Snowfun

Hi, I currently have a BMCC and a Pocket. The Pocket I purchased quite recently and I have to admit I am taking it places where I'd never dream of carrying the 2.5k. Indeed, the BMCC invariably remains at home... I'm thinking - should I sell the BMCC and purchase another Pocket (or a Micro?) I doubt one of the UK stores would give me a lot for trade-in but if I came out of any deal with a "free" Pocket or Micro I would at least have a camera I use. The loss of Resolve wouldn't really be an issue as the free version would be sufficient. I do like playing with the raw from the Pocket but Prores and FCX are more than enough for my humble requirements. Lenses - I have a Samyang 7mm (only used on my Steadicam Solo), an SLR 12mm, Voigtlander 35mm and various Nikon zooms if required. I'd be happy to use the SLR on a second Pocket I think with the 35mm for those rare occasions I'd like a "100mm". Pocket or Micro? Thoughts? Tim

Worth sending a pm to Eric Matyas who posts here (in Shooting) on a regular basis? He makes his stuff free to use so if he did a one-off piece it must be worth supporting. (I don't know Eric so I am only speculating)

Ed, save your money for when the Trump dollar crashes.

Very enjoyable. Not sure why but it reminds me of an encounter I had with a piste (track cutting) machine whilst XC skiing in Saariselka...

Sony x1000? At least it is the "best" for me as it's the only one I have... seems to produce decent images if the light is good. Although... In some settings the rx1004 is just as much "action" as anything else. I suppose it depends on personal perception.

Where Eagles Dare. A great story.

Is there any support for a sticky thread "Gear wanted" in addition to the Gear for Sale?

It might also be sensible to contact the people who deliver the course you want to study to ascertain what is required and/or desirable. It would be unfortunate to spend significant money on something you don't need. Once you have completed the programme of study you'll have a much better idea of what does what and what suits your needs best.

Your phone? I suppose it depends on how seriously you are taking this project and what response you want. Assuming you have an iphone or similar, that would be $500 to spend with your friends!

What made me chose this model? i am a hobbyist and do this for fun. The fun is largely in the process - doing it - rather than the product. Realistically, who will watch it anyway so I might as well enjoy just doing it! So, the name "steadicam" was an important factor. I didn't want a copy when I could get the "original". Possibly irrational but it's an honest answer. On a more practical level, the monopod option is excellent. I drop the upper section to make a short monopod and it then easily reverts to the "balanced length". Seems to work very well. But let's be honest, a monopod is a stick so how hard can it be? The thing appears to be well made but I have no comparision to make with alternative products. The screw adjustments make balancing easy (easier?). The mechanism is solid. Lots of weights (I added two to the plate to help balance the very light bmpcc) with two on the wings. Since my original post a couple of hours ago I've been practising. I'm now on a canal rather than the ocean in a force 6. Patience. I wouldn't like to be doing this if I was relying on my ability to pay the bills... There's something rather lovely about it - it's physical and intimate and rewarding. Far more so than my BS1 which sort of works (until the battery runs out or now, in my case, the thing just dies). i was told by cvp (uk) that the solo is discontinued but mine arrived from b&h within 4 days and with no fuss. Tim

Took out my new steadicam solo (bmpcc plus weights) for its first walk around the garden... reviewing the footage, I thought I must have bought a yacht! I had read that it isn't easy but I was quite surprised at just how difficult it is to stop it swaying. And, yes, it does seem to be balanced and it has a drop time of 2s. One thing I did notice during the drop test is that it does develop a spin. Presumably that means that it cannot be balanced.

According to CVP (UK) the Steadicam Solo has been discontinued... just at the point I thought I should get one (for bmpcc) to experiment with and learn the basic techniques! Managed to order one from B&H however. The no-battery scenario is important to me. I wil start with a 2s drop time as advised but I remain healthily sceptical as to how easy this is going to be!

rx1004. Lovely tiny camera.

Surely you archive the originals at the highest possible quality. If so, a better question to ask oneself is "how much storage space can I afford and have physical space to manage?" Once you address that - and it can only be addressed relative to your rate of production - then you do, in effect, have your solution.

An easy question for me - A7Sii (or A7S indeed) for the low light abilities.

Have you thought about equipping your wheelchair with quick release plates (+/ Manfrotto 143 magic arm kits?) and using it as a mobile platform for your shots? There is no need to suffer excessive pain if mobility is best served by using your chair - so why not optimise that? You could wire it up for external batteries. I recently broke a metatarsal and had to use a wheelchair at airports - I was impressed by how smooth a ride they give (think steadicam). I also used a walking frame (neither foot was load bearing) for a couple of weeks - no tripod required! The event is NEC not Excel London isn't it?

For peace of mind, might it be worthwhile getting a couple more Sony batteries for the A6300? They are small and easy to carry and their mere presence will be a comfort once you see the battery bars fading before your eyes. Remember a charger too!

The implication is that you have the A6300 already? If so, then I'd forget the external recorder option. Focus instead on improving grading, editing, "effects" skills in FCP (or...) so you can improve the look. I too make short films for "family & friends" and the biggest improvements in image quality have been made by hours of practice grading (in fact even simpler things like editing and choice of soundtrack). Simply having a better camera/recorder (which, yes, would give an improved image file) will result in a negligible return compared to your developing talent in post processing. Some of the "best" sequences I have come from my Sony rx1004 - simply because it tends to be in my pocket at the right time and place. And, yes, of course I enjoy playing with the rigged A7S or grading the raw files from my BMCC & Pocket. But in terms of the quality of the final product the two biggest factors are 1. Getting the camera shooting and 2. Skills with FCP. Both of those are free!!!

The rx1004 is ideal as an in-the-pocket do it all for travel - i love mine. And a bmpcc for the more pre-planned moments? Again, I love mine (slr magic 12mm lens albeit quite heavy). Same cards - cheap and widely available. Cheap batteries. Possibly a cheap slider for the pocket (the baby Ratrig is ideal for travel). Who cares if they don't match precisely... It's a "once in a lifetime" holiday film you're making not a business necessity. In situations like this I think the almost negligible differences in image quality between the various option is irrelevant - which will be more fun to use?

I'm new to it too so take what I say with the appropriate caution. I use a Shogun with my A7S partly for the 4k external recording but, more importantly, it lets me see what's going on. I reason that if I know what's going on, I'll learn more (albeit I do this for fun so no pressure). No matter where the camera is pointing, the monitor can be angled so I can conveniently see it. The coloured wave forms are big and easy to use. As is the focus peaking, zebras and overlays (I'm a "scissors" anamorphic type...). I recently took my bmpcc to Oslo for a long weekend and found it very difficult to use because of the poor display - definitely missed the Shogun (although obviously not in keeping with walking aroung with the Pocket). With the A7S, it makes the whole experience more enjoyable - therefore I go out to shoot more often etc. So, to me, yes, it is an important tool. But whether in terms of important functionality it is, is another issue.

I think it is important to focus on how to avoid this situation in the future not merely to be dogmatic about the current one. To the OP's credit, note that there is an acceptance that the band were allowing him to do this in order to gain experience and assemble a portfolio (and, thereby, build reputation). So the benefits flowed both ways.

The definitive response needs to come from a lawyer well versed in Canadian law. But that notwithstanding I think the tale you tell is a reminder that things do go wrong with friendly arangements and it is always best to have something written down. I would be tempted to have a lawyer draw up a template contract/agreement for this type of work so that all parties know what is proposed. A little investment and thought in advance could save a lot of needless hassle.

Why didn't I think of that!

I suspect that those of us in the UK don't always appreciate how fortunate we are... (different debate about the extent to which we should be grateful to the EU!!!)

I'd appreciate your thoughts... Steadicam Solo or Ronin M? (to be used primarily with BMPCC). Or, of course, alternatives to either of those. Standard walking around type of shots. The sort of thing which almost look ok handheld but which always (in my experience) suffer from annoying jitter & shudder. I'm liking the fact that the Solo is battery free as I want this for travel and often in cold climates. But am I likely to get totally frustrated at my inability to use it properly? I wouldn't want to go down the vest/arm route. I also think the monopod option for the Solo makes a lot of sense. Obviously there is a significant cost saving in the Solo but there is no point in saving money if the end result looks significantly "cheaper". Ideas & advice? Thanks.