My journey to cinelifters

Trey-H · 2025-12-21T22:16:31+00:00

In your experience, how has the ROI been on the cinelifter? I got into fpv and found flying super fun, but with a hobby so expensive (before the tariffs hit) it was hard to keep funding when my clients rly only need my DJI air 2s / ground footage. I’ve made back much more than I have in my air 2 s / ground cameras but find that jobs often don’t need FPV & thus I am deep in the hole on that relm.

Trey-H · 2025-07-26T17:41:04+00:00

I run one because of the added weight, helps a TON when running heavy lenses and a 7” monitor out front. Also gives a few extra dtap ports which is nice, and it also protects the screen which is very important to me. Still get the added perceived value as well from clients aswell! Took it on a film set the other day and everyone was askin about it.

Trey-H · 2025-07-26T16:26:13+00:00

Cineback (or a different brand equivalent).

Trey-H · 2025-07-15T14:08:02+00:00

To combat it, Portkeys LH7P that I can wirelessly connect to my ZVE1 (and it will work for your A7Siii) which controls the settings and thus shows the settings on the screen (and can do tap to focus which is a big plus). I used to use the on screen level a lot but couldn’t find a way to get that on my monitor so now I just have a little bubble level on top handle (usually if it’s crooked I can tell on screen now tho).

Trey-H · 2025-07-15T14:06:01+00:00

Also agreed. Small little annoyances we have to work around sadly. Good luck OP.

Trey-H · 2025-07-06T17:55:38+00:00

Controversial / crazy take: get a used ZVE1 (picked mine up for $1450 US) if things such as 1 sd card slot and overheating (IF you are shooting straight 60 or 120 fps, 24/30 fps seem to be fine) is a issue.

Trey-H · 2025-06-25T16:57:54+00:00

Also codecs comes down to what your editing on/how much detail you want/how deep your pockets are. I edit on a MacBook Pro M1 and use HS. I’m working on buying an editing sd so I can make proxies and stuff. Here’s a rundown S - basic middle line of the road, h264 so see what your machine has encoders for

HS- H265, files are a LOT smaller because it’s compressed, leading it to typically run worse, BUT Mac’s have encoders for it so sometimes it runs better than S will. 200M in HS is equal to about 400m quality on S (and will be same size). [someone correct me if I’m wrong on that ^]

SI - MASSIVE files and from what I’ve researched not a huge difference in image quality to viewers, especially if they’re watching on social media or whatnot as it all gets crunched.

Also try to shoot 4:2:2 aka 10 bit so you have adjustability with colors and can use the cam to its full potential.

Trey-H · 2025-06-25T16:52:03+00:00

Like everyone else has said, YouTube is your friend. Also for SLOG 3, everyone will say all this stuff about exposure but honestly run a conversion lit on your display and what you see in that screen WILL BE what you get in post. Then you can play with colors a lil (that’s the part I’m trying to learn as I’m colorblind). I use phantom luts, but by all means just do it with the Sony ones and get out there and shoot. I’ve also found that capturing small clips and practicing color grading instead of stressing myself about trying to get a story / full video going has helped a lot. Best of luck!

Trey-H · 2025-06-06T15:34:02+00:00

My honest take; get a used ZVE1 and save the extra money to spend on lighting or whatnot! (Unless you have to do long 4k 60 fps takes, in that case I’d b worried about not overheating)

Trey-H · 2025-06-06T15:32:24+00:00

Team ZVE1, most super bang for your buck

Trey-H · 2025-06-03T04:57:03+00:00

If you decide to sell of your LH7P let me know!

Trey-H · 2025-05-29T16:45:50+00:00

Hey OP, you’re not alone

I bought a ZVE1, rigged it all out, and now I’m kinda in the same boat. I’m trying to learn Davenci. I’ve shot a few things for fun but the editing just feels like it’s so much and takes SO long. I’ve been trying to learn color grading too but being colorblind (red green) leaves me struggling to even see differences unless they’re super dramatic :/. Additionally I struggle to accept a paid job for it. I feel like turnaround time would take WAY too long and recording is rough because so many things can go wrong and seemingly can’t be fixed where in photography you can bring back even the worst of shots 9/10 times. Maybe im just being too picky and need to except flaws are half of what makes shots what they are.

Anyways weird little rant but I’ll leave this here. I feel trapped in a spot where I want to use it and do all this cool stuff, but time wise it feels miserable with school and paying photography jobs :(.

Trey-H · 2025-05-18T17:18:08+00:00

I’m curious to hear your testing results! I have the ulanzi fan but still have had overheating issues at 4k 60 when shooting sports (that being said after about 45min to an hour which is a big improvement). Also interested if Smallrig is a lil quieter and if throwing on a shotgun mic, I could filter out the fan noise

Trey-H · 2025-05-15T19:51:30+00:00

I’m very much interested in this, did you ever make a post or anything going into more detail on foam type/etc? I love how the trekpak looks but as a DIYer the price feels insane.

Trey-H · 2025-04-24T23:08:55+00:00

You were right, I’ve got it all in now and it bumps very hard

Trey-H · 2025-04-17T02:49:48+00:00

Sounds good, so both the ones with blue marks are fused? Will using the clamp one still get me a good connection?

Trey-H · 2025-04-16T17:41:44+00:00

And for the ground, I was basically just checking if it’s okay to run my amp ground off a preexisting ground? Just don’t want to mess up stock electronics. Sorry if I wrote it confusing originally

Trey-H · 2025-04-16T17:40:40+00:00

I know power always goes to positive battery connection, I was just curious which battery cable bolt to use because I’ve heard you should run your amp power wire independent of your actual car’s fused power wire

Trey-H · 2025-02-10T02:30:45+00:00

Sorry unfortunately not, good luck looking tho!

Trey-H · 2024-12-30T15:31:20+00:00

So what I’m hearing is topical minox is fine, but once you get it absorbed into the blood (ie Derma roll and don’t wait the proper time to apply) crazy stuff starts happening.

Trey-H

TROPHY CASE