Still camera remount?

[James Steven Beverly]

I've had an idea for a while about having a still 35mm camera front mount converted to a OCT-19 mount so it could be loaded with movie film and used for tests and also as a director's viewfinder. The problem is finding which camera would lend it's self to such a conversion. I've seen DOF OCT-19 mounts on Ebay and they might be adaptable for such a use or perhaps I can find a good used one at some point or have one made. The OCT-19 is very similar to the PL or BNCR (the Russians basically stole the design)so this information might be useful. I did find this and in a film camera, this is exactly what I'm looking for:

 

http://www.syndicate.se/Files/Misc/mega_mouth.jpg

 

http://www.syndicate.se/Files/Misc/mega_mouth_2.jpg

 

I know processing might be a bit of a problem, BUT maybe is I were to send several rolls and asked them to tag them to the end of something they're already processing, I might have a chance of getting it done at a reasonable price. Worst case scenario I try and find the closest still film and use that instead. Any thoughts? B)

[Stuart Brereton]

It may or may not be possible to convert a stills camera to OCT-19, but it wouldn't be much good as a Director's Finder as the difference between a 35mm still frame and a 35mm movie frame would give you different fields of view. The only stills camera that I know of with a similar neg size is the Olympus Pen - F.

 

Getting Labs to process such short lengths is also a problem. The late John Pytlak advised me that Kodak Portra still film was a reasonable match for their motion picture stocks, so that may be an alternative for less critical testing.

[Hal Smith]

APS-C camera sensors are close to Super-35 aperture size. The biggest problem with movie camera lenses on any HDSLR is many of them have rear elements that project into the area where the HDSLR's mirror resides. Hot Rod Cameras among others remove the mirror which eliminates some of the still functions like autofocus (varies with different cameras). Some movie lenses like Angenieux Primos do not have rear projecting elements and only require an adapter or custom mount. My older Angie 20-120mm T2.9 is a similar basic design to the Primos and will go on my Canon 7D with a custom Angenieux back thread to EOS mount. Paul Duclos will make one for around $1K. Sounds like a lot of money but will put one of the better older Angies on my camera.

 

If your Lemos are retrofocus design and not too different in back focal distance they may go on an HDSLR without too much fuss. Shane Hurlbut has a lens specialist in his group now, browse around http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/category/lenses/ for some pretty solid information on high quality lenses on Canons. Shane's my go to guy for knowledgeable info, I met him at NAB and he was gracious enough to answer some questions and help me to start to come up to speed on my 7D's possibilities.

[James Steven Beverly]

The Russians made a still camera that would take a OCT-19 lens but they are extremely rare. There has got to be a way to modify the viewfinder to represent an accurate 35mm motion picture frame (I'd even like to be able to change out the GG to anamorphic as that is the format I plan to shoot the most in). A director's viewfinder STARTS at 3 grand for a used one then I'd have to modify it for an OCT-19 mount and probably a Kinor 35 GG. I can't believe it would take that much to modify a still camera. Even if it took say 1500 bucks to modify a still camera and pay 5 times the normal amount to have the footage processed, you'd be money ahead, assuming it was done right of course. The major problem is the distance to the mirror, WHICH is apparently critical. I need to learn more about still cameras. Right now, stills it the one thing I shoot digitally. I should really set up a small dark room and start shooting still film pics. I mean I've GOT like 6 film still cameras and a dozen or so prime lenses as well as a couple of zooms my dad gave me. I even have some old film. :)

Edited September 23, 2010 by James Steven Beverly

[James Steven Beverly]

APS-C camera sensors are close to Super-35 aperture size. The biggest problem with movie camera lenses on any HDSLR is many of them have rear elements that project into the area where the HDSLR's mirror resides. Hot Rod Cameras among others remove the mirror which eliminates some of the still functions like autofocus (varies with different cameras). Some movie lenses like Angenieux Primos do not have rear projecting elements and only require an adapter or custom mount. My older Angie 20-120mm T2.9 is a similar basic design to the Primos and will go on my Canon 7D with a custom Angenieux back thread to EOS mount. Paul Duclos will make one for around $1K. Sounds like a lot of money but will put one of the better older Angies on my camera.

 

If your Lemos are retrofocus design and not too different in back focal distance they may go on an HDSLR without too much fuss. Shane Hurlbut has a lens specialist in his group now, browse around http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/category/lenses/ for some pretty solid information on high quality lenses on Canons. Shane's my go to guy for knowledgeable info, I met him at NAB and he was gracious enough to answer some questions and help me to start to come up to speed on my 7D's possibilities.

No, no, dude, still FILM cameras. Sorry but digital will not work for what I'm trying to do. The reference pics were meant for the mount mod only. Sorry if I didn't make that clear. My fault. Thanks for the reply anyway. B)

Edited September 23, 2010 by James Steven Beverly

[Hal Smith]

No, no, dude, still FILM cameras. Sorry but digital will not work for what I'm trying to do. The reference pics were meant for the mount mod only. Sorry if I didn't make that clear. My fault. Thanks for the reply anyway. B)

 

Can you get a Konvas with an OCT-19 mount? It just might be simpler to shoot short tests on a simple Commiecam, not a high tech camera like your Kinor(s).

[Mohan Sandhu]

Something like this? http://www.mtfservices.com/mtf-products-list/mtfolympus-pl-mounted-slr.html

[James Steven Beverly]

Yes EXACTLY!! I must admit though, at 1150 pounds (1800 US buckaroos), it seems a bit pricey. I'm pretty sure IF one could find the right SLR, changing the mount out should be that expensive and for a OCT-19 mount, I'd have to do that anyway. EVEN if it ISN'T any cheaper, it's still far cheaper than even the cheapest director's viewfinder out there.

[Stuart Brereton]

There has got to be a way to modify the viewfinder to represent an accurate 35mm motion picture frame (I'd even like to be able to change out the GG to anamorphic as that is the format I plan to shoot the most in

 

I far as I can see, you'd have to have some way of masking the mirror to match 35mm motion picture dimensions, and then have a hard matte fitted to the gate so that your stills matched what you framed. In addition, you'd need a de-anamorphosing element in your VF in order to compose a frame when using your Lomos. I have no idea if any of this is possible, but if it is it sure won't be cheap...

 

You really should shoot some film stills. I just got back into medium format stills after years of shooting digitally. I love processing my own neg. The whole discipline is a real change from digital.

[James Steven Beverly]

Can you get a Konvas with an OCT-19 mount? It just might be simpler to shoot short tests on a simple Commiecam, not a high tech camera like your Kinor(s).

I THOUGHT about the Konvas, but even though the Konvas 2M is tiny for a 35mm motion picture camera, it still seems a bit bulky to be used as a director's viewfinder. I mean you're not just talking the camera, you're talking the battery belt, the mags rolls of at least 100 ft of 35mm plus the lenses not to mention the fact that it would draw quite a bit of attention compared to an SLR.

 

I DO have a Konvas KSR-1 but of course it's an OCT-18 mount so I could test stocks but not the primary lenses I'd be using. I'd have to buy a 2M. They can be had for as little as 300 to 500 bucks for a package less lenses, so the price is right and it would make for a good back up to the Kinors in case either develop mechanical problems as can happen with commiecams. I do have the Kinor PII which Bruce and Olex are working on which is designed as a hand held camera but it's a bit bigger than the Konvas.

 

A converted SLR would seem like a better tool for location scouting and finding your camera angles on the fly but I suppose if that option turns out to be too expensive or impractical due to processing considerations, a Konvas 2M would be an acceptable alternative. B)