL mount option is available but they offer all the standard SLR mounts.
MORE: Cinevate website
Red Rock Micro M2 Indie Complete Package: HD Edition for SLR LensesPRICE: No longer for sale - superceded by the M2 Encore (see below)
The M2 is very popular among d.p. types since the package includes accessories common to high-end film cameras like a follow-focus and a matte box. This bundle is also available cheaper for the various SLR lens configurations.
MORE: Red Rock Micro website
M2 Review by B-Scene Films
Redrock M2 Encore EX1MSRP: $1,998 for the all-inclusive bundle
Brand new as of writing (8/09). The first review I've seen is at Philip Bloom's blog. According to Bloom, the updates to the M2 are as follows (I paraphrase):
* 1/2 stop light loss – best efficiency in industry, and superior color contrast when stopping down
* Completely reformulated optics to eliminate distortion and vignetting
* Faster, easier setup (with simplified attachment to microX)
* Collimating lens mount (new adapters come pre-collimated from the factory)
* Universal camera support, including Sony EX series cameras FINALLY!!
* Interchangeable lens mounts without opening the adapter, including PL mount
* Internal dust trap
* Lots of battery and power system updates
* All new screen holder with optional mattes and frame sizes for academy 35mm, SLR 35mm, 4:3, 2.35″1 (cinemascope) and more
* Fast shutter speeds up to 1/500 and beyond
* Shock mounted motor to reduce vibrations and to protect the motor and g[round] g[lass]
* Full rubber gaskets in all seals for silent operation and light leak prevention
* Weight of complete M2 Encore Indie Bundle: 6lb 12 oz (3 kg) )including rod support, baseplate, microX Encore and all mounting equipment)
MORE:
See the test footage on Bloom's site
Redrock's site, with comparison footage between the M2 and the EX1
PRICE: $4,777 - Yeah, rental recommended
Works with the JVC ProHD cameras which, according the commenter below, have a in invert-image function built it. Half stop light loss.
MORE: JVC Website
P+S Technik Mini35
PRICE: Rental only?
For 1/3" CCD cameras.
MORE: P+S Technik website
P+S Technik Pro35
PRICE: Rental only?
For 2/3" CCD cameras.
MORE: P+S Technik website
If you have experience with any of these adapters, please share them in the comments below.
posted by J. Ott @ 12/09/2007 09:22:00 AM
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7 Comments:
Redrock Micro produces very cinematic images WHEN it's working right. It is very time-consuming to calibrate the spinning glass to achieve the overall tack focus over the image. Not to mention that the unit is extremely fragile that any bump during the production makes you wonder if the focus went out during the take. If it did, there comes a hold on the production for re-calibration or a check-up with a focus chart.
Once anyone opens the unit, you will see what I am talking about. Although you get a nice 35mm depth-of-field effect, the product is very poorly made. I wouldn't bring one of those into any of professional shoots.
Also, you will be shooting at ISO either 80 or 100, which will require more lights. If the shoot has a lot of nighttime shoot, it would be much cheaper to shoot on various other formats or with better made adapters.
No comparison of lens adapters would be complete without mention of the JVC HZ-CA13U PL Mount adapter. While designed to provide the correct angle of view for 16mm primes, it will also accommodate 35mm lenses. Depth of Field (DoF) and field of view of the film lenses are virtually matched with that of film cameras. The adapter will accommodate a wide range of lensing options, in particular the large implementation of existing 16mm film lenses. Super16mm and 35mm lenses can also be used with no vignetting in the image. As the construction is optics based there is minimal loss of light -- approximately 0.5f
In addition, there is a back focus adjustment to ensure proper and optimal setting of the film lens. Also, the 52mm focal plane is clearly marked as a groove on the barrel, and a 1/4" 20 screw hole at the base of the barrel allows the use of adapters for camera support systems.
The image from film lenses will be inverted. The JVC ProHD 200 series camcorders have image inversion capability to right the captured image from the HZ-CA13U to the proper proportion.
as a machinest i was thinking you could attach a machined tube of correct size to a 58mm(example) of what ever length you want anf them machine a second tube to fit snugly over he first tube this way you could adjust the back fast and easy or am i wrong...just a thought
jimw3_98@yahoo.com
Can't I just rent an adapter and lenses? I cannot afford gear that may not work for me consistently, I can't go by a bunch of lenses to try to get the look I want. I've spent all the money I'm going to spend on equipment but my EX1 (although great) needs the adapter to allow for proper visual storytelling elements. If you ask me companies like Letus should rent these items.
Mr. 41,
There are rental houses that rent the adapter as well as lenses.
EVS, for example, rents a Red Rock Micro kit with Zeiss primes for $1000/wk or Nikon lenses for $1300.
Do you know anything about the Handy35 or Jag35? Jag may be too low-end for your radar ... But I'm curious how these DoF adapters all stack up against each other in terms of quality. Particularly how much better the pricey ones are than the affordable ones.
BTW -- your site is a terrific resource. I just discovered it and am trolling your archives. Keep it up!
Here is an updated 35mm adapter comparison chart that might interest some of you:
http://jonnyhee.com/reviews/35mm-dof-adapter-comparison/
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