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bjohn

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  1. Like
    bjohn reacted to kye in New Micro Color Panel   
    I also have that.  It was great and really well designed in terms of how the controller mapped to the functions and the workflow etc.  It was fiddly though, that's for sure.
    The only limitation I found with it was that it couldn't do what I described above with pushing two adjustments against each other.  Of course if you don't work that way, then it wouldn't matter.
    Comparing the number of controls it offered vs the dedicated BM panels was just insane - I really think that BM could make a killing changing their whole approach to the panels.
    Imagine if they made a more generic panel that had "pages" and could be switched between them.  Let's imagine the entry-level one costs $1000 and can get to half-a-dozen pages.  The amateur buys one panel, and switches between the pages, and life is good.  The pro wants dedicated controls for everything without switching, so buys multiple panels and sets each one to a different page.  The pro also buys the "pro" panel that costs $2000 and can access the other restricted panels.  Later on the pro buys more pro panels.  In the end the pro has spent as much as they would have buying the Advanced panel, so there's no loss of income for BM, and the pro gets a customisable surface where the controls go where they want.  This can be configured in 2 minutes in shared spaces like colouring rooms.
    Of course.  Interesting to learn you figured it out though.  The only place online I could find anything on it their attempt failed.  Maybe it failed due to fear of legal action rather than technical impenetrability, but interesting nonetheless.
  2. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from Emanuel in New Micro Color Panel   
    About five years ago I got the ingenious little Beatstep controller system (https://posttools.tachyon-consulting.com/davinci-resolve-controllers/beatstep-resolve-edition/) which seemed promising (and could be used for editing, colour, and  Fairlight) but it was complex to set up and new versions of Resolve started to break things, and then I upgraded to an Apple Silicon Mac so I stopped using it. This is the issue with third-party products in general...the developer has to put in a lot of work to ensure compatibility with new releases of Resolve and if there's not enough demand for the product it eventually isn't worth the effort.
  3. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from SRV1981 in FX30 vs. fx3 (zve1) image discussion   
    But objects in the footage from both cameras are the same size. If one camera is APS-C and the other is full-frame, and they were using the same lenses, those objects would not be the same size. So maybe the differences you're seeing are due to different lenses being used (or the same zoom lens on both cameras but at different focal lengths), or something was done in post. The person who did this comparison is introducing too many variables for it to be an informative test.
  4. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from eatstoomuchjam in FX30 vs. fx3 (zve1) image discussion   
    But objects in the footage from both cameras are the same size. If one camera is APS-C and the other is full-frame, and they were using the same lenses, those objects would not be the same size. So maybe the differences you're seeing are due to different lenses being used (or the same zoom lens on both cameras but at different focal lengths), or something was done in post. The person who did this comparison is introducing too many variables for it to be an informative test.
  5. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from ac6000cw in FX30 vs. fx3 (zve1) image discussion   
    But objects in the footage from both cameras are the same size. If one camera is APS-C and the other is full-frame, and they were using the same lenses, those objects would not be the same size. So maybe the differences you're seeing are due to different lenses being used (or the same zoom lens on both cameras but at different focal lengths), or something was done in post. The person who did this comparison is introducing too many variables for it to be an informative test.
  6. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from PannySVHS in Buy Bodies - Used or New   
    I also buy most of my gear used; I did buy my Sony A7iii new, mainly for the warranty. For Blackmagic Design cameras I think it's best to buy used because BMD's quality assurance is so poor that you may need to buy several new cameras to find one that works. The two BMD cameras I bought new were defective out of the box and had to be returned; the used one I bought on eBay is perfect. People who buy a defective camera will likely return it to exchange, so you'll probably have better luck buying a used one.
  7. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from SRV1981 in Buy Bodies - Used or New   
    I also buy most of my gear used; I did buy my Sony A7iii new, mainly for the warranty. For Blackmagic Design cameras I think it's best to buy used because BMD's quality assurance is so poor that you may need to buy several new cameras to find one that works. The two BMD cameras I bought new were defective out of the box and had to be returned; the used one I bought on eBay is perfect. People who buy a defective camera will likely return it to exchange, so you'll probably have better luck buying a used one.
  8. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from kye in Crash course in shooting video on the original A7s?   
    Thanks! I actually did try to crush the blacks, mainly to keep noise down but also because like you I see no reason to reveal detail in shadows that isn't helpful to the image or wasn't visible at the venue (and believe me, not much was visible..this place is really, really dark!).
    And I do have my eye on the new Micro studio G2; I want to see if anything else is announced at NAB (unlikely but possible) before I pull the trigger, but it would be a nice addition. I'll try playing with boosting the saturation and contrast even more than I already did (I boosted saturation to 60 percent already; I'll try 70 or 75). Exposed at 1600 this was already quite underexposed and I had to boost exposure by at least 2-3 stops just to be able to see much in the footage.
  9. Like
    bjohn reacted to kye in Crash course in shooting video on the original A7s?   
    Also, if you've got some budget then the new BM Micro Studio Camera 4K has dual native ISO, which could radically improve the footage and lens options in conditions like these.
    Also, also, if you have a few BM cameras, maybe hiding them around the place would give you a few more angles to work with in post?  If you don't have other fast lenses then maybe you could go down to 12fps with a 360 shutter to have a special effect angle with 1.5 or so more stops of exposure.  If such an angle was static then the extreme motion blur of the shot wouldn't be so disorientating.  
    Music videos is a place where there's huge creative license, so don't be afraid to lean into the challenges and create a strong look 🙂 
  10. Thanks
    bjohn got a reaction from kye in Crash course in shooting video on the original A7s?   
    I got asked to do video (and photos) again at this event this coming summer, and since I really don't like shooting video on my Sony I decided to test the limits of my Blackmagic OG Pocket (which by extension would test the limits of my two BMMCCs) by bringing it to a very dark jazz club where I frequently take photos for some young musicians in town. When I shoot photos at this place they are usually at ISO 16,000 or 20,000, far beyond the limits of the OG BMPCC. But I did some test shots in our basement and it seemed like I might be able to get something. I used the lowest frame rate (23.976), set the shutter angle to 270 degrees, shot CDNG raw, and set the ISO to 1,600 for exposure purposes. I already had white balance readings from the photos I'd taken there previously, so I set that in advance. I used my SLR Magic 10mm Hyperprime, wide open, where it is quite soft and dreamy, and for kicks I added a star filter.
    I wanted a handheld look so I used a Zacuto Marauder Mini as a brace, along with a Zacuto viewfinder that provided additional stabilization as it allowed me to press the viewfinder against my face. What I didn't count on was that the viewfinder fogged up at one point and I could barely see with it so I had to take it off and just look at that little LCD screen; it was hard to see whether anything was in focus as focus peaking was barely visible. I shot some footage from the front during the sound check, and asked when that same song would come up during the set. Just before that song came up I went to the back of the performance space so I could shoot from behind the musicians. What I didn't count on was that the actual performance of that song was a bit faster than how they played it at the sound check, so I couldn't align the video shot from the front perfectly with the audio. For the audio I used a Sound Devices MixPre6 with a stereo pair of Line Audio CM3 mics.
    I boosted the exposure by a couple of stops in Resolve, brought down the gain a little, adjusted contrast, saturation, and mid-tone detail, and that was it. The resulting footage was noisy, of course. For Instagram I didn't even bother with noise reduction as the noise wasn't very noticeable when viewed on a phone. For Vimeo I applied NR to each clip in Resolve, which softened the image quite a bit (and the shots of the drummer, who was completely in the dark, are too plastic-looking for my taste; I could have backed off the NR there). Overall, for a quick test I'm happy enough with this and I'll use my BMD cameras for the dance this summer; this jazz club is quite a bit darker than the hall where the dancers will be.
     
  11. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from Gesmi in Variable ND filter with acceptable quality for video. Not a expensive one.   
    I've also heard good things about K&F; I have the SLR Magic one that has a little locking tab for precise repeatability.
    The K&F and SLR Magic ones both seem to be able to successfully avoid the dreaded X vignette at higher strengths, but I know some users have complained of colour casts on the SLR Magic. I haven't especially noticed it on my OG BMPCC but the ProRes footage on the OG BMPCC tends to have a slight greenish colour cast to begin with; I'd have to test using raw but I rarely shoot CDNG raw on that camera as there's no need; ProRes HQ is very flexible in terms of adjusting white balance, exposure, etc. in post.
    With VNDs, the main concern is colour casts; the cheaper ones can do the X vignette although they should be okay at weaker strengths.
  12. Like
    bjohn reacted to Tim Sewell in Variable ND filter with acceptable quality for video. Not a expensive one.   
    K&F Concept are pretty good at a lowish price. For a bit more, SLR Magic certainly used to have some nice ones.
  13. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from kye in Blackmagic Micro Cinema Super Guide and Why It Still Matters   
    Well, I'm just a sample size of one. I bought these two at the same time, so they might have been from a bad production batch. Lots of people seem happy with them; I was too for the first 8-9 months. One more reason why long-term reviews are often more useful than reviews after a person has used a product for a few days or weeks.
  14. Thanks
    bjohn got a reaction from kye in Blackmagic Micro Cinema Super Guide and Why It Still Matters   
    Died completely as in they could no longer be formatted and inserting them in the camera gave the No Card error. I couldn't use them on any other camera or format/rescue them with desktop software. And they were the faster versions; the ones recommended for the BMPCC; I had two of them and they both died. They were reliable while they worked and never dropped frames. In contrast I'm still using the SanDisk cards I bought in 2016 for my OG BMPCC, which have been reformatted hundreds of times, and they still perform like champs. (I don't think any card made by SanDisk today will work in the OG BMPCC or BMMCC). The Angelbirds and now my Sony will take over once those SanDisks finally bite the dust.
  15. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from mercer in Blackmagic Micro Cinema Super Guide and Why It Still Matters   
    I actually just learned that the Sony Tough V90 64mb 300mb/s (read) 299mb/s (write) card works in the OG BMPCC and BMPCC and I happen to have one here so I popped it in and guess what, it works! I haven't tested it at all framerates in the BMMCC, which would take a while as dropped frames often don't happen right away so you need to record at least 10-15 minutes at each framerate in CDNG (and CDNG 3:1 at 60fps) to be sure. But it should work for all framerates on the OG BMPCC. These cards are readily available and not as expensive as the Angelbirds. I have two of the 128 GB Angelbirds and those are fantastic but expensive. The Kingston Canvas Selects that I bought died after a few months so I'd be wary of that solution, although some people are happy with them.
  16. Like
    bjohn reacted to mercer in OM SYSTEMS to announce OM-1II, 9-18mm II, and 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3 on Jan 30th   
    Ironically, in 1971 Leica forced Olympus to change the name of their 35mm SLR from M1 to OM1... the cycle continues. 
  17. Like
    bjohn reacted to BTM_Pix in Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4k G2 - now shipping   
    Yes, I use an AFX focusing system* on mine for AF-C of native and adapted electronic lenses and motor control of manual focus ones (both on BM or other cameras).

    The removal/inactivation of BLE in this new camera means that such control will not be possible for native and adapted lenses and will be motor only.
    Which is a bit silly really as if I can control a Sigma 18-35mm electronically, why would I want to have to then strap a follow focus ring on to it and bulk up the rig with a motor.
     
    * Well, technically speaking I suppose you could say its a 3rd party device for other people who use them but its a 1st party device when I'm using one as I created it.
     
  18. Like
    bjohn reacted to gt3rs in Apple event shot using Blackmagic Cam for iOS   
    I guess that having BMD app "Save clip to" to Files and using the Files app to copy/move to an external USB-C SDD/Card would be the quickest way. Alternatively you could set BM app to save on in-app and photo library (waste of space) and these filles will should show up when you connect your iPhone to PC. 
  19. Haha
    bjohn reacted to IronFilm in Blackmagic Update - 14th September 2023 19:00 CET   
    @bjohn, you need to get a digital camera that looks like a film camera such as the Nikons Df and then she'll never be able to tell if you're being responsible shooting digital or being evil using film 😉
  20. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from IronFilm in Blackmagic Update - 14th September 2023 19:00 CET   
    My partner works at home several days per week and in her employer's office the rest of the time. When I buy camera or video equipment on eBay I try to time the shipment so it arrives when she's not here. Doesn't always work out that way, though. But she pays so little attention to my equipment that she doesn't even notice when I'm using a new camera or lenses. She has her own obsessions, although they're cheaper.
    The only resistance I've encountered from her is my re-entry into the world of film (photography, not video). She views it as a waste of money but especially as an avoidable environmental impact, from cradle to grave (manufacturing the film, distributing it to retailers, processing it, and ultimately disposing of the negatives). Lots of materials and energy use, all of which could be avoided if I stuck to shooting digital. Some people argue that the environmental footprint of a new digital camera is much larger than that of an antique film camera and hundreds of rolls of film, but if you already own a digital camera that's not the way to look at it: every roll of film has an avoidable impact. I agree with her about the environmental impact and I try to limit my film photography because of it, but I love shooting film enough that I continue.
  21. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from kye in Blackmagic Update - 14th September 2023 19:00 CET   
    My partner works at home several days per week and in her employer's office the rest of the time. When I buy camera or video equipment on eBay I try to time the shipment so it arrives when she's not here. Doesn't always work out that way, though. But she pays so little attention to my equipment that she doesn't even notice when I'm using a new camera or lenses. She has her own obsessions, although they're cheaper.
    The only resistance I've encountered from her is my re-entry into the world of film (photography, not video). She views it as a waste of money but especially as an avoidable environmental impact, from cradle to grave (manufacturing the film, distributing it to retailers, processing it, and ultimately disposing of the negatives). Lots of materials and energy use, all of which could be avoided if I stuck to shooting digital. Some people argue that the environmental footprint of a new digital camera is much larger than that of an antique film camera and hundreds of rolls of film, but if you already own a digital camera that's not the way to look at it: every roll of film has an avoidable impact. I agree with her about the environmental impact and I try to limit my film photography because of it, but I love shooting film enough that I continue.
  22. Like
    bjohn reacted to kye in Blackmagic Update - 14th September 2023 19:00 CET   
    My year 11 English teacher decided that there wasn't enough life education in school, so he told us stories, and let us sleep in class, but still taught us what we needed to pass the tests.
    One recurring theme he'd tell us stories about was how he'd get away with buying hifi equipment and smuggling it into his house without his wife finding out.  The most memorable one was how he got away with buying a pair of large subwoofers, which were about 1 meter/yard cubed each.  
    Here's the procedure he recommended:
    Buy them, but have the store hold them until you can arrange a good delivery time Subtly arrange for your wife to be away overnight (e.g. concert tickets for her and a friend to something she'll like but you won't and then a "girls night" stay at a hotel afterwards) Arrange to have the subwoofers delivered as soon as she's gone Put them in the corners of the room Cut some plywood to cover the sides of the subwoofers that aren't against the wall, so it's not visible Cover over the ply with a nice tablecloth and have it go all the way to the floor Put a pair of matching fancy trays and a pair of plants your wife likes and put them on top When your wife comes home, tell her you bought her some plants, if she asks about the boxes, just say they're boxes but change the subject After a few months, remove the false boxes and adjust the cloths so they don't interfere with the subwoofers, and wire up the subwoofers Only use the subwoofers on very low and only when she isn't home After another few months, you can start using the subwoofers while she is home, but only very very subtly If she ever notices, say they've been there for years and act surprised she doesn't remember - immediately start talking about their specifications and history of the company so that she is eager to change the subject I enjoyed his English classes.
  23. Thanks
    bjohn got a reaction from IronFilm in Blackmagic Update - 14th September 2023 19:00 CET   
    Add one more reason:
    If (like me) you already own a couple of the original Micro Cinema Cameras, you can buy this one and your spouse/partner will never notice that you bought (yet) another camera.
    Seriously, though, for me this is an interesting option because I already have everything I need for it (cage, monitor, bigger external battery (the one Dmitry Shijan made), but it would give me much better low-light performance than my Micros which is important for some of likely situations in my case.
  24. Haha
    bjohn reacted to BTM_Pix in Blackmagic Update - 14th September 2023 19:00 CET   
    One of the most useful pieces of technical advice that has appeared on this forum.
  25. Like
    bjohn got a reaction from BTM_Pix in Blackmagic Update - 14th September 2023 19:00 CET   
    Add one more reason:
    If (like me) you already own a couple of the original Micro Cinema Cameras, you can buy this one and your spouse/partner will never notice that you bought (yet) another camera.
    Seriously, though, for me this is an interesting option because I already have everything I need for it (cage, monitor, bigger external battery (the one Dmitry Shijan made), but it would give me much better low-light performance than my Micros which is important for some of likely situations in my case.
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