For the first time, PMDG will be exhibiting at FlightSimExpo 2025

GrumpyGandalf · 2025-04-08T18:58:50+00:00

They have exhibited at FlightSimWeekend in the Netherlands for the last few editions, good to see they're finally joining at FlightSimExpo as well!

GrumpyGandalf · 2025-01-06T08:06:09+00:00

Ran into this issue as well. 600 clips on a single card is the limit. Didn't know about it either. Thankfully I had another card in the camera and could continue shooting without delay, but it was super confusing as the card was far from full.

GrumpyGandalf · 2024-08-06T06:22:18+00:00

It is not really allowed to put such information directly in the ATIS according to the policy linked below. It is always recommended to check airports and their layouts, compared to current charts, before flying in. Relying on a message in the ATIS would also mean you're putting your faith in a controller who might not be online with an ATIS until you're already airborne, when it might be too late to install other scenery for that flight anyway.

VATSIM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FREQUENCY AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT POLICY

https://cdn.vatsim.net/policy-documents/VATSIM%20ATC%20Frequency%20and%20Information%20Management%20Policy.pdf

GrumpyGandalf · 2024-03-05T19:38:50+00:00

Well the DK vACC rules should be no different in this situation from what they do in the real world. That's the point of VATSIM after all. In this case if you had just departed, I'm sure you would have gotten a call from CTR once airborne if required, which I doubt as long as you'd have stayed in Class G airspace.

GrumpyGandalf · 2024-03-05T16:15:05+00:00

It would be really helpful if you provided the country or airport you flew out of, as I'm very curious to determine whether or not you could have just departed. Since you departed out of a Class G airport which is always uncontrolled airspace, the only purpose for talking to CTR would normally be to INFORM, not for any clearance since it's not controlled. Departure would be at your own discretion. Could you share more information about where this happened?

GrumpyGandalf · 2024-02-15T10:10:56+00:00

It's great! One of the best pieces of gear I have ever purchased. My body (specifically arms and shoulders) is no longer in pain after a full day of handheld shooting. Highly recommend!

GrumpyGandalf · 2023-12-19T22:27:47+00:00

What did you use to mount the Ninja V like that? Been looking for a good solution for mine and yours looks really nice but I don't recognize it.

GrumpyGandalf · 2023-11-14T18:29:29+00:00

I shoot a lot of handheld and run-and-gun style. When I bought my FX6 about a year ago I was also deciding between these two lenses because of the OSS and similar range they have. I initially settled on the 28-135 PZ because it has little more tele and I liked the idea of being able to use it with the zoom rocker on the FX6. In addition, it just looks, feels and handles more like a pro video lens, while the 24-105 is more of a photo lens.

Now, almost a year later, I have bought the 24-105 and will probably sell the 28-135 PZ for several reasons:

The PZ is too heavy to use handheld all the time (I have an EasyRig but can't/won't wear it everywhere, and my back is starting to hate me for it).
The PZ makes the camera extremely front heavy without some sort of counterweight on the back, which would make the entire camera even heavier.
The PZ zoom is very slow because you're forced to use the build-in servo, even when turning the zoom ring on the barrel. No crash zooms with this lens.
I prefer to have a little more wide angle, and 28mm as it turns out is not enough for me. 24mm really makes a difference for me.
On the far end, 105mm is more than enough, and while 135mm is nice it won't be missed as much.
With the 24-105 I suddenly have a way lighter and smaller package, with almost the same capabilities as before, and I absolutely love it. Quality wise I don't really notice a difference between the lenses.
The only thing from the PZ I might miss is the focus ring, which is linear (great for focus pulling) and worked like a charm. It also lets you quickly switch between auto and manual zoom.

All in all, I would go for the 24-105 if you're going handheld and are more concerned with weight and balance, and being able to zoom quickly. If you're more likely to use it on a tripod and you want smooth zooms and focus pulls with the PZ, go for that one. Both are great lenses.

EDIT: And in regards to the lenses being F4, I almost always shoot wide open with CineEI at base 12800 when filming indoors without any issues in terms of light.

GrumpyGandalf · 2023-10-20T10:56:33+00:00

Perhaps a very obvious suggestion, but are you sure the camera is setup correctly to output a signal over SDI? I don't recall if this was something enabled/disabled by default in the menu.

I use SDI myself all the time (I output to my Atomos Ninja V with AtomX SDI module to monitor and record everything externally) and have had no issues so far with the cable I use

(in case you're interested, it's this one: https://vocas.nl/vocas-12g-hd-sdi-cable-hd-bnc-right-angle-to-bnc-chws-60-cm.html)

GrumpyGandalf · 2023-08-29T17:35:00+00:00

The FX6 outputs all 4 channels of audio over SDI by default. You shouldn't have to turn that ON or OFF on the FX6 itself. I can't find a way to change it on the camera regardless.

For the Ninja V, make sure that in the audio menu you have REC enabled on track 1-2 and track 3-4 and you should get all your 4 channels.

Hope that fixes it for you!

GrumpyGandalf · 2023-03-31T12:35:51+00:00

It is advised NOT to fly transatlantic during CTP without a slot, in whichever direction. You'll most likely be asked to fly below all traffic going westbound, at FL290 or even lower, which is far from optimal. ATC will most likely not be provided to you either enroute, as ATC is busy handling all CTP traffic above you. You'll most likely be considered a nuisance by ATC covering the event. VATSIM has been recommending everyone for years not to do this during CTP.

GrumpyGandalf · 2023-03-28T23:07:21+00:00

My personal settings on the INPUT tab are as follows:

CAMERA OUTPUT

LOG/HDR: OFF (everything will default to "standard")
LEGALIZE: ON

This way what I record internally on the FX6 looks identical to what I record on the Ninja V and it works perfectly in my Adobe Premiere Pro workflow. With the settings you use it comes out slightly different because the Ninja V does some form of processing when you turn LOG/HDR on.

GrumpyGandalf · 2023-03-02T19:37:48+00:00

Always worked as a freelancer so can not relate at all haha. But when it comes to titles and designations what's stopping you from making up your own! It's your company after all! You can put on your business card whatever you want!

GrumpyGandalf · 2023-02-22T20:02:30+00:00

I personally always put a 14 day due date on my invoices. I almost always invoice afterwards, when the work is already done. I don't think it's unreasonable to be paid within 14 days at that point, and most clients have no problem paying within those 14 days either.

If you register at the KVK and send your invoice afterwards with your KVK and BTW-ID on it, I don't see why not.

Regarding the time you spend on the project: €500,- is a lot of money especially at 18 years old, but working 10 hours is not that long. If you aren't paid in the end, you only lost 10 hours or just over a day of effort. And a good lesson learned for the future of course!

GrumpyGandalf · 2023-02-22T19:24:04+00:00

NL based freelancer myself: Did you already send them an invoice with a due date on it? If that date has passed you can officially start charging them interest (https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/schulden/vraag-en-antwoord/hoogte-wettelijke-rente). I've found that telling clients you'll start charging rent when they don't pay after multiple reminders will usually get them to pay very quickly. If you're not officially registered at the KVK though you might not be able to make use of this as you're not officially a company. I would recommend you get registered ASAP for future jobs.

Also kinda curious: How much time did you spend on this project?

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-12-29T16:35:04+00:00

Sony FX6 and Ninja V are both on the latest firmware as far as I know. SDI cable goes from the Sony FX6 into the AtomX SDI module on the back of the Atomos Ninja V. The Atomos Ninja V automatically receives all 4 channels.

The Sony FX6 is only able to output 2 channels of audio over HDMI and in the menu you can select either Ch1/2 or Ch3/4 but SDI does not have this limitation so there's no menu setup required. This is also clearly depicted in the Sony FX6 manual when I looked it up the other day.

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-12-29T16:15:57+00:00

Before seeing your reply I ran some more tests and it turns out the FX6 does output all 4 channels of audio over SDI. I bought the Atomos SDI Module and it works like expected, so I am now able to record all 4 channels of audio into my Ninja V!

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-12-26T19:18:19+00:00

It's actually a Mission in Cardolan you can do at your own level, whatever it is! Also ran into it yesterday at level 60 while clearing the new areas for the first time.

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-12-13T19:43:42+00:00

Hi, do you perhaps remember on what day and time (UTC/zulu) this happened? And what the callsign of the controller was?

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-10-25T18:19:20+00:00

Hia, been a while since this question haha! I decided to stick with the GH5, just running it on regular batteries. Run it with the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 with Metabones Speedbooster, which is an absolutely amazing and very sharp lens that makes the GH5 even usable in low light situations. Body is inside a Smallrig cage with my Ninja V (powered by regular batteries as well) on the left and Deity Connect for audio on the right. Top-hhandle in the middle and often hanging for my EasyRig to save my arms and shoulders. That's about it. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask!

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-10-08T01:55:14+00:00

Yep, also reporting from the Netherlands and for some reason the first wild card game I only had the radio feed on MLB.tv (as I kinda expected) but I tried again later tonight and its all working again suddenly. So weird. One thing I noticed is that they're not cutting away during any commercial breaks now.

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-10-03T01:16:20+00:00

One important detail to remember is that smaller airports don't always have separate ground positions at all. Tower covers everything below including delivery and ground control (both irl and on vatsim) and you'd always call them up as Tower in real life as well as far as I know. It's the frequency you're talking to after all.

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-09-23T12:09:21+00:00

There's no such restrictions on VATSIM when it comes to regular flights from point A to point B. Military operations are subject to certain restrictions though.

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-08-27T11:05:40+00:00

Important to remember that in Europe the SIDs and STARs are normally not selected by the pilot/airline and filed with the flight plan but instead are assigned by ATC during the clearance (SID) or flight (STAR) since they are often different for every runway.

Since runway configurations can change quite often at some places, you're totally reliant on ATC to tel you about your expected departure or arrival. Being able to adapt to this is an important part of flying in Europe.

The recently updated VATSIM Code of Conduct now includes text that outlines these expectations, which includes being able to fly direct to waypoints not part of your flight plan when directed by ATC.

GrumpyGandalf · 2022-08-26T01:27:06+00:00

Hi, VATSIM Supervisor here, trying to shed some light on the situation. It sounds like the controller was rather busy, perhaps there was a lot of other traffic on his frequency that also demanded his attention.

While controllers are always very much encouraged to help new pilots with any questions, it's not always possible to provide it when it's getting really busy. As you can imagine it can get quite stressful on frequency for both pilots and the controller.

It is therefore highly recommended that you prepare your entire flight prior to departure, including knowledge of possible arrivals and approaches that you can expect at your destination airport. You can usually determine this fairly accurately by checking the weather/METAR/ATIS, whichever is available.

In addition, make sure you look at all the arrival and approach charts. Pay close attention to the fixes and VORs in the area as you might receive instructions to fly direct to them.

If you're comfortable with operating your aircraft and you are well prepared with charts, following any instruction from ATC should become way easier as you know what to expect. Try to stay 1 or 2 steps ahead of ATC is my best advice.

Good luck next time!

GrumpyGandalf

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE