Cinematographer Notes

I’ve built up the HPX170 with my Letus and checked it and the effective ASA seems to be around 320.  I’m going to rate it at 250 though and keep my usual workflow and just let everything be a bit healthier.  The focus bar is incredible.  Between that and the waveform monitor the camera is practically idiot proof. Not that I need that kind of support but it’s nice to know it’s there.

I’ve got a new short in October and possibly another new documentary coming up.  I’m liking the fact that I can potentially shoot documentary footage with the adaptor because it’s so much faster now.  It is a bit heavier than the Everio setup but lighter than an HVX.  The component connector out the back is a nice new touch and a better connection.

The trick now is figuring out the proper height and balance.  I’ve got several dovetails in place all stacked up and it’s kind of clunky.  I may go with a better riser system.  Zacuto makes nice attachments but they’re ludicrously priced.  I like the one that Cineveate came up with for the brevis.  It’s strong and very simple.  I may look into that.   There was one major design flaw with the HPX and that being the placement of the tripod screw mount underneath being off center from the lens.  I have no idea why they did this but it’s definitely created a headache with the alignment.   That and the top handle which is now 2 inches high from the top of the camera.  Maybe they expect me to be grabbing it wearing a hockey mit.  I don’t know.  No other explanation makes sense.  I wish I could remove it entirely but the menu functions are placed at the base of it.  On the other hand it offers a little protection if the camera fell upside down.

What’s ironic is that the new beefy HPX top handle is useless to me when the camera is attached to the adaptor because if I hold it by the camera handle, all the weight of the adaptor, lens mattebox and follow focus is pulling on the threads of the HPX.

What I’ve done is apply a wraparound handle attaching to the rods underneath that has a carry handle on the top similar to the PS technic only it’ s not attached to the adaptor or camera.  this should make it easier to carry during handheld shoots and between camera setups.

The most difficult aspect so far with this camera/adaptor business is mixing and matching accessories and getting everything to fit and function well.  Each company that manufactures gear for these applications has either no phone support, no sales office, no stock in any store you can walk into and everything is always on backorder.  In short, it’s extremely difficult to get the parts you need or get any help.  The only place that I trust is Abel Cinetech and it’s incredibly difficult to park anywhere near that place which makes it tough to bring your camera package in and have everything fitted for it.  ZGC in Jersey is a fantastic dealer but they have very little in stock and everything is high end.    I dream of someone out there one day opening a friendly storefront filled with everything from Chrosziel to Cavision and always stocked with everything you might need at a moments notice.  And of course, a huge parking lot.  And NOT located within the 5 boroughs.