biginvegas
Well-known member
I'm a filmmaker in South Africa and just bought the Hot Rod PL deluxe kit for my GH1 and for rental.
I do want reviews from other filmmakers regarding its abilities to sell it to potential clients for commercials, 2nd unit, music video's, low budget features etc as as there is not that much info online.
My 1st impression out the box, it's a stunning design, portable and set up took 5 minutes. The PL mount is a very well machined piece of metal. From an aesthetic looks better than the pics online. As small as it is will impress pro's, clients, make up artist broads....
Hand held is what I primarily bought the device for use in documentaries and documentary styled low budget features with my lumix lenses, manual Nikkor primes an Iscorama and of course PL lenses for rental.
I like to get in and out of cars fast, run and gun, with no hassle and this set up does that very well.
The kit lens is straightforward going handheld, auto, light, discreet and when I shot solo with either a Zoom H4n or mic with a Beachtek (under the Hot Rod) confirms what I thought that this combo is a game changer and should establish the GH1 (13) as a new standard for doc filmmakers worldwide.
Handheld with my manual Nikkor's and the tricky Iscorama set up is another story.
Granted i've had the device all of one weekend but trying to focus and hold the rig with my left hand (the Hot Rod grip is set with the left grip just a tad forward to the right and is well balanced) and focus with my right is going to take some practice.
The GH1 articulating VF works great with the system but I would be less thrilled with a 5 or 7D without a monitor. Will give the 5D set up a try sometime this week.
All said, I know it will take time to learn how to use my hands fluently as opposed to my shoulder and hips (Werner Herzog says movie making comes from the hips) but it's the size and compactness of the overall camera, lens, sound that makes it worth the price ($1400).
The two hand setup reminds me of the Fig Rig that I used on my DV cam but failed miserably once I bought a 35 adapter, there was no way to follow focus with it.
Obviously a decent follow focus unit is called for, something I have yet to invest in.
I do want reviews from other filmmakers regarding its abilities to sell it to potential clients for commercials, 2nd unit, music video's, low budget features etc as as there is not that much info online.
My 1st impression out the box, it's a stunning design, portable and set up took 5 minutes. The PL mount is a very well machined piece of metal. From an aesthetic looks better than the pics online. As small as it is will impress pro's, clients, make up artist broads....
Hand held is what I primarily bought the device for use in documentaries and documentary styled low budget features with my lumix lenses, manual Nikkor primes an Iscorama and of course PL lenses for rental.
I like to get in and out of cars fast, run and gun, with no hassle and this set up does that very well.
The kit lens is straightforward going handheld, auto, light, discreet and when I shot solo with either a Zoom H4n or mic with a Beachtek (under the Hot Rod) confirms what I thought that this combo is a game changer and should establish the GH1 (13) as a new standard for doc filmmakers worldwide.
Handheld with my manual Nikkor's and the tricky Iscorama set up is another story.
Granted i've had the device all of one weekend but trying to focus and hold the rig with my left hand (the Hot Rod grip is set with the left grip just a tad forward to the right and is well balanced) and focus with my right is going to take some practice.
The GH1 articulating VF works great with the system but I would be less thrilled with a 5 or 7D without a monitor. Will give the 5D set up a try sometime this week.
All said, I know it will take time to learn how to use my hands fluently as opposed to my shoulder and hips (Werner Herzog says movie making comes from the hips) but it's the size and compactness of the overall camera, lens, sound that makes it worth the price ($1400).
The two hand setup reminds me of the Fig Rig that I used on my DV cam but failed miserably once I bought a 35 adapter, there was no way to follow focus with it.
Obviously a decent follow focus unit is called for, something I have yet to invest in.