What gear you dreamed of, bought an never used again?
- Thread starter Publimix
- Start date
Heh, that's a good one, it should be named 'GAS Confessions'.
AJA Kona 3 Capture Card with Breakout Box.
Everything was fine except sales representative forgot to mention that it doesn't support sleep mode on workstation.
Matched pair of AT-875R. Still unopened.
Symetrix Lucid 88192. Came as a part of finishing system, used workstations onboard audio instead.
Gefen HDSDI to HDMI Scaler. Used once.
That's on top of the head, will have to check the storage room for other things.
Cables and adapters not included.
AJA Kona 3 Capture Card with Breakout Box.
Everything was fine except sales representative forgot to mention that it doesn't support sleep mode on workstation.
Matched pair of AT-875R. Still unopened.
Symetrix Lucid 88192. Came as a part of finishing system, used workstations onboard audio instead.
Gefen HDSDI to HDMI Scaler. Used once.
That's on top of the head, will have to check the storage room for other things.
Cables and adapters not included.
I love this mic! Definitely punches above its weight.
Run&Gun
Veteran
Had a few shoots last year that I could have used wireless video on, so I bought a Teradek in December. I haven't used it on a real shoot, yet. Bought a set of Nila Boxers after NAB last year for a good deal(about 50% off/2 for 1) and I think I've used them once. Also bought a set of Westcott Ice Light 2's after being on a shoot and we used them to bring up faces while we were running around. I've used one once. Probably 5-6 years ago I bought a used P2HD briefcase editor anticipating a need for it coming up(already owned the mini 2-slot viewer/recorder). I've never used the briefcase editor on a real shoot. The mini 2-slot version has been a good purchase and I carry it in the truck all the time. Ironically, the 2-slot cost me more than the briefcase editor. But I purchased the 2-slot before the big one.
Justin Kuhn
Veteran
A glidecam. I got a Crane 2 after that and I've used it way more.
Batutta
Major Contributor
Definitely didn't use my slider as much as I thought I would. Still got more out of throwing a glide gear dolly down on some PVC. It's so easy to stabilize footage in post I don't need to get a perfectly smooth dolly shot anymore.
Run&Gun
Veteran
I have a big, heavy duty slider system that I use on some big shoots and live shows, but the small self-contained MYT Works system I bought for b-roll/moving quickly, I hardly ever use. I bet I've rented it out more than I've personally used it.
morgan_moore
Major Contributor
I think there are two factors at play here.
-Products that dont do what they are advertised to do.
-Us (camera people) being unrealistic about the kit we have time to use on fast paced/undercrewed/solo shoots.
Sliders are a perfect example of this because you either need to do a bunch of remounting or have 2 more sets of sticks.
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Products that didnt do the job..
GH4 yagh box.
-Fouled the screen makin one unable to open the screen
-Headphone sound was late
-XLR power in and XLRs fouled my right hand
Overall terrible experience on a not bad idea.
Tascam DR100 sound recorder
Errors from day one - didnt trust it, used once repleaced with SD702.
Dedo DLH 4
Doesnt plug into the mains unless you get a second transformer.
I use it but not much
Ronin M
Used it but it was mainly shonky - quickly replaced with Movi Pro.
EX1
Didnt give the 'filmic' look I wanted bought (newly released) 5d2. Actually use it more now for BTS and like it more.
Cheap slider
NOt solid enough or smooth enough for anything involing a pan head. Never used. Went to Dana style fast.
HOcus focus 1
Never reliable
Sony 18-110
Focus wheel unusably laggy - have used recently on locked off Broll when travling super light.
Steadicam Pilot
Had gone to gimbals before I got a reliable focus set up.
Long time to vest up.
nikkor 400 2.8
I had this left over from my stills career. But use my 50-300 more as 'target aquiring with a long is hard vs zooming in on the target.
Rigging challege.
Heaps of cables
I seem to have boxes of cables etc for old cameras. I really try to standardise my cableing now. SDI, big HDMI, Dtap, 12v.
---
Overall Ive learned over the years what kit matches what production. Im using my 'slow' kit more now because I work with an assistant who can rig it all and we communicate shceduling with producers better.
Every bit of grip ive bought (Cstands knuckles etc) seems fantastic value and will be in use for ever.
All the electronics feels like it is devaluing.
-Products that dont do what they are advertised to do.
-Us (camera people) being unrealistic about the kit we have time to use on fast paced/undercrewed/solo shoots.
Sliders are a perfect example of this because you either need to do a bunch of remounting or have 2 more sets of sticks.
-----
Products that didnt do the job..
GH4 yagh box.
-Fouled the screen makin one unable to open the screen
-Headphone sound was late
-XLR power in and XLRs fouled my right hand
Overall terrible experience on a not bad idea.
Tascam DR100 sound recorder
Errors from day one - didnt trust it, used once repleaced with SD702.
Dedo DLH 4
Doesnt plug into the mains unless you get a second transformer.
I use it but not much
Ronin M
Used it but it was mainly shonky - quickly replaced with Movi Pro.
EX1
Didnt give the 'filmic' look I wanted bought (newly released) 5d2. Actually use it more now for BTS and like it more.
Cheap slider
NOt solid enough or smooth enough for anything involing a pan head. Never used. Went to Dana style fast.
HOcus focus 1
Never reliable
Sony 18-110
Focus wheel unusably laggy - have used recently on locked off Broll when travling super light.
Steadicam Pilot
Had gone to gimbals before I got a reliable focus set up.
Long time to vest up.
nikkor 400 2.8
I had this left over from my stills career. But use my 50-300 more as 'target aquiring with a long is hard vs zooming in on the target.
Rigging challege.
Heaps of cables
I seem to have boxes of cables etc for old cameras. I really try to standardise my cableing now. SDI, big HDMI, Dtap, 12v.
---
Overall Ive learned over the years what kit matches what production. Im using my 'slow' kit more now because I work with an assistant who can rig it all and we communicate shceduling with producers better.
Every bit of grip ive bought (Cstands knuckles etc) seems fantastic value and will be in use for ever.
All the electronics feels like it is devaluing.
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I bought the Mitra Mic back in the day thinking it might help unlock 'easy' immersive audio on a low-budget feature. Never could be bothered to get it working right...or it was a scam. Still the only product I've ever seen Laforet and Bloom and someone else trustworthy gush about all at once that just vanished from everyone's consciousness. Cost me a grand, maybe I can use it in some weird way, someday.
TheTrickster
Well-known member
Phantom 3 Professional Drone - used twice, quickly sold on
Had all sorts of great ideas how to use it for topside work. When it arrived, I realised how big these things are and how difficult it would to carry around.
- Replaced with the dinky Spark, great for photos, crap for video.
Had all sorts of great ideas how to use it for topside work. When it arrived, I realised how big these things are and how difficult it would to carry around.
- Replaced with the dinky Spark, great for photos, crap for video.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Feitytech Go Pro gimbal.
We shot from golf carts with bare Go Pros and the footage was so shaky and rough as to be mostly unusable. Bought the Feiyutech and handheld, it seemed to work but when I used it once for car interiors,
it randomly floated and panned the camera in a weird way that looked like someone was panning it as the subject drove. This was when we were shooting with the Hero 4s. Now the Hero 7 has the stabilization built-in,
there really is little need for a Go Pro gimbal.
It's still sitting here in my office, unused and unloved.
We shot from golf carts with bare Go Pros and the footage was so shaky and rough as to be mostly unusable. Bought the Feiyutech and handheld, it seemed to work but when I used it once for car interiors,
it randomly floated and panned the camera in a weird way that looked like someone was panning it as the subject drove. This was when we were shooting with the Hero 4s. Now the Hero 7 has the stabilization built-in,
there really is little need for a Go Pro gimbal.
It's still sitting here in my office, unused and unloved.
Run&Gun
Veteran
Oh yeah. Arri Followfocus and RedRock Micro “thumbwheel” followfocus system.
And had forgotten about the half mirror/through-the-lens prompter set-up for my iPad when we used to do a lot of down ‘n dirty field prompting with iPads. I think I used the mirror set-up once for a shoot. And it was mostly handheld. That beat me down.
And had forgotten about the half mirror/through-the-lens prompter set-up for my iPad when we used to do a lot of down ‘n dirty field prompting with iPads. I think I used the mirror set-up once for a shoot. And it was mostly handheld. That beat me down.
QuickHitRecord
Veteran
A few years ago I bought a matte box and a full set of Schneider filters. It was a pain in the neck on shoots without a dedicated AC (which is most of them). I sold them and either use internal NDs, or filters with magnetic filter holders now. They are much faster to change out.
Also, I bought a Zhiyun Crane 2 as my first gimbal. I have used it exactly one time. Didn't like the feel of it in my hand, or the look of the footage. I much prefer a good dolly track, or going handheld.
Also, I bought a Zhiyun Crane 2 as my first gimbal. I have used it exactly one time. Didn't like the feel of it in my hand, or the look of the footage. I much prefer a good dolly track, or going handheld.
G
Guest
Guest
I kind of assumed it was one of these purchases, but i was still excited about getting the Steadicam Volt for cellphones. Tested it once, and never used it.
El Director
Veteran
Definitely the slider for me. I bought it while still shooting on a T2i, used it on one short film and then got a Glidecam. Yes, a slider can do things the Glidecam can't, but I found the Glidecam matched my style better. Unfortunately because I bought a cheaper slider, it won't take the weight of my URSA Mini, so it just sits in my gear closet.
On the flip side, I've also bought things that I never used until a few years later and now I use them all the time. My Zoom H4n comes to mind.
On the flip side, I've also bought things that I never used until a few years later and now I use them all the time. My Zoom H4n comes to mind.
G
Guest
Guest
Filmic pro
Basically anything that i thought was going to make the iphone a better device. In the end, i just use the standard features, or bring a dedicated camera.
I even keep believing on of these iphone cameras are going to be ‘the one’ i start shooting with. They all feel much more marginal upgrades than i think they will be. The depth camera on Some of the X’s is fun, but rather gimmicky unless done in a very controlled way. They keep getting better, but yet to be inspiring. I am a sucker for 12+ stops dr, pure color, and s35 or apsh and prime lenses.
Basically anything that i thought was going to make the iphone a better device. In the end, i just use the standard features, or bring a dedicated camera.
I even keep believing on of these iphone cameras are going to be ‘the one’ i start shooting with. They all feel much more marginal upgrades than i think they will be. The depth camera on Some of the X’s is fun, but rather gimmicky unless done in a very controlled way. They keep getting better, but yet to be inspiring. I am a sucker for 12+ stops dr, pure color, and s35 or apsh and prime lenses.
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Mitch Gross
Veteran
Fairly esoteric one, but an Aaton left eyepiece. As a guy with a weak right eye, I spent years cranking my head sideways to squeeze my left eye to the standard eyepiece when handheld. I finally spent the cash on a used left eyepiece (it rearranged the optics so that it extended out from the camera about 1.5", accomodating the left eye more comfortably) only to discover that the eyepiece assembly extending across my face meant that I could no longer peek over with the right eye to see what was happening around me. Used the thing once or twice and stuck it back in the case never to be used again. Of course I do still have neck & back issues a decade later.
morgan_moore
Major Contributor
Left eye rocks 
Yep I struggle with EVFs as you describe the right eye is usually blocked. When initially building my FS7 I found it best upside down with the EFV on the right of the camera - but decided that presenting all my footage upside down would place me one step too far off kilter for your average client
--------------
Back to the crap gear front.. my DP502..
Super shiny screen
super flimsy SDi
super angry me.
and never ever use anything that runs of crapply little canon batteries!
Yep I struggle with EVFs as you describe the right eye is usually blocked. When initially building my FS7 I found it best upside down with the EFV on the right of the camera - but decided that presenting all my footage upside down would place me one step too far off kilter for your average client
--------------
Back to the crap gear front.. my DP502..
Super shiny screen
super flimsy SDi
super angry me.
and never ever use anything that runs of crapply little canon batteries!
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