Rycote Softie vs full Windjammer system

P

powerdog

Veteran
I need wind protection for a ME-66/K-6, usually on a boom but sometimes on camera. I know the full zeppelin kit is more durable/versatile, etc., but for this one mic:

If I go with the Softie, is my biggest limitation the amount of wind I can shoot in? IE, I risk more days that I have to delay or call off shooting?
 
In moderate wind the Softie works OK, but anything harder it just does not cut it. But then, it is practically impossible to attach the full zeppelin to the camera. I have used it solo by holding the mic/zeppelin/windjammer in the left hand and shooting with right. Have to run on full auto...

Which is more important, total wind protection or on-camera capability? Can not get them both.
 
Importance of those factors will vary with the situation. Of course, paying 7x is also a factor.

What do you consider moderate wind? A gentle breeze? Enough to blow your hat off? Or something in between?
 
powerdog said:
[...] I know the full zeppelin kit is more durable/versatile [...] If I go with the Softie, is my biggest limitation the amount of wind I can shoot in? [...]
Click to expand...

If you're curious about the performance of the Rycote Softie vs. Windshield (Zeppelin) vs Windshield+Windjammer (Zeppelin+Wookie) , check out this document from Rycote: Which Windshield do I need? (PDF, 281 KB), interesting reading (linked off the http://www.rycote.com/products/windshield/modular/index.asp page on the Rycote web site).
 
powerdog said:
I need wind protection for a ME-66/K-6, usually on a boom but sometimes on camera. I know the full zeppelin kit is more durable/versatile, etc., but for this one mic:

If I go with the Softie, is my biggest limitation the amount of wind I can shoot in? IE, I risk more days that I have to delay or call off shooting?
Click to expand...

If you go with the Softie it is the amount of wind you can shoot in, but the other advantage of a zep is acoustic transparency w/o the fur. In many cases the bare zep is adequate... like booming indoors... where you still need a windshield, but no fur. It takes a pretty big room to accomodate a zep indoors due to size.

Unless you can get a modular windshield system then I'd just get a softie for the me66... eventually it's likely that you'll upgrade that mic and it would be a shame to get a zep that won't work well on your next (and possibly final) mic.

I have Softies and zep/jammer systems and in terms of performance I'd way rather have all zeps... but there are days when the zep isn't really needed and I fear the safety of the zep due to personell or chaotic shooting conditions. So in my opinion there's little risk in going the softie route and possibly getting a zep later on. The other possible negative about a zep is that they are much bigger and cast big shadows.

In my experience a softie is good for a pretty strong breeze... like on a hot day a breeze strong enough to keep you comfortable... and a zep/jammer setup is good up to nearly a "strong enough to blow a hat off" wind. To put a figure on it I'd say the zep/jammer can handle at least 50% more wind... up to nearly twice the mph.

If you want to save some money don't forget that there are practical ways to reduce wind also (depending on the shot)... I recently shot some outdoor walk 'n talk interview stuff and rather then walk out in the open we walked between homes... it was still an interesting picture and the wind was mostly controlled.
 
matt you mention transparency in the zep, but whats your opinion on softies? i must say, i have never really noticed a drastic difference in transparency between a zeppelin and a softie... well, lets put it this way, not enough for me to care about the difference.

but, as always, im open to correction and opinions on that...
 
How pity Rycot killed all the other products from that wonderful company - i hope that someone will do them the same
the K-tek zep is a good start -
dont buy anything that make the English robbing barons richer - boycott Rycot /lightwave .
 
this post referring to Mr Natovich (Danny) one he deleted
where he hope that Rycote would buy out K-TEK so they will be able continue milk us as they do for the last few years without competition.

also he sent me to studio prison for the rest of my life since i will not be able buy any outside wind protection -( what is not bad if you ask me considering the hot weather/humidity conditions in Israel)

so this is my answer to his deleted post



Just to clarify - MR Natovich is Rycote importer to Israel , he is one of the pipes which blow the money for robbing barons .
 
Last edited:
:angry: :shocked: :undecided :Drogar-Thinking(DBG ?????????????? !!!!!!! ?????????

"You are loosing it"
 
Last edited:
אתה ממש התחרפנת לעת זיקנה( this line was written above before Mr Natovich change it to "you are loosing it" )
translation
- you get started loosing your mind as you become old guy .

no i just dont like people who make money from monopoles - exactly like your business was a sound monopole until few years ago .
i still hear your lovely wife( she was the sells manager at that time) voice says - "we have minimum charge Oleg , 50$ for 15 minutes soldering cable . (that for a customer who spent over 25000$ in your shop and never argued on the prices you charged )
from that day you never sow my visa again .
so let me say it loud and clear
if someone here from Israel and looking for one of the products your company representing - i will be glad to show him/her much cheaper place to buy .
as i do it from the day of your last bill to me .
 
Last edited:
ExileOnTheMainStreet

I sent you a PM, I do not think this is the place to discuss personal issues from
years ago. this is a professional forum to discuss issues of interest to the community. DVXUSER is great and popular because no one here is using aggressive and blunt language, show some respect to the community.

Forget about me, but how do you dare insulting a respectful, Academy award winning, manufacturer like Rycote in public.
 
yes, for the interest of the community please stop
push the products you represent under the nice advice - you are here to sell
and that what is bother me .
the advertising section is the banner on the top right corner so you are in the wrong place .
i show respect for these who i have respect to - sorry you or might i say your business is not on my list anymore

"Forget about me, but how do you dare insulting a respectful, Academy award winning, manufacturer like Rycote in public."

without any problem , i wish them bankruptcy

ps

and Danny i put smiles when i am joking



Exile - twice ( israeli) academy award winning - who cares :-)


__________________
 
Last edited:
danny said:
:angry: :shocked: :undecided :Drogar-Thinking(DBG ?????????????? !!!!!!! ?????????

"You are loosing it"
Click to expand...

hehe- i see you took my advice ,but i dont see correct translation :-)
there is Miami/Detroit game coming so i might think that would be much interesting then conversation with" industry supporter "as i call to nice people like you

for the clarification - Danny Natovich was one of the best Israeli sound recordists and might be still is , he did invented and innovated few things in his professional sound life and was the first" open house " to israelly soundmans comunity .lets say i have to thanks him for at least this part of my life when i was totally "green "and needed advice or aditional knowledge to cover my black hols and there was quit allot .
until he "lost it "
i still have a grate respect for him as person and professional authority ( at least for what matter in analog audio world) but i have no respect anymore for " Danny Natovitch business "

exile- your ex customer
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top