Almost did it but chickened out when I couldn't find any confirmation that it would work with my Tamron 17-50 nonVC lens.
C100: Inexpensive gear recommendations for a documentary
- Thread starter SlyCooper
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Almost did it but chickened out when I couldn't find any confirmation that it would work with my Tamron 17-50 nonVC lens.
Spartacus
Veteran
Did it and like it, but could live without it (well have from the beginning anyway). But it´s still new and I don´t shoot everyday. But I also think it might change up my whole shooting style.
I think once you trust the AF to do its job, it can speed up your run and gun focusing routine, especially with so few par focal lenses. Having an ENG background I still catch myself zooming in for focusing (and cursing to myself after zooming out and loosing focus again).
It works as it's supposed to, if you are used to shooting stills with AF, center focusing and recomposing afterwards, well, same same...
I don't yet really rate it. For my style of shooting, where I'm usually trying to dirty up the foreground to add shape to the shot, it just hunts around and causes more trouble than it's worth. Maybe if i could change the position of the focus sweetspot, that would probably be more useful.
Having got all excited about it, and having the upgrade done a year ago, I've only used it successfully once for macro shots of a computer screen - where it was pretty good at tracking the screen and pulling focus as I panned.
BTW, it's a bit more involved than a software upgrade and does need to go into a service centre to be done.
Would I buy the upgrade again? No - it hasn't convinced me that it's anything more than a fairly regular handycam-style AF and I don't trust it to reliably nail focus each and every time. YMMV.
Ben.
Having got all excited about it, and having the upgrade done a year ago, I've only used it successfully once for macro shots of a computer screen - where it was pretty good at tracking the screen and pulling focus as I panned.
BTW, it's a bit more involved than a software upgrade and does need to go into a service centre to be done.
Would I buy the upgrade again? No - it hasn't convinced me that it's anything more than a fairly regular handycam-style AF and I don't trust it to reliably nail focus each and every time. YMMV.
Ben.
indiawilds
Veteran
I am not sure about the type of documentaries that you are planning. However, I find it a challenge to place the wireless microphone on the interviewee. The corporate guys don't have much of a problem, but some village women find a tie microphone too intrusive. And for some others, it becomes difficult to hide the microphone because of the Sari women wear in India. So my tie microphones, whether Sennheiser on the G3 or the DPA 4060 wired microphone is of no use.
The MKH 416 is a very popular shotgun microphone which people use. However you need to be careful if you are recording indoors with this mic. It works great outdoors. However, it is costly. Of course there may always be some honourable souls who would be selling to upgrade. The new MKE 600 is cheaper and would be in your budget. The Oktava would be better bet indoors as well as from the budget perspective.
Since you are starting out, and assuming that you have sufficient time to pull focus, the 500 usd can be spent in audio rather than in the dual pixel AF upgrade. Despite its limitations, it is pretty useful for me in wildlife as well as in several other situations.
All the best!
Sabyasachi
The MKH 416 is a very popular shotgun microphone which people use. However you need to be careful if you are recording indoors with this mic. It works great outdoors. However, it is costly. Of course there may always be some honourable souls who would be selling to upgrade. The new MKE 600 is cheaper and would be in your budget. The Oktava would be better bet indoors as well as from the budget perspective.
Since you are starting out, and assuming that you have sufficient time to pull focus, the 500 usd can be spent in audio rather than in the dual pixel AF upgrade. Despite its limitations, it is pretty useful for me in wildlife as well as in several other situations.
All the best!
Sabyasachi
Be really careful with sound, it's much more important than picture.
The 416 is definitely the standard for exteriors, but it requires a boom op and careful placement. For indoor interviews you might want to look into the Russian-made (avoid the Chinese ones) oktava mk 012, which has a pick up pattern more appropriate for interiors. Next step up is the MKH-50, which is expensive...
Lavs are nice, too. I expect the MKE 600 will work if you bring fernie pads into really reflective spaces and only interview one stationary person at once.
I'm selling a Zacuto rig if you're interested and at that price point (half way I paid), but I'll have you know I replaced it with the Cowboy studio and that is the most common shoulder rig I see at this price range/form factor. Not that I prefer it, but it's.... cheaper. Not designed for the eyepiece, but I put a loupe on the LCD.
The 416 is definitely the standard for exteriors, but it requires a boom op and careful placement. For indoor interviews you might want to look into the Russian-made (avoid the Chinese ones) oktava mk 012, which has a pick up pattern more appropriate for interiors. Next step up is the MKH-50, which is expensive...
Lavs are nice, too. I expect the MKE 600 will work if you bring fernie pads into really reflective spaces and only interview one stationary person at once.
I'm selling a Zacuto rig if you're interested and at that price point (half way I paid), but I'll have you know I replaced it with the Cowboy studio and that is the most common shoulder rig I see at this price range/form factor. Not that I prefer it, but it's.... cheaper. Not designed for the eyepiece, but I put a loupe on the LCD.
brettsherman
Well-known member
I wouldn't say it is bad. But, you will get much more professional results with the Audio Technica 875R for less money ($170). Plus, the AT 875R is also a great boom and interview mic. Get a better windscreen than the one that ships. Something like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/650845-REG/Rycote_104410_104410_12cm_Standard_Hole.html