Oliver Daniel

Ordering 2 of these next week. Any recommendations on memory cards and batteries?

Exactly. This is mostly why cameras like the A7S get over-criticised for color. A lot of people are boosting color that isn't accurate color with ISO. Swap that ISO for lighting and you will notice a massive difference. It sounds so kinda obvious. Low light is a very useful tool with trade-offs in image quality. But you are not going to get anywhere with any type of log if you are relying on the ISO as your main light source. There is a reason why cinema cameras aren't low light cameras, because the camera produces it's best image with added light, not digitally enhanced light.

Actually 8bit and 10bit is inferior to my needs. I need at least 64bit color, 25 stops dynamic range, 16,000,000 ISO and a very compact full frame 14-600mm IS lens with 20 aspherical elements and F0.001 aperture. I'll just light the images in post. Images will surely look great based on these specs!

I'm surprised at the lack of chat about how lighting affects color rendering. Yes, there are a lot of sloppy grades out there for the A7S, but how many of these people used the ISO function to digitally enhance the lighting on their subject? Probably many. I did a test with the A7S with a model and used the ISO to expose the image. Then I did the same but used 2 LED 1x1 and a Dedolight as a kick instead of boosting ISO. Surprise, surprise - the colour and overall image quality was a million times better! While this is blindingly obvious, I see a lot of critique on the quality of camera footage from tests, yet these tests didn't utilise the simple practice of using proper light sources. So when we say LOG is crap in 8bit, what footage are we talking about? I expect it will look like a cocktail of sick, shot at 80,000 ISO on the A7S. Also how many know how to expose a log image properly? It's very tricky until you "get it". I get it wrong often, lots always to learn. My opinion, 8 bit is mostly fine for log - just don't expect it to work wonders in certain conditions. Use decent light sources, expose properly, set up the WB correctly and results should be great! Canon has better log than Sony (based on color) and the major difference with 10bit for me are smoother gradients, deeper colors and greater tonality.

How's the lens for manual focusing?

I'm excited about using them. It's going to feel quite liberating to use a bunch of these with the Lupolux lights, which are able to output 1000w/650w equivalent from a 50w draw. Battery powered. When you're in a small crew, it can get very draining on a shoot having to setup somewhat infinite reels of cables that turn into endless spiderwebs of chaos. To be able to pick up the light, move, assess then shoot will be awesome for productivity and creativity. Go anywhere, light almost anything. Anytime.

Thank you... what G-Tech drive would you recommend? Do these things come with the internal drives? Looked at product specs and reviews and I can't see anything to say otherwise.

Thanks for the heads up. Many sources on the web recommend G-Tech drives but you also have to be wary that many of these advisors are sponsored by the brand. I suppose they wouldn't agree the sponsor if they didn't think it was any good. Currently looking around at these drives rather obsessively.

Thanks for the heads up. I did this with my previous model That said, I get a 17% discount on the iMac.

Looks like I can spend the money end of next week. Although we have to do a variety of "tests" before the company can buy, here is my current ballpark list: A Camera - fully packaged BM Ursa Mini 4.6k (pending tests on rental release). 2nd option is the Sony FS7. B Camera - BM Micro Cinema Camera (pending tests). C Camera - Sony RX10 II. Effects - Unique Hazer (for lighting). Large Thunderbolt 2 RAID Drive - G Tech Studio 16TB or Lacie 5 big 20TB? Any recommendations? Lenses - Sigma ART 18-35mm, Sigma ART 50mm. Lenses - Modified vintage lenses. (pending more research). Lighting - Lupolux LED 1000w, 650w x 2 + batteries. Lighting - Scorpion Lights x 6 + batteries. Mac - iMac 5k Retina Full Spec. Monitor - BM Video Assist (or Small HD 502)Stuff - c fast 2 cards, sd cards, batteries etc.

As some regular users may know, I'm going through a complete equipment overhaul through a business funding scheme. As we have an iMac 5k Full Spec machine on the list to replace my rather lethargic 2012 model, I'm looking for a high capacity Thunderbolt 2 array with RAID, something like the Lacie 5big series. Speed and backup is very important!! I edit 4k and 1080p footage, a lot of color grading and sometimes a small bit of VFX! Mostly edit in proxy first, then master in full quality. FCPX and DaVinci. Some of you are respectfully more geeky than I am with tech performance, any there any recommendations, user experiences or anything else you could advise? Much appreciated.

Cool. We were debating in the office today how a small boutique like ourselves, who have a history of music video production but can also do corporate/commercial work just as good (we have examples), would approach this market? This is where we are at. We've obviously done our research and have a development plan in place, thought it would be interesting to ask your view? Everyone's answer is different.

I really think it's worth saving more money for a better device. I've just got a Ronin-M and the build quality, plus operation is immense for the price.

Got a call yesterday...this is the first thing he said: "Hi, I want to shoot my video on the RED Epic. Can you do that?" My reply was: "You need to tell me everything else first, like, what's your name?" This client turned out to be a bit of a moron really and I chose not to work with him. I have a feeling the URSA Mini 4.6k is going to be incredible. If I end up buying one, if anyone asks for RED, I'll reply with: "We shoot with the new kid on the block - the brand new, just released Blackmagic camera. It's incredibly cinematic. We don't need RED when we have this!" It's likely that 99% will soak that one up very nicely - it's just the way you say it!

www.themeforest.net - superb value for money.

I honestly think the A7RII will be disappointing for video. Got a feeling. Most of us want Canon products, because they do create the best images. They absolutely do. I can't help but think if Canon just pulled out their finger a little on the specifications - they would blow the competition out the water. A cinema DSLR (1DC) that doesn't have peaking, what on earth is all that about? No 4k on the C100 Mk II? No 60fps on the C300 Mk II? They just miss key stuff out. I think the reason why they get such a bashing on this website is because we do want Canon products, but we want them with the features that others are offering. Even basic ones. I know I do.

Thank you. The £25k is the amount of the fund. I can have less if required, but not more. Other companies in my area are using C300, C100, FS7, FS700, Alexa, Amira, DSLR. Not much RED. It's very important that my company owns enough equipment as we get a lot of bookings. We do rent lighting and bigger cams often, but because we are doing it so frequently, it makes sense to own this stuff. Loads of rental houses though. We rent higher end cameras as said. I do believe when you own a camera, you can get to know it a lot better = better end product. Of course, the ownership has to be affordable but create ROI. We are a small boutique. 2 of us do everything - the other one does the numbers. We call on others when required.

Cool! Agree. In my experience of meetings etc, the camera is never mentioned. The people buying the video trust my judgement as they think I'm better than I actually am. They look at my previous work, pick my brains for ideas and finalise a budget. During recent research, clients are most concerned with ideas. They know you can provide the quality, it depends if you have the right ideas to suit them. I recently finished a job with a sports company who approached me (exclusively music video production) to do their advert. They didn't want a traditional corporate video, but they came directly to me because they loved the ideas in my videos, such as location choice. No mention of equipment, ever. It can be very superficial to sell yourself on the toys you have, and I'm glad in my area that is never the case. It's interesting to hear other stories/views where ownership of very expensive stuff is a business advantage, and how marketing that ownership is actually a great benefit.

The first Epic footage I shot had some right dodgy stuff going in the blacks. I put it down to user error, but I was surprised at how very very careful you have to be with it. Just like that Chinese website www.pchood.com that rehouses lenses so they look more expensive. I might just get an URSA Mini and stick a RED badge over the BM logo and say its a Limited Edition version: RED Magic Dragon. Ha!

I thought this could be an interesting topic inspired by another thread about buying gear for business. Personally, I believe in ideas and how they are executed - that's how I sell myself really. Most clients never really question the camera, and if they do, they are usually clients who can't see that a production is much more than a pretty camera. Let's just assume you know what you're doing, you have talent and have the money to spend on a RED package. You not only sell yourself on your ideas and current portfolio, but also the fact you shoot on RED. Because you are skilled, have talent and resources, the images you provide will quite likely look stellar. In your view, do you think this knowledge by the client that you shoot RED would create more business? Certainly in my local arena of competition, you would have an additional, very distinct USP. But generally I do feel with current technology, that the camera is much less important than the people behind it. But having better image capabilities really does help. There's a lot of different people doing different things in different areas. What's your perspective?

I'm glad to hear it! It would be interesting to see how a "Shot On Red" tag would work to attract more clients. A lot of people are drawn to it. Many clients do ask if they can shoot on RED, but those clients are usually a pain to work with. If someone mentions the camera before the ideas, I roll my eyes. I've done Epic work before so I know the workflow etc. Purchasing this camera would take up all my budget and with the URSA Mini on the horizon, it seems hard to justify. Like I said, it would be interesting to see the behaviours if I sold my services with a RED stamp on it.

Just been looking at the C300 Mk II.... what's with the placement of the screen? Awful. It would be terrible if you couldn't change it.

I can be serious. The 1DC is a superior image, and so it should be! (considering price). The NX1 is great for the money, and has features the 1DC should of had. Cinema DSLR without peaking, zebras? Eh?

Thank you to yourself and Jimmy for the suggestion. I'd love a C300 Mk II, really would. It seems like an absolute powerhouse with the powerful name. Bit of a pain it doesn't do 4k 50/60p though. Most of my clients come straight to me through my website, word of mouth, treatment calls or direct from agencies. At the moment this is mostly music related - the other guys are heavy on the development of the commercial/corporate side. I don't EVER get any work just based on the gear I've got - I'm hired as part of a team who specialise in delivering videos from start to finish, all in-house. Just 3 of us. We do it all. I've never thought of the "marketing" prospect of selling work as a C300 Mk II owner/operator, wouldn't even know how to position that. I understand that I could make the money back very quickly on letting it go out on rentals, but it's still an "if". Also it's a large chunk of the budget I have. On the whole, cameras such as the FS7 seem a safer bet. It's been very popular so far. In terms of low-light...the thing is, I do light everything. Everything. I'm not a part of the low-light laze craze where people ignore lights if they own an A7S. I honestly think that's why the A7S has weird color - the artefact of a superb low light sensor.

Cheers for that, I'l have a look