Hey, just checking if anybody's actually tried using the HV10 with an M2 adapter yet. I remember somebody saying it was like the "ideal" camera since it is so small and light that you could just mount it upside down with no worries. I was thinking that this would be a nifty little setup if it can be done, though after buying the M2 and everything you may as well buy one XH-A1, but that's not the point is it? =)

I did some testing with the two.They work great together,you just have to shim it up a little higher than most cams cause its more vertical.I'm waiting on the adapter to come back from repairs,cause I mess it up trying to take a part out:(.

My M2 got fixed and I shot some test stills.
I think my 28mm Nikon 2.8 is a bad lens,I'm only picking up detail in the center and getting dark blurred edges.

I'll post some stills when I figure out what the problem is.

Good to hear Rylan, I was waiting for your feedback. Surprisingly there hasn't been any other replies to this thread, I would have thought many others would have tried this combo out, especially since it has full 1920x1080 resolution and not 1440x1080 like the Sony HDV models, should help with the softness factor I'd think.

Just wondering, does the Instant Auto Focus feature get in the way of the setup or is there a manual focus button on there? I can't remember if it had one or not.

Good to hear Rylan, I was waiting for your feedback. Surprisingly there hasn't been any other replies to this thread, I would have thought many others would have tried this combo out, especially since it has full 1920x1080 resolution and not 1440x1080 like the Sony HDV models, should help with the softness factor I'd think.

HV10 puts down 1440*1080 to tape, just like the Sonys, its sensor maybe 1920*1080 but the HDV spec only allows for 1440.

Just wondering, does the Instant Auto Focus feature get in the way of the setup or is there a manual focus button on there? I can't remember if it had one or not.

There are three focus modes, Instant Auto focus using the sensor just below the lens, normal auto focus through the lens and manual focus.

Normal auto Focus does gets in the way,Instant isn't so bad but I would stick with manual focusing,and auto stabilizers are a no no.

I still need to adjust the M2 some more before I shoot to tape,and my 28mm Nikon lens blows,but here are some stills so far.

So is this M2 adapter just for Depth of View focusing?

Brad,
Shallow Depth of focus?

I had a few 35mm slr lenses that were collecting dust,so this gives indie filmmakers a chance to achieve Film-style cinematography and bring some life back to these old lenses.

I find my self planing more shots than run an gun style,but the quality of the HV10 is so good I had to try an mate the two.

So far so good.

Here is a clip.
http://ia331329.us.archive.org/1/items/rylanwrighthv10Untitledccmov/Untitled_cc.mov
noting fancy just more testing

Looks nice - best combo for the money I bet.

I did notice chromatic aberration in each of the three photos.. what's at fault? Lenses?

The effect is still sweet - only DPs would notice the C.A. I saw, most ppl wouldn't.

Yeah Robert,
I'm really enjoying the combo:).

The chromatic aberration is probably from the +10 Asian macro lens I'm using,the Redrock Achromat mounts in reverse direction compared to Asian and touches my 37-55 step up ring.
I think the RR Achromat has less or no chromatic aberration,but stacking more rings pushes the glass away from the HV10,and that might mean a little quality loss.

BTW,The Focus Assist on the cam comes in handy for adjusting sharpness on the cinescreen.

Hey chaps -sorry for my ignorance but what is an M2 adapter and how much does it cost? Is is a device to allow you to connect 35mm SLR lenses to the HV10? (my mother inlaw has a few she doesnt want) Is the main benefit the shallow depth of field?

Cheers

Hey chaps -sorry for my ignorance but what is an M2 adapter and how much does it cost? Is is a device to allow you to connect 35mm SLR lenses to the HV10? (my mother inlaw has a few she doesnt want) Is the main benefit the shallow depth of field?

Cheers
Exactly. Here's the link with details:

http://www.redrockmicro.com/micro35.html

Thanks for the link - looks amazing if a little out of my price range!

I'd love to see a picture of an HV10 all setup with rails/redrock/follow focus/monitor - that would be pretty cool!

Yes, the M2 is still expensive when fully decked out and everything, plus the cost of lenses. Yet with the HV10, here's a price list:

From B&H Photo:

Canon HV10 - $950
Zoom H4 - $300
2gb SD Card - about $100
Nikon 50mm 1.4D AF Lens - $280

From Redrockmicro:

M2 Nikon Bundle - $1,300

(Optional) Micro Follow Focus with 3 whips - $825

The total is $2930, add in the follow focus and it's $4,230.

Granted you could pick a different lens or different XLR field recorder, but for a bare minimum kit, it's a competitive deal. For instance, for just about the same price you could get just a DVX or an XHA1, but then you'd have to deal with trying to make that footage look as film-like as possible just as you would with any camera. Yet with the HV10 package, you have a perfectly capable 1080i image from a relatively inexpensive camera, a professional audio solution, and you have a 35mm adapter bundle that will grow with you for your next camera in the future and you'll always have the option of using the M2 on another camera whether you rent one or borrow one.

Lastly, when you don't need film-like images, you can just leave the M2 behind and take that little HV10 camera with you to film birthdays or vacation trips! =)

Obviously this isn't the ideal package for a filmmaker, (that would be a camera like the HVX200, XLH1, ect.) but hey, it seems to work pretty darn well for what it is.

Hey Jack,

By chance, do you have any footage you've taken using the Zoom and M2. This setup you've detailed is definitely the max you can go for with the HV10. If you have any scripted dialogue, I'd love to see and hear it. I would also like to know what mic you use.

Thanks,
Ryan

Aha, no, unfortunately I don't. I don't own an HV10 or an M2, hence why I started the thread asking about whether this setup works. However, I have played with the HV10 extensively in my local Fry's Electronics, so I know the camera pretty well. Sorry if I made it sound like I did own a setup of my own. Yet in any case, the package is still a great value that I would buy in a heartbeat, but I'm saving up for my RED package you see ^_^. So yeah, I'd use this setup if I could. Heck, I may still once I get the RED paid off. Always need a behind the scenes camera you know, plus stunt camera as well.

But even though I don't own this setup, I can still make the recommendations about audio. I've used both the Audio Technica AT-4073a and a Sennheiser MKH416, I've also used a Sennheiser ME66 but not as much as the other two. All of those work very well, but they're industry standard so obviously they'd work well ;). I've also used a Sennheiser G2 wireless set which works really well but I don' know if I'm just old fashioned or what, but I tend to just boom everything so I haven't used the G2 as often as I'd like to.

Also concerning audio, I've basically only used what my college film department has, so I haven't tried for instance a Sennheiser ME67 or AT-897 or any other wireless kits. The school seems to know what's best though so I'm not hurting with my audio choices. Yet between all of the mics I've used so far, I'd have to put my money on the 4073a, I haven't used it as much as the MKH416 but whenever I do I notice that it sounds just a tad clearer and crisper, more pleasing if you will, but that's not to say that I wouldn't use the MKH416 if that's what I had, it still is a great performer that hasn't failed me yet. But what really wins the day for me is that the 4073a is much cheaper than the MKH416 (4073a -$550 vs. MKH416 - $1,100).

So going along with the original package without the follow focus, adding in the 4073a microphone would bring the total up to $3,480, but this is assuming that you have a boompole or add-on accessory shoe mount with some XLR cables already for the microphone because the HV10 doesn't have an accessory shoe of its own. But that is a $200+ difference, accessory shoe add-ons are about $20-30, XLR cable is about $5-20 depending how long you want it, and a boom pole is variable and would account for the remaining difference. But a lot of this trouble could be saved if you bought a 4073a kit for about $1,150 which would include the boom pole, XLR cables, and mounts and such, but not an accessory shoe add-on though but you would only want that for when using just the HV10 and not the M2 and only if you wanted great audio at the same time. All other times with the M2 you would use a boom. Though the kit price is a bit much, you do get a lot with it so it just depends on your budget.

Posted this on the Redrock forum an figured I'd post here if anyone is interested.

Cannon HV10 footage w/cats
Got a new tripod to go with the M2 setup, and needed some quick test footage outside......

If the size is a problem I'll compress another.

Quicktime mov.(157mb) No color correction.
C&C welcomed.
http://ia331341.us.archive.org/1/items/rylanwrightbackyardcats/cats.mov


BTW Ryan Lindsey,

I've got some Zooms but they are big an heavy,but sooner or later I'm going to buy a Redrock lens support for them.

I'll keep you posted.

I'd love to see a picture of an HV10 all setup with rails/redrock/follow focus/monitor - that would be pretty cool!


ditto...could make my night