Premium Member Lindsay Mann Posted March 15, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted March 15, 2005 The company my school hired to switch two 16 cameras to Super16 forgot to send us the ground glass to go with it. Arriflex is now making them in Germany because they don't have any apparently. Is there any way to rent just the ground glass, or fake the ground glass using tape or something, so we wouldn't have to just guess what was in the frame? I'd wait, but we shoot on Saturday. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent J. Craig Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 The ground glass has to be VERY precisely positioned - it's how you judge focus! You can't make one out of tape. Find a sympathetic rental house and see if they will loan you one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Phil Rhodes Posted March 15, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted March 15, 2005 Hi, I don't understand all this fuss about groundglass focus. Okay, let me retract that - I understand why I'd want it to be right, but with most film shoots using focus pullers who measure marks I don't understand why it's considered to be such a big deal. Even if the operator can see it's soft, there's nothing that can be done about it. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent J. Craig Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 You're joking, right? Speaking as a commercial focus puller with 13 years experience: It is usually better to know whether a shot is in focus or not on the shoot day rather than finding out in the rushes a day or so later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member John Pytlak RIP Posted March 15, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted March 15, 2005 If the ground glass is wrong, why even have a viewfinder? :unsure: :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Andino Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Hi, I don't understand all this fuss about groundglass focus. Okay, let me retract that - I understand why I'd want it to be right, but with most film shoots using focus pullers who measure marks I don't understand why it's considered to be such a big deal. Even if the operator can see it's soft, there's nothing that can be done about it. Phil <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You're right actually you don't really need a groundglass--ergo viewfinder To do proper focus... You just better be damn sure you're lens is on point & properly collaminated And you gotta have a damn good AC who knows how to read his DoF chart. Before the invention of the reflex viewfinder this is how most productions work They shot parallax & there was no way to know if it's in focus. However if you're a student with little experience And are working with shoddy equipment I'd opt for the viewfinder If you have a video-tap that's not connected to the groundglass You could use that you check your focus. Anyways my best recommendation is to try to rent one at a rental place. They might charge you to install it as well and take it out. GOOD LUCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent J. Craig Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 If you have a video-tap that's not connected to the groundglassYou could use that you check your focus. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> There's no such thing. The groundglass is what the video tap is 'shooting'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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