C300 as a Run and Gun for Reality Show

Hey Janpol,
I'm back from Europe and since i promised you some pictures of my Hand held rig as of right now i just took some pictures of it: the Grip relocator made a hugh difference (i assigned bottom 7 on the grip to Function for easy access to WB and ISO ) now i just need that Redrock Micro-remote wheel and i'm hands free.

JX5A1632.jpgJX5A1635.jpgJX5A1636.jpgJX5A1640.jpgJX5A1651.jpg
 
alpi69 said:
A bit off topic, but for true run´n´gun you nead a camera that goes wherever you have to go.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho.../p403x403/582092_3766642878012_30233449_n.jpg

I had the cam out on a rainy day following a bikerace, and of course I had my rain cover at home, so the cam just had to do it. And it did. I used some L-lenses but also a Sigma 30mm/1.4 and had no problems.

Here´s the clip to it for those who are interested.
https://vimeo.com/46256996
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Wow! I've used the cam in some light rain (really more of a 'sprinkle'), but nothing like that! You're a brave soul, but I suppose when you absolutely have to get the shot, you have to get the shot! Glad everything worked out
 
So im an old school TV lens XDCAM, varicam, HDX900 kind of guy who just bought a C300 along with a host of lenses and have my first run and gun job this weekend. Scared to death folks because no more zoom in, focus and keep focus. How do you do it? I hear a 24-105 or a 17-23 mm L lens will be good and I have them, but what about rig? Im having a heck of a time keeping everything focused. Should I buy Rock Blue rig with Zacuto viewfinder to help?? Anything you can tell me will help. Thanks in advance.
 
Hey Jared,
I hear you, i'm the same "old school" that owns a Varicam, HDX900,few 5D's and C300.
My Rig (Above) feels like an HDX with wireless packs on the shoulder Just slightly more front heavy (when i use my Chrosziel 4x5 matte box), forget about 2/3" focus: you need an EVF that will help you see what you are doing and will add another point of contact with the Rig.
maybe look around for some rental houses in your area that have DSLR's,F3,and RED rigs and try few until you find something that feels good for you, since it's your first time running and gunning this way keep it light,get an EVF, a good FF and play with it until you find the right balance.
if you are running around this weekend get the canon 24-105mm, it will feel slightly shorter and slower then Fujinon 18X or 22X but the stabilizer will help you a lot.
get ready for more fatigue then having a Varicam on your shoulder but at the end of the day you will feel better about it all, i can assure you that everything you'll shoot will look better then any 2/3" camera (and i used to be a big Varicam Fan)
 
Thanks Guy, super nice of you to reply so quickly. I do have a Genus follow focus but I think the biggest issue with me is being able to see well, and as you say, have another point of contact with the camera to run and gun. Im thinking of some kind of kick ass EVF (maybe the zacuto) so that I can hold and see just the same way I do now with my other camera's.

All that said, here's the big question, and its certainly open to all out there who might want to comment.... Because these lenses do NOT hold there focus like a TV lens, and because our DOF is shorter which is part of the look we want, How in the heck can you track people while running and gunning? Seriously, following a sports guy on a track, or even a tour guide around a building, I mean what do you do about keeping things in focus? All who can help with this concept please post. Cheers to all, new at C300 run and gun guy.
 
Hey Jared, ...about to leave for a shoot in Brooklyn:
Focusing is very doable as long as you can see what you are doing clearly,Personally i'm about to upgrade to the Alphatron EVF (http://www.alphatron.tv/evf.html ) but so far doing really good with the Small HD one (http://www.smallhd.com/Products/DP4.html) depending on your eyes you can either work with it "as is" or bump up the peaking which is super sharp.
Also unlike 2/3 cameras's where we shoot them with wide open aperture to achieve some Shallow DOF with DSLR's (or C300 in this case) you don't need to be at 1.4 or 2.8 outdoors with a pile of ND, you will get that "look" even at 4 or 5.6 so don't kill yourself right away if you just starting to shoot with Still lenses.
Forget about zoom in/ focus/ pullout: it will take practice but you will find that because the short DOF it is actually easier to tell where you are looking at the edges of the subject against a softer background, you will also learn to know your focus ring and in time will be able to blindly guide it to where the sweet spot is.
One more thing: for stills lenses and Zoom i find that this straps work the best especially while running with my rig: http://www.lensstraps.com i use it to change focal length but you can even do a clean short zoom with it...
Happy Shooting
 
Hey Guy, Thanks again for making me spend more money (-: I just ordered the Alphatron EvF because you suggested it and it looks to be the best VF out there. At least thats what I hear from others as well. Now I just need a damn rig to support it. Do you recommend the Red Rock shoulder mount cage "Eye Sky" model? I need something that will go from shoulder to Tripod in a jiffy and support the 3rd party EVF. I saw your pics but it looks like the shoulder pad is something different. Love your suggestions about the lens straps as well. Your help has been wonderful, especially since my run and gun shoot is this Friday and Saturday. Any more Fed ex next day air stuff I need to order (-:
 
Jared Manders said:
Hey Guy, Thanks again for making me spend more money (-: Now I just need a damn rig to support it. Your help has been wonderful, especially since my run and gun shoot is this Friday and Saturday. Any more Fed ex next day air stuff I need to order (-:
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So at last minute did you get the Alphatron EVF and what rig did you decide on? I have good inventory of Alphatron EVF expected to arrive next week.

John Fishburn
Band Pro East
bandpro.com
 
Yep, we went through our 1st batch and are expecting more within the next week or so......

Jim Martin
Filmtools.com
 
Sorry for the late reply John. I did get the Alphatron thru film tools but noticed 3 major pixels that are bad. Still waiting for them to get stock in to replace. Im still fighting to find a rig that treats the c300 like a real camera that sits on my shoulder and so far nothing is good. Im right now experimenting with the Shape base plate and might look at the Tilta base plate.
 
Try the C100 if you do not need MPEG2. It has much better controls for run and gun, like one button AF and AE push but not continuous, and is smaller and lighter with same sensor as the C300. Can use external recorder for broadcast quality if needed. Ideal cam is C100 features with C300 codec and SDI. Our producer turned down a C300 for $10.5k due to lack of the exact features that got added to the C100. To our team the C100 is the sweet spot.

We have worked with Cowpunk 52, Brian C. Weed, as he shot with a naked C300 body and 24-105mm with no top handle and it is a joy to watch how much power that unleashes over a seven hour shoot. Able to respond quickly. With a lighter 85% sized C100 that style of doc shooting will only be much easier. BTW he was a pleasure to work with and contact him if you need a C300 shooter or DP in LA.
 
hey jared,in case your still looking for a proper rig.try tilta rigs or kinomatik.both have a shoulder pad and mount on a sony baseplate,wich you probably already have on your tripod from eng shooting with your xdcam.IMG_2655.jpghere's how i use it.cheers,sergio
 
Jared Manders said:
Sorry for the late reply John. I did get the Alphatron thru film tools but noticed 3 major pixels that are bad. Still waiting for them to get stock in to replace. Im still fighting to find a rig that treats the c300 like a real camera that sits on my shoulder and so far nothing is good. Im right now experimenting with the Shape base plate and might look at the Tilta base plate.
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I think Bebob might be worth looking at for you. They have a rig which they are showing off for the Blackmagic, which actually already has the form factor for the C300. Check it out.
 
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