C100: Which Atomos recorder to get for C100?

ah yes it is... still my point stands. regardless. in a mission critical environment i just cant trust hdmi

Fair enough - it's all about confidence in your kit.

I've ignored the external recorders for that same reason - that is, until the Ninja Blade showed up. Suddenly, here was a high quality monitor that you could calibrate, light in weight and fab value - it's proving to give me absolute WYSIWYG confidence.

The high bitrate thing - a bonus, as far as I was concerned - I was quite happy with AVCHD 99% of the time.

However, now the thing is permanently connected, I rely on it to record clips that way exceed the C300's bare minimum broadcast spec. Here's a pic:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...VF-bracket-with-added-Wooden-Camera-top-plate

I carry a spare HDMI cable - but I've yet to call on it, as the existing one is carefully routed and is proving to be completely reliable - I'll swap in a new one, if needs be. 2 minutes.

I'm not sure I'd be so confident in the Star, as I wouldn't be getting constant feedback that everything is tickety boo - the Blade combo works for me because I'm using the HDMI signal to monitor. If I can't see it or I see breakup, I know there's a problem.

My point - it has taken a mindset shift for me, but if you're an owner/operator and you're sitting on the fence about the ergonomics and robustness of a C100/Ninja Blade setup, several of us are now using them quite happily day to day - they're not Digibeta ENG robust, but certainly tough enough for those that own their kit and don't rent it out.

Ben.
 
I've ignored the external recorders for that same reason - that is, until the Ninja Blade showed up. Suddenly, here was a high quality monitor that you could calibrate, light in weight and fab value - it's proving to give me absolute WYSIWYG confidence.

How are you finding the Ninja Blade screen in bright sunlight? Does the Atomos hood make much difference? The reason I ask is I have the Petrol Deca Mini hood for the C100 LCD screen but I still find it difficult to see the screen clearly on bright days.
 
How are you finding the Ninja Blade screen in bright sunlight? Does the Atomos hood make much difference? The reason I ask is I have the Petrol Deca Mini hood for the C100 LCD screen but I still find it difficult to see the screen clearly on bright days.

So far, I'm finding it bright enough generally, but the Atomos hood arrived this morning from Proactive (couple of quick iPhone pics below.)

I had one shoot last week where I was having to pop a hand over to shield from strong sun on the screen - not a huge irritation, but it did make me think I should try the Atomos hood. I've got a few exterior shoots over the next 2 weeks, so will be able to update.

Compared to the C100 screen, the Blade screen is significantly better in sunlight. I bought a Z Finder last year for exterior shoots - but I haven't used it since getting the Blade.

Atomos Hood 02.jpgAtomos Hood 01.jpg

Ben.
 
On the whole, it's fine.

I don't feel I'm getting more shots that are soft than before, when I was using punch-in on the C100 LCD. I got one soft shot last week - but that was on sticks and I was just in a hurry and didn't check critically enough. Not so soft it was unusable, just slightly irritating.

I do feel Atmos could make it easier to quickly switch focus peaking on and off - at the moment, it involves two button pushes.

Better still, focus expand on the Blade would be 'kin awesome - but I suspect that may be limited by processor/hardware.

Some of us are also running the C100 LCD on constant focus expand - so that gives you the best of both, if you can see both screens at the same time (what I should have done last week, but was hurrying.) When I'm running hand-held ENG-style and just looking at the Blade, I'm finding critical focus no problem.

Ben.
 
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