Ease of use for a novice? at DVinfo.net

Andrew C. Stewart · March 16th, 2005, 10:54 PM

Really blown away by the look of the footage on James site.

My question is:

How easy is this to use?

I truly am a beginner...in fact I don't even have a camera (yet). I've used a Canon GL2 on a couple no-budget music videos so my exposure to dv movie making is limited to using a focusing ring, changing an f stop or white balance, and adjusting the gain...stuff any monkey can do.

I'm not too concerned about setup (i can do about anything if you give me a picture :P) but what knowledge is required to use this effectively?

Does camera function stay the same? (aperature, white balance, etc)

I understand focus is controlled on the 35mm lens and zoom as well. Is that correct?

I understand different lenses yield different results, but is there some catch all 35mm that will suffice for a wide range of shots?

Is this way too complex for a newbie (albeit a quick-learning newbie) to try?

Thanks!

Andy

Larry McKee · March 17th, 2005, 12:59 AM

It's not hard. You just have to manually focus, which you should be doing anyway, and you will need to move the camera instead of zooming. Again, what you should be doing anyway.

There is no "one size fits all" lens. You will need several lenses. Zooms tend to be slower than fixed focal length lenses, so they require more light. So, unless you are doing all your shooting outdoors in the daytime, faster lenses will be needed. So, dust off those 35mm SLR lenses packed away in your closet, or start shopping for cine primes.

You are right, the focus is controlled on the 35mm lens and all the other camera functions work normally.

Andrew C. Stewart · March 17th, 2005, 01:34 AM

Since I've yet to purchase a camera...

Would it be better to purchase a camera sans optical lens (in the XL2's case) and just invest in some sort of good adapter (micro35??) and nice 35mm lens? I don't really intend for this to be a point and shoot camera. If need be I could always save up for a standard lens (ala the Canon 20x Optical that usually comes standard) to purchase at a later date.

Thanks again.

Larry McKee · March 17th, 2005, 10:06 AM

Andrew, you may have to wait until James returns from his trip to answer the XL2 question. I think the Micro35 works with the XL2's camera lens like it does on the DVX100, but I don't know for sure that is the case.

Andrew C. Stewart · March 23rd, 2005, 04:25 PM

is bumping allowed in the forum? Seems like things can drift down the board. Just looking for anyone's imput.

Thanks

Andy

Andrew C. Stewart · April 1st, 2005, 10:36 PM

Hopefully this means he's found a remarkably inexpensive way of making this even more effective.

Earon Kavanagh · April 3rd, 2005, 01:31 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Andrew C. Stewart : Hopefully this means he's found a remarkably inexpensive way of making this even more effective. -->>>

Anyone know how to reach James. I've been trying to contact him for a few days to make an order for the completed setup.
Thanks,
Earon
earon@themainstreetfilm.com

Daniel Skubal · April 3rd, 2005, 02:30 PM

:( Gosh I want the guide so bad, this is killing me.

Brian Valente · April 3rd, 2005, 11:53 PM

Andrew - I would recommend checking out the new Panasonic HD camera. If it does anything like what the hype suggests, it will be worth it - unclear yet if that camera has interchangeable lenses.

Dave Frank · April 4th, 2005, 04:48 PM

It won't have interchangeable lenses. You can bank on that.

Brian Valente · April 4th, 2005, 07:18 PM

well, thank goodness for products such as the [forthcoming] micro35 then! :-)

March 16th, 2005, 10:54 PM	#1
Andrew C. Stewart Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ponca City, OK Posts: 61	Ease of use for a novice? Really blown away by the look of the footage on James site. My question is: How easy is this to use? I truly am a beginner...in fact I don't even have a camera (yet). I've used a Canon GL2 on a couple no-budget music videos so my exposure to dv movie making is limited to using a focusing ring, changing an f stop or white balance, and adjusting the gain...stuff any monkey can do. I'm not too concerned about setup (i can do about anything if you give me a picture :P) but what knowledge is required to use this effectively? Does camera function stay the same? (aperature, white balance, etc) I understand focus is controlled on the 35mm lens and zoom as well. Is that correct? I understand different lenses yield different results, but is there some catch all 35mm that will suffice for a wide range of shots? Is this way too complex for a newbie (albeit a quick-learning newbie) to try? Thanks! Andy

March 17th, 2005, 12:59 AM	#2
Larry McKee Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 32	It's not hard. You just have to manually focus, which you should be doing anyway, and you will need to move the camera instead of zooming. Again, what you should be doing anyway. There is no "one size fits all" lens. You will need several lenses. Zooms tend to be slower than fixed focal length lenses, so they require more light. So, unless you are doing all your shooting outdoors in the daytime, faster lenses will be needed. So, dust off those 35mm SLR lenses packed away in your closet, or start shopping for cine primes. You are right, the focus is controlled on the 35mm lens and all the other camera functions work normally. __________________ www.lunaticfringepictures.com

March 17th, 2005, 01:34 AM	#3
Andrew C. Stewart Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ponca City, OK Posts: 61	would you suggest... Since I've yet to purchase a camera... Would it be better to purchase a camera sans optical lens (in the XL2's case) and just invest in some sort of good adapter (micro35??) and nice 35mm lens? I don't really intend for this to be a point and shoot camera. If need be I could always save up for a standard lens (ala the Canon 20x Optical that usually comes standard) to purchase at a later date. Thanks again.

March 17th, 2005, 10:06 AM	#4
Larry McKee Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 32	Andrew, you may have to wait until James returns from his trip to answer the XL2 question. I think the Micro35 works with the XL2's camera lens like it does on the DVX100, but I don't know for sure that is the case. __________________ www.lunaticfringepictures.com

March 23rd, 2005, 04:25 PM	#5
Andrew C. Stewart Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ponca City, OK Posts: 61	Just a bump is bumping allowed in the forum? Seems like things can drift down the board. Just looking for anyone's imput. Thanks Andy

April 1st, 2005, 10:36 PM	#6
Andrew C. Stewart Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ponca City, OK Posts: 61	James must be busy... Hopefully this means he's found a remarkably inexpensive way of making this even more effective.

April 3rd, 2005, 01:31 PM	#7
Earon Kavanagh Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 65	Re: James must be busy... <<<-- Originally posted by Andrew C. Stewart : Hopefully this means he's found a remarkably inexpensive way of making this even more effective. -->>> Anyone know how to reach James. I've been trying to contact him for a few days to make an order for the completed setup. Thanks, Earon earon@themainstreetfilm.com

April 3rd, 2005, 02:30 PM	#8
Daniel Skubal Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 71	:( Gosh I want the guide so bad, this is killing me.

April 3rd, 2005, 11:53 PM	#9
Brian Valente Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 293	Andrew - I would recommend checking out the new Panasonic HD camera. If it does anything like what the hype suggests, it will be worth it - unclear yet if that camera has interchangeable lenses.

April 4th, 2005, 04:48 PM	#10
Dave Frank Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 244	It won't have interchangeable lenses. You can bank on that. __________________ http://www.sleeptightmovie.com

April 4th, 2005, 07:18 PM	#11
Brian Valente Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 293	well, thank goodness for products such as the [forthcoming] micro35 then! :-)