Kisaha

Zoom F4 is the best option out of the Zoom range, plenty of power options too. You can do anything with it, you do not need another recorder, not now, not later as a lot of -low budget- production sound engineers have adopted the F4 and F8 Zoom devices. If you can afford it, Sound Devices MixPre3 has better analogue sound, which for some is the Alpha and Omega (plus analogue limiters), but for most tasks, the F4 is sufficient, and probably more feature rich. I am a Tascam user, but recently they have been left a bit behind the curve. Just for the history, my next purchase is the MixPre6, but I am working in sound, and that seems as a "cheap" addition to my kit, if you compare it with the 4 times more expensive Sound Devices 633 that I was ready to buy (now, I will just invest in more microphones and other sound equipment).

Everything is a tool. If your style dictates IBIS, gimbal moves and the such, great. I remember a few years ago sliders was the thing, then drones, now gimbals, tomorrow IBIS (because it is not implemented on the bulk of the cameras out there, yet), in a week, maybe cranes controlled by your Samsung's S10+. Everything is a tool, and can be used accordingly, and at the will of the creator, but the tripod was the first, and probably will be the last filming tool. Hopefully someone will be the pioneer here and buy this Sachtler, and live to tell the experience.

@mkabi I am wondering, in what way they will degrade the Canon C100mkIII, so to not cannibalize the C200s sales, from now - to the next 3-4 years. Is really anyone expecting a C100mkIII for his/hers next buy? The logical step would be a similar to C200 camera (touch screen AF, 4K, some short of slow motion) without the RAW and for around 5000euros/$, but I do not see that happening now.

I was considering getting the ACE XL head, but didn't like any of the leg options. I have used the 2 normal ones extensively, not impressed at all and I haven't tried the telescopic ones, but again, not exactly what I need. This one seems like an interesting alternative, but not quite sure if it is really that practical, or reliable. Also it is double the cost from the simpler legs, and 1/3 more from the telescopic ones. Newer generation seems to find normal ISO cameras and tripods really useless. A7sII and IBIS is what they must have, but I love me tripod shots with my 1600ISO cameras!

NX1's AF was the second best back then, not that further away from Canon's, and still I prefer it from Sony's for video (so in my opinion, it is still the second best!). Samsung was nothing to Canon back then, the smaller players were afraid the most (Olympus, Fuji, Panasonic mainly; Sony was worried, and Nikon would have been doomed). Olympus and Fuji haven't the resources to fight Samsung, Nikon can't compete in the new digital age, and even Panasonic is much smaller than Samsung. Sony is powerful, but Samsung had some amazing R&D breakthroughs, and the capacity to manufacture EVERYTHING you need for a photo/video camera (CPUs, RAMs, lenses, Super AMOLED touch screens, everything). First 28mpxls BSI sensor (A7Rii was the second big sensored BSI actually) etc etc. Samsung just decided that they didn't want to compete on a declining market, and pro video/photography was a long shot. NX1 was too late in the game. It is just a pity that we didn't see a NX1mkII, they did the first version SOOOOO good, without any prior real practical experience. The NX team had some truly talented and passionate people (just check some of their older corporate videos), something that a huge capitalistic and autocratic mega-trust, couldn't allow to exist.

This middle codec is a huge disappointment. Canon can pretend that this is an upgrade, but they don't fool anyone (maybe 1 out of 22!). 8bit 4:2:0 is too little, and raw is too much for most (and me). It is good to have both, but I would be mostly interested on a better middle one, something broadcast quality, that even the JVC LS300 has. The real winner here is Sony, FS5 is starting to showing its age, and A7 series is getting old as well, and most players have shown their cards already (GH5/EVA-5DmkIV/C200) 2018 can be the decisive year for Sony, with a couple of right moves I can see a lot of people turn to Sony for a full kit (A7sIII/FS5III, hopefully an a7000).

We -most- have all these incredible 1080p 5.5" phones for a few years now, it just makes perfect sense to use them as a monitor. They have 4/8/10 core processors 2/3/4GB of RAM, and everything that can consist a perfectly good low cost monitor. I am just puzzled how no one has made anything similar yet. Xiaomi/Lenovo and others brands have huge 4100+mAh batteries that last days. They would be able to last a few hours as a monitor with nothing else on, and they cost around 200$ or less. Another positive is that it could be working with various phones/brands, and future ones too. That Ikan monitor is great though (there is an even cheaper Chinese original of this, but it seems it doesn't exist any more). I pledged.

I am with @IronFilm at the sound matter, Sony's are dead cheap, and I can assume much better than any Saramonic or whatever small brand (based in the fact that they are much better than the classic Sennheiser G3 option, which have sold to the millions). Sony's are battle tested, have very low battery consumption, tough as nails, and even their Omni directional mics are good for most things (a little less clarity than the cheap Sennheiser, but less clothes noise. Just put a Rycote Ristretto on them and they are good to go every where). Also, I am working on a run and gun TV show right now (for a major network over here/doing sound) and the camera operators are using GH5/Olympus 12-100/Olympus 8 and Varavon cages. Great combo. Choose this combo for size/weight/IBIS/codec (Avid doesn't really like GH5's 10 bit right now though). I am seriously considering to replace my Samsungs with Panasonics right now, but I am not sold on the m43 sensor just yet. I think I will be waiting for next year and spend some dough on sound. Also, my impression is that GH5 needs more batteries than GH4 (3-5 batteries each camera for a full working day of 12-14 hours, full working days here are not like the rest of the world!), 1-2 less batteries for my NX1 in similar projects. Prepare to buy A LOT of SD cards!

I will vote Sony's as well. They are my go to wireless for a few years now. Rodelink are exceptional for half the price (or less) than any other low cost wireless system (I am not counting the very small brands), for most people are just perfect. The G3s are old news now. Can't seem to compete with hybrid or full digital systems. AVX is a great idea, as they seem to operate on their own specific wireless range, but the price, and the extra battery costs (their batteries are unique for this device) make them a very expensive semi-pro suggestion. It is the smallest low cost system though, good for lonely camera operators. I am trying to figure out if it is appropriate to me to invest 6 times the Sony money for a Lectrosonics set (and Sound Devices), or to invest on a complete Zaxcom recorder/in- build wireless set offering back up recording on the transmitter and NeverClip features. This is this years dilemma!

@OliKMIA my comment was from the point of Nikon, Sony is doing great, certainly wins the war. As it is right now, not even Canon can resist their, in all fronts, attack. It was a big mistake than no one took advantage of the Samsung exit from the market, they had already some very interesting sensors ready for production (some rumored even full frame ones) and a lot of modern electronics technology (memory, amoled touch screens etc). Monopolies are certainly not good for (tech) evolution, the market or the customers (e.g look at what Ryzen does to the market right now).

@Dustin sorry, personal/family videos. It doesn't do much in terms of stabilization, it's just easier to hold (it also has a trigger) and with a view finder (the ones that cover the whole screen) it is exactly like an old camera. Another trick that works better and it is completely free, is to use the camera strap to hold the camera against the back of your neck (or whatever this part of the body is called!). If you master this technique you can reach very stable shots and you can start practicing immediately.

Let us know, I use one for my NX500 and NX3000, brings a certain super 8 atmosphere back in videoing family videos.

The problem is that Nikon depends on Sony sensors. It is like you have a war with an X nation, but you buy your naval and air equipment by them, you just can't compete with those terms. As good as your military experience is, and as good as your war plans are, you can't win a modern war without resources, manufacturing and technology. Probably they have some kind of agreement, so Nikon has the dSLR sector of Sony's sensors, and Sony the mirrorless, but I do not see dSLRs keep being competitive in the near future, and I do not see Sony to give Nikon their newest and most modern sensor for 2018, at least not before the A7Riii and A7Siii are out. It is the end of an era.

Also, "active busy restaurants" have enough bodies, coats and other stuff to cut reflections anyway! Human bodies are very good to kill sound and light waves. Not radiation so much! CS3e is a special mic anyway. Sound blankets are a good tool to help a bit.

That, and what IronFilm said a few posts above. No, it isn't a better solution. You need a (super) hypercardiod, and a few top professionals use even cardioid microphones. Ones I recommend (from cheapest in Europe, in US Audix is cheaper): Oktava 012 AKG Blue line/CK93 capsule Audix SCX1HC (stands for hyper cardioid) Audio technica 4053B Sennheiser 8040/8050 Sennheiser 40/50 Schools CMC6 MK41 I have limited experience with Sanken and DPA (I do use lavalier and shotguns from time to time) but DPA microphones can be near the top in all the categories they compete. My choices from poor to richer would be Oktava - Audix - Sennheiser (yeah, without a number after it!). @squig just excellent microphones. As I work in Europe, Sennheiser is a more safe bet, and more desired by producers/directors.

For people not having a good experience with booming, this is an advantage. For me, soundman since 1999, I would prefer the 416 anytime. I used the NTG-3 for a couple of years when it was first out, and then I bought the 416 and never looked back again. Rode is an excellent brand, and I would recommend their products easily, but Sennheiser is my go to brand. Very serious about sound for a century now! You need a different microphone for indoors, this is like the mistake 101 most people do, even if a shotgun sounds ok on 1 room, 8 out of 10 it could be a nightmarish experience. It is just physics.

@TheRenaissanceMan My recommendation for a cheap shotgun is the 600. Buy with no fear at all, the value for money is incredible, there is also a softie kind of wind reduction accessory sold by Sennheiser for cheap. ME66 were my previous recommendation a decade ago, but right now, for most people I believe the 600 is just perfect. The 440 is a very interesting microphone for camera people, is a stereo mic consisting with 2 shotgun mics. From a closer distance it can be all you need for a small group of people (2-3 people), or more directional scratch/atmosphere sound. From whatever I have heard on the internet I wouldn't buy a Deity microphone, I would prefer a Rode, or a Sennheiser (I do buy Sennheiser mostly, but sadly, I am not a brand ambassador). @squig If you don't mind size, the Rodes are excellent (and very cheap) wireless systems. For videographers out there, the Sennheiser AVX is an amazing little (literally) wireless system, and if you buy the expensive version, comes with an amazing lavalier mic. @Richard Bugg try to avoid a shotgun for indoors. Too much hassle later on and reflection issues would be a 70%-80% certainty. If you can't afford expensive, an Audix or an Oktava can be a better solution. Here in Europe we are using the DR10 as safety recorders together with G3 wireless systems (they have an IN and OUT connection, so you record whatever comes from the G3, and then send the sound to the wireless receiver). Because of Zaxcom law suit, they had to remove this ability to US products. They are good as stand alone recorders, and some times if you wouldn't do anything in any way (let's say, in a wedding, usually you can't stop the ceremony just to fix the microphone), then it is an ok solution, and cheaper than any wireless system.

It probably is a better idea to buy a used a6300 for similar money, and have a B(C, D, E) cam, as well a small body for taking -better than an iPhone - pictures with. this upgrading policy of Sony is a bit annoying, why charge a software update so much money? 99$ would be just fine; free, even better.

Actually, I am impressed! I just listened on my speakers, and the quality for internal mics (and such a low quality video) is excellent. I am not sure what do you expect more. Having an external recorder and better quality microphones help a lot (let's say a Sound Devices Mix Pre 3/Zoom F4 and an Oktava mic on a stand).

I have a NX3000, and I can't even find the sevice menu, to unlock unlimited time limit! If you have any info about it, please share. Great little camera by the way, and it's video much more organic that NX300/NX30, huge imporvement. I use it as a permanent "action" camera with the fish eye on it. "from NX1000 to the NX300" NX500, NX500 was the last of this great series of compact mirrorless.

The quality for internal mics is very good. I wouldn't expect anything better than that, I am sure Panasonic engineers spends some time thinking about mic selection and placement on their camera, but there are a few limitations of what the internal mics of a camera can do, and that is not going to change any time soon. NZ is cool!

Can someone specify what are the differences between V1 and V2? Do you all believe that the Crane is the best small stabilizer? A lot of people use the Beholder here, are they comparable? Thanks.

There is an entry level model, a6000! More than a year is Too much. They need a better camera sooner, or else Canonikon full frame mirror less will catch up with them, while GH5 sells like hot cakes and Fuji is rumored to bring a video specialized camera (while their new -cheap- cine lenses look tempting), soon-ish.. Maybe a super special FS5mkII with a newer sensor will cut down their "losses".

There were some really talented people working on it but I guess they reached a peak that is very difficult to overcome (Otto, KinoSeed, Vasile). The final frontier would be the release of the firmware code, but no company is crazy enough to offer their expensive and copy protected code, to their antagonists, and I believe that Samsung offered almost everything this camera is capable of (DIS is better than Warp Stabilizer!). Raw would be just brilliant though, and a fricking "zoom in to focus" function while recording. To fund professional developers, capable to do great stuff, is much more expensive -and time consuming - than you may think and/or believe.

Thank you, I would like to know more about the thermals (Piriform Speccy is great, and free!). I work in Premiere and I recently got a GL502VM but on a few rendering tests I did (light, no color correction, no nothing) the first second start rising to 84C for both CPU and motherboard (GPU 70-75). I tested a couple of games, and when the GPU were reaching 85C (it seems that is the limit from Asus, 85-87C) the CPU/Motherboard were reaching 95, even 98C (then it was throttling). So I decided to take it back to the shop, but my issue is that I haven't find anything clearly better in heat dissipation (except my NX1 :p ), and all the rest of the laptops are at least 1Kg heavier (that is 2.3-2.4Kg) and a lot bigger, and a lot pricier, so I am really considering taking it back(! I have a day to reconsider, really). At least it had a perfect monitor (no light bleeding at all, I was amazed) and has Thunderbolt 3 (unlike the VS series, the VM have). There are some obvious designing limitations (small fans, not enough airflow intake, small copper lines), and the first thing to do is undervolt CPU/GPU, and then open holes, just under the fans. After a lot of research, I do not believe there is a normal to "slim" (for a gaming one) sizing (and weighting) laptop with 1060 6GB and up. I was looking at 1050ti ones, but there is a serious downgrade from the 1060, so I haven't decided yet. The panel is a G-Sync, so it performs better for gaming, than video critical work, but it is much better than similar laptops I have seen.