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Shallow DOF w/ Varicam 2700
This is a pretty general knowledge question, that I obviously don’t know….
Working for a guy who just got a 2700. FUJI 18x HD lens. We don’t need anything different right now, but I want to be able to shoot the more filmy look soon, w/ a shallow DOF.
So, how?
I know the RED and HDSLRs use several different interchangeable lenses. But I can’t figure out if there’s a set of Canon of Nikon lenses that I can buy that will A: fit the 2700, B: work right out of the box (as in, no other attachments or converters needed).
I’ve looked at 35mm adapters (Letus, etc). They look cool, but is that a good way to go? Will my current lens work w/ one of those adapters and achieve the DOF look?
I get annoyed when people like me ask basic knowledge questions about $50,000 cameras. 🙂 So, shame on me for asking this!!!! Sorry!! 🙂 Baptism by fire I suppose….. 🙂
Thanks guys,
Adam
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12 Replies
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Longer lenses, ND filters, etc- take your pick. But it’s hard to get around the relatively small sensor the 2700 has compared to the DSLR cameras. They’re so cheap now even with lenses- I’d just grab one and use it in conjunction with your main camera. Especially if it’s for DVD or online you’ll get away with murder format-wise.
Noah
Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, Panasonic HVX200, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.
Watch Formosa- My indie movie shot with the SDX900 and finished with Final Cut Studio. -
I have a 2700 and use the Letus Ultimate/B4 Pro 2/3 relay lens with Nikon 35mm SLR primes, and have Canon and PL-mounts as well. The framing is Academy with the B4 Pro relay lens, similar to the P+S Pro 35.
The other approach would be to use 2/3″ primes that have a faster aperture than an HD ENG zoom lens and shoot wide open, which should look better than a zoom lens that port holes and ramps down the level when zoomed in.
With a 2700 and 35mm adapter, you will get the shallow DOF with the advantage of more latitude using Film-Rec gamma(10-11 stops) and a more robust codec with AVC-Intra 100, which is 10-bit, 100Mbps, 4:2:2 I-Frame vs. the more consumer level codec in a VDSLR, being lower bit rate, 8-bit, 4:2:0, Long GOP frame structure. AVC-Intra will offer more flexibility in grading and color correction, won’t have the aliasing/moire and CMOS artifacts. The 2700 offers a lot more control over the image in-camera, 4 channels of high quality audio, can record over 13 hours with 5)64gb P2 cards in 720/24PN, or 6 hours at 1080/24PN.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
Totally agree with the tech/quality- just pointing out massive price differential there if you just want a chance to get a shallow DOF look.
Noah
Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, Panasonic HVX200, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.
Watch Formosa- My indie movie shot with the SDX900 and finished with Final Cut Studio. -
Noah,
Definitely a HUGE price difference, but if renting, not such a big difference in the scope of a production budget. Camera, optics, and now codec are important! 10-bit with Film-Rec @600% DR is pretty cool.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
Aside from using 35mm adapters you can use the fastest/cleanest 2/3 lenses.
We use the FUJINON 7.3-110MM Zoom HDTV CINE but at 30K price tag it is not cheap, nor will it give you the same DOF of 35mm.
The Canon FJ series 2/3 primes are also excellent but the set can cost you over 100K. rental is the best option.
https://usa.canon.com/html/industrial_bctv/pro_hdec.shtml
Again, it will not give you same DOF as 35mm but with shooting WFO+Long you will get nice results.
Emre Tufekci
http://www.productionpit.com -
Noah and Jeff, thanks, and Emre…
I don’t know what I’m going to do, or not do, moving forward….but I’ve got time to figure it out, so it’s all good.
I guess the 35mm adapter w/ a set of lenses is probably the way to go, if shallow DOF is a key goal.
I’m in Greenville, SC. Any “Intro to Varicam” type trainings around here? I’ve looked into Varicamp, but I can’t find anything current, it’s all from last year, or later.
I don’t know if this is “allowed” at the Cow, but I am looking for someone to train me in the Varicam, specifically, getting to where I need to be w/ what I do….which is shooting for local car commercials, edit in FCP, and export for Broadcast TV. Any ideas?
Thanks again,
Adam
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If you’re really serious- I’d suggest arranging a trip to NYC or LA- a lot of training available there.
Noah
Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, Panasonic HVX200, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.
Watch Formosa- My indie movie shot with the SDX900 and finished with Final Cut Studio. -
There should be at least a couple of Varicamps this year, one in NY, one in Burbank–check Createsphere for the schedule.
Check out this white paper by Suny Behar for Panasonic, he’s a DP that presents at Varicamp, https://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/p2-hd/white-papers.asp Click on the “Best Practices for Digital Cinematography” .pdf. It’s a great resource for shooting with the P2 Varicams, IMO.
Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com -
Again, thanks guys….
Jeff thanks for the link. That looks amazing and will be a huge help I’m sure.
Creatasphere has no dates for ’10 Varicamps on their site, so I emailed them….thanks though…Cheers,
Adam
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I may have a lightly used 2/3″ letus relay if your interested.
ER
Erich Roland
http://www.dc-camera.com
HD camera rentals, Washington DC
(and Cameraman)
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