Nothing serious. Just thought I would try out the 1fps + 120fps S&Q feature on the Sony A6500 Mirrorless Camera today. Used available light indoors and out. Shot with the Sony 16-35mm F/4 Lens and Sony 35mm F/1.8 Lens. Used continuous Autofocus and shot Hand Held. Because I was shooting with mixed lighting indoors, I found the footage really hard to color balance. Since I was shooting at 120fps, I set my shutter to 1/250th which cut a lot of light indoors and shot mostly around ISO 2500. It's a neat camera, but the footage works best if you can expose properly. I found it hard to shift the exposure and color around much in post.
dslr video
Sony A6500 Mirrorless 4K Digital CameraSony A6500 with FotoDiox ND Throttle Variable ND Filter Canon EF to Sony Lens Adapter
Although I love many of the features of the new Sony A6500, I feel there's a lot more noise than the Sony A7SII, so shooting and grading SLOG footage would probably 'not be' my first choice. I'm currently experimenting with Profile 3 and Profile 4 right out of the camera for now.
While shooting outside with the Sony A6500 I needed to work with an ND Filter, so I decided to throw on the Fotodiox Fusion ND Throttle Lens Adapter that has a built in Variable ND. For those who are concerned about losing sharpness, I provided a few examples.
Since i'm not shooting with a totally flat image, I only applied some basic curves (contrast) and tried to adjust the white balance. The ND Throttle helped keep the shutter and aperture under control so I could maintain a shallow DOF. I believe most people will end up buying Sony AutoFocus Lenses, but if you want to adapt Canon EF to your Sony A6500, this Fusion ND Throttle is very handy. You can find the FotoDiox ND Throttle Fusion Lens Adapter available on Amazon (here).
FotoDiox Fusion ND Throttle Canon EF to Sony E-Mount Variable ND Filter Lens Adapter
Here's another sample where I push the image around with a whole bunch of color adjustments just to see how well Picture Profile 3 holds up in post. From my tests, I think it's a good go-to in-camera profile when you're too lazy to correct SLOG and want to minimize noise.
Panasonic GH5 Camera Available for PreOrder Now
I proudly own (3) Panasonic GH4 cameras, and it's just been a dream working with them. But the new Panasonic GH5 advancements is leaps and bounds above the GH4 and I think it's time for the upgrade. No limit time recording, Higher ISO recording, in camera Image Stabilization, 4:2:2 10 bit recording, 4K up to 60fps, VFR up to 180fps, Dual SD Card Slots, increased resolution (no crop in 4K), Full Size Type A HDMI input, almost 5x more focus points, new external Dual XLR Mic Adapter, and a firmware update later this year for 6K Anamorphic support, Hybrid LOG profile, to add up to 400mbs 10bit All-I internal video recording which is just mind blowing.
Product Details
Upgraded, redesigned, and filled with features, the Lumix DC-GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera from Panasonic provides an outstanding imaging platform for shooters who demand some of the best video and still photography quality they can get in a single compact camera.
At the heart of the new Panasonic GH5 Camera is a 20.3MP Digital Live MOS sensor and a newly developed Venus Engine processor, which both offer dramatically improved processing times over its predecessor. This enables the ability to record 4K video at up to 60 fps, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording with select settings, Full HD video at up to 180 fps, 12 fps continuous shooting, and sensitivities up to ISO 25600.
Also, the camera features built-in 5-axis sensor stabilization, which can work with certain lenses to activate Dual I.S. 2 for highly effective shake correction that can compensate for up to 5 stops of shutter speed. Other improvements include a speedier and more accurate Advanced DFD autofocus system that can lock on in just 0.05 seconds, as well as 6K PHOTO at 30 fps and 4K PHOTO at up to 60 fps.
Product Highlights
20.3MP Digital Live MOS Sensor
Venus Engine Image Processor
UHD 4K 60p Video with No Crop
Internal 4:2:2 10-Bit 4K Video at 24/30p
5-Axis Sensor Stabilization; Dual I.S. 2
0.76x 3.68m-Dot OLED Viewfinder
3.2" 1.62m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen
Advanced DFD AF System; 6K & 4K PHOTO
ISO 25600 and 12 fps Continuous Shooting
Dual UHS-II SD Slots; Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
Easy Product Photography and 360 Animations Foldio Studio Foldio 360 Smart Turntable
As someone who dabbles with camera equipment, I'm often asked what's the easiest way to take a clean photo with a smartphone to post on social networks or to eBay. Without having to mess with various lighting kits and diffusers, my first suggestion is that they try out the Foldio Folding Studio from OrangeMonkie.
It's a simple product photography kit that sets up fast, folds down flat, and is complimented by an easy to use iPhone app. When adding in the optional Foldio360 Smart Turntable, they can also create fully animated 360 Product Videos to their websites and social networks - which are fun, adds more dimension to products, and I find more engaging.
If you're working with larger products, remember that you can use the Foldio360 Smart Turntable with your own background and lighting. And if you want to take higher res photos with a DSLR (i.e. Canon 5D), the app can be configured to fire the shutter on your camera through an IR blaster.
Overall the Foldio Studio and Smart Turntable are probably the easiest off-the-shelf product photography kits i've worked with. Inexperienced users will find this hassle free for capturing clean images and 360 Product images that are automatically generated by the iPhone App ready to share on social networks or send via email. You can get more info on Orange Monkie Foldio Products (here).
Libec TH-X Head and Tripod System – Drop In Style Manfrotto 501PL Compatible
These days when i'm asked to suggest a good Video Fluid Head to support small camera setups, my go to advice has been to suggest the Manfrotto MVH500AH (seen here). It's a great entry level head, but I mainly suggest this because it supports the 501PL style plate (heavily used in the industry), and also because it uses a 'Drop in' style quick release system. I prefer this over the type where you have to slide your QR plate into the head.
I've found the Drop-In style quick release system easier and faster on set, and also more compatible with all of the cheaper generic 501PL plates (found here) allowing me to save a lot of money when I need to buy new plates.
I've always found Libec to offer high quality equipment, but because many people depend on 501PL plates, they may not have been a popular choice. Some Sachtler and Benro Tripods use the 501PL plate system, which may have been a reason they were easier for many people to adopt. I probably would have used Benro more, but I chose to stick with the Manfrotto MVH500AH specifically because of the Drop-in style plate.
For these specific reasons, i'm excited about the new Libec TH-X Head. They have finally implemented the use of 501PL compatible plates along with the Drop-in Style Quick Release System. The TH-X Video Head is a great option for entry level shooters and cameras around 8-9 lbs as it is designed with a fixed drag on Pan and Tilt, and a fixed counterbalance.
I've been working the MVH500AH Video head for quite a long time, but only until I've been working with the Libec TH-X did I realize how much I prefer the quick release latch to be located on the left side. You'll typically use your right hand to pick up any camera (because every camera has a right hand grip), and so it makes perfect sense to release a latch with your left hand. On the Manfrotto it takes me a few extra hand swaps to release my camera.
The new Libec TH-X Head is also a Dual Function Head as it can be used on a 65mm Bowl Mount Tripod or any standard flat base with it's 3/8" threaded mount. For Manfrotto these are offered with two different heads - the MVH500AH for a flat base or the MVH500A for a bowl mount. The TH-X is versatile in this manner as you can level your camera on a tripod very quickly using the bowl mount, and then throw it onto any Video Slider, Table Dolly, or Jib without requiring any adapters.
Right now the Libec TH-X Head is offered as a complete Tripod System (here), yet is more affordable when compared with the similar Manfrotto MVK500AM Tripod System (found here). There is definitely a like to like with Libec's latest tripod system, and the fact is there is not many options for video heads that offer a 'Drop-In' style quick release system. The TH-X Head is easily one that I will suggest to others looking for that drop-in plate system, and something I will be using as part of my daily gear.
Libec TH-X Head and Tripod System
Other Products You May Be Interested In
$6 Dollar DJI Mavic Pro ND Filters
Dynamic Perception Stage One Plus Sapphire Pro Motorized Pan Tilt NMX Motion Controller
A basic overview of the Dynamic Perception 3-Axis Motion Control Bundle consisting of the Stage One Plus Motorized Slider, Sapphire Pro Motorized Pan / Tilt Head, and the NMX Motion Controller. This bundle allows you to program a full 3-Axis Motion Control system through a simple iOS App (NMX Motion), or you can even add-on an optional accessory to control the NMX Controller through a Playstation Remote.
Once you enter a few bits of information for a Timelapse setup, the NMX Motion App will automatically calculate how many images will be captured, how long the Timelapse will take, and how long your final timelapse video clip will be (based on project timeline FPS). I think the stand out feature for the Stage One Plus slider is the ability to combine rails (easily) for just about any length you can imagine. The Sapphire Pro Motorized Pan Tilt head is one of the smallest 2-Axis Motion control systems which can be beneficial when packing and traveling.
If you don't mind carrying a hex tool to loosen the rail clamps (tripod supports), you can break the entire system down to as little as 21" inches, which will allow you to fit it into common Carry-On Sized Luggage if you choose to fly or pack it into a smaller BackPack. If you want more information about Dynamic Perception equipment, check out the website at https://dynamicperception.com (link).
Dynamic Perception Stage One Plus Sapphire Pro NMX Motion Controller
Cheap iPhone Video Rig with Cold Shoe and Threaded Mounts
Here's a simple video rig for Smartphones that offers two Cold Shoe mounts and several 1/4" threaded mounts for attaching a variety of accessories. I was intrigued by this as I believe it could be an inexpensive way to build out a handheld rig with a small monitor for use as a director's monitor.
Especially if you consider how much the SmallHD 501 / 502 monitors look like iPhones, this rig could easily be modified. The two cold shoes could be a clean and simple way to mount up those wireless video receivers too.
Timecode Sync Multiple Panasonic GH4 Cameras Multi-Cam Editing FCPX
Whenever possible, I find audio the best way to sync up multiple cameras. But there are times when audio is either not clear enough to sync, or perhaps the cameras you are using are shooting video coverage in different rooms. This is where Timecode comes in handy, and it's always a good idea to set this in your camera for a backup solution.
If you merely just laid video clips together on a timeline, you could not account for the period of time each of the cameras were shut off or not recording. When using Timecode to sync, you can at least have all of your video clips laid out in a linear fashion according to when each video clip was shot.
Here's a method on how you can get Timecode in sync with multiple Panasonic GH4 cameras. Using the Image App on your mobile device, you can click over on the GEOTagging option and sync the time of your GH4 to your mobile device. Then you can do the same on every camera.
Timecode set in this manner may not be frame accurate when creating your Multicam clips, but once it's all laid out, you can merely nudge your video clips around to get them synced up perfectly. If you have similar audio between all cameras, you could use the options for both Timecode and Audio sync and that should get you frame by frame accuracy. Just remember to set each camera's framerate exactly the same (i've made that mistake a few times...).
If you need to have frame by frame accuracy Timecode generated between cameras, you'll need to opt for a Timecode Generating device. Probably the most inexpensive one you can get today is the Tentacle Sync (found here).
Tentacle Sync Timecode Generator
These devices can really help save you a ton of time in post if you're doing long hours of footage and shooting with multiple cameras. But this investment in those same Timecode Generating devices can also be used on some inexpensive audio recorders (i.e. Zoom F4 / Zoom F8) so that you can also throw your recorded audio files into your Multicam Edit.