Box full of goodies

J

Jay Laville

Well-known member
Hi Guys, Im another canon 7d noob and received it two weeks ago, body only, as I knew that was the camera I wanted after debating weeks on end between this or ex3. One weekend round a mates house playing with them both and my mind was made up for the 7d. I sold my canon xh-a1 and currently have on order and received a load of goodies today:

2 x 16gb sandisk extreme IV
2 x 8gb sandisk extreme 60Mb/s
1 x Sandisk Extreme Firewire Card Reader
1 x Glidecam HD 2000 (still waiting for)
1 x Manfrotto MN-577 Quick Release Adapter With Sliding Plate (still waiting for)
1 x Zacuto z finder (still waiting for)
1 x Zoom h4n
1 x Sandisk Ultra 16gb sd card
1 x rode NTG 1 mic with boom pole and xlr cable and cat skin
1 x Canon lens EFS 17-55 mm F2.8 USM
1 x Canon lens Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM
3 x Canon LP-E6 batteries
1 x Philip Bloom download 7d usage
1 x Plural eyes for FCP
1 x MPEG stream (free software to convert h264 codex to prores 4:2:2

Already have manfrotto tripod and 501 fluid head, arrange of arri lights, lp micro lite panel,
and 1 meter glide track with additional manfrotto fluid head

Is there anything from this list that I have missed that is vital when shooting with canon 7d? Im going to play around and get accustom to the camera and watch blooms instruction this weekend. Just something in the back of my mind is saying you missed something out. I know I could always get more lenses and I will when I save up for some but im guessing this will suffice for now.

Any advice will be great, am going to be shooting music vids and short films with it.

Thanks All
 
That's a pretty good set up you've got there!

And honestly, the thing that surprised me the most was the FireWire CF card reader! I didn't know they made those. I'll have to look into that when I've got a little extra pocket change. (I already have a couple CF readers and they are doing their job)
 
Nice kit ! I am doing my "list" as well but with a 550D :)
What about an external 7"/8" LCD ?
 
Variable ND filter, maybe a good camera bag/case to carry it around in. Might also consider a follow focus, matte box.
 
drcheese said:
Variable ND filter, maybe a good camera bag/case to carry it around in. Might also consider a follow focus, matte box.
Click to expand...

Damn good idea ND filters, reminds me to order a hoya protective lens too. I purchased crumpler bag which is this one arrived today as well, it fits everything in and my laptop brill, ordered this one: http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/360-012S/ but managed to get for £99 from cheaper supplier.

I was thinking of the monitor but will have to save up for that so hoping the Z finder will suffice for now.

Ive always been a bit confused with the follow focus as on Blooms dvd it showed two people operating that and the camera and with doing the h4n sound as well sounds like alot of hands. You think the follow focus benefits alot?I have lens hoods for both lenses, you think matt box is still important? The prices of them are around 500 quid, seems alot for shot a circle frame with barn doors stuck on how do they justify this price?
 
Well, the barn doors are much more versatile than a lens hood. On top of that, the matte box usually allows you to use larger glass filters. This is a huuuuuge benefit to people who are using several different lenses in a shoot. This means you don't have to buy 5 of the same filter because you may be using it on different lenses. Or, even if you happen to have lenses of the same diameter, you don't have to keep swapping filters every time you change the lens. Matte box filter holders also sometimes have one that rotates. So if you have a graduated filter, you can rotate it to fit your needs.

As for the follow focus, it's quite handy if you're going to be pulling focus during shots. It will allow the camera operator to focus purely on shooting, while the focus puller will have a much easier time operating and hitting their marks (since they can make marks on the FF knob, instead of trying to read the focus distance on the barrel of the lens)

If you plan on follow focus, shooting, and doing audio with the H4N, you will most certainly need three people. Sure, you could try to pull focus yourself, but you won't be able to watch the marks while you do it (which kind of defeats the purpose of the FF). You'll have to be watching the screen and you'll be more likely to do the little focus dance of slipping past your subject.
 
jshbckr said:
Well, the barn doors are much more versatile than a lens hood. On top of that, the matte box usually allows you to use larger glass filters. This is a huuuuuge benefit to people who are using several different lenses in a shoot. This means you don't have to buy 5 of the same filter because you may be using it on different lenses. Or, even if you happen to have lenses of the same diameter, you don't have to keep swapping filters every time you change the lens. Matte box filter holders also sometimes have one that rotates. So if you have a graduated filter, you can rotate it to fit your needs.

As for the follow focus, it's quite handy if you're going to be pulling focus during shots. It will allow the camera operator to focus purely on shooting, while the focus puller will have a much easier time operating and hitting their marks (since they can make marks on the FF knob, instead of trying to read the focus distance on the barrel of the lens)

If you plan on follow focus, shooting, and doing audio with the H4N, you will most certainly need three people. Sure, you could try to pull focus yourself, but you won't be able to watch the marks while you do it (which kind of defeats the purpose of the FF). You'll have to be watching the screen and you'll be more likely to do the little focus dance of slipping past your subject.
Click to expand...

Thanks for info, good points, Ill save up towards matt box and follow focus, any brands to go by, redrock okay?
 
If you are doing music videos, a nice ultra wide in the future is a nice lens to add to your kit, I use a Sigma 10mm-20mm that I bought used at have used it on the last music video I helped film.

Also, if you want to shoot wider night shots, the Sigma 30mm F1.4 is amazing. I know you aren't looking for lens now, but just wanted to throw that into your mind. When I shoot at night, I am exclusive with this lens. It's basically equivalent to a 50mm on a full frame. Couldn't imagine not shooting with this lens!

I also bought a firewire reader, FW800 in this case, and can tell you, it's AWESOME! I use 2 32G cards and can empty them in no time. The USB one we had took like 10x as long.
 
I've been thinking of picking up the smallHD monitor. It us true 720p. If you are going to get an external monitor, I'd seriously consider one of these. The lower resolution monitors won't be able to reveal problems in the footage (moire, aliasing) and might not be bright enough for outdoor usage.

There is a Marshal as well that is really nice. I've been tempted by the $200 monitors because certain angles looking at the LCD is a PAIN, but looking forward, I figured saving up longer for something that is going to be more useful in more situations was the right way to go. But, on the other hand, funds are a HUGE concern to me as well, so I totally understand looking in this price range!
 
Thanks guys as helpful as ever, CiPO I love the follow focus link you gave thats a great price I will look into this and grimepoch I just saw some wide shots taken with the Sigma 30mm F1.4 looks fantastic this is defiantly on the list, for now Ill have to shoot with the zoom at 30mm but at F2.8 will this give me similar view, I know is a slower lens but will it give me wide angle or is the prime 30mm a different style lens alltogether?
 
Same angle, difference only in aperture. What does this mean?

- Won't be able to shoot noise free night shots as well. You can, but you'll see once you start using the F2.8.

- Won't be able to shoot as shallow of DoF shots with the F2.8. I use a ND filter with the F1.4 to get some really nice shallow DoF in brighter conditions.

I do a lot of night shooting so this was essential for me. If you are doing decent lit shooting, you'll be fine. (and actually, since you are 28mm you can go a tiny bit wider!) :)
 
grimepoch said:
Same angle, difference only in aperture. What does this mean?

- Won't be able to shoot noise free night shots as well. You can, but you'll see once you start using the F2.8.

- Won't be able to shoot as shallow of DoF shots with the F2.8. I use a ND filter with the F1.4 to get some really nice shallow DoF in brighter conditions.

I do a lot of night shooting so this was essential for me. If you are doing decent lit shooting, you'll be fine. (and actually, since you are 28mm you can go a tiny bit wider!) :)
Click to expand...

in that case will order the lens today lol, cheers mate

edit just ordered £359 for sigma lens
 
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