mercer

Dang. That sucks about the HDMI out with the D5500, I love what I have seen of that flat profile and thought it would be great with a recorder. But from everything I've seen, it seems like it's a good dslr that shoots good video... I assume it's better than the rebel line or the eos-m? Anyway, sorry that was off topic... Look forward to your review.

I think you can just get a Nikon mount Sigma and then get a Nikon G to NX adapter.

Do they let you into concerts with tripods/monopods? Supposedly, it collapses to 27 inches, if you put a small head on it, it could be tiny enough. Yeah, I'll definitely post my thoughts. Am heading back down to the boardwalk with it next week, so I'll let you know. Do you know of a small video head that would work well with it? I guess since it has fluid panning built into the monopod, a basic head would do but I would rather have something with an arm and the ability to pan. I've seen a few videos where the videographer rests the arm in their armpit to add another point of contact. Then with slight body movements, they can get some pretty cool slight jib and pan effects. Easy trick for slight cinematic movement. I looked at the benro s2 and it seems cheap enough with decent reviews, but I'd rather spend 50 bucks or less.

That makes sense. I'll have to give that a try. I just bought that Sirui Monopod, should get it in a few days, maybe I'll be smoother with that. I also have, but never tried, a battery operated head used for security cams. If I remember correctly, it rotates 360 degrees, has 3 different speeds and a remote control. I should dig that out too. A slider is on my wish list too. Thanks again for your help.

Looks great. The slider shots are really cinematic. Nice.

Good point, Neat Video will probably be my next software investment. Thanks.

Elastic bands... WHAAAAAT? Lol. No, seriously... how do you use elastic bands when you pan? But yes, I was using a tripod and it was a little cool on the boardwalk, so I think I was shivering... I have an old manfrotto that works like new... so the stuttering was all me. Thanks again for your help. Thanks Ebrahim, I may take you up on that offer in a couple days. I swear, you should be a paid spokesman for Neat Video.

Okay, thanks for the tips. I just went through my clips and did a lighter grade and shortened it. I started out lifting the lows and dropping the highs with the curves, and then added an m31 LUT, then went back to the curves and readjusted... And I cleaned my eyes. The last shot still looks a little funky to me. Does anyone know why wide angle, infinity focus, shots in 4K seem off? Seriously, thanks for all your guy's help!!! Hopefully this one doesn't suck.

Thanks bioskop, I'll give that a try. I always end up stepping on my own foot, I put the good in with the bad, I learn better that way, but then I am not sure if people are referring to the shots I already know suck, or ones I think turned out okay. For instance, the last shot was crap, crazy artifacts and noise, I just felt it looked a little ethereal, so I went with it. Believe it or not, I am not posting these tests proudly, thinking I've nailed it, but I wouldn't have known what macroblocking was if I didn't post them and you were kind enough to reply. I am in the middle of redoing a couple of the "better" shots with less layers and adjustments. Thanks again!!!

I use FCPX with Color Finale. With this test, I used a base LUT, I think it was a Fuji Rec709, that messed with the master curve and blue curve a hair, then used an Impulz LUT at the end.

Good stuff thanks, never knew that prores proxy 2k trick. Honestly, I just hit share through FCPX. Do you export a copy from your NLE, then upload directly to Vimeo, or do you share via your software? Is Neat Video a slow process to denoise a clip? I have heard some people denoise all of their footage, is that true... Even clean footage?

Thanks, I just found a "new other" one selling for $109. Sold.

Thanks Ebrahim. I used a Fuji rec709 as a base LUT, then raised my blacks and tweaked my master and blue curves a hair. Yeah, I stupidly shot at an 800 ISO, with a variable nd, for all of the beach shots. So, I basically over lit the shot and put a few pairs of sunglasses on it. Noise. I need to get a loupe or something. I don't know why the video is so small, it's fine on mine. You don't really need to see it any bigger, some of those shots just get worse the bigger they are. There are a few shots I like a lot... The telescope viewing machine and the roller coaster tracks were probably my most successful grades. Anyway, thanks for looking, and I'll keep at it.

Good to know, thanks. I never used a twist lock tripod/monopod before... Do the locks feel pretty secure? Also, do you have the aluminum or carbon model? Sorry, about all the questions, I have just been doing a lot of shooting lately and I am getting tired of lugging my manfrotto/bogen tripod around, especially since a lot of times I don't even spread the legs out and use it like a monopod.

Yeah, I only really like about half of those shots, but I learn from mistakes, so I don't hold back on posting videos. Plus, more experienced people may see something, and I'll end up learning something. Sekhar is great that way. But yes, I was a moron and put my nd filter on before I turned on my camera and even though it was cloudy, I was getting a bad glare, so all of the beach shots, I shot at 800 ISO, so they look like crap, but how do you have a boardwalk video without a couple shots of the beach? I also think I am stretching the footage to its limits in post, I have to dial some stuff back, but it kinda looks like vintage footage, so I am getting there. I think it's a lot better than my first few videos with this camera... I hope. Anyway, as always Liam... Thanks for looking!!!

Zak, have you personally tested any similar monopods? I'm in the market for one, and I was undecided between the manfrotto and one by a company called cinetree. I literally read about the Sirui 5 minutes before I saw your post. How stable are the feet? Would you feel comfortable being a foot or two away from it outside with a small set up on top?Obviously not on a windy day.

I know, I know, you guys are probably sick and tired of my color tests, but with every clip I upload, I gain a wealth of information and tips from a few of the members. And the ones who hate my attempts are usually kind enough to keep it to themselves... No seriously, any tips you have is much appreciated. In this video, I went down to the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ and took some shots. I tried to do a vintage color grade, but with every video I have ever uploaded, I am not too sure how it looks... being a newbie and all... and possibly a little blind. Anyway, thanks for looking!!! Oh yeah, I think I definitely need to get me some Neat Video.

Thanks for the tip, I messed around with it a little and you can really get a cool Kodachrome vibe. I blew out the highlights a little on the chrome.

What WB setting do you use? With the NX500, I was using the baked in settings, but then I got lazy and started using AWB. I tried Kelvin, but I need a lot more practice for that precision. Recently, I tried the AWB + Tungsten. It seems to work pretty good, does the NX1 have that? If so, do you know its purpose? Also, how do you get that cool haze in your grades? It gives your images that smoky, vintage look.

I had the 50mm 1.4 ai-s as well, one of my first Nikkors, but I never really loved the lens. I liked my 50mm series e, I spent 17 bucks on way better. So, I ended up selling my set of Nikons. When I was looking for a good 24mm, I got a great deal on non-ai. I decided to pick up a 50mm to compliment it and just went with the cheapest f2 I could get. While I was waiting for it to arrive, I did some research and learned that it was considered by some to be one of the sharpest 50mm lenses. And once I started shooting with it, I can confirm it. It's an absolutely beautiful lens. In fact, I am considering getting a D5500 now because of that lens set.

I think the zeiss milvus are probably better than the sigma art, but for the money, the sigma's are great lenses. Some have said that the 18-35mm is one of the best zoom lenses ever made. My friend just bought the 30mm 1.4 and I shot a couple clips with it yesterday, and it looked good. I think Kendy Ty shoots only with that lens... But the older version. Look into the xeen lenses too, supposed to be very nice. There's also a member here, Rich, who is the owner of Dog Schidt Optics and he has some beautiful lenses he has repurposed for reasonable prices.

Yeah, I think EditReady is Mac only. I am no authority on the nx500. I have had more failures than successes, but I think I'm finally STARTING to get the hang of it. When it's right, the image is effin beautiful.

Looks great. The NX500 is the same way. I have done extensive testing and contrast at default 0 is the best. Tweaking contrast too much messes up the colors... At least to my eye. I tick saturation down to -4 and sharpness dialed all the way. Have you tried EditReady? I think it does a pretty good job. Of course I convert to 1080p prores. I think it gives the footage a little more weight. Black pro must is a good idea... Hmm. Anyway, your shots look wicked. You should make a video showing your coloring workflow.

Thanks Aaron, means a lot coming from you... I love your work. This color correction/grading thing is really new to me. I was using a t2i and eos-m for years... Shooting Prolost Neutral, most of the time, a lens would usually create the "look" I was going for. But the NX500 is a different beast altogether. Even though it's a consumer camera like the rebel line, it handles color entirely differently. Anyway, thanks for looking and the tip!!!

It's getting there. I don't love the last shot, but I'm definitely starting to get a better feel for it. Thanks for the tip with tweaking the gamma primarily... Helped a bunch.