BTM_Pix

If you're looking for a cheap, small and ludicrously flexible rig solution then definitely check this out. Because it can be articulated in all directions you can make whatever you want out of it. What's interesting is if you make it be a shoulder mount you can lock it onto your shoulder like a hook.

There is a curious paradox that you're experiencing there regarding acceptance of more overt activity that you would think would put people more on their guard but its often the exact opposite. Its a phenomenon that I experience a lot when shooting flavour stuff outside stadiums of spectators before kick off. My preferred way of doing it is using small mirrorless cameras as I can't stand people who ham it up when they see a chance to get in a newspaper and I much prefer candid shots. It has to be said though that people are far more on their guard if they see you pointing a small camera in their general direction as they think you are up to something furtive. This is also very much the case with security services who are now unfortunately part and parcel of major sporting events because of terrorism. So whilst we all want to strip everything down and not make a song and dance of our presence, it actually often pays to be less discrete as people just accept you must be doing something legit and authorised if you're wielding big stuff. Its counter intuitive to say the least but its definitely a thing. See also 'furry mic syndrome' where wielding a large Rycote encased microphone on a boompole is like some sort of magic wand that grants de facto filming permission in most public places

It only takes this guy five minutes to build one. What could possibly go wrong

Maybe buy this and see if you can do a transplant? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-16-50mm-f-3-5-5-6-PZ-Power-Zoom-E-Mount-Lens-SELP1650-/192245832173?epid=136951969&hash=item2cc2be99ed:g:290AAOSwvc1ZZiio >>>>> EDIT >>>>>> OK, maybe not that exact one as it seems to have an electronic fault which is precisely what you don't need ! But what I mean is the dirt cheapest functioning e-mount you can get to act as the host for the optics.

Yes. There are two polls running on here for features and controller choice. So its very close now. A bit delayed because there will be some different hardware that its going to run on so I need to re-write stuff but its weeks rather than months.

The Metabones one. Though now having actually bought one, I would maybe look at trying the Kipon Baveyes version and saving a few quid as I'm not sure the AF performance difference is as significant as I was expecting it to be with the Metabones.

I was watching that test trying to think of a scenario where you would have to track focus of someone walking to camera, disappearing off the bottom of the frame quickly, reappearing just as quickly from the bottom of the frame and then turning and walking away. I am now convinced beyond any doubt that the Sony A6500 would be my go to camera to shoot weightlifting.

I think its an interesting standoff with Canon and Nikon regarding releasing a full frame or at least pro level APS-C mirrorless. Both of them have got a user base at that level that they can't afford to view as early adopters who'll accept some quirks and work round issues. People will just want to unmount their current DSLR, put the new mirrorless version on and carry on working. Seamlessly. They'll want to use them side by side with their DSLR as they transition and not have to think twice about which one they're using and make accommodations for it. There won't be any acceptance of a difference in performance whatsoever. The only difference they'll want to notice is the reduced weight and maintenance costs! So they both have to get it exactly right first time. I was getting pissed off with the Fuji on yesterday's job and as much as I want it to work - and can get it to work - the fact is that the Nikon was just easier to use and was outperforming it. Even with all the power saving options switched off, it has a little nap if you leave it untouched for a minute so you pull it up to grab a shot and there is nothing in the viewfinder or it has a tiny delay when you engage the AF ON. Its a quirk that I'm working around because I'm an early (for which read practically the only) adopter for sport's use but the joke's wearing thin with it and truth be told I or no one else will accept that in a replacement Nikon mirrorless. Nor would I be happy with the way it chews through batteries when you have to leave it in this high power mode. And the AF, whilst very good, doesn't give me that same confidence that Nikon does and I find I'm having to fine tune it a lot to get the tracking working for example. What worries me for Nikon is that Fuji only do mirrorless and only have to work with a very limited - and recent - range of lenses and they still can't get it right enough so can I expect Nikon to get it right first time? Its a lot to ask really. Of the two, I'd say that Canon have more chance of pulling off that trick than Nikon do. Again, that puts even more pressure on Nikon to get it absolutely spot on otherwise Canon - who I fully expect have got a mirrorless 1DX just sat there waiting - will crush them. For now, I think both of them are content to let Sony have a go with the A9 and use them to introduce pro mirrorless cameras to see what the appetite for them is, safe in the knowledge that, without the right glass, they're on a hiding to nothing. I'm boring myself over the A9 and lenses now but without them Sony don't threaten Canon and Nikon's dominance, they actually just cement it. If I was Nikon, I'd be looking at making a mirrorless version of the D500 as my first port of call. Its a sweet spot for a lot of markets, particularly if they give some attention to the video. For pros, the extra reach makes it a good choice to start the transition to mirrorless as it offers something different and as a B cam effectively they might be forgiven a couple of minor teething issues whereas that just won't happen if its going to be the D5 replacement.

I've got an X-T20 with me as well so I'll use that. Let me get the first couple of matches out of the way tomorrow and Monday and I'll see what I can do. And tulips of course.

Have you activated the webcam on my macbook??? I do have a D500 and it is literally in my hand as I'm reading this as I'm unpacking everything at my hotel for this tournament. (52 kilos of equipment, 1 kilo of clothes ) I don't have much in the way of short glass with me in Nikon mount so with that 2x crop I could do you a few shots of the moon. I think I have an old manual 24m in the bag so I could sort something out for that. On the upside, this promises to not exactly be a thrill a minute three weeks (and I've got a lot of gear with me for various reasons) so I am able to give you comparisons against : Fuji X-T2 JVC LS-300 Panasonic GX-80 EOS-M RAW *not 4K obviously and I'm presently starting at menus on it like a labrador trying to work out a card trick I've got enough adapters to use the same lens on all of the cameras and if Nikon are at the tournament then I can loan some short stuff off them. So, take your pick of subject from windmills, clogs, cheese or interesting coffee shops. EDIT >>> I've found it. Its a 28mm

If smartphone film making does take over, I wonder how long it will be before people start posting about the iPhone 12S or whatever it'll be being a bit too clinical and adapting the lenses from iPhone 5s because its got more mojo Or hipsters going all Lomo with old Soviet mobile phones

I particularly like how you've managed to connect an HDMI plug to what looks like some super 8 there. Its one way of getting the film look I suppose If you want something a bit more flexible (in both senses of the word) I was looking at the coiled HDMI cables from Atomos for the Ninja Inferno and having palpitations at how much they wanted for them but found an off brand one at a much better price https://www.amazon.co.uk/Definition-Female-Adapter-Digital-Reflex-Stretched/dp/B0713XMLPN/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1500136856&sr=1-1&keywords=High+Definition+HDMI+Male+to+HDMI%2FMicro%2FMini+HDMI+Male+and+HDMI+Male+to+HDMI+Female+Spring+Cable+Adapter+use+for+Canon%2FNikon+Digital+Single+Lens+Reflex-Stretched+length+50cm+to+2m+(HDMI+Male+to+micro+HDMI+Male)

I don't mind Steve Huff's site. Might not always agree with him or particularly rate a lot of the contributor content at times but I never get the feeling he's phoning it in even though I imagine trying to keep the site going is no picnic. He's wrote an interesting piece this week about cameras reaching a bit of a plateau that chimes with some threads on here too. Good enough really is now more than good enough and the rest is just nuance. From that perspective, which I agree with as nothing for example is going to floor me like the D3 did for example as a leap forward, it might suit the bricks and mortar places more as expertise will be valued more than bells, whistles and how cheap you can get them.

The best thing about the MBSB is that it gives you the opportunity to mount big pro Canon L lenses on a small M43 camera. The worst thing about the MBSB is that it gives you the opportunity to mount big pro Canon L lenses on a small M43 camera. Invariably they completely unbalance it and the AF on the MBSB just doesn't cut it as far as I'm concerned. Is there a compelling enough Canon lens in my collection that I would simply have to have on my GX80 for example? Not really. The Sigma 18-35 is probably the one thats it worth having for but there are enough native lenses that I'm more than happy with and if the AF isn't up to snuff and you are manual focus anyway then Veydras, Voigtlanders etc are a bit more compelling anyway. What its good for is acting as a universal reducer for my Nikon, Contax Zeiss and M42 lenses via the additional cheap converters to EF and its also good on the JVC LS300 for putting longer lenses on where its a bit more appropriate use case. I was expecting the AF on the MBSB to be significantly better than the cheaper alternatives. It might well be but its still very lumpy as far as I'm concerned so I'd go with the cheaper adapter and put the extra money towards native stuff.

The slate tone can be set to high and its duration is around one second so a combination of measurement and timer will stop transient sounds from tripping it. Probably The DR10X doesn't have the slate function unfortunately . The recommendation of the 10SG was also for ease of use of it being a self contained unit if someone doesn't already have a shotgun microphone and/or to reduce complexity of setup with cables etc. for things like GX80 to keep it stripped down.

I think that's the best all round option as well to be honest.

The solution to that problem for Panasonic cameras is that the Tascam mic has a slate tone it outputs when you press record on it which can be used to automatically put the camera into record. I just haven't released it yet .....

I've had the 14-24mm for years and to be honest I've always felt a bit odd because I've never loved it as much as everyone else does. It took a really big smack when I was shooting the Tour de France one year and was locked at 14mm for a long time because I only ever used it at that focal length anyway! For that reason, if I had to buy it again today I'd probably take a good long look at the Sigma 14mm f1.8 prime. The Tamron hasn't been on my radar though and I could probably part ex my 14-24mm and be a little bit ahead of the deal.... I'd have to polish out the tyre marks on whats left of the lens petal first though

What I would say about the Ninja Star is the same objection you've come up with yourself which is that it'll undermine the rocket in your pocket aspect of the GX80. Its a compact solution for a DSLR like a Nikon D800 etc but not for a GX80! The other drawbacks are carrying an additional battery (though it does only sip power) and charger if you're traveling and although the CFAST cards are cheaper now but still not without cost. There is a third option if all you want to have is your GX80 to have a mic input for a small shotgun mic and that's to get a Tascam DR10SG integrated shotgun mic and recorder. If you want to use other sources like lav mics then its obviously not going to do the job for you (although they do a version that is exactly that as well) but if you are just looking to get a G85 or Ninja Star to record a small Rode shotgun with or some such then this is a much cheaper solution (about £130). As it automatically records two streams at different levels, it will also be a bit easier to use if you are running about solo grabbing shots on the GX80. Quality wise its much of a muchness with the cheaper Rode ones IMO. It can be used without the additional mount arm if you want to keep it lower profile by the way.

No, I've never used it. My few experiences with Tamron lenses has been that they are very good optically and great value for money but a bit rough AF wise and build quality wise but they look to have upped their game with that one. I can see why it would appeal with that range because of the 4K crop on the D500. The filter situation is a killer though. Don't get me wrong, its no bad thing building a collection of the square filters because they'll last you a lifetime and grow with you but they are adding so much outlay if you are only going to use them with this one lens and will make things a lot less stealth

The Fotodiox WonderPana system will let you mount filters on it. https://fotodioxpro.com/products/wpcore-tmr1530 If you get the FreeArc Core package you can then put 6.6 square filters in. Welcome to the world of expensive filters though

No, the electronics to drive the lens are external (the little attachment that looks like a PocketWizard) so the camera thinks its got a manual lens attached. With the 18-35, I set the IBIS to 24 and it works effectively enough for both ends. With longer focal lengths, especially those with much larger zoom ranges, that isn't as effective. An example would be a neat lens I picked up at a bargain price recently for the JVC LS300 which is a 35-350 Canon L. With a focal reducer, its a brilliantly versatile lens but that versatility of being 3 lenses is offset by having to change the IBIS setting every time if I use it on the GX80. But I'm not going to be doing zoom pulls with it so its not really an issue for me to go in the menu and quickly change it when I change focal lengths (as I say I'm using it more or less as 3 fixed lenses). And the flip side to that is if I use it on the Metabones (which saves me having to do that) the AF is erratic and it is fond of hunting so, for me, thats worse. You can speed up the process significantly by assigning the IBIS control to a function key so when you change zoom position you can press the function key and change the focal length much quicker than burrowing round in the menu for it. As @Jonesy Jones says in his post though, for how he works this is non negotiable and thats why you need to try them yourself to see what suits. The other frustration because there is no communications between the camera and the lens with the Aputure is that you need the handle to change aperture on the lenses whereas the Metabones does this through the thumbwheel like it would with a native lens. So, neither solution is without its issues ! Its really frustrating actually that a company like Sigma which has all of the pieces of the puzzle optically and electronically to make speed boosters doesn't make them as they'd be far more readily available in stores for people to try. Whereabouts are you in Spain?

Maybe you might want to look at the Aputure Lens Regain system as an alternative. It'll give you the lower light and FOV reduction and aperture control of the EF lenses and if you're used to manual focus only anyway then the focus control might be a good halfway house for you. Yes its essentially manual but the two programmable hard stops might work well for you for zone focusing as well as being creatively useful for focus pulls. If nothing else it will give you hands off focus control of the Sigma which is no bad thing for a few reasons with that lens. Its a lot cheaper than the Metabones as well but its a bit bigger because of the wireless interfaces. I have both and if I only had to have one then, for me, the AF of the Metabones isn't impressive enough to choose it over the Aputure.

Yes, sorry I misread the question as it being switchable to and from 16-235

Its an inoperative command so won't yield you anything But its http://192.168.54.1/cam.cgi?mode=setsetting&type=colormode&value=vlog_gamma No, this is set internally in the camera and not by app control so there isn't an external command for it.