You Don't Want to Drop This - Swinging Lenses 101
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- Опубликовано: 20 июл 2019
- Hello everyone! How are you all?
We are back at The Vision House again this week looking at swinging lenses and how to do it safely. A very, very important thing to know.
This is how I learnt but of course remember that you may have slightly different experiences being wherever you are in the world!
Hope you got something from this video and if you have any ideas of things that you want to see in a video, leave a comment below and let me know!
Also if you have a question for the weekly Q&A, feel free to leave that below too, just pop a 'Q' in front so I know it's for the Q&A
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EDIT: There definitely are differences depending on who teaches you. The way I do it is the way I learnt over my years assisting. But it's important to have both assistants on the same page so make sure you're both working in the same method and adapt to what works for both of you. For those in Aus, handing front element face down by both 1st and 2nd AC is valid, but I have also seen and have mostly experienced the 1st handing the lens rear element down and second handing front down. It does vary and that's why you must communicate well. If the lens is too large, adjust accordingly.
Thanks for watching and welcome to all the new subscribers! If you have any ideas of things that you want to see in a video, leave a comment below and let me know!
As for pulling by eye, it is always good to note distances especially when you're turning around and the DP wants to match the distance but also sometimes witness marks are off and there is nothing you can do at the time to fix it. Maybe you got a new special lens delivered to set and you cant really change out the shims or the sensors back focus is off and there is no time to troubleshoot it. In my opinion that best way to make sure something is sharp is to look at the monitor and see if it looks sharp.
This is the filmmaking content we need on RUclips - clear instructions & procedures to get the job done.
Hi! I'm eighteen years old and I'm from Brazil, two weeks ago I watched a workshop about Camera assistant and I've decided that I wanna work with it. So I watched your video "What is in a Camera Assistant's Bag?" and I found your youtube channel. I'm in love wtih your videos, they help me a lot!!! I hope that you'll undertand my comment and pls don't stop making the videos! :)
Thanks so much, Rafael! All the best with stepping into your film career! 😊
So good to finally have an actual AC on youtube!
Thanks for answering my question! That definitely helps and makes a lot of sense :)
GREAT information about safest lense state to travel
Thanks for answering my question Felicia !!! I'm learning so much about focusing and measuring now haha
'Q'
What are the advantages and disadvantages of midlevel and groundlevel spreders?
Oooooo good one! It's on the list!
This is great advice. 😊🎥
Love your videos!
Thanks, Robert! ☺️
i'm a quarter of the way to liking all your videos lmaoo thank you!
Haha! That's so lovely! Thank you for the support!
I'm not a hand of that overhand grip on the lens. holding on with just your finger tips while trying not to touch the back element seems a bit sketchy. I like to have one hand on the bottom and the other on the side holding the iris and focus gears. Its much more sure and you can zero out the lens as you're walking to the camera. However if its raining I will have my palm shielding the real element or just have the back cap left on when I hand it over and once the lenses are exchanged I grab the back cap and put it on the receiving lens.
I treat my lenses like I treat my children (actually I don't have any) - but I am extremely careful when handling my gear
We shoot weekly 2,5 hour long tv series in 5 days. So as a focus puller i usually dont have time to measure distances, i have to rely on monitor
Another great video!! So is the 2nd AC suppose to hand the lens over first before receiving the lens from the 1st AC or the other way around? Also, I think making a video about how to use a light meter would be really helpful! Love your content, keep it up :)
Thanks, Bernice! Yeah it kind of changes depending on the weight and size of the lens really but the general rule is "what is the safest way"
Light meters! On the list :) cheers!
I was at some training and it was pointed out that "lens swinging" is used as a test. They watch the way you handle the lens and they instantly know you're a novice if you don't do it right.
🙏🔥
difference between a parfocal lens and a varifocal lens.i don't understand about it. so can you explain it madam.
and your every video is most valuable for a camera assistant. and thankyou for your videos because we are gaining a knowledge.
Do you have any information about back focus on cinema lenses? mostly how to correct it if so
Ah yeah! There's two different ways that can be solved. One involves shims which means opening the back of the lens and the other is using a backfocus adjustment notch which is on the rear of some lenses. Maybe I'll make a video on that next time I'm at The Vision House!
@@flickcine Thank You so much! I'm about to do a Master Degree in Cinematography, in the meantime your channel has given me so much important information!, it is pure gold for any future cinematographer! thanks a lot!
Q: What kind of conversation do you usually have with your DP/ Cam. OP?
I'm actually a DP. Was an assistant for five years though. Conversations happen but it's more of a support than anything else. They ask for things and as an assistant you deliver. Although usually you already have everything prepared and nothing needs to be asked for. ☺️
Conversations are mostly technical in nature.
@@flickcine thank you so much for your answer! I was wondering that would be awesome if you can make a video about essential tool/ kit for 1st AC! Thank you so much! 🙏🏻
Trying to grasp how exactly you were doing the handoff. The 2nd hands the 1st the lens front element down, and the 1st hands the 2nd the lens, rear element down? In the video the 2nd grabs it on the side. In all the years I've AC'd, 1st and 2nd, it's always been front element down. The 2nd hands the lens to the 1st, 1st, then the 1st hands it to the 2nd. So is it an Australian thing?
Yep that's right, that's as explained in the video. 2nd hands 1st lens face down front element, 1st hands rear element down. The "2nd" in this video is my partner, he's not an AC and was being extra cautious. If someone can't get a good grip on a lens when handed to them, grasping it on the barrel is totally fine, it's whatever is safest. But it is almost always handed rear element down by the 1st to the 2nd. Also dependent on the weight and size of the lens. There have been plenty of times in my career where a particularly large fronted lens or a heavier than usual lens has been handed to me as an AC and I haven't been able to safely grasp it, so I've held it more by the barrel towards the rear or front depending on what role I'm in. It's just a safety thing. Thanks for the comment! Hope that clarifies it a bit.
Felicia Smith I guess it’s an Australian thing. In the U.S. it’s never taught or done that way, union or not. Good to know if I ever work in Australia that’s how it’s done down there.
If it CAN be done safely as you say (face down by rear or front) then yes it will be and that is the taught industry standard but if you just can't because the lens is too big or heavy, there's no issues as long as communication is there. But also, it's not good to grab it by the middle or anything like that, it's always towards the rear or front as to not cause any confusion or fumbling while changing. As you know, it's almost always done with one hand so yeah, grabbing by the mid barrel is not a good way. ☺️ If you came to Aus and worked using the method outlined in the video, face down by rear or front, you'd be fine. That's universal.
I’m still trying to grasp how if it was bigger lens like a Cooke, how you can safely control it better by handing it rear element down. There’s less surface area and the grip would be awkward. And more likely to smudge the rear element.
I worked with a 1st in the U.S. who also teaches the Local 600 2nd ac class. How he does it is, you don’t place the lens in his hand. He raises his hand to take it out of the 2nd’s hand. I use this when I have a newer 2nd. Because when you raise your hand to take the lens it shows the other person you’re paying attention and you have control of the lens. Whereas, either front or rear element way, someone can get distracted right at the handoff, and even with saying ‘got it’ if you’re not fully paying attention, may not have the lens. In the end as long as the 1st and 2nd are in the same page and no lenses are dropped, it’s a good day.
... I think we might be on the same page explaining the same thing different ways. 🤔
I've personally not ever had issues with rear down and accidentally touching the element because of a lack of surface area. I have had to adjust my positions slightly to get a better grip with bigger lenses though, my hands aren't that big.
2nd preps lens for transfer
Hands it face down to 1st who also has the lens that was on the camera in their other hand as they hold it from the front element rear down to the 2nd.
The order they are handed over is almost always 2nd hands the new lens first however it's whatever works best.
You only say "got it" or verbally confirm when you know you have grip on it. Motioning your hand to grab the lens is always done with care so you aren't touching the elements. But yeah because of larger lenses or lenses that might be more awkward to handle an AC may communicate they are going to grab the lens not by the standard facedown or rear down but towards the rear or front to get a better grip on it. Then you can get into conversations about handling zooms and that, but that's a whooooole other video.
What happens if a CINE lens is dropped from chest height (given an average human body)?