Ty Harper

Have 1DX MKII users tested their units for the pixel/heating issues that were affecting the 1DC? Seems like a serious issue that some thought would carry over to the 1DX MKII... http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?333479-Dead-Pixels-random-errors-terrible-support-anyone-else

I'm assuming no one has the new motion module yet (?)

This looks really promising. I've been using a Konova slider + basic motion controller. There's a code that allows you to crack the controller so it does continuous back and forth motion which has been great for me. But I agree, you really only need something this wide most of the time. That said the price adds up once you start getting the essential accessories like the legs and stuff. Still, really considering selling my Konova stuff and getting this. The only thing I'm concerned with is long term durability and depending entirely on wireless connectivity and phone power to run it.

What 1DC/manual lense combos have you found work best for you?

Looks like they cracked the 5D Mark IV: http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=17695.msg172713#msg172713

Honestly didn't think they had the nuts to do this but looks like it's going to be an interesting 2017. http://www.canonrumors.com/magic-lantern-cracks-the-eos-5d-mark-iv/ http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=17695.msg172713#msg172713

Could this also mean more future updates for the 1dc?

Anyone?

Any recommends for the 1DC? I've seen the James Miller stuff but wondering if there are any other options people have tried. Thanks in advance..

+1 for going the NEXTO route, especially if you're looking for a CF option. The NEXTO DI ND 2901 is a great system that doesn't require a laptop + you can always back up to something like a WD My Passport Ultra as a 2nd backup. It takes SSDs or HDDs (which you can swap out yourself, although it will void your warranty). I currently have mine with a 1TB SSD and it's been flawless (you'll need to buy the optional battery charger if you're going the SSD route tho). https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1061096-REG/nexto_di_nese_nd2901500g_nd2901_with_500gb_hdd.html https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1194890-REG/nexto_di_nese_nd2901500s_nd2901_500gb_ssd_portable.html

+1 for the Marantz PMD661! I just mentioned it in a thread a month or so ago. It really boggles my mind how overlooked the PMD661 has been amongst video people for so many years (even when it first came out). I'll admit I'm coming from a radio background where sound is everything and the PMD661 is a standard portable recorder at places like the CBC and I think NPR (definitely used by This American Life). What Zoom and other options do have is features like timecode and 3+ XLR inputs (I'll give them that) but there's really no competition when it comes to the actual sound and preamp quality of portable recorders in the sub $500 range with the Fostex being a bit better than the PMD as far as overall sound goes tho (although the PMD wins with basic ergonomics and stuff like headphone levels). I prefer the possibilities that come with a 5D MKIII/1DC+portable recorder (like the Marantz) combo. It might be a bit more work, but if you pick up a Sescom cable and plug into the DSLR's mic-in (while turning the in-camera level to -1) you get great dual audio recording that's much better than anything the C100's internal recording would give you. But most importantly (imho) you have the option to break down and go stealth or build it up for more elaborate recordings (I've put a dual bracket mount on the hotshoe and added a Wooden Camera cage to the mix of my setup). You don't have that type of flexibility with a dedicated video camera. Plus for someone like me that does video and radio docs, this combo allows me to be completely interchangeable between mediums.

Just got an offer on a 1DC that seems like a very good price. Weighing everything everyone has said about the pros and cons of the 1DC, is $3000 for a used 1DC that includes cards and 2 batteries worth it? Also wondering whether it ever makes sense to purchase one with a scratch on the sensor? (the one with the scratch on the sensor is not the one being offered for $3000)

Good call, will check that as well, thanks!

Yeah A7SII has got it feature-wise. As far as Log/grading goes, I'm a one-man band, and grading is a skill that doesn't come easy to me (yet?). I hope to get better at it (I actually feel like grading is a complex art like mixing/mastering), but I'm shooting, editing, producing and trying to create docs that make sense as video and as standalone audio, so if I can continue to get out the box Canon colors and not have to worry about grading, I'll be very happy. More power to those that can grade and work magic with log but I'm just being realistic with my time.

X-T2 is also on my radar, just haven't seen enough tests/reviews to include it in my options yet.

I used the C300 professionally for a while and loved it (and the C100), but for my personal projects I'd prefer the option of either building up a cage (I've got the Wooden Camera one) with an external recorder and monitor, or travelling light with just the DSLR. DPAF is the one thing I really want but not a deal breaker. A7S II just seems like the practical move but again I feel like the 1DC might be one of those unique looks that become vintage in the future.

Hmmm, did you go back to the 5D MKIII Raw? Maybe I should just buy another 5D III and be content with 1080 raw.

There's a few used 1DC I'm seeing going for about $3800. Should I... Sell my 5D MKIII and pay the difference on a 1DC? I already have a ton of CF cards and my lenses are all Canon (except for a Nikon 35-70mm) + I'm used to the large file workflow. The lack of DPAF and other features is frustrating but I don't see myself ever being able to justify buying something like a 1DX II. I also think as far as long term investments go, a 1DC is fairly future-proof and it's scarcity amongst documentarians (compared to other popular DSLRs) will likely make it a unique vintage look to have in your arsenal moving forward (am I wrong about this?). Keep my 5D MKIII and just buy an A7S II? The A7S II seems like the practical option but I'm a fan of the Canon out the box look (I'm a documentarian first so I'd rather focus on story than worry about becoming a better color grader) so I'm not really looking forward to constantly having to color match. Thoughts? Anything I'm not taking into consideration? Now that it's discontinued do you think the 1DC price will drop or rise?

Yes that would be frustrating. My Hackintosh has no Internet capabilities so that won't be a problem. Honestly the only reason I'm considering going the LTO route right now is a colleague is offering me the HP LTO5 Ultrium 3000 drive for $500. I'm nowhere near the data range that makes LTO a necessary backup option but the buy-in just seems too low to turn down (am I wrong???). I figure even if it doesn't work on my Hackintosh I can either use it on an older mac desktop I have or just sell the LTO drive. Thanks for your advice!

Thanks Marco. I definitely know that with a Hackintosh you have pretty limited OSX upgrade options. Does the BRU software allow for better access to files as far previewing files on a disc or faster file transfers if you wanted to move a file from LTO disc to a regular hard drive?

No one?

Woah, good to know! I've had mine for less than a year with no issues but I can totally see how all those connecting parts could become a problem over time if it wasn't constructed well. Thanks for putting this out there!

I highly recommend the Sirui P204S. I had the Manfrotto video monopod for years and it was good for what it was at the time. I actually sold it on kijiji for more than I bought the Sirui for new. Manfrotto was great for breaking new ground with the video monopod concept but the Sirui has built on that template and is just better, with much more features.

I've seen people extolling the virtues of using LTO drives for long term archival purposes. But I haven't seen a lot of info on whether it works with Hackintoshes. I was looking to pick up an HP LTO5 Ultrium 3000 and connecting it to my Hackintosh via an Atto SAS/SATA bus adapter. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/760459-REG/ATTO_Technology_ESAS_H680_000_ExpressSAS_H680_8_Channel_SAS.html My motherboard is a ga z97 ud5h and I'm running Mavericks. I've got Windows running on it too so I was going to set it up on that side as well cuz I've heard searching for archived files is much easier via Windows. I'm going with the LTFS format. Does all this seem doable? And are there any other things I should be considering before going ahead with this? Any constructive insight would be sincerely appreciated.

Good to know! No question Zoom's pre-amps have gotten consistently better over time (I was down with Zoom for a minute. Had the original H4 and then the H4N), and what they lack in sound quality they make up for in very practical features and portability. But if audio quality is your priority then the Marantz PMD661 (Version 1 or 2) and the Fostex FR2-LE are still the best bets in the sub $500 price range imho. Unless you really need 2+ XLR mics. And actually the Marantz goes for like $300 used nowadays. I just got a 2nd unit with the Oade Mod for $300 (which makes the amp's even better). It's interesting cuz these two units hardly get mentioned on video-centric blogs, even though they've out performed Zoom's newer H line releases on sheer sound quality over and over again and have maintained their rep (particularly the Marantz) in the pro audio/run n gun radio broadcast world. All that said, I wouldn't mind seeing some proper F8 comparisons to the PMD661 and the FR2-LE because I'd love to downsize + have more than 2 XLR mic channels at my disposal.