Ty Harper

Mmm, maybe the Fujifilm XT-4 or 5 or X100 XI, or the Panasonic S9? 

3 hours ago, j_one said:

Cool. Personally if they end up adding El Zone to this monitor, I will consider picking it up.

El Zone is apparently included as well

Wow, so Matthew Allard over at Newsshooter is reporting that the Shinobi MKII will have a new FW update that allows it to do touch focus AF with the Canon R6 MKII (among other non-Canon cameras).

The R5C is not on the list yet, but this all seems promising.

Here's an excerpt from the original Atomos press release:

"At IBC, Atomos (Hall 11, D25) announces major new functionality for Shinobi II, the amazingly successful Photo | Video Monitor. Users get a world’s first: on-monitor touch auto focus and focus subject tracking, in both photo and video camera modes, and it’s a free update for all existing users. The first camera models to be supported are from Sony (A7 MkIV), Canon (R6 Mark II), Panasonic (S5 II) and Fujifilm (GFX100 II). Nikon is also now supported for photo and video modes, with auto focus and focus subject tracking to follow in future updates."

Sorry if this has already been posted but don't recall seeing it. 

Wow, so Matthew Allard over at Newsshooter is reporting that the Shinobi MKII will have a new FW update that allows it to do touch focus AF with the Canon R6 MKII (among other non-Canon cameras).

No other Canon cam is on the list yet, but this all seems promising.

Here's an excerpt from the original Atomos press release:

"At IBC, Atomos (Hall 11, D25) announces major new functionality for Shinobi II, the amazingly successful Photo | Video Monitor. Users get a world’s first: on-monitor touch auto focus and focus subject tracking, in both photo and video camera modes, and it’s a free update for all existing users. The first camera models to be supported are from Sony (A7 MkIV), Canon (R6 Mark II), Panasonic (S5 II) and Fujifilm (GFX100 II). Nikon is also now supported for photo and video modes, with auto focus and focus subject tracking to follow in future updates."

Sorry if this has already been posted but don't recall seeing it. 

Wow, so Matthew Allard over at Newsshooter is reporting that the Shinobi MKII will have a new FW update that allows it to do touch focus AF with the Canon R6 MKII (among other non-Canon cameras).

No other Canon cam is on the list yet, but this all seems promising.

Here's an excerpt from the original Atomos press release:

"At IBC, Atomos (Hall 11, D25) announces major new functionality for Shinobi II, the amazingly successful Photo | Video Monitor. Users get a world’s first: on-monitor touch auto focus and focus subject tracking, in both photo and video camera modes, and it’s a free update for all existing users. The first camera models to be supported are from Sony (A7 MkIV), Canon (R6 Mark II), Panasonic (S5 II) and Fujifilm (GFX100 II). Nikon is also now supported for photo and video modes, with auto focus and focus subject tracking to follow in future updates."

Sorry if this has already been posted but don't recall seeing it. 

Film, vinyl, cassettes, etc - these formats were never gone. They just fell out of relevance with the 'mainstream' consumer and became 'niche'.

10 hours ago, IronFilm said:

Ohhhh.... where did you see this?

On a random reddit thread. Again totally a rumour, but it doesn't seem far fetched to think that Zoom would counter such a direct competitor to their F3 by either offering a FW update of some sort or an MKII. However, I'm not sure what FW update(s) they could offer that would make the F3 a more competitive option than the FR-AV2.

42 minutes ago, KnightsFan said:

Interesting. Well, I guess depending when I need that 2nd boom setup and the release dates, both will be in the running.

One thing that I do like about Tascam which I almost wrote in my original post, is that their app supports connecting to multiple devices, so you can rec/stop on a bunch of units with 1 phone. This is nice if you use any kind of plant mic or bodypack on a talent. I also think that, just judging from pics, the body design and button layout here is better than the F3. So even if Zoom adds timecode and wireless monitoring, Tascam has a decent advantage imo.

Either way, competition is good for consumers.

Zoom has been pretty good with the FW updates so fingers crossed all of this competition gets them to throw the OG Zoom F3 owners a bone or two.

1 hour ago, KnightsFan said:

Tascam did a great job with the feature set on this. I'll definitely buy one if reviewers don't find anything silly, and the sound quality is comparable to the F3. Timecode is great, plus builtin wireless monitoring eliminates one more device to mount and power. If it weren't for the FR-AV2, I considered a Sennheiser EW-DP SKP, but one of these is way cheaper than a transmitter/receiver setup.

My goal is to have two boom mics, where each has a recorder directly on the boom pole, and the op uses wireless headphones (one will continue to use my F3). What I have found on amateur sets is that

A. boom ops are not skillful enough to consistently swap back and forth during dialog. Training an extra person on the day of the shoot and having independent booms does actually sound better than an intermediate-skill person booming 2 people.

B. lavs don't work perfectly--we simply don't have the skill or resources to hide them securely and properly

C. it's impossible to understate the efficiency value of each boom mic being completely wireless. Letting a boom op put their mic down and quickly help with something else speeds us up. Wireless headphones are an important part of that!

D. gain staging--wireless in particular--is difficult for beginners to nail every time. Wired 32 bit is easy to nail every time.

I know all the audio pros are going to squirm reading that, lol. But for my triangle of price/required skill/output quality, this might be it.

There are also rumors of a Zoom F3 MKII on the way - so thinking I might also wait to see if that's true!

@IronFilmyou seen this?

1 hour ago, BTM_Pix said:

What stood out for me is that it can do both regular timecode as well as wireless with the Atomos UltraSync Blue system.

If it can convert the incoming timecode from the UltraSync Blue into regular timecode to output to the camera (and vice versa which is more unlikely) then that would be very useful.

To do this otherwise would need an UltraSync One which is roughly 75% of the total price of the FR-AV2.

The bluetooth headphone monitoring can easily be replicated with cheap add ons for other recorders but its good to see it integrated.

The additional $100 over the F3 isn't onerous and if I didn't have an F3 then this would be my choice.

 

Yeah, feels like the only thing left to know is maybe how good the pre-amps are?

Looks promising!

https://tascam.com//us/product/fr-av2

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1852610-REG/tascam_fr_av2_32_bit_float_recorder_timecode_generator.html

Maybe the Canon R7?

With Canon's new C400 shipping with a brand new detachable USB-C based monitor, I've been musing on whether it might be compatible with the R5C with a firmware update, similar to what Canon did to make the C200's LM-V1 monitor compatible with the C300 MKII. As far as the technical side goes, it seems like both the R5C and C400 have the exact same USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port. Also, I did not know this but page 123 of the R5C's video manual seems to confirm that it can output a max 8K 30p resolution via its USB-C port. I also made a call to Canon USA tech support, and while the person could not confirm that the C400's monitor would be made compatible with the R5C, they did not outright deny that is was technically impossible. Now obviously I can't be sure the person I spoke to was a reliable source. I also think there might be a chance that while the R5C and the C400 have the same USB-C port, that the amount of power they can support might be different. 

All that said, it seems like there is a chance that at least technically speaking the C400's monitor (along with its coveted touch screen AF features) could be compatible with the R5C, which imo would be a fantastic addition to its feature set. Particularly for gimbal use. I've included a pic of the C400 with its monitor attached to an RS3 Pro to demonstrate what I'm getting at! Anyways, it would be great if the more tech savvy amongsr use could do their own digging to see if this is indeed true. But either way it probably wouldn't hurt to nudge Canon so at the very least they know there is demand for such a firmware update from R5C and maybe even C70 owners (altho I'm not sure if the C70 has the same USB-C port).  

3 hours ago, TomTheDP said:

I am considering this for a C70 gimbal build, though I might consider the R5C. Micro HDMI is terrible though. For the C70 a 28mm might make more sense though. 

Yes the micro-hdmi port on the R5C is horrible. When I need to use a monitor I use either the Smallrig or Canon OEM port protector in tandem with the Smallrig's micro to full hdmi adapter. Aa far as pancake lens options, yes, the 24mm EF-S f2.8 would be your other option, or the 40mm pancake in tandem with Canon's 0.71x speedbooster which I use with the R5C in its s35 mode and is such a great piece of kit to have, and I imagine would be an even greater accessory for the C70 if you don't have it already. 

Love the EF 40mm f2.8 pancake. It lives on my R5C for basic run n gun and gimbal stuff.

10 hours ago, ntblowz said:

It's funny given how popular Sony are but all the fulltime ones I went they all use Canon for video.

Been working with or around full time camera ops in private and public broadcasting spaces here in Canada for over a decade at this point, and it's been Canon C300/100/300 MKIIs and now C300 MKIIIs/C70s/R5Cs.

Mind you this is specifically in the arts and entertainment realms. For hard news stuff they prob go with Sony.

58 minutes ago, KnightsFan said:

I get a couple hours on the F3, max. Not enough to get through an 8-hour shoot without changing them. I mean it would be okay to use AA's exclusively, but considering the placement of the battery door, and my preference for completely solid rigging, it's sort of a pain to change them at all. I think I would be annoyed having to move things like @BTM_Pixshowed, and then tighten it back down and all (not to say it's worse, just that it's not for me).

This is my setup now. The F3 and battery plate are bolted onto a bracket with a NATO clamp on the other side. For all-in-one setups, I slide it onto the camera cage. For separate audio, I also have a NATO rail on the boom pole, so we can quickly move the whole unit from camera to boom. It would be nice to shave the NPF's weight but the ease of use wins out for me at the moment.

Yeah def gotta do what makes sense for your workflow. I get by np with this being the consistent core of my setups - so obviously very easy to swap batts out. 

1 hour ago, eatstoomuchjam said:

The F3 could be a whole different thing, of course.  Though Zoom do advertise power by USB as one of its features.

Yes basically the F3 is a different thing. I should have clarified that it only affects the line out. So if ur like me and use that to record into your cam them it is definitely a reason to not use V-mount batts. But again, rechargeable batts have been great for me!

Also, here's a reddit discussing the line out/v-mount/hum issue: 

2 hours ago, KnightsFan said:

@BTM_Pix how do you deal with the f3's short battery life? I have my f3 attached to an npf battery sled, but it's bulky. I wouldn't mind changing AA's every few hours, but the battery door isn't accessible when mounted like that.

Curious what you consider short battery life. I use the F3 almost exclusively now rigged to my R5C. I use Eneloop rechargeables and don't recall ever worrying about the batt life. 

One definite downside is if you power the F3 with a V-mount, you'll introduce  some hum into your recording so avoid at all costs. 

Aside from that I love the Zoom F3!

5 hours ago, IronFilm said:

For filming? Sure!

For photography? (which is what this discussion point is about)

Nah, I'll take the cheaper Nikon D750 (or for a bit D850)

I highly doubt a beginner starting out in photography today is gna be JUST a photographer down the line. We are beyond that kind of career journey. Going with something like an R7 still allows you to use EF-L glass (which is getting cheaper by the day - and the real investment, obviously) while leaving you open to RF stuff in the future. 

1 hour ago, MrSMW said:

For photo, 100%

The Nikon D850 is arguably the finest wedding photographers camera, ever made.

Mirrorless is of course, just ‘sexier’ to the kids…

6 hours ago, IronFilm said:

All the more reasons why anybody starting out in photography today should skip over the current gen mirrorless, and just get a solid DSLR such as a Canon 6D or Nikon D750 for a few hundred dollars plus a few bargain priced DSLR lenses. 

Of course in five years time, perhaps even that purchase won't make sense? And smartphones + AI will have overtaken even DSLRs. 

I would have to disagree there. In no scenario would it be prudent to invest in DSLRs. Not when a beginner can get an R7 for prices roughly $1K USD or even lower. Pickup a cheap adapter (or the 0.71x for another $300 used) and now they're pretty much set for the forseeable future. 

I literally just made a post on an R5C Facebook group about the crazy drops in used EF-L prices - then I came over here and seen this post, lol.

Haven't read Andrew's article yet but I will copy and paste what I posted in that group maybe 15 minutes ago:

"Maaaan, in this month alone I saw EF 50mm f1.2Ls (in great condition) going for $500 USD (never thought I'd see the day!).
Plus, I sold my EF 70-200mm f2.8L MKI a while back for $800 - and last week I bought the MKII version for the same price!
Point is, it's only going to get better for anyone doubling down on used EF-L lenses - and that includes stuff like the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 ART."

3 hours ago, kye said:

100mm on MFT is definitely a pretty long telephoto for sure, but remember that in my case I had IBIS in the camera and the OIS in the lens both helping with the stabilisation.  Depending on what camera and what lens you have, they might not work together like this, so you'll get less effective stabilisation.

I find stabilisation to really be a bit of a gamble - you can get good comparisons from people and they're likely to be good information but until you actually test a setup yourself you're not going to know in what situations you can get a stable image.

I've found that there are lots of things that can impact your ability to get a stable shot, for example all the following will have an impact:

• if you're tired
• if the ground is level and solid or not
• what sort of shoes you are wearing and if they're comfortable
• what pose you're in
• if it's windy
• your caffeine levels
• how tired you are
• if there are bright lights shining in your eyes
• (obviously) if you're moving or walking, but even then there are all sorts of techniques involved and how much practice you've had at them, etc

Perhaps the best advice once you've bought your equipment is to practice as much as you can, know what you can and can't do, and have a backup plan in place for when it gets difficult.

Pretty much!

I made the mistake of buying a used R5, specifically for its IBIS, to pair with my R5C, and ended up regretting it bcuz the difference between IBIS and the R5C with internal DIS and/or IS lenses was not worth the advantages of getting acsecond R5C will never do that again. Luckily I was able to resell the R5 and get a second R5C for about the price as the used R5.

Currently I use my R5Cs exclusively with EF lenses that have IS and have no complaints whatsoever (I use DIS now and then but very rarely). Basically, I know the cam's limitations and respect those limitations. For shots that require something beyond the stationary tripod-styled look I invested in an RS3 Pro (using it with IS stablized lens gives me the best results). For R5C users, the RS2/3/4 Pro are pretty much the best/only options - and many R5C users who tried to go for something more affordable ended up regretting it. 

So in 2024 it's still a horses/courses/practice-practice get to know your gear approach.

This strategy might've worked at the onset of the DSLR revolution when there was still a lot of room for cam improvement around essential features. But given where we're at with cam tech and needing for very little to tell a fantastic story - that is no longer the case. Right now, we actually seem to be arriving at a point where AI will disrupt our dependency - not just on using cameras to capture the world - but on the idea that we ALWAYS need cams/audio devices to tell visual/auditory stories that can 'authentically' capture our real world. That last part to me is one of the big things being blurred/contested. Either way, if you play it out, this particular type of subscription-based strategy will likely only work/make sense for large media companies, who for legal/tax reasons, do not buy gear from the used market.

As someone who works for a large media corporation, what I am seeing/hearing first/second hand, is an increased interest in PTZ cams, along with AI apps that can cover multi-cam switching duties (a quick google search showed me one by CognitiveMill). In that case I can definitely see the subscription model working, bcuz PTZ's (from what I can tell) require no camera people per se - moreso tech support people who make sure these PTZ's are ready to go for any given multi-platform show, on any given day, and are on standby to troubleshoot any daily issues that come up. So in a case like that I definitely see the subscription model working - albeit at the expense of the loss/shrinking of jobs/shifts for camera people, etc.