Lenses

[Michael Wilson]

Typically what is the longest lens you use with steadicam? Also what is the longest lens you have ever been asked to use?

 

The longest I have ever shot with was 100mm. That footage was chopped up considerably. Are you ever asked to shoot long takes with long lenses? Just Curious

[Lawrence Karman]

This was pretty long. Don't ask.

 

[Charles Papert]

I've seen the 150mm a number of times. My feeling is that longer than 75mm it often becomes more dodgy for the AC than for the operator, depending on what the shot is of course (a "wide" shot on a long lens, say tracking someone across the street, would be an example of a tougher shot to operate while a closeup of a reasonably sedate actor will be harder on the AC).

 

I think it's hard to justify a significantly longer focal length than 150mm on a Steadicam.

[JobScholtze]

I've seen the 150mm a number of times. My feeling is that longer than 75mm it often becomes more dodgy for the AC than for the operator, depending on what the shot is of course (a "wide" shot on a long lens, say tracking someone across the street, would be an example of a tougher shot to operate while a closeup of a reasonably sedate actor will be harder on the AC).

 

I think it's hard to justify a significantly longer focal length than 150mm on a Steadicam.

I discover that shooting HD makes it even harder for an focuspuller to do without a proper HD monitor. Am i right on that?

[Richard James Lewis]

Sure, it's harder, but I've worked with plenty of focus pullers who haven't had issues regardless.

 

Pulling off a monitor is more reactive, as opposed to predictive, the shot has to go soft before it goes sharp...

 

R

 

 

I've seen the 150mm a number of times. My feeling is that longer than 75mm it often becomes more dodgy for the AC than for the operator, depending on what the shot is of course (a "wide" shot on a long lens, say tracking someone across the street, would be an example of a tougher shot to operate while a closeup of a reasonably sedate actor will be harder on the AC).

 

I think it's hard to justify a significantly longer focal length than 150mm on a Steadicam.

I discover that shooting HD makes it even harder for an focuspuller to do without a proper HD monitor. Am i right on that?

[Brad Grimmett]

This was pretty long. Don't ask.

 

Sorry, I HAVE to ask! What the hell?

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Sure, it's harder, but I've worked with plenty of focus pullers who haven't had issues regardless.

 

Pulling off a monitor is more reactive, as opposed to predictive, the shot has to go soft before it goes sharp...

 

I suggest you watch the work of my first on "Dexter" he doesn't do what you describe, his work is tack sharp all the time

 

and to answer the longest lens question for me it's either been 180mm or 200mm

[Jerry Franck]

This was pretty long. Don't ask.

 

 

 

:huh:

wow, lawrence, was this hard to get into dynamic balance?

[Charles Papert]

I suggest you watch the work of my first on "Dexter" he doesn't do what you describe, his work is tack sharp all the time

 

With all due respect to Brad (and he has earned mine as you know), you guys are shooting with 2/3" cameras, no? Not quite the same as an S35 sensor when it comes to pulling focus.

[JobScholtze]

I suggest you watch the work of my first on "Dexter" he doesn't do what you describe, his work is tack sharp all the time

 

With all due respect to Brad (and he has earned mine as you know), you guys are shooting with 2/3" cameras, no? Not quite the same as an S35 sensor when it comes to pulling focus.

YES, thats why my question. Also, when i watch a movie that has been shot on HD and look at the film on a HD screen ( blue ray ) i see a lot of focus faults

[Matteo Quagliano]

I think that for focus pulling should be easier with HD 2/3 then 35mm. So probably on HD film you saw there are not as good AC as on film productions. Never touched a 35 in my life but has some experience with 1/3 and 2/3 formats and I think it's pretty much the same.

 

I did go one times with a 75mm and no focus sistem on a panasonic 500 HD. Hard time.

[Lawrence Karman]

This was pretty long. Don't ask.

 

Sorry, I HAVE to ask! What the hell?

 

 

The DP designed a shot pushing past someone into a locker which had a false back which opened to reveal another room beyond. Could have easily been done on a dolly, but what do I know? Fahgetabout dynamic balance; it was just a straight move, no pans so it wasn't important. It was all i could do to balance it. Think I hung Preston motors off the back of the camera for more rear weight, added weight to the bottom of the sled and as you can see the camera is barely on the top stage.

 

To answer the original question the longest millimeter I've had on was a 150. Don't recommend it either. The benefit of using long lenses is the horizon becomes less of an issue. Wide lenses tend to show off-level more.

[Luciano Reverberi]

I think that for focus pulling should be easier with HD 2/3 then 35mm. So probably on HD film you saw there are not as good AC as on film productions. Never touched a 35 in my life but has some experience with 1/3 and 2/3 formats and I think it's pretty much the same.

 

I did go one times with a 75mm and no focus sistem on a panasonic 500 HD. Hard time.

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yes, bigger the sensor shallower deph of field. with 2/3 is way easier for the focus puller than 35 mm or red or any full frame digital cameras.