C100: Ninja Star and the C100: Forever together?

S

slavikb

Well-known member
Hey all - just wanted to give you a heads up, I've been following the Ninja Star conversations on here and am going to test out the hypothetical CFast adapter option in a couple weeks (huge thanks to those of you who suggested this option). It's being shipped from England as we speak. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Also I'll be testing out a mounting option that I think might be the best way to keep the Ninja Star on the C100 at all times, compactly and out of the way. So far so good, but we'll see. Crossing my fingers it all works. Might be the one thing that every C100 needs to get ... after the C-Cup of course.

ninja-star.jpg
 
I don't like to use the handle. How would you recommend mounting the recorder without the handle or battery (I plan to use a separate power tap)?

Is the c cup (ridiculous name) really any good? The viewfinder is so bad... does this make it useable or is it worth getting a loupe for the LCD instead?
 
The Wooden Camera top plate would be your best bet, to mount the Ninja Star right on top of the cold shoe without the handle. And keep in mind, to use the power tap you still need the Atomos Dummy Battery which is the same size as the regular battery, but weighs nothing.

C-cup recommended whole heartedly. It's like night and day. Other options for a viewfinder eye cup exist, but the C-cup gets it right. You might like using a loupe for the LCD as some prefer, but for me at least, I use the LCD 80% of the time and use the viewfinder for hand-held shots and bright day light shoots.

Cheers!
 
Looking forward to your findings and real world tests. A reliable start/stop trigger is essential for example. I could see the benefit of the NinjaStar for GoPro users emediately,
but dismissed the need for us C100 users, because I was focused on solving two problems in one (better screen and codec).
But I do work with the "not so good" LCD and EVF everyday and adding a Blade really alters the C100 form factor - which is one of the many things I like about the C100.
slavikb, the way you mounted the Star, you can`t see the LEDs right? Can you maybe post a non backlit photo of your setup?
 
Spartacus said:
Looking forward to your findings and real world tests. A reliable start/stop trigger is essential for example. I could see the benefit of the NinjaStar for GoPro users emediately,
but dismissed the need for us C100 users, because I was focused on solving two problems in one (better screen and codec).
But I do work with the "not so good" LCD and EVF everyday and adding a Blade really alters the C100 form factor - which is one of the many things I like about the C100.
slavikb, the way you mounted the Star, you can`t see the LEDs right? Can you maybe post a non backlit photo of your setup?
Click to expand...

While I agree (and hoped for the same) 100%, to me the unique strength of the C100 is great image quality in a tiny, ergonomically perfect package for a single owner/operator. With a single battery solution (like the SWIT with DTAP) I felt like this could be perfect.

If the c cup (again, TERRIBLE name) is half decent and this is tiny... that's all I need. I wish neither were necessary, and felt even the DVX and HVX (and certainly Alexa) destroy the C100's eye piece, but I don't want to buy a C300 as a toy.... I hope I can sell everything else (Ninja 2 included) and make this work... love the camera, but it's not quite there yet.

I do have a Hoodman Loupe just in case!
 
slavikb said:
The Wooden Camera top plate would be your best bet, to mount the Ninja Star right on top of the cold shoe without the handle. And keep in mind, to use the power tap you still need the Atomos Dummy Battery which is the same size as the regular battery, but weighs nothing.

C-cup recommended whole heartedly. It's like night and day. Other options for a viewfinder eye cup exist, but the C-cup gets it right. You might like using a loupe for the LCD as some prefer, but for me at least, I use the LCD 80% of the time and use the viewfinder for hand-held shots and bright day light shoots.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

That top plate is extremely heavy (and expensive). Can you just use something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...PfG-5-8u78CFRRsfgodUzYAnA&Q=&is=REG&A=details

I also have a Zacuto baseplate...

Is the CFast reader included?

Would these work:

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Talent-...m_sbs_e_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0HWRF2JJMYM4BPSS82AC

Is the dummy battery included or do you need to buy this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/829901-REG/ATOMOS_ATOMDTP001_SPARE_DTAP_DUMMY_BATTERY.html

How well does timecode start/stop work?

How quickly does the 24p cadence get recognized? In low light? The Ninja 2 suffers here...

Thanks!
 
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Awesome, can't wait to see these results. I have been eyeballing this solution and potential places to mount it since it was announced. I disagree with the c-cup though :) I have found that an 14.00 zacuto EYE CUP from bandh works so well and looks so nice, that Canon could probably put a sticker on it and sell it as an oem accessory.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/902691-REG/Zacuto_z_zer_Z_Finder_Eyecup_Replacement_Kit.html

On a side note, I really have no idea why people say the c100's vf is unusable. It might not be much of a comparison to a c300 or alphatron, but it has been perfectly adequate for shooting in daylight, nailing focus and stabilizing the camera. My only gripe is that the exposure on the vf seems about 1/2 stop darker than the external lcd. For those thinking of purchasing one, purchase an eyecup, turn the vf brightness on high and enjoy shooting!
 
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ninjastar3.jpgninjastar2.jpg

Hey guys - here are two more views of the Ninja Star mounted under the C100 handle, using the Cinevate universal accessory mount connected to the Wooden Camera top plate. The Ninja Star buttons are underneath, to prevent from accidentally pressing any buttons. The card slot faces out for easy changing, and the battery can be changed easily too. It's solid this way, though another band around the front end would be best to connect it to the C100 handle. I routed the Micro HDMI cable under the wooden camera top plate, so it doesn't shift or move, and is not easily bumped.

Fair warning, I haven't received my Cfast media yet, so this is not a real world test. Just a suggestion on a way to mount the Ninja Star in a way that can be on there semi-permanently and out of the way.
 
LeoGrey - I agree, the Zacuto eye cup works great, and is very cheap. You're totally fine with it, especially if you already like it. For me, it's not as good a point of contact, and tends to bend back when you press your eye against it. That's why I like the C-cup - it stays permanently on the C100 through thick and thin, and is a great point of contact. Here's my review of the early C-cup prototype, vs a few of the other eye cup solutions: http://www.newsshooter.com/2014/02/...-to-improve-the-c100-viewfinder-with-a-c-cup/
 
Policar - I can't answer all your questions, as I haven't yet tested the Ninja Star in the real world, still waiting on media. But based on my experience with the Ninja Blade, the timecode start/stop is seamless with the C100, totally fool proof. I'm also hoping the 24p gets recognized with the Ninja Star, without having to wave your hand in front of the lens.

The Cfast cards and a reader are separate purchases, and I can't comment on that Cfast card you linked to, as I don't know anything about it. Have you heard anything? The Atomos Cfast 1.0 cards are very reasonably priced. I'm only testing the Cfast/SD adapter because of curiosity, though it ends up being not that much cheaper.

You'll also need a D/P-tap cable from the dummy battery to the Swit (or another battery you plan to use?). Plus the wooden camera top plate, the cold shoe adapter, a micro HDMI cable, an accessory mount.... it adds up! That shoe adapter you have may work, as the Ninja Star can be mounted in a variety of directions. I'm assuming you'd mount it to the front part of the C100 handle, where there's a cold shoe.

Thanks, and sorry I can't be more help yet. Hoping to do a lot more testing soon.
 
How many batteries does it ship with? I assume it comes with a charger? I don't want to invest all the extra money in the SWIT adapter if it doesn't save much weight. I truly loathe external recorders (and the horrible C100 viewfinder), but, but.... I'm not rich enough for the C300.
 
It comes with one battery, but supposed to last 5 hours. So if you have two 128gb Cfast cards, that'll give you about 4 hours of ProRes 422 under one battery.
 
I'm wondering if you could test this out with a non CFast card? If you don't record ProRes HQ can you get by with using a regular CFcard but one that is very fast? (I'm not familiar with the CFast cards, are they even the same size and shape as a regular CFcard)?

I really like your mounting option and will be following this thread for your updates and info! I have a Ninja 2 but would like something much smaller and lighter to use on my C100.
 
Paul Frederick said:
I'm wondering if you could test this out with a non CFast card? If you don't record ProRes HQ can you get by with using a regular CFcard but one that is very fast? (I'm not familiar with the CFast cards, are they even the same size and shape as a regular CFcard)?

I really like your mounting option and will be following this thread for your updates and info! I have a Ninja 2 but would like something much smaller and lighter to use on my C100.
Click to expand...

CFast card and Compact Flash card are physically different, the pins are different too, you won't be able to fit a Compact Flash card into a CFast slot, and vice versa.
 
marvinhello said:
CFast card and Compact Flash card are physically different, the pins are different too, you won't be able to fit a Compact Flash card into a CFast slot, and vice versa.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Figures it would be a proprietary format, I think a fast CF card can easily handle the majority of the recording options (except ProRes HQ) and make it MUCH cheaper to buy into. At least Atomos is making their own at a cheaper cost. Curious if Policar's link would indeed work in this...I'm about to pull the trigger on getting the Ninja Star. The Ninja 2 is just too heavy and bulky to deal with in alot of the remote nature shoots I do, or even in the run and gun doc shoots I do.
 
Just got my little Ninja Star this afternoon! I like it so far! super easy to use and makes life a whole lot easier for reviewing the previous clips! No need to switch the camera to media and wait for the reboot every time!!

I knew I had a rod adapter at home that would fit with this thing so it mounts behind the camera. I'm using Cine lenses and I don't have space under the handle so the back makes more sense for me. Helps to have less weight on the front too!

10513294_10152581229540350_5516404869529564784_n.jpg
 
jameshealey said:
Just got my little Ninja Star this afternoon! I like it so far! super easy to use and makes life a whole lot easier for reviewing the previous clips! No need to switch the camera to media and wait for the reboot every time!!

I knew I had a rod adapter at home that would fit with this thing so it mounts behind the camera. I'm using Cine lenses and I don't have space under the handle so the back makes more sense for me. Helps to have less weight on the front too!

10513294_10152581229540350_5516404869529564784_n.jpg
Click to expand...

Thats a tidy setup!
 
jameshealey said:
Just got my little Ninja Star this afternoon! I like it so far! super easy to use and makes life a whole lot easier for reviewing the previous clips! No need to switch the camera to media and wait for the reboot every time!!

I knew I had a rod adapter at home that would fit with this thing so it mounts behind the camera. I'm using Cine lenses and I don't have space under the handle so the back makes more sense for me. Helps to have less weight on the front too!

10513294_10152581229540350_5516404869529564784_n.jpg
Click to expand...

How quickly does it detect the 24p cadence in low light and how accurately?

How big is the unit compared with the Ninja 2?

Do you love it? How are you transferring the footage to your computer?
 
slavikb said:
Hey guys - here are two more views of the Ninja Star mounted under the C100 handle, using the Cinevate universal accessory mount connected to the Wooden Camera top plate. The Ninja Star buttons are underneath, to prevent from accidentally pressing any buttons. The card slot faces out for easy changing, and the battery can be changed easily too. It's solid this way, though another band around the front end would be best to connect it to the C100 handle. I routed the Micro HDMI cable under the wooden camera top plate, so it doesn't shift or move, and is not easily bumped.

Fair warning, I haven't received my Cfast media yet, so this is not a real world test. Just a suggestion on a way to mount the Ninja Star in a way that can be on there semi-permanently and out of the way.
Click to expand...

That's a neat looking XLR cable. Where did you get that one?
 
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