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On SmashWordsHardware Review: The TwoNeil DIY35mmPro 35mm Adapter – a first look
Welcome to the DOJO!
As an indie filmmaker I am a firm believer in the power of digital cinema and filmmaking. I’ve owned and been using various forms of DV cameras since I shot “Bite Me, Fanboy” back in 2001. However, like almost every indie or guerilla filmmaker on the planet, I still love the look of a project shot on film. There is just something ingrained into my being that will also respond to the look of a 35mm or, as a fan of 1970s exploitation films, 16mm film. To me, video almost never looks quite right.
The rise of digital cameras with the ability to shoot at 24p (24 progressive frames per second) has helped the look of digital video, but there was still something missing. Truthfully, the main thing missing from most DV (or HD or HDV or whatever your preferred digital filmmaking format is) is creative color correction and post processing, but that’s not what I’m going to talk about today. What is missing on consumer and “prosumer” digital camcorders is the power of a great lens. Sure, a lot of the higher end digital video cameras have some very good lenses on them these days. However, they still don’t quite hold a candle to a professional 35mm camera lens.
In specific, what most dv cameras lack is the ability to change your focal length and the ability to get a great shallow depth of field. For those of you out there who aren’t sure of what the term “depth of field” means or why you’d want a shallow one, I’ll explain…for those of you who already know, I give you permission to go ahead and skip past the rest of this paragraph. Your “depth of field” is basically referring to what is in focus on screen (or in your camera). A deep depth of field means more is in focus (or everything in some cases) and a shallow depth of field means a small portion is in focus with everything else blurred out to varying degrees. You’ll notice in most films (but not all), when a character is in close-up, the background is blurred out. That statement over simplifies things, but this post is a product review and not a treatise on DOF (depth of field). All you need to know is film lenses allow you to obtain a very shallow DOF, which allows you as the director to control what your viewers see on screen and is an important part of film storytelling. If you want to know more, Google the damn phrase and leave me alone. 
While there are a few tricks to obtain a shallow DOF with DV cameras with zooming, they are not always possible to achieve, especially in tight shooting locations. Thankfully, a technology has been developed in the last few years which allows professional 35mm lenses from still cameras to be attached to most digital video cameras out there, giving the indie and guerilla filmmaker a huge boost to his arsenal of visual storytelling tools — the ability to easily achieve the look of different length lenses and the ability to finally obtain a shallow DOF focus for shots. This technology is called the 35mm Adapter.
Over the past couple of years, there has been a literal flood of different 35mm adapters, ranging in price from $700 or so all the way up to multiple thousands of dollars for a high end rig. Unfortunately for the DIY guerilla indie filmmaker, thousands of dollars ain’t easy to come by! Heck, your camera probably only costs a couple of hundred bucks, why the heck would you want to blow a thousand dollars or more on a gadget?
You know what, I’m right there with you, buddy. My Canon HV20 only cost about $700 and I’m just not sure it’s worth blowing $1500 or more on a Brevis, Letus or Redrock system. And that is where my newest filmmaking equipment acquisition comes in: the TwoNeil DIY35mmPro 35mm Adapter. If you’ve done any research into low cost 35mm adapters then you’ve probably already heard of this little gem from a filmmaker up in Canada.
TwoNeil DIY35mmPro 35mm Adapter Review:
The TwoNeil DIY35mmPro 35mm Adapter is a static adapter which is based on a design freely available on the internet and runs for about $199 plus shipping. Now, your first thought is probably, why the heck would I pay $199 for something based on plans you can download for free? Two reasons: first, the cost of the parts takes up the majority of the price. You’re going to have to pay for most of them yourself and spend the time locating them online. Second, construction. TwoNeil puts it all together for you and makes sure everything is properly aligned to work correctly. If you’re like me, then the thought of some of the tech stuff gets scary. If I can get an “expert” to build something for me, I will. Also, I’m lazy.
Ok, enough of all the talk on theory. I ordered my TwoNeil adapter online from the maker himself (found through a posting on www.HV20.com) and I was very excited to get to try the thing out right away. Unfortunately, that is where the bad news started. TwoNeil makes these things in his spare time and turnaround time is about 60 days. As someone thoroughly entrenched in the Internet and normally getting orders in a few days this was an excruciating reality to have to deal with. In TwoNeil’s defense, my package from the Canadian post arrived in about 45 days.
The TwoNeil 35mm adapter arrived in a well-packaged, well-padded box containing the adapter unit itself (packed in a small boxed and covered in plastic wrap to prevent dust from collecting in it), a keyboard-style air blower unit and a roll of black electric tape. It also contained a lot of strangely shaped styrafoam peanuts…but that didn’t affect the unit at all, it just reminded me of how similar yet different our cousins to the North are. There were no instructions for use or installation or anything like that. Which is where the problems started to arise.
Because the TwoNeil 35mm Adapater is basicaly a DIY project from another filmmaker, you won’t get the instruction, information or assistance you would get from one of the higher end 35mm adapters. There is an instruction flyer you can find on HV20.com, but it doesn’t answer all of the questions you’ll have about the unit or how to use. First up, the unit comes without an achromat. That means, while the TwoNeil Adapter is technically usable right out of the box, you really won’t get the best results with it that way. To get optimal results you’re going to need an achromat, as well as a few other pieces to make it work.
After a bit of research on HV20.com, I picked the Opteka 10x Achromat and emailed TwoNeil about it to see if that would work with his 35mm adapter. What followed was a series of very nice and fairly prompt and, sadly, very painful emails with the maker of the DIY35mmPro 35mm adapter. I say painful very reluctantly because TwoNeil seems like a very nice, very polite guy. However, actually getting helpful information out of him can be a lot like pulling teeth. When I asked if the Opteka would work (already knowing it would from my research) and what I’d need to make it work with the 35mm adapter and my HV20, the answer I got amounted to “yes.” And that was it. From there we went back and forth where I’d ask a number of questions in an email, get a single answer and send another email with more questions.
As cool as the TwoNeil 35mm adapter is, it really needs a detailed information or FAQ support page online for new users, old users and potential users to get all the facts. After 10 or so emails, I was basically told that to get the 58mm Opteka achromat (the size he suggested), I’d need to get an additional Nikon Ring3 extension tube and would have to glue the Opteka in to it (because the Ring3 is 57mm). Cool. So I ordered up the 58mm Opteka Achromat and the additional Ring3 extension tube (you actually have to order a full set and just use the Ring3…costs around $20…the Opteka cost $30 on Amazon).
Cut to 45 days later when a very excited Mat is opening up the package with his TwoNeil 35mm Adapter in it. Taking a look at it, I was excited. The unit look great, very sturdy, and the Nikon mount on the end worked with the set of Nikon Nikkor AIS Prime Lenses I have (85mm, 50mm and 28mm). Awesome. Looking at the adapter and looking at the Ring3 and Achromat, I get a little paranoid. I figure I’ll email TwoNeil to let him know I received the package and just to confirm what I’m going to do before I bust out the Crazy Glue and get to work.
At this point I’m informed I should use a 55mm Opteka Achromat and a 55mm-57mm step up ring instead of the 58mm (which I guess I could still use if I want to glue). It takes me a couple of more emails to get the answer to my original question, which amounted to “what order do I put this together in.” All in all, it’s been a little frustrating. I really think TwoNeil should put together a FAQ or guide for the equipment he sells to help his customers make sure they are getting the most out of his 35mm adapters. As it is right now, it is a very confusing process. For me, in particular, I’m still not able to use a piece of equipment I waited almost 2 months for because I have to order additional parts to make it work properly.
With all that being said, the unit itself is pretty slick and well put together. It is a static adapter, so you’ll have to be extra vigilant in making sure to keep the focusing screen clear of dust or debris which can find its way in to the DIY35mmPro adapter. Unlike with vibrating 35mm adapters, any dust will show up in your shots. I did a few tests with the TwoNeil adapter without an achromat attached and it works very well. Without the achromat you’ll notice a bit more vignetting and distortion than you will if you attach one, but even the footage looks very decent and you’ll be able to pop on your favorite Nikon lens right away.
I do want to give a bit of a warning: if you pick up this 35mm adapter or any other and are expecting to get the kind of fantastic footage you see online right out of the camera, you’re going to be sorely disappointed, especially with the Canon HV20/HV30. With any digital camera, you’re going to get a more muted, neutral looking footage right out of the camera, even with a 35mm adapter. Shooting with the 35mm adapter in 24p mode will give you everything you need, but the magic really comes in the post process and what you do to the footage.
In spite of all the technical difficulties, my first impressions of the TwoNeil DIY35mmPro 35mm Adapter is very good. If you’re an indie or guerilla filmmaker and want to add a shallow DOF to your shots but don’t want to spend a huge amount of money, then the TwonNeil 35mm adapter should be at the top of your list. It’s a great little unit and I can’t wait to play with it some more. I’ll post some footage and a more detailed review once my additional parts arrive and I’ve had more time to work with the TwoNeil Adapter, so stay tuned!
That’s it for today. Until next time, Keep Shooting!
-Mat N., the Film Sensei
http://www.FilmSensei.com
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Can you post detailed instructions (and hopefully photos) of exactly what you need to do to add the Opteka Achromat to the TwoNeil adapter? I have the same adapter, and am interested in adding an achromat. I know TwoNeil is planning on releasing an HD Upgrade based on a Zeiss achromat, but there is some question as to whether or not this out-of-stock Zeiss achromat will even become available again. So I am interested in proceeding with the Opteka. An idiot-proof guide on how to perform this upgrade would be most appreciated.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
David:
I’m going to post a full review of the TwoNeil adapter as soon as I get a 55mm to 57mm step up ring. I ordered one a couple of weeks ago on eBay and am hoping it will arrive soon.
I agree that an idiot-proof guide would be a great thing.
As soon as my step up rings arrive, I will post a video guide to getting the DIY35mmPro adapter ready to go.
M
July 29th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Hello,
Great Blog!!!…
I am waiting for a TWONEIL adapter for my HV20 and I wanted to know what else I needed to buy to optimize my results.
I’m a newbie, so please bear with me if my questions seem rhetorical… : )
From your blog (please correct me if I wrong)—I need to buy:
*(Manual lense): Nikon 50mm f1.8D or other Nikon lense
*Opteka 10x HD² Professional Macro Lens for 55mm Digital Camera Lenses (achromat)
*Step-Up Adapter Ring 43mm Lens to 55mm Filter Size (to attach achromat to the front of the HV20)
*Nikon Ring3 extension tube (where can you buy these for $20,
why do I need an extension tube, and the Ring3 is 57mm?)
*Step-Up Adapter Ring 55mm Lens to 57mm Filter Size (to attach achromat to the front of the extension tube)
*Step-Down Adapter Ring 57mm Lens to 43mm Filter Size (to attach the extension tube to the TWONEIL adapter)
Is this correct?
Thanks in advance
August 17th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Thanks Mat for your reviews! I definitely appreciate your sincere comments and advice. Hopefully you’ll see the changes within these week(s).
(I’m juggling between manufacturing, development and student life).
Cheerios!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:48 am
please tell me if this lens is OK for me to use with the twoneil adapter that I intend to buy. Really appreciate your comments.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&&item=150305442371&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCA:US:1120
Regards,
Peter
October 25th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Hi Mat.
Thanks for the reviews. i use canon EF L Lenses for all my photography etc…i am about to buy the HV30, do you know if the Twoneil adaptor will fit my EF L lenses?
Thanks in advance.
Jeff
November 17th, 2008 at 7:04 am
The TwoNeil works with Nikon lenses, but you can probably just change out the Nikon adapter for a Canon one. I’m not sure what that does to the number of Rings you need to get the correct distance from the focusing screen. There are tutorials online and you can also email TwoNeil directly for more information.
-Mat Nastos, FilmSensei
November 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Been wondering about the JAG35pro myself… but as an untrained person when it comes to cameras, I’m not sure it’s worth both the money and the learning curve just yet.
December 5th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Is there a video tutorial online showing how to set up this adapter properly? Right out of the box it looked really bad and I had to zoom so far in it was crazy. I see really good footage online and all I hear is it rakes some time and practice. I just don’t want $350 bucks (including lens) collecting dust on the shelf. Any help would be great. Thanks
December 8th, 2008 at 12:54 am
Arlan:
I haven’t looked for a video tutorial for the TWONEIL 35mm Adapter, but I’d be surprised if there wasn’t one out there on YouTube or Vimeo. Send a note to Twoneil himself and he might have an answer for you.
You do have to zoom your camera in pretty far to set your focus on the focusing screen in the adapter. Once that is done you shouldn’t be using the camera itself to zoom of focus — that would all be done with the 35mm lenses.
Something you need to remember is that the TWONEIL 35mm Adapter itself isn’t going to give you the fantastic footage you see in examples online. You need to make sure you’ve got good lighting and you’ll need to do some post work to adjust colors, etc. What you want to get out of the camera is very neutral looking footage that contains all of the color and detail information you’ll need to work with later to get the picture the way you want it.
Keep in mind that the awesome footage you’re seeing online isn’t coming right out of the camera and getting posted.
-Mat Nastos, the Film Sensei
http://www.FilmSensei.com
December 8th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Kevin:
Thanks for the note. I’ve heard some good things about the JAG35pro adapter online but I haven’t tried one myself. I’d love to get a chance to play with one and check it out.
Before you buy any 35mm adapter you need to ask yourself “why am I buying this?” The 35mm adapters are just one tool in the arsenal of a filmmaker and, as I’ve said a few times, if you aren’t shooting properly then 35mm adapter won’t help your stuff look any better. I like to use the old addage “crap in, crap out.”
A 35mm adapter is there to help you get a shallow depth of field and that is really all it does. It won’t improve your footage itself in any way, it won’t give you an incredibly beautiful looking picture you couldn’t already get, it won’t turn your HV30 footage into 35mm film footage. It’s not magical. The work is done by you — picking shots, your framing, your scene lighting and your post production clean-up work.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t be using a shallow depth of field in every shot you film. Even guys shooting with 35mm film cameras don’t do that. You use it for effect and to help control where an audience is looking in a frame. It’s a specific technique/tool to be used for specific reasons and not just kind of tossed on to your camera and left there.
Anyway, I’m done babbling. Whether a JAG35pro is worth the cost and learning curve is something only you can decide. The 35mm adapters are great tools but they do take a lot of effort to learn and get to work properly.
I hope that helped!
-Mat Nastos, the Film Sensei
http://www.FilmSensei.com
December 8th, 2008 at 8:32 am
oh i do so wish there was a comprehensive tutorial website around the twoneil.
February 16th, 2010 at 4:11 pm