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Resources
How To Setup and Configure the Brevis 35mm Adapter
Published by Matthew Jeppsen October 9th, 2007 in FreshDV, Hardware, Lenses, News, Tutorials 
The advent of affordable 35mm Lens Adapter systems have brought a new level of creative control to digital filmmakers. With that comes a new level of complexity…lens adapters can be confusing and sometimes downright difficult to configure with your camera. The crew here at FreshDV tends to be visual learners, so we thought we’d help shed a little light on the subject with a 35mm adapter video tutorial series. To that end, here is an 11 minute video that covers the basic setup and configuration of a Cinevate Brevis 35mm Adapter. We demonstrate this using the Brevis on a HVX200 mounted on Zacuto rods and baseplate. However the steps shown also apply to Z1U, HD100, and other common camcorder users. You don’t even need a 15mm rod system, though I highly recommend using one with 35mm adapters in general. Z1U users should note that they will need an additional spacer to get optimal backfocus with the Brevis (which sometimes necessitates a longer rod system).
We specifically address:
*Basic parts/component identification.
*Positioning and mounting the adjustable Brevis support bracket on 15mm rods.
*Mounting the Brevis assembly to camera/rods.
*Adjusting/leveling the diffuser image plane to match the camcorder.
*Setting camcorder zoom and backfocus on adapter screen (Hint for HVX users: start at around Z75 zoom).
Setup and Configure the Brevis 35.
(568×320 Quicktime H.264, 45MB. Please right-click, save as)
Setup and Configure the Brevis 35. 428×240 flash stream, 33MB.
FreshDV would like to thank the following companies for their involvement in making this segment possible:
Zacuto for providing a fully-loaded handheld studio rig.
Fletcher Chicago for providing a Zeiss 85mm PL cinema lens.
Zeiss for providing a set of ZF prime lenses.
Cinevate for providing a Brevis 35mm lens adapter and PL-mount.
Ikan Corp for providing a HD reference monitor.
Lowel for providing a fully-loaded production lighting kit.
Mole-Richardson for providing a fully-loaded production lighting kit. Part 2 of this series delves into lens mount and diffuser swapping, and is available via the Cinevate owners forum.
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You guys have been doing a great set of videos lately. This Brevis one is very nice as was the focus pulling series. Thanks for doing these. A couple of points here. A chuck is a device that holds a bit or a tool. The thing that you are referring to in the video is just a wrench. Referred to as a hex or allen wrench.
With regard to cross-threading, a trick that you can do to prevent cross-threading is to turn the item in the reverse direction of the threads until you feel it synch with the treads on the device that you are screwing into. For example, for the Brevis here, you would thread it counter-clockwise into the adapter ring until you feel it click into place with the threads on the adapter ring. Then you can safely thread the Brevis clockwise with no fear of crossthreading.
Thanks again for the great blog and the great videos!
Mike
Hey Mike, thanks for the clarification on the chuck thing. You don’t think about those simple things until you are sitting in front of the camera and supposed to be talking… :-)
Appreciate the feedback and cross-threading tip. Thanks for watching!
-Matt Jeppsen
I’ll ad that for 3:30am on the tail of a like 3 days of shooting Matt was near delirious LOL!!!! Wait til you guys see the outakes on this shoot its amazing we ever got through it ROFLING!!!
Kendal, Matt, your work on this is very much appreciated. Your comments on the Brevis to rails mount prompted a redesign to make the top clamp a quick release part…which will make the entire system tool-less. It’s in production right now :-)
Excellent, I’m very glad to hear that Dennis! Any time tools can be take out of the equation, I say that’s a good thing. A tool-less top clamp should really speed up mounting and breaking down the adapter rig. Thanks for the heads up.
-MJ
Part of our goal in these gear reviews to do just that, to help give feedback to manufacturers in such a way as to enable them produce better more efficient products into the market place. The end result hopefully is that everyone wins, better tools are produced that sale better for manufacturers, and filmmakers wind up with solid tools to do better work.
i have a hvr v1u camera so how do i fix this adapter with it and what are the things in need
“i have a hvr v1u camera so how do i fix this adapter with it and what are the things in need”
The following would work nicely:
1. The Brevis HD adapter bundle
2. A 72 to 62mm step-down ring
-MJ
I too am a visual learner and this is a great tutorial…very informative! Nice job!
I look forwrad to seeing more of these. THANKS for putting this together.
fp
Matt,
I just watched your very instructive, hands on video on the Brevis 35 mm Adapter. Is it possible to attach this to the EX1 and how is this done? Thank you.
Cody Stanton
Cody, it’s basically the same procedure, only you’ll need a 77mm to 72mm step-down ring. That’s essentially it.
-Matt Jeppsen
Matt,
Thanks. If you were to leave the house with one or the other,which camera would you prefer to use with the Brevis 35 mm. The EX1 or the HVX200? And what would your reasons be for that decision?
Cody Stanton
Cody, that is the million-dollar question and it’s not one I could just rattle off a glib response to. There are so many variables that each individual shooter has. There truly is no right or wrong answer, only compromises each person can live with. If you haven’t already, I suggest you listen to my discussion with Kendal about the EX1 and also my conversation with Adam Wilt:
http://www.freshdv.com/2008/01/xdcam-ex1-hands-on-first-impressions-podcast-discussion.html
http://www.freshdv.com/2008/01/interview-with-adam-wilt-on-the-xdcam-ex1.html
Those two podcasts cover a lot of our likes and dislikes with the EX1. And I think the camera you choose is actually slightly more important than the 35mm adapter. I think that shooters basically need to determine their needs and requirements first. You can add the Brevis afterwards. That’s not to say that it isn’t a factor, just that the camera and format is really a more important decision IMHO. Finally, two quick notes to consider. The Brevis Pre-flip requires an extension tube when used with basically any Sony camera, the EX1 included. It does not need an extension tube with the HVX. The Brevis Flip does not need an extension tube with the EX1 (or the HVX I assume), and it’s optics deliver improved edge sharpness and less chromatic aberration. Hope something in there helps. Best of luck!
-Matt Jeppsen
Matt
Nice work–informative, articulate—and he’s easy on the eyes, too!
Hi i am new to the 35 mm lens adapter. I have been filming on a Sony HVR Z1e for the past 18 months now. I mainly film live events e.g. stage shows and weddings etc but my passion is film and music video production.
I have wanted use a lens adapter before but was unsure of how to use it especially regarding focus pulling and aperture. I guess before i hire a lens adapter it is probably best that i read up on depth of field beforehand right? Can anybody suggest any good books to read? Not only this but can anybody also tell which is the best lens adapter for my camera e.g. Redrock M2, Movietube or the Brevis 35mm? Also any additional fittings that i may need?
This site has really helped me a lot especially the video tutorial as it has given me a general idea of setting up a lens adapter. I’ll definitely be coming back for more info.
Thanks a lot guys
Marlonn
Hey Marlonn, here’s a few resources to get you started understanding DOF and how to control it.
http://ifsstech.wordpress.com/2008/07/27/refresher-on-camera-iris-and-shutter-speed/
http://www.freshdv.com/2007/10/video-tutorial-understanding-depth-of-field.html
http://www.freshdv.com/2007/10/freshdv-reviews-five-follow-focus-systems.html (The entire Art of Pulling Focus video series is embedded in the playlist along with ff system reviews)
Thanks for the feedback, and best of luck.
-Matt Jeppsen
HI thanks for the reply, what about the 15 mm rods and follow focus, is follow focus so important and what about the lense support, and what cinifuse should i use?
Iam from India i cant get any of these here i need to import it so what ever require i want to import at one go, so pl advice me on all the requirements for my cam
I would purchase a matching rod/baseplate system from whichever 35mm adapter companyt you choose to go with. They are going to be built for their adapter…in this case, Brevis has a fine rod and baseplate system which works well with their adapter. If you go with the Brevis, I would recommend Cinefuse CFL1L (or CF1Le) for general purpose use. I personally feel that CF2 and CF3 are too diffuse, and besides, CF1 is most light efficient.
-MJ