mercer

I have a set of Cosmicar c-mount lenses, the older f1.9 versions, that I bought to use with my Pentax Q7, for fun, and with the possibility of using them on the Pocket cam if I get one, supposedly they don't need modification. Anyway, do you guys think Blackmagic will drop the price of the pocket cam again? I should have bought it last summer but I hesitated... Bad move on my part. I originally was going to buy 3 and hopefully sell the other two and get one for free. 20/20 right.

Haha, most of them are on the cheap. You should be able to get all of their lenses for less than a hundred, definitely less than a hundred and fifty, if you're patient. There's an 18mm, an 18mm pan focus (which is unnecessary because the 18mm is practically always in focus anyway), a 20-40mm push/pull zoom, a 24mm, a 50mm and a 70mm. The regular adapters run about 20 dollars each but the lenses do not have apertures because it was built into the cameras. I used step up rings and fader nd filters to darken the image. Kevin informed us of the existence of an adapter with a built in aperture, from RJ camera, it costs 75 bucks, but I read from their site that the adapter won't work with 70mm. So with adapters you could easily get the entire set for 200, 250. If you read the reviews, and I will confirm... The best lenses of the lot are the 18mm and the 50mm. You can probably get both of them for less than 50. In fact, I think there's an 18mm on eBay now for $18 or best offer plus shipping... Which is a great price. I'd still pick up the 24mm, it's a decent little lens, little being the key word... This thing is tiny... They all are. Also, you will probably need some kind of lens focus lever, if you pull focus. I have one of those silicone bottle cap openers that were popular a few years back, but a zip tie would probably work as well. Sorry for the long winded answer. Just search Pentax 110 lenses. Or more specific Pentax 110 18mm, Pentax 110 24mm... Etc.

The K versions are very nice. A little pricier than the Ms but they are a little bigger, I think a 52mm filter size. Basically SMC versions of their Takumar lenses in an M bodies. I am thinking about getting the G7, I wonder how the 110 lenses would resolve in 4K. I think the 110s are plenty sharp enough wide open, but I have heard they get even more so when stopped down, with a little more contrast. Is that your experience with them?

It would be awesome if someone made a focal reducer for them. It won't happen but it would be cool.

To be honest, I just love Pentax lenses. I am really surprised more filmmakers don't use the M, A or my personal favorite the K version... Which was there model they put out in between the Taks and the M version. Supposedly they are optically identical to the Taks, without the radiation, and with a K mount. Beautiful, beefy lenses with great IQ.

Not off topic at all. Discussions are supposed to evolve. It looks wicked, would love to see some footage. I didn't know they made an adapter with an aperture. When I bought mine a couple years ago, people were doing diy apertures. Although, I am a mechanical type of person, I have no interest in making apertures or homemade adapting. Not my thing.

Of course every time I think, or say I am done, I go and buy another lens. The other night I picked up my first Canon FD... The 50mm 1.4 newest version. It came with a FD to eos-m adapter, so I think minus the adapter it cost about 50 bucks. I have some of the older FL lenses, the rubber ring 35mm 3.5 is one of my favorite lenses... It's right up there with the Konica 40mm.

Yeah, we sound awfully similar. I started with the t2i, so I was a couple years behind you, if you don't count the dozen or so cartridges of Super 8 film and the couple dozen mini dv tapes from a consumer Canon. I knew a little about cinematography from my hapless attempts to load 16mm film into an old bolex in the dark. All I knew was I hated everything about that kit lens that came with the t2i. The first and only time I used it, I wanted to kick it against a tree. Instead, I bought a Vivitar 28mm. I didn't love it, but it was miles better than the 18-55mm. From there I tried some cheapo m42s and some series e lenses and some Olympus and some Rikenon m42 lenses and then I found my first real lens that I loved... a Pentax-M 28mm 2.8. I couldn't have been happier until I found a mint 50mm 1.7 for 25 bucks... Long story short, it took me awhile to find decent lenses and know what decent lenses even were. For the most part, I have been able to sell every stinker without a loss and have been able to get a half dozen, or so, keeper sets. Btw, I also have a complete set of the Pentax 110 lenses. I love the 20-40 zoom, the 18mm and the 50mm. Have you put together an aperture for them? I just use step up rings and fader nd filters. What a cool image they make though. How are they on the pocket?

Nah, nobody has been off topic here. I am interested in knowing what other filmmakers have or use. I like selection. I like to be able to use my Nikkors when I am looking for a more warmer, almost clinical feel to a piece. If I want something a little more vintage, I'll throw on my Minolta MCs. If I'm rushed, but looking for a nice flat image I can play with in post, I'll use my set of Tokina AT-X manual zooms. Of course, this is all theory based on lens tests because I haven't shot too much narrative work yet.

Yeah I read that same article about 4K output. Hopefully BH is correct. I just want the smallest run and gun setup I can find. When you output to live HDMI, does the camera's LCD show what is going out? If it does, then the Ninja Star is more than enough for me.

Thanks Andy, that looks amazing. The grade looks great.

Another question about speedboosters... I have read a little about the blue spot when you shoot at a light source. Do you know if that is more prevalent with specific brands, or just a byproduct of using focal reducers?

I really hope they offer the body only. I have never purchased a camera right when it's released...is that something they sometimes offer at release?

I've never used a speedbooster, are there any drawbacks with them? Infinity focus? Softer image? Which I don't necessarily mind... for narrative work.

Yeah, that would be great, has there been any info on this? I guess the bmAssist would be a better option than the ninja star due to the added lcd?

Yeah the G7 and the Ninja Star sounds like a nice little set up.

I am very interested in the G7 but I have only ever owned APS-C cameras, the crop factor frightens me a little. It seems like the only way to go is with speedboosters.

Oh yeah, I was referring to one lens for multiple projects. As you know, there are so many different lenses, each with their own quirks and character. To use only one lens, I must assume that jase enjoys tweaking his image a lot in post. I have found that lens selection can get you almost halfway there.

Only one lens, you must be a fan of post?

Will the proud owners of the G6 upgrade to the G7? Other than the obvious, are there any other upgrades that are enticing?

Do you have the angenieux 28-70 or the RMC?

I understand that, I'm just afraid that I will put all of this work into a project and they will only accept 4K material, but logic dictates that if the project is any good and they can make money... Why would they turn it down.

I think I may have you beat, but I use different sets of lenses for different projects. Of course I have been searching for excuses to use my Minolta MCs

I tend to agree with your theory. My plan was to shoot in 4K and then downres to 1080p for the edit. I know there is an ongoing debate that you gain nothing by doing that but I think the footage looks weightier, more cinematic ... To my eye anyway. Would it be smarter to edit in 4K prores and then downres, so I have a master in 4K and then do my grading on the 1080p? Or do the whole process in 4K before I downres?

I'm a relative beginner with my only objective being narrative filmmaking. I have only ever used one camera but I have worked in sets where multiple cameras are used. I see the benefit in both.