Nikon Lens Tests with SG Pro and HVX200 (LARGE) [2:16m]: Download
 Nikon Lens Tests with SG Pro and HVX200 (SMALL) [2:16m]: Download

Matt Garrett and Bruce Allen recently conducted a series of Nikon lens tests with a SGPro 35mm adapter mounted to a Panasonic HVX-200. They tested the 17-35mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, 105mm f/2.0, 135mm f/2.0, and 180mm f/2.8 Nikon lenses. That’s quite a lineup of glass!

My first impression is that the footage is quite sharp, and exhibits a minimal amount of vignetting, both which are potential problem areas for 35mm adapter systems. We’ve arranged with Bruce and Matt to host the files here so all you video-hungry FreshDV hordes don’t drive up their bandwidth bill.

You can view the test results for yourself using either the 640×360 22MB small version, or the full-res 1280×720 version which weighs in at 367MB. Thanks guys, for taking the time to do the lens testing and sharing your results with the community.

Brian Valente of Redrock Micro has posted an audio podcast on the topic of choosing glass for your Redrock M2 35mm Cinema Lens Adapter. While they obviously are making recommendations for the M2 adapter, the advice transfers well to other 35mm adapters. Good stuff.

Taylor Wigton has a thread over at DV Info where he’s shared a few 24p 1920×1080 still frames taken with the Redrock Micro M2 adapter on a Canon HV20 camcorder. The footage was taken with a 50mm Nikon lens at f/2.8, and is quite sharp. Bear in mind that Taylor is an accomplished shooter with plenty of 35mm adapter experience.

The HV20 is available for just under $1100 from B&H and Amazon.com

Camcorderinfo scratched up a very cool online video that shows the entire process of manufacturing a lens, from cutting plugs from optical glass all the way through final assembly of mechanical components. The one thing that suprised me the most is the sheer amount of hand work involved…and how many opportunities there seem to be for mistakes in the process. Watch the video below. (UPDATE: Canon has a similar video at their site. Looks more current.)
Continue reading ‘Watch a camera lens being made’

Remote Control of a lens follow focus system has historically been a very costly solution, without many low-budget options to choose from. Redrock Micro is currently engineering a solution, and I’ve heard rumblings that Cinevate is considering such an offering. But neither are available for purchase at this time.

Now there is a new face on the block that is aiming squarely at the Indie market with a reasonably-priced wireless focus-pulling system. We’ve been watching Foveas for a few months now, and were pleased to hear that their recently announced wireless remote follow focus system is complete and orders will be shipping within 5-8 weeks.
Continue reading ‘Foveas Wireless Remote Follow Focus Unveiled’

Taylor Wigton and Randy Wedick have written an extensive and informative article for showreel.org on the JVC HD100U camcorder coupled with Redrock’s M2 35mm lens adapter. The combo of tools were used on 3 seperate productions over the course of a year, and Randy and Taylor dish on the strengths and weaknesses of the pair. Here’s a quick excerpt:
Continue reading ‘JVC HD100 and the Redrock M2 adapter - 1 Year Later’

At NAB 2007 Fujinon will debut a astonishing new 8.8mm to 777mm telephoto lens. The XA88×8.8BESM HD lens features 88X magnification along with Precision Focus Assist. Low light performance is equally impressive: f/1.7 from 8.8mm to 348mm, dropping to f/3.8 at 777mm. Broadcast shooters have got to be salivating at this new offering.