Nigel wrote:I don't thing that a FF will give you any benefit in Super8. Why?? Because of the DOF even at longer lengths...
We already agreed that this is a drawback one would seek to work around, not necessarily employ in every case. The lens can be set to create a situation with almost *no* DOF, and this may be highly desirable to the storyteller.
Depending on the complexity of the shot imagined, FF will be useful, or it won't. Why make blanket statements to the effect that FF will *never* be useful?
Nigel wrote:I don't think it is wise to spend 1500 bucks on a Mattebox and an additional 500 on rods when you can use a screw on filter for Super8.
What are the benefits??
First of all, these prices you've quoted are completely arbitrary. Deals can be had...I made my own rods out of defunct aluminum light-stand round stock...my mattebox was $100 CAD and has seen mucho usage, or you can make your own; the 'fold' is online... there are no limits, except the ones in your mind...
Secondly, "on the day", with eveyone standing around waiting, you may find yourself suddenly unable to screw the damn filters into the lens, forget about it in the extreme cold, and past one threaded filter, you're into vignetting country. Nope, square filters dropped into mattebox tray are in use in large format for a reason, the same reason one would employ them in S8 - ease of use. And hey, what about grads? You're gonna need the tray anyway...
Nigel wrote:The opportunity cost is just not there in Super8.
My fee for commercials is $600.00 a day. I like to show up prepared for the most possible situations. Is that okay with you?
Nigel wrote:My mattebox is great because it will allow me to use filters on every lens I have from Angenieux without internal focus to a big Nikon 400mm.
You just don't encounter that with Super8 cams and especially not an R10 where you aren't changing lenses.
Sorry, I don't encounter the need to use different size/type filters? Don't I? You'll have to clarify that one; shooting is shooting, regardless of the format.
In Super 8, changing lenses = changing cameras. A quick-change baseplate/rod etc. system designed to accomodate multiple cameras would be a great tool. I know this from experience because I have one.
Nigel wrote:So...Why spend the money, time and effort??
Why jump in to deride those who do, with mean-spirited assumptions about their egos? Is it not up to the individual to decide what/how they might want to shoot?
Nigel wrote:The DOF will still be a mile long and a focus pull will rarely be needed and when it is you can rack by hand because lenses are never that long of a throw on S8 cameras.
Sure they are. Some are quite prohibitively long.
What about a focus puller working in the dark? Do they need clearly visible markings?
How about no focus puller available - would it be nice to have locks on a FF so you don't have to take your eye away from the VF?
And **once again** mile long DOF is a limitation which can be eliminated if the shot calls for it.
Nigel wrote:Filters can be had for a fraction of the cost of 4X4 or 4X5 and a decent shade is easy enough to get your hands on.
Shades are round, the frame is square.
Shades are not length adjustable.
Shade + filter = vignetting.
A decent mattebox is easy enough to get your hands on.
Rods can be used to support any old thing one can dream up to make a cool shot.
The price of photo gear varies *wildly*.
There are all kinds of square filters out there.
Nigel wrote:My claims were never unsupported. It started out with the fact that the DOF is deep and a FF isn't needed. Then it morphed into the rest of the stuff.
Your initial claim wrt the use of the rig to boost the owner's ego remains un-supported, un-supportable, mean-spirited, and misleading to the un-initiated. IOW, worse than useless.
4 feet @ 60mm @ 20 feet is a **limitation**. For a walking shot toward camera it's absolutely pathetic. FF makes racking easier, which frees the mind to concentrate on composition, boom dip-ins, whatever.
Nigel wrote:At one point I was looking at making a rig for my 4008 so that I could use my grads on it and a few other filters I have for my Aaton that I don't have in screw on. Then after much thought it didn't make sense when I can time the sky and add gradation using a power-window in Xfer.
Power window? Time the sky? Why not just use a grad?
Would you appreciate some dink chiming in to insult you for spending big bucks on the technology required to generate power windows? How about if said dink inferred this investment was solely made to boost your manhood?
Is your particular working method a rule for others? Do you have a hat with "method decider" stitched onto it?
Nigel wrote:Nope. The ends don't justify the means and I stil think it is all an attempt to turn a great camera(R10) into something you can use as an extension of your ego.
You need desperately to understand that you thinking something doesn't make it so. Even if 99 out of 100 shooters use the rig to look cool, this does in no way affect the possible apps of the rig, and it would be a minor tragedy if your negativity shied a newbie away from a small dollar/time investment in tools that might improve their results.
Mitch