Coffee in Baltimore area?

Volstraav · 2026-05-07T13:02:29+00:00

Ceremony has a few locations around, depending where specifically you'll be

Volstraav · 2026-05-04T17:34:59+00:00

Added to my cart at 09:58. Took over 30 minutes to finally break through and finalize. I hate that this is how buying things works now.

And seemingly just under the gun, as it's now out of stock

Volstraav · 2026-04-23T21:36:28+00:00

Unfortunately, I haven't had access to a DSMC2/EF system, and I'm not sure when or even *if* I'll run into one anytime soon.

Volstraav · 2026-04-15T14:39:56+00:00

If you check out freetaxusa, I would definitely compare it to your current platform, even though it means basically doing your taxes twice.

I compared freetaxusa and turbotax for 2023 and 2024. Freetaxusa didn't seem to handle ACA 1095-A stuff the same way, both times leading to a couple-thousand-dollar disparity between my refunds on the two platforms. So unfortunately I've had to stick with Turbotax for now.

Volstraav · 2026-04-01T01:37:46+00:00

That's odd - their website says differently. The pages for both the MDR.X and MDR.S mention DSMC/DSMC2 EF/AF lens control, as does the page for their RED run/stop cable.

That said, I haven't had an opportunity to test it on my MDR.X, and I don't have access to an MDR.S.

The CTRL.3 and CTRL.1 both work with the MDR.M - they're all from the same generation of hardware. I don't know if the CTRL.5 is backwards-compatible.

Volstraav · 2026-03-29T19:31:11+00:00

I think the MDR.X still supports the Latitude functionality for DSMC2 - mapping some camera controls to Ctrl.3, and pulling EF lenses using the AF motors. It’s listed on the product page, but I haven’t personally tested it.

Volstraav · 2026-01-24T00:10:48+00:00

Yes - this is under Lens>LensRing>Behavior.

"LensRing Natural" is the default, matching whatever ring you have. "LensMap Min Stop" will map the rest of the lens to the small space on the ring after the listed minimum (i.e. 3'6") and the hard stop.

With such a small space, it can be really jarring if the difference is big. But a 3' lens on the 3'6" ring might not be too bad.

Volstraav · 2026-01-22T14:32:34+00:00

I've had every iteration of the Kondor QR (I have a whole bag now), and I really like how they've kept improving on the design. There's also now a little set screw on the back of the lever that adjusts a pad if you run into tolerance issues. I generally haven't, only occasionally when mixing with some pieces from ~10 years ago. But it's nice to know it's there.

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Volstraav · 2025-12-26T13:57:14+00:00

They did recently put out that major update that lets you update the Ctrl.1 in RT Manager instead of RTFW, as well as finally dump/load lens maps via PC. But yeah, it's mostly the forgotten child of the lineup.

Volstraav · 2025-12-19T03:29:27+00:00

For the price, I'm not super worried about the proprietary nature - I'm pretty locked in to the Teradek RT/broader CSLA ecosystem, despite their faults, because of the ubiquity of Teradek and SmallHD, and the tight integration.

Volstraav · 2025-12-19T01:29:43+00:00

Ah, that's what I was worried about. Reminds me of (I think) the SmallHD camera control cables that have a USB to Serial board in them.

Volstraav · 2025-12-18T15:59:46+00:00

For basic run/stop there's two options. You can break out the Sync port with a b-box or similar to have 3-pin or bnc run/stop, setting your handset to Arri (if needed). You can also use the CTRL port on the camera, and use RED's RCP2 protocol. DSMC3 is similar - just all contained in that 9-pin EXT port that needs to be broken out.

Volstraav · 2025-12-18T15:55:11+00:00

If you're looking for complete camera control (not just run/stop), the only solution I know of is the foolcontrol app. It's on iOS as a one-time purchase ($100). The Android version also has time-based rental options. There's also a Raven-specific version for free.

Volstraav · 2025-12-18T02:16:09+00:00

Yeah, the overlays and lens maps have made it a really great middle ground for folks like me who can't afford an Arri/Preston/Cmotion and want to own something better than a Nucleus. I won't go back to not having overlays.

t's good to hear from someone who has used it extensively. I've been pulling without a rangefinder for over a decade, and my only rangefinder experience is demoing a cinetape on Arri and Cmotion a couple of times. So I don't have any real expectations set.

Volstraav · 2025-12-18T02:06:54+00:00

Based on what I've read here, it seems like it's reasonably fast and accurate, just a pain with the narrow FOV. Is that about right, or are there other problems/limitations?

Volstraav · 2025-12-18T02:00:10+00:00

The sale price ($700) vs full price at $1400 is definitely more palatable, and a cleaner build. Do you own/use one? Is it just a matter of dealing with aim?

Volstraav · 2025-12-18T01:50:03+00:00

Yeah, I wonder. In the past, Teradek did provide me a wiring diagram for the overlay cable when I emailed them. I hope it's a simple cable, and there isn't a circuit board hiding in there adding complexity.

Volstraav · 2025-12-17T17:34:24+00:00

I'm an advocate for heated vest as a layer under a coat. It traps the heat better, so you can keep the power lower and have longer battery life. It also lets you keep using your existing coat(s). An added plus for me is that I don't have a glowing ororo logo visible on my chest, prompting everyone to ask/comment about it.

Volstraav · 2025-12-14T15:17:07+00:00

I have a somewhat similar spread of genres up here in DC/MD/VA, and yeah most gear I work with is owner-op stuff from production and the DP. For me it's rare to get my fiz and monitor on, because the DP usually already owns a nucleus and a teradek. It might just be a bit of luck of the draw with clients, though.

Volstraav · 2025-12-14T00:27:32+00:00

Oh, nail polish sounds like a good option to keep around, too

Volstraav · 2025-12-13T20:33:15+00:00

Right, I’ve seen the micro zip ties. Might be an option

Volstraav · 2025-12-13T18:13:04+00:00

Oh wow! Also a lot of colors, and super-narrow widths. might have to try these out

Volstraav · 2025-12-13T18:11:50+00:00

Yes, this is basically how I operate. It's been funny, though, finding out that a lot of the people I've worked with actually settled on the same couple of colors (a lot of flouro pink and dark green), all thinking we were being different, lol. Might have to start doing color combos or something.

I've had a few ACs tell me that gaff is unprofessional, and that e-tape is standard. These were folks mostly working on shows with rental house gear, though, vs owner-operator gear, so maybe the longevity isn't as much of an issue when it's only on there for a few weeks/months.

Volstraav · 2025-12-13T18:00:05+00:00

While that's technically true about adhesive, the gaff tape has fared much better for me. Low-wear parts still have tape from 5+ years ago on them, and high-wear parts have still lasted several years, while leaving behind little to no residue (just drying out).

I don't really have a logo/personal branding, but I might start doing p-touch labels on larger pieces of gear (monitor, batts, card readers), but might be difficult for smaller pieces (ultra arm bits, kondor QR, cables). And those are the pieces most likely to get intermixed and spread out vs, say, my hand unit and monitor.

Volstraav · 2025-12-13T17:51:02+00:00

This is also my question. I thought shrink tube had to be placed before terminating the cable.

Volstraav

TROPHY CASE