C100: C100 monopod test

S

StMad

Well-known member
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/55161567" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>

Shot this with a Manfrotto 561B monopod. Lenses - 17-55 2.8, 70-300 f4-5.6, Tokina 11-16 (Nikon mount, Novoflex adapter).

I need to be more careful with my white balance, and I lost a couple of shots using peaking only with the 11-16 - while the entire image was outlined, some parts of the image were out of focus. Should have used magnification to double check. That's the beauty of the camera though...my left index finger for push focus and left right thumb for magnification...my hands barely need to move.

The camera seems very well thought out, and hard to overlook if you like to shoot fast with a small footprint. And it's nice not having to think a about battery and cards for 2-3 hours or more.

If the embed's not working...

https://vimeo.com/55161567
 
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StMad said:
I lost a couple of shots using peaking only with the 11-16 - while the entire image was outlined, some parts of the image were out of focus. Should have used magnification to double check.
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In addition to the magnifification and peaking, you can use the Edge Monitor Display on the Waveform monitor.
This is especially useful outdoors when it can be difficult to see the image (and the peaking) on the LCD.
And with wide angle lenses, this can be more accurate than peaking -- the peaking/highlight can sometimes appear too early even if the image is not in peak focus.
 
Brisbane represent! Good stuff. I did some behind the scenes shooting yesterday morning and had the C100 on a Manfrotto 561B with a 501 video head and 24-105L and external mic. Worked very well. Great setup for running around events. (the 501 head is heavier but I used it as I considered using a baseplate and monitor or Ninja but I didn't end up using them).
 
mhood said:
How did you achieve the slow motion at 00:16?
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Oh, you havent heard about the new firmware update? :-) That was twixtor. I shot and converted a couple of 1080i clips, and while the motion was fine to my eyes the res was offputting.
 
Matt, what percentage of your shoots do you use the Ninja for? Just the serious stuff? I like to be as light and mobile as possible, so I'm debating that purchase.
 
So you shot this AVCHD in camera and the slomo was Twixtor...I thought it looked very good...that's why I asked about it.
 
mhood said:
So you shot this AVCHD in camera and the slomo was Twixtor...I thought it looked very good...that's why I asked about it.
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Pay attention to her hands, that shot is no good...... One thing to be careful with twixtor are hands, when they are moving 50% of the time the shot is ruined. Otherwise footage looks great!
 
Cheers Marc...appreciate the comment. I don't often have success with twixtor so that was a pleasant surprise (not too much going on in that shot though I guess).

I gotta be honest with you...your sig keeps me thinking of the BMC, and the last thing I should be doing now is craving another camera. Just gotta stop myself looking at clips of the snow and nyc at bmcluster.com :)
 
StMad said:
bmcluster.com :)
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LOL! If it helps any, I'm very rapidly talking myself in to a C100. And seeing how nice the AVCHD looks makes me think the Ninja 2 can w8 until the next green screen gig. Of course, once I have an extra $1,000.00 for the Ninja, I'm only $2,000.00 away from a BMC. But the luster has definitely worn off trying to be an early adopter. ;-)
 
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StMad said:
Matt, what percentage of your shoots do you use the Ninja for? Just the serious stuff? I like to be as light and mobile as possible, so I'm debating that purchase.
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I bought the Ninja mainly because I want my documentary footage to be the best quality I could get out of the camera, with the intention over time to produce for broadcast. To be honest though the internal AVCHD is really good.

Here's a few thoughts:

Even if the footage wasn't any better I have enjoyed using the Ninja because the workflow into FCPX is brilliant: export the XML, plug in the drive, import the XML and in go all the files @ ProRes HQ, no transcoding or pulldown. Plus have the SD card for backup. For doing narrative shoots I would definitely use the good/bad markers and shot numbering too. And using it as a 4.3" external monitor with peaking, zebra and false colour is good, not as good as my Marshall but it's killing two birds with one stone for not much extra weight.

I haven't found the extra weight to be a problem because I have been shooting with a monopod, I haven't done anything much totally handheld yet except messing around. The Ninja is 670 grams with batteries and hard disk, but you can run off one battery to reduce the weight (save ~145 grams), or use an SSD (save ~35 grams). So you could get it down to around 550 grams. If you didn't need sound you could take off the handle and mount the Ninja to the top shoe and not have a big weight increase, though I find the handle so convenient to carry the camera I leave it on even if I don't need sound.

BTW apparently this hood fits the Ninja. I'm also trying to find a loupe to use with it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/759117-REG/Hoodman_HV5_3_Sided_5_Visor_Hood.html

So: If I am on a monopod or tripod I would probably always use the Ninja now. If handheld, probably not unless it was a short shoot.

Bottom line: I think it will easily pay for itself over time in increasing your workflow speed and cheapness of recording space (750gb HDD for $100 - for on tripod recording), but if you are doing only web/DVD/blu-ray video it's not going to noticeably increase your image quality unless you are doing heavy grading. Maybe $1K would be better spent on glass or something else.
 
That post deserves its own thread...thanks Matt. Much to consider...more resolute image vs higher profile (when I'm trying to stay unnoticed), cost and an extra attachment to manage. For some reason I had thought it would be heavier...appreciate the breakdown.
 
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