A small taste of IBC Amsterdam

I did a short interview with filmmakers Nino Leitner and Sebastian Weingartner at the Sachtler stand at IBC about DSLR's, gear and related topics. They were there promoting the new Sachtler Ace tripod kit. Here is a review by Philip Bloom, a friend and colleague of theirs. (they offer DSLR workshops together) I did this all handholding the GH2 so there is a slight increase of shaking towards the end... (kind of silly: I was filming at the Sachtler stand, surrounded by tripods and decided to go handheld...)

Nino & Sebastian at IBC Amsterdam from Filmersblog on Vimeo.

At IBC interviewing Nino and Sebastian

Just did a short interview using the GH2 at the Sachtler stand.
Will post video later!

Usable audio on the Canon 550D/T2i

With Magic Lantern installed on the Canon 550D/T2i you can get good audio without having to buy separate audio recorders and sync that audio later in post. Many have said that the audio is not good enough for professional use. Period. But if you listen to Mordy here, the audio is perfectly usable for interviews. He also gives some good tips on setting the levels.


Canon T2i/550D with Magic Lantern: DSLR Audio that you can use! from Mordy G on Vimeo.

The Cost of Carelessness

(PART OF) MY EX1-R BEFORE REASSEMBLY

I just picked up my repaired Sony EX1-R that dropped to the ground a few months ago. Total costs: €630,70 (the equivalent of US $885,-) Parts were €330,-, labor €200,- Fortunately I am insured but unfortunately the first €250,- is at my own risk.
Nico, owner and only employee of Camcorder Service, has done a nice job of putting my camera back together and documented the repair with a series of photographs. If you like to take a look at the inside of an EX1-R, here's your chance:

XLR UNIT: A VERY TIGHT FIT ACCORDING TO NICO...

MICROPHONE UNIT

Sony's $600,- NEX-5N vs Panasonic's $1000,- GH2

I've played around a little with the Sony NEX-5N in an electronics store during my trip to the USAand really liked the quality of this little gem. Shallow depth of field and interchangeable lenses, comparable to what you can get with a DSLR in a package that slips into your vest pocket!

EOSHD has done a comparison with the GH2. I thought the NEX-5N looked nice in the store... but seeing this... we can conclude that the GH2 is capable of much, much better video. Which is not to say that I wouldn't mind a Sony NEX-5N for Christmas...

Sony NEX 5N versus Panasonic GH2 - EOSHD Review from Andrew Reid on Vimeo.

The Speed of Lenses

I conducted another entirely non-scientific test to see what the speed of lenses means for a bunch of lenses I own. What does it mean when a manufacturer claims that a lens has a maximum aperture of 1.2? I guess it means only what it means to our eyes.
So I took 8 lenses that are supposedly 'fast' and shot wide open with very dim light. You get an idea how the different lenses fare in low light, and how they fare in comparison to one another.
It is an unfair comparison in most cases. You can only compare a 50mm 1.4 against another 50mm 1.4. (which I did) But I also threw in my 25mm 1.4, just because it's a 1.4...
I lined up film lenses, TV lenses, FD, M42 and C-mount, all of them under f2.0

The one question that remains is: Is there an institution verifying claims of lens-speeds by manufacturers? (in other words: how do we know what we're paying for?)

Camera: Panasonic GH2

Music: ' I'm getting Ready' by Michael Kiwanuka

The Speed of Lenses from Filmersblog on Vimeo.

Funky, dirtcheap 'magic rig'

I've seen this device before and am intrigued by the design. It actually looks great and I am really curious how this contraption feels and works in real life. For the price, I am tempted to buy it but I shouldn't. I have too much crap as it is. On the other hand, whatever I don't use I can usually sell without too much of a loss.This design is truly a 'spider', despite all the other devices that have been given that name. I like how it folds up, transforms into a low-angle shooter, cage, shoulder rig and everything inbetween. Of course it is not going to hold a follow focus and I'm not sure how much weight it can handle before involuntarily 'folding all by itself'. But at 73 dollars shipped... that's a steal- even if it's half as good as it looks! (for that price you can even melt it and sell it with profit to the scrap-metal dealer ;-)

Give a little, take a little...

Here's a guy who has put a lot of hard work into building a blog called NoFilmSchool, creating a lot of great content with the intention to realize his one great dream: to produce and direct his own feature film. Koo gave us a lot, the DSRL Cinematography Guide, for example, but also countless good articles on 'How to Build a Hackintosh', gear reviews and other good stuff that filmers and editors need to get things done & get it done on a budget.
After all that he's given away for free, he is now asking us to help him realize his dream by making a contribution to the production of his film Man-Child, a movie 'exploring the high stakes world of youth basketbal'. I pledged $25,-, not an amount that is going to hurt me, and if only 5000 people give that same amount (1% of his half million visitors a month) he can make his dream come true. We don't need big studios or big business to get our projects realized... we only need eachother.

Where's my jib?

If there's one thing I hate it's waiting. Especially if things keep being moved forward without obvious reason and you're not being informed. No, I'm not talking about your average video assignment where appointments and dates fly around like leaves in the wind- I'm talking about something I paid for over 2 months ago and that should have been delivered one month back...
Now 'things' happen and we all understand that, but rule number one in this -and any- business is to communicate to your customers what's going on. People will put up with a lot if only you will keep them informed. But that is not happening with my order from Glideshot Industries. I made special arrangements because I expected my jib to arrive at a certain time. But for no apparent reason that's all changed and I'm being kept in the dark. I'm afraid those high tilt shots won't be part of my shoot next week. And that s*cks. Just because it's a budget jib I shouldn't be getting 'budget service'..?

Mailbox: LP-E6 + charger

 

I received my aftermarket LP-E6 battery and charger today that I ordered while in the US. In addition to another set of 2 batteries plus charger I bought during my stay in America for use with my SmallHD DP4, I now have three batteries and 2 chargers in total.
The charger I received today is a familiar one: the same model that came with my first order of LP-E6 batteries. It has a removable battery-plate that you can swap for other types of camera batteries. The battery is 1800 mAh as opposed to the 2200 mAh from my previous (US) order. The printing on the battery is also different but the body feels and looks the same.

WHO VERIFIES WHAT MANUFACTURERS CLAIM?

You can use a single LP-E6 to power the DP4 so I'm curious to see whether the 2200 mAh lasts longer than the 1800 mAh. Moreover: does or can anyone verify/control what Chinese manufactureres put on their products? How do we even know that 1800 mAh is not really 1400 mAh? Or is that just the risk we take at $15 for a battery+charger incl shipping, a fraction of official Canon battery prices..?

Note: the batteries I bought from the US seller for 19,- are still holding up, after about 3,5 hours of operation on the DP4. In addition to the wall-charger they ship with a car-charger.  So they look like a much better deal. Seller does not guarantee info-recognition in camera but that's a feature I don't need.

Mailbox: Mattebox TrusMT M2

MATTEBOX FRESH IN FROM CHINA

Barely a few hours back in Amsterdam and DHL stopped by to drop me a package containing an impressive Chinese mattebox. This is my first mattebox and since I haven't had any sleep for 36 hours, I am glad I managed to set it up without any major problems... Although I couldn't get a camera mounted properly with this configuration. I had a problem fitting different lenses so that they line up nicely with the opening in the mattebox.
First impression: feels like a pro piece of gear but the french flag is really hard to screw into position tight. I like the swing-away feature and the two slots for the 4x4 filters that rotate independently.
There's no manual included how to set this thing up properly. Not that it seems terribly complicated but a few tips/instructions would be nice. I'll write more about this mattebox soon. And if anyone knows of some good, affordable 4x4 filters, drop me a line!

NICE, SOLID ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION

SWING AWAY FOR EASY LENS SWAPPING

2 SEPARATE, ROTATING FILTERHOLDERS

Crazy toy speedboat and GoPro HD Hero

On my last day in the US, a beautiful day spent partly on the beach, there was a guy fooling around with a remote controlled, miniature motorized speedboat. You couldn't help notice because the thing made so much noise, like a giant, mad insect...
I had my GoPro with me (carry a camera at all times!) and went up to the guy, asking if I could mount my camera to his boat. And so we did. This thing was about 2 feet long and went completely out of control after a minute or so in the water, furiously trying to shake off the camera.

But the GoPro stuck like perma-glue... a 100 point ride for the HD Hero!

Crazy toy speedboat and GoPro HD Hero from Filmersblog on Vimeo.

GoPro HD holds up in hurricane Irene

So Irene stopped us on our way out of the States. But could Irene stop my GoPro HD Hero? The hurricane has slammed into Massachussets on sunday August 28, according to the weatherforecasters and the hordes of desperate, sensation-hungry reporters waiting for a disaster to report on... This ia a great opportunity to test how waterproof my GoPro HD really is, how well it sticks to a car while gushing winds are trying to rip it off and if it holds up to the pounding of tidal waves...
Well, I can tell you the GoPro is indeed a Hero, withstanding 'the abuse' with flying colors. If you can survive a 'hurricane', you can survive anything, right?! Check out the footage and convince yourself. Parental Guidance recommended...

GoPro HD holds up in 'hurricane' Irene from Filmersblog on Vimeo.

iPhone remote control your DSLR

It's called DSLR.bot and has been around foa a few months. It got some good initial reviews, it's been updated several times and i wonder if anyone has used this in a professional situation. Looks like a great app with features such as Shoot, Bracket, Long Exposure, Movie controls, Timelapse, HDR bracketing and many options. 5 bucks for the app and 19,- for the infrared transmitter.

Playing with DSLR.Bot Application from emmagination on Vimeo.

Exit USA, Amsterdam here we come

Our family home in Hingham, Massachussets

It's been an incredible 4 weeks in the USA, starting in Vero Beach, Florida and then driving through Georgia, South and North Carolina, Tennessee, DC, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Shot some nice footage, bought some nice gear, met beautiful people and ended the trip at the house I have come to stay with my father since I was 7 years old, here in Hingham, Massachusetts.
Our car just refused to start up just when we're about to go the airport, Irene is on our tail so the time has come to go back to Amsterdam and back to work.
But this trip started me thinking: can I make a living as a filmer in the USA..?

Mailbox: articulating arm

I bought the 7 inch version of these earlier this year for US $44,- and it has earned a permanent spot either in my office or on my bicycle when mounting a camera to the seatpost or steering wheel. The I think it's a great little tool and when I saw the 11 inch model being offered for US $29,- incl shipping (to the US) I immediately ordered one. Use it to mount lights, monitors, mics, you name it- on your rig or in combination with a small (nano) clamp to a tabletop, chair, tripod, bicycle, whatever. Very handy.

Mailbox: GoPro LCD BacPac

THE LCD SCREEN COMPLETES THE GOPRO HD HERO

Got my LCD screen for my GoPro HD Hero one day after ordering- lightning fast shipping! It's a beautiful little screen and it comes with 2 extra housings, one for waterproof and one for non-waterproof use (the latter one is not sealed and thus has better audio) I was afraid the LCD screen would drain batterypower but it has a on/off button that works independently from the camera. This -and the GoPro Hero- seem like such simple devices but everything is so well designed and thought through... very 'Pro'..!

2 EXTRA HOUSINGS SHIP WITH THE LCD BACPAC

Cracked: Cowboy Studio shoulder support

A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF 'YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR'?

Upon opening my suitcase I noticed a part of my Cowboy Studio shoulder support was busted... I didn't even get a chance to use my new shoulder support before it broke, apparently cracking under pressure..? This is odd because we didn't take a plane, where our suitcases could have been banged around and 'excessive force' was exercised... I just took my suitcase out of the car a few times- it even was a Samsonite so it was not like the gear was unprotected!
I'll contact the seller and see what they have to say. I hope they have a professional response. I remember many years ago I bought a cheap wrench-set on a market in Amsterdam. The first time I used it to adjust my bicycle seat, the wrench broke in two clean pieces... I went back to the stand and the seller looked at the wrench, then at me and said: "Well, what did you expect for 5 euro's..?"

Just ordered: GoPro LCD BacPac

After unboxing my new GoPro HD yesterday, I sucked it onto my sister's old Volvo 960 and realized there was no way to frame the shot..?! You really need to buy the additional LCD BacPac -a tiny LCD screen that sticks to the back of the camera- to actually see what you're doing.
We drove to nearby Barrington as I anxiously ogled the HD Hero stuck on the rooftop, scared it would fall off and be crushed by traffic behind us...
That didn't happen and the footage looked great, better than expected- very sharp, and unjittery! Will post some video asap. This little camera shines but the LCD screen will turn what would otherwise remain a great gadget into a functional camera.

My latest camera: the GoPro HD (pricedrop)

SHEER LUCK OR DESTINY? A PARKING SPOT RIGHT IN FRONT OF B&H

It's all your fault. I felt obliged to post more videogear-related topics during this trip to the States and that's why I bought the GoPro HD on my way out of New York. Actually, I planned to just take a look at the B&H Superstore but when I walked around, I realized I was not going to leave this store without making a purchase. B&H has redefined the concept of a professional photo/video store. The complete choice of gear, the knowledge of the salespersons, the electric trolleys used to transport purchases to the cashregister: this is one smooth selling machine... (I am not in any way affiliated to B&H! I'm still waiting for an offer ;-)

So I was drooling over a line-up of camera's when a salesperson pulled out a GoPro HD to show a customer. It turned out this thing had just had a pricedrop from 299,- to 249,- I could not let it pass... After all, I found 110 dollars a few days earlier. Got an extra battery, a tripod mount and a handlebar-mount just to top it all off. Footage and review will follow later. Let's go shoot some action footage!

NEVER REALIZED THIS THING IS SO SMALL: HALF THE SIZE OF MY IPHONE