leslie

i'm excited its rained not heavy rain, but rain none the less. Which is wonderful seeing as most of western queensland is drought declared. So been undercover doing a few things. Heres a sneek peek of my youtube logo, got  alot of sanding and polishing to do but you get the idea and remember you saw it here first  ?. Those letters are 200mm high i did them big as a few of the smaller prototypes broke so i gave them some size to give em some strength. Their cut out of marble i had hoped to get some veining through the marble, some of that colour will come out when their polished i hope.
 
 

i'm excited its rained not heavy rain, but rain none the less. Which is wonderful seeing as most of western queensland is drought declared. So been undercover doing a few things. Heres a sneek peek of my youtube logo, got  alot of sanding and polishing to do but you get the idea and remember you saw it here first  ?. Those letters are 200mm high i did them big as a few of the smaller prototypes broke so i gave them some size to give em some strength. Their cut out of marble i had hoped to get some veining through the marble, some of that colour will come out when their polished i hope.
 
 

Hey all! I’ve been doing some soul searching lately... they say the camera lens is the window to the soul, right?
Anyway, seeing as my current cameras both have multi-aspect micro four thirds sensors (GH5S and Pocket 4K), I’ve been planning to update my taking lenses for anamorphic. I use a Kowa 16-H which is fantastic, and the SLR Magic Rangefinder, which works well in most cases.
I messed around some with old primes that I have kicking about, and determined that the right 28mm lens just MIGHT squeak by in anamorphic mode on the GH5S, and would probably work perfect on the Pocket. 
I was also after a native mount pancake, because let’s be honest. On gimbals, the typically long and front-heavy anamorphic setups just don’t work well. I have a Ronin M (not a small gimbal by 2019 standards), and I have to add a lot of ballast to BARELY make the Kowa work. The gimbal strains hard and can’t tilt to vertical. 
Well, a short google later, and I ordered a Meke 28mm pancake on Amazon. What the heck, it’s really cheap, doesn’t hurt to try it right? Well, it just showed up, and it works PERFECT. If you have a Kowa 16-H/8Z, I highly recommend snagging one of these. 
As with anything on the wide end, it vignettes pretty hard with the Rangefinder mounted, but with just the Kowa, it’s clean as a whistle (cropped to 2.39 of course.)
This will be my new go-to for gimbal work and for wide establishing shots. I have yet to test it on faces, but it’s probably perfect for that near fisheye mumpy up close look. If I get in a tight corner, I’ll be relieved to have this (literally) in my back pocket.
My only gripe is that they don’t also have a 35mm/40mm/50mm pancake set, because a range of pancakes this small would be gamechanging for anamorphic adapter users.
I never thought I’d have a Kowa setup as small as this. It’s crazy. Until a new anamorphic beats the Kowa for width and quality, I’m sticking with it. 

Whoa Whoa Whoa,
Let's not do anything crazy like count the number of lenses we own. No one wants to go through that ??
Everybody Be cool.

ok i know your all been waiting with bated breath. Picked up the anamorphic mount this morning the first couple of pics
show the old projector mount. I had the old positioning arm machined off and one additional 3mm grub screw machined into the
bottom of the mount and three bolts machined through the anamorphic lens leg holder into the old mount. The bolt pattern was offset
about 30 degrees to stop bolts from hitting the grub screws. the first time i fitted it together the anamorphic and bmp4k, i had a
real issue with alignment. The bmp4k was not parallel to the smallrig. It was leaning backwoods quite noticeably. I then tried the
canon 60d and it was closer to parallel. I then pulled it all apart upon inspection the cheap quick release tripod rocks a little
when placed on a table top so that might be my problem. I did turn the tripod release around and now its alot closer to parallel
close enough for me to play with anyway. there's also an issue with the bmp4k spinning a little on the quick release, i put it down
to the small contact suface of the quick release and the bmp4k base plate has a recessed area with a high ridges around the edge.
  Its not a major issue, so far its kinda my only gripe with the camera and as gripes go in the overall scheme of things its a pretty small one
The bmp4k has one small hole each side of the socket. i'm willing to bet good money that any accessory that bm brings out has prongs
on it that slot into those holes next to the tripod socket and prevent any slippage. Because i plan on shooting anamorphic, once i get a threaded
connection between the anamorphic and the taking lens, i think the camera twisting issue will go away. i did get a couple of quick backyard shots
late in the day. First thing i notice with the canon connected to the anamorphic was that i get the confirm beep and focus mark regardless of
whether its actually focused or not, which i found rather intriguing. I guess its the anamorphic optics confusing the camera somehow. I also
had the el nikor 63mm enlarger lens and bmp4k connected briefly and i could get focus peaking on some clouds and trees in the distance but it was
getting late by then. the el nikor 63mm doesn't vignette on the bmp4k. The standard 18-55mm canon kit lens vignettes from bad at the wide end and
a litle  bit when zoomed in. I'll get some photos next week as  i have just about run out of weekend. not sure if i saved the cat and yard pictures correctly
photoshop displays them correctly but i think i need to crop them maybe will have to investigate more








hmm those last two pics do look odd, i guess i have some homework,  looks like photoshop displays them ok but it doesn't save them in that format.

A few stills using the BMPCC 4K for a corporate promotional video. Shot in DCI 4K ProRes LT with the Tokina 28-70 2.6, Speedbooster XL (maybe a Tiffen VND on some of the shots.)

if they hit that price anytime soon, your going to see a grown man cry. .
one of the reasons i bought the bmp4k was because it had cdng. i was sorta thinking along the lines that it being a series of singular images, i might be able to stack and blend images similar to what you do with astophotography  and macro photography, not had a chance to test that avenue of thought out yet. no idea if its good idea or not but its on the todo list ?

do you mean the price or the rickshaw ??

honestly i don't care how they compare. After watching the vid all i can say is, use what you got. you wont be disappointed. I have neither of the previous bm cameras, it's water off a ducks back, for someone who just goes out and buys the camera and wants to make videos.... er movies for those that get offended by the word video ? . I Pre ordered because i was impressed with the p4k trailers that bm produced. if i can produce something half as impressive i'll be happy. if you have either of the other cameras and can produce awesome footage thats fantastic and while i may not worship the ground you walk on, i will clap politely ? . Talk of pixel sizes makes me sleepy. i think you have got some real issues if you have the camera and need to talk pixel sizes and if you dont have a camera but still need to talk pixel sizes then your nitpicking. Like it or not CinemaDNG is a dead horse with bm and i'm guessing theres a few legal reasons why. Now you can keep on flogging that dead horse but it gets pointless pretty quickly and the rest of us will look at you oddly as well, unless you were an early adoptee and have a 6.1 version.  show some wisdom and move on.

honestly i don't care how they compare. After watching the vid all i can say is, use what you got. you wont be disappointed. I have neither of the previous bm cameras, it's water off a ducks back, for someone who just goes out and buys the camera and wants to make videos.... er movies for those that get offended by the word video ? . I Pre ordered because i was impressed with the p4k trailers that bm produced. if i can produce something half as impressive i'll be happy. if you have either of the other cameras and can produce awesome footage thats fantastic and while i may not worship the ground you walk on, i will clap politely ? . Talk of pixel sizes makes me sleepy. i think you have got some real issues if you have the camera and need to talk pixel sizes and if you dont have a camera but still need to talk pixel sizes then your nitpicking. Like it or not CinemaDNG is a dead horse with bm and i'm guessing theres a few legal reasons why. Now you can keep on flogging that dead horse but it gets pointless pretty quickly and the rest of us will look at you oddly as well, unless you were an early adoptee and have a 6.1 version.  show some wisdom and move on.

i remember bm saying that braw would be coming to the p4k pretty early in the campaign. Although they did forget to mention that it would be at the expense of cinemaDng ?
i have to wonder if mine now has added value since i have 6.1. not that i'm interested in selling, took 5 months to get this one, couldn't do that again ?

i remember bm saying that braw would be coming to the p4k pretty early in the campaign. Although they did forget to mention that it would be at the expense of cinemaDng ?
i have to wonder if mine now has added value since i have 6.1. not that i'm interested in selling, took 5 months to get this one, couldn't do that again ?

i remember bm saying that braw would be coming to the p4k pretty early in the campaign. Although they did forget to mention that it would be at the expense of cinemaDng ?
i have to wonder if mine now has added value since i have 6.1. not that i'm interested in selling, took 5 months to get this one, couldn't do that again ?

First purchase of the 2019 edition of Tokyo Used Photo Gear Frenzy.
Found a 7Artisans 28mm f1.4 and adjourned to a cafe to put it on so this is literally the first shot with it but more to come later in the week.
Shot wide open obviously and, well, it certainly glows.

well i am sitting down but the only coffee worth drinking is this stuff ?
ordered a cheap set of neutral density and  graduated filters to play with, the aussie sun needs some calming down so to speak . Once i figure out what i tend to use most often I'll spring for something more pricey.
Can anyone comment on best practices for videoing a sunset ?
I have also created a youtube channel in anticipation. it should be a pretty laid back affair nothing too serious using the bmp4k and the elmoscope. i'm no casey neistat but i'm hoping the anamorphic angle gives it a bit of difference.
been looking at the filter sizes on my pentax m42 lenses trying to figure out a common size for the m42 to elmoscope adapter. at the moment i'm getting some grub screws/bolts machined into the old mount the will attach to the piece of alloy i got  cut on the waterjet that will support and secure the elmoscope to the smallrig. the machinist reckons theres no problem cutting the fine threads that the lenses use. i do think i need some kinda short barrel with a sleeve in it to alloy the elmoscope optics to align properly once it is screwed together. I hope to have it back by next friday, i can take some pics. I should also be able to wrap a bit of tape around them both and do a bit of shooting anamorphically. till i figure out a thread size for the adapter.

well i am sitting down but the only coffee worth drinking is this stuff ?
ordered a cheap set of neutral density and  graduated filters to play with, the aussie sun needs some calming down so to speak . Once i figure out what i tend to use most often I'll spring for something more pricey.
Can anyone comment on best practices for videoing a sunset ?
I have also created a youtube channel in anticipation. it should be a pretty laid back affair nothing too serious using the bmp4k and the elmoscope. i'm no casey neistat but i'm hoping the anamorphic angle gives it a bit of difference.
been looking at the filter sizes on my pentax m42 lenses trying to figure out a common size for the m42 to elmoscope adapter. at the moment i'm getting some grub screws/bolts machined into the old mount the will attach to the piece of alloy i got  cut on the waterjet that will support and secure the elmoscope to the smallrig. the machinist reckons theres no problem cutting the fine threads that the lenses use. i do think i need some kinda short barrel with a sleeve in it to alloy the elmoscope optics to align properly once it is screwed together. I hope to have it back by next friday, i can take some pics. I should also be able to wrap a bit of tape around them both and do a bit of shooting anamorphically. till i figure out a thread size for the adapter.

If i water and fertilize it do you think it will grow ? ?

did some ringing around, then drove to the other side of town. found a place to machine me an adapter from the elmoscope to a standard filter thread. The elmoscope is  50mm  on the rear thread, it seems the pitch is .75 as far as we have been able to ascertain at the moment. if dimensions change i'll post them for posterity later . Most popular thread sizes for cameras seem to be 49mm  or 52mm then 55mm which makes the 50mm of the elmoscope a bit of an oddball . I  think i may have to incorporate some kind of sleeve arrangement in the adapter, as if i can thread an adapter onto the back of the elmoscope i can pretty much guarantee the anamorphics in the scope wont align correctly.  I will give it some thought over the next few days and proceed ahead next week. Its kinda exciting to being  so close to being an anamorphic videographer?

nice views, very pretty country i liked watching it its nice to see something different  from time to time . i wish i could say after the rain but we are in drought here . I would quite literally kill for some of that water flowing down that ravine ? seems almost criminal to have a porshe sitting under a tarp. if you need a stable, i have one  right here where you could park that porshe and be all nice and safe and out of the weather ? A mate of mine somehow managed to kill his gopro5 a few weeks ago as well. so your not alone

No internet at home at the moment. Which kinda sucks. Have had another enlarger lens from russia turn up. It is a m42 mount 50mm 2.8 and has 12 blades in the aperture i believe. Hope to give it a workout shortly and post some pics. Also learnt how to melt lead with just some twigs and leaves and a piece of pipe for a draft. plan on doing a vid and making a utube channel  for fame and fortune ? Due to a safety scare won't be doing much more of that till i get some protective gear ? hit a speed bump with the clamp for the anamorphic lens. getting late here think i'll get some shuteye. Night all.

No internet at home at the moment. Which kinda sucks. Have had another enlarger lens from russia turn up. It is a m42 mount 50mm 2.8 and has 12 blades in the aperture i believe. Hope to give it a workout shortly and post some pics. Also learnt how to melt lead with just some twigs and leaves and a piece of pipe for a draft. plan on doing a vid and making a utube channel  for fame and fortune ? Due to a safety scare won't be doing much more of that till i get some protective gear ? hit a speed bump with the clamp for the anamorphic lens. getting late here think i'll get some shuteye. Night all.

love that bird shot,  have to google that locally and see if we have something similar happen here. maybe just a toss a box of hot chips around and wait for the seagulls to descend ? might have to buy a couple more fd lenses before people see what mercer is doing with them ?

This is what a OG BMPCC Can, and does look like. Now granted it is wasn't done by just Bob down the street. But you can see what it is capable of. And it isn't all crushed Blacks and noise. Bottom picture was their rig. Mercer sent me the link to the film.
From their Facebook page.
"Our main camera throughout the shoot has been a BMPCC, with a range of C-Mount and M43 lenses (and one enormous M42 - the Pentacon 300).
That camera has been powered by an Anker Pro 2 (with a modified cable, to fit the tiny input on the BMPCC). The Anker is mounted to the rig via a 90 degree metal plate from B&Q, some 15mm plumbers clamps, and some velcro tape.
We've had a bog-standard manfrotto tripod throughout, a cheap rails/plate set from India (Cine City on Ebay I think..?) and a cheap camtree cage.
On the front we've got a Fotga mattebox (with barn doors and a swing-out front - invaluable), a set of Tiffen NDs (kindly donated), and a Hoya 82mm Polariser screwed in to a filter tray and left in one of the slots for the duration of the shoot."
 
 
 

Nice stills.  I've heard people have a lot of love for that lens, and it sure would be a convenient one to carry around for simple shoots.  
You better hurry up and finish that film, or pretty soon we'll have all watched it frame by frame in this thread! ???

red motorbikes go fast as well, they also slide pretty fast as well, don't ask me how i know this ?