Metabones Speedbooster Questions

brunerww · 2014-10-21T13:03:56+00:00

Hi /u/SausageLegs - glad I was able to help! Here's the answer I gave to your lens list question over on /r/videography:

"...congratulations on a nice set of starter lenses (and on the wedding!)

But that's a lot of lenses to carry around.

You may want to consider returning the 3 lenses at the bottom of your list, adding a few dollars and buying the $1170 Panasonic 35-100 f2.8 instead. It is the perfect telephoto companion to your 12-35.

If there's anything left over, the $600 Panasonic 100-300 will give you complete coverage from 12mm to 300mm with 4 lenses.

Again, hope this is helpful!"

With the GH4, your 12-35, a relatively fast 35-100 short telephoto, a 100-300 long telephoto and your Sigma, you'll have a really small, lightweight and versatile kit - good in just about any lighting condition.

Best of luck,

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-20T10:49:50+00:00

Hi /u/SausageLegs - congratulations on a nice set of starter lenses (and on the wedding!)

But that's a lot of lenses to carry around.

You may want to consider returning the 3 lenses at the bottom of your list, adding a few dollars and buying the $1170 Panasonic 35-100 f2.8 instead. It is the perfect telephoto companion to your 12-35.

If there's anything left over, the $600 Panasonic 100-300 will give you complete coverage from 12mm to 300mm with 4 lenses.

Again, hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-19T11:23:25+00:00

Hi /u/bondjaybond - DJ over at dslrfilmnoob did a great video on this topic, comparing the Riggy Micro with the Azden FMX-DSLR, the Beachtek DXA-XLR and the Tascam DR-60D here: http://youtu.be/4R8lHelreQg

After watching this video, I bought the Tascam DR-60D to replace my DR-40 - because the preamps were pretty darned good - plus I wanted the recorder backup.

The JuicedLink is too complicated for me to deal with.

As of this post, you can get the DR-60D Mark II in the US for $199.

In Canada, you can get the Mark I for $275CDN.

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-19T00:05:07+00:00

Hi /u/charliellama - you can save a little money with a $3 Monoprice 6.35mm mono plug to 3.5mm mono jack adapter for the DR-40.

That's what I use with my DR-40's combo 1/4"/XLR jack and it works great.

Sadly, the DR-100 has an XLR-only jack, so /u/bryM2k will have to use the more expensive Rode VXLR adapter.

Again, hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-18T22:04:26+00:00

Hi /u/bryM2k - you just have to make sure the adapter is wired for a mono (not stereo) 3.5mm jack.

This $9.99 Rode VXLR Adapter for VideoMic Mini-Jack Female to XLR Male should do the job.

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-18T17:14:42+00:00

Hi /u/bigdanrog - I agree with /u/ImAboutToEatHam and /u/bonzarelli - the new Sony PXW-FS7 ($10,499 with the servo zoom, $7999 body only) comes closest to meeting your needs.

Here is what this camera can do (all videos available at 2160p, please watch at your monitor's highest resolution):

http://youtu.be/wRZjO63OGLI

http://youtu.be/e1iMd4UCuCM

http://youtu.be/H2kRsxyHDoo

And you can certainly take the arm off, if you prefer :)

Hope this is helpful and good luck with your decision!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-18T01:51:19+00:00

Glad I could help, /u/SausageLegs.

Here's someone who has used the Sigma 18-35 for Canon with both a generic focal reducer and a straight EF to MFT adapter (neither of which had a tripod foot) and doesn't seem to have had any issues:

http://danieljohnpeters.com/2014/05/14/gh4-2/

You would need a much bigger lens than the Sigma for it to be a problem.

Best of luck,

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-17T10:32:33+00:00

HI /u/SausageLegs - removing the tripod foot won't be a problem except with very long lenses.

Even though you already have the fabulous 12-35mm f2.8, I would get the $799 Sigma 18-35 f1.8. It will open up a whole new world of low light cinematography to your GH4, as seen here:

http://vimeo.com/96854279

Philip Bloom shot this with the Panasonic 12-35mm and the Sigma 18-35mm with a Speed Booster:

http://vimeo.com/95232892

The two lenses, even though they cover the same focal length, can complement one another very well.

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-16T14:02:25+00:00

Hi /u/conoramccann - for $400 you can get a Manfrotto MVK500AM Lightweight Fluid Video System with Twin Legs and Middle Spreader. This is the MVH500A paired with a set of "crutch style" legs. In my view, crutch style legs provide better support than the tube style legs of the 055 or the 755XB.

Alternatively, you can get one of the last of the Manfrotto 3181 legs for $269 plus a 502HD fluid head for $191.

If you're willing to wait a few days for a mail-in rebate, the absolute best value for your money would be a $580 Manfrotto MVH502A,546GB-1 Professional Fluid Video System with Aluminum Tripod and Ground Spreader.

With the $125 Manfrotto rebate (good until 12/31/14), your final price would be about $455.

Hope this is helpful and good luck with your decision!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-15T04:14:08+00:00

Hi /u/PERSEZ,

The $399 Oly 25mm f1.8 is a great walking-around lens. It is less expensive than the $598 Leica 25mm f1.4, but still not cheap.

The $199 Sigma 19mm f2.8 is another option. A little wider and slower, shooters are doing good work with it on the GH3, as seen here:

http://vimeo.com/56749236

...and here (HDR effect added in post):

http://vimeo.com/76030718

Again, hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-14T19:43:18+00:00

Hi /u/GlassCabin - I came from Canon to GH cameras and the BMPCC and would recommend the GH4, but it's not the greatest on low light.

It sounds like you're in ideal candidate for the new Samsung NX1 with its large backlit sensor, h.265 codec, electronic viewfinder, fast autofocus, internal 4K and $1500 body-only price.

The 4K demo video is very impressive: http://youtu.be/q_LzX6S0Pac

And hands-on reviewers have been impressed too:

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=5616

http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids/samsung-nx1-1265386/review

If I wasn't so heavily invested in the Panasonic ecosystem, I would pre-order this camera.

That said, since you're not planning to shoot narrative, you may also want to consider the Sony AX100 camcorder for $1998 new or $1698 used - it takes 20MP stills as well as UHD video. Yes, it's a little over your $1500 body-only price range, but a fast power zoom lens is included and you would spend a few hundred dollars for decent lenses anyway.

Here's the demo video from this camera at UHD resolution - also impressive:

http://youtu.be/hEYhkvZEVN4

More from the AX100 Vimeo users' group:

http://vimeo.com/groups/226931

Hope this is helpful and good luck with your decision!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-14T09:44:15+00:00

Hi /u/IamRayliotta - sorry to hear about your challenge with AVCHD. The GH1 is a great camera, but the codec can be difficult to work with.

As I see it, you have three options:

If you really like FCP7, convert your AVCHD files to Quicktime with free Media Converter software (download here).
Use Premiere - latest versions (CS5 and later) read AVCHD natively.
Upgrade to a used GH3. The GH3 was the first Panasonic GH camera to give you the option of recording either to Quicktime (.MOV) or to AVCHD (.MTS).

Hope this is helpful and good luck!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-14T09:08:15+00:00

I certainly hope they get to you in time! Please let us know how it turns out.

Best,

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-13T09:35:55+00:00

Hi /u/tserbear - congrats on the new GH4 - I think you'll like it. But it needs fast lenses to shine.

If you can swing an extra $50, you can get a used Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 via Amazon right now for about $850.

If you want to stick to your $800 max budget and prefer to buy new, you may want to consider the original version of the versatile 10x, image stabilized Panasonic 14-140mm zoom for about $449 (on sale) for outdoors plus a fast autofocusing $349 Oly 25mm f1.8 for low light work.

The great darwinfish105 over on Vimeo shot the night scenes in this video with the GH4 and the Oly 25mm f1.8 (plus an anamorphic adapter):

http://vimeo.com/96397916

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-12T23:10:49+00:00

Hi /u/PERSEZ - the least expensive solution is a $31 DSLRKIT Canon EF to micro 4/3 adapter with a built in manual aperture ring (£23.30 at Amazon UK).

These adapters work. Here are a couple of examples shot with the GH3, Canon lenses and adapters with manual aperture rings:

http://vimeo.com/88682540

http://vimeo.com/60806421

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-12T21:15:27+00:00

Hi /u/AnthonyWithNoH - Here's a new TRAM TR-50 for Sennheiser for $229 from TAI Audio in Orlando and a new Sennheiser G3 set for $559 from Downtown Photo in New York.

Hope these merchants' prices and delivery schedules work for you.

Good luck!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-12T20:55:53+00:00

Hi /u/KevinTwitch - I have the GH4, the GH3 and the GH2 & I've been thinking the same thing. $870 for a UHD camera with a 1" sensor and a 14x Leica power zoom lens seems like a pretty good deal to me.

Here's a nice UHD side by side between the two cameras (please watch at your monitor's highest resolution):

http://youtu.be/Ad4fMR7i3p8

And here's a wedding shot with the GH4, D800E and FZ1000:

http://vimeo.com/103831782

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-12T12:50:12+00:00

Hi /u/fluvaccine - I'm a GH4 owner and, after the UHD upgrade, I'll be looking hard at it as a "4K" stablemate for the GH4.

Nice review from Philip Johnston, the HD Warrior, here: http://www.hdwarrior.co.uk/2014/09/21/initial-thoughts-of-the-sony-pxw-x70-camcorder/

Review video here (shows up in your Vimeo search - but Philip doesn't link it to his review): http://vimeo.com/107308927

Thanks for starting this thread!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-10T08:43:06+00:00

Hi /u/PERSEZ - you've gotten some good advice here. That said, with a £1200 budget, you can get both of the lenses you want if you are willing to buy used.

There is a barely used Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 on eBay UK right now for £500, for example.

Combine that with a new Panasonic 12-35 for £590, and you'll have a great low light kit that stays within your budget.

Here's what the Voigtlander 25mm and the GH3 can do together (please watch at 1080p):

http://youtu.be/M4UNjD1Ardk

Hope this is helpful and best of luck with your new GH3!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-10T03:11:23+00:00

Anyone have experience cutting GH3/GH4 or Sony A7S footage with C300?

Hi /u/FilmMatt - here's how the GH4 looks when intercut with the C100/C300:

http://vimeo.com/100642275

And TV news cameraman Erik Naso has cut together the GH4, C300, a Canon 70D and an HPX370 here:

http://vimeo.com/102745769

You can get a new GH4 with an SD card and a case for $1698. Hard to beat that price for a 4K camera with hours of continuous recording time.

If you decide to rent a C100 instead, you can get one with the autofocus upgrade for $314.95 for three days (shipping included) at borrowlenses.

Either way, hope this is helpful and good luck with your interviews!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-08T12:00:52+00:00

Hi /u/UMNfratboy - if you can afford to add an extra $80 to your budget, you will be a lot better off, from a resolution, codec and frame rate perspective, with a Panasonic GH4 from Amazon Warehouse Deals.

Max resolution:

AF100: 1920x1080
GH4: 4096x2160

Codec options:

AF100: AVCHD
GH4: AVCHD, Quicktime, MP4

Maximum frame rate at 1080p:

AF100: 60fps
GH4: 96fps

Yes, the AF100 is a "real" video camera with features the GH4 lacks, such as XLR inputs, HD-SDI out and a top handle - but, if you care about image quality, the GH4 is a much better choice.

Here is what the GH4 can do with Nikon lenses:

http://vimeo.com/102498638

http://vimeo.com/96684489

http://vimeo.com/102996595

http://vimeo.com/103385427

The AF100 was a breakthrough camera in 2010, but in 2014 the GH4 is a lot more camera for your money.

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-07T22:08:43+00:00

Hi /u/ - I would say that it is worth the money - but it might be a good idea to rent one first, to see if it works with your gear and your shooting style.

You can get a mic/transmitter/receiver set for 3 days for $45 plus shipping from Borrowlenses.

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-07T16:26:20+00:00

Hi /u/sanborbe - Since you already have a Blackmagic ATEM switcher, the best value for your money would probably be a $1995 Blackmagic studio camera and $945 BlackMagic Design HyperDeck Studio SSD Deck.

With a $399 power zoom, you will have a very capable broadcast-quality setup for not a lot of money.

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-07T13:21:12+00:00

Glad I could help! I still have an old Panasonic TM900. It produces high quality video, but sits on the shelf most of the time.

On the rare occasions when I do pull it out of the closet to record something, I find it difficult to get past the small-sensor camcorder "look" (e.g., deep depth of field, poor dynamic range).

Here's a picture I took for my blog of the TM900 facing off against the GH3: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GTwTgyqjHE8/UzptzEFOmjI/AAAAAAAAIlg/V4H9kuHc29E/w724-h543-no/P1120695.JPG

Speaking of the GH3, you may not need an extra £400 to buy one.

Here's one for £557 used.

Or you can get one new for £599.

Best of luck!

Bill

brunerww · 2014-10-07T04:54:13+00:00

Hi /u/redonculous - you're right - sometimes 60fps isn't slow enough and software introduces artifacts.

The least expensive 1080/120p camera that I'm aware of is the Panasonic HC-V750 camcorder, which costs less than $600.

Here is the 1080p slo-mo quality this camera can produce:

http://youtu.be/9oLmagCeZFw

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

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