[Ben Hilton]

This really depends on the variable ND filter you purchase. Most Variable NDs will create the x pattern when at their darkest setting, but this really isn’t an issue if you treat it right. If your ND filter says it covers 8 stops just think of it as covering 6 stops and never go past the point where it starts to x mark.

Variable NDs are a great way to go for run and gun filming. The cheaper ones will create a color cast and soften the image a bit, but if you get a good one, this isn’t much of an issue.

For the quality vs price best bang for your buck purchase, I would recommend either the Tiffen variable or the Genustech Eclipse.

I use the Genustech every day for run and gun filming and the quality is very good.

This is a video filmed with a GH4 and G85 using the Genustech Eclipse if you want to check out the quality. The filming was on the fly run and gun with 100% natural light:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqvb1ofBNXE

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[Ben Hilton]

Thank you for the detailed information on your workflow. Very helpful. Do you have a Vimeo channel or someplace I could see your work for some examples of your final audio?

[Ben Hilton]

Very interesting, thank you for your input.

[Ben Hilton]

Thank you for your suggestions, very helpful. I will probably pick up one of those books when I get a chance.

[Ben Hilton]

Thank you for the suggestions, I will look into those microphones. I record almost all my audio straight into a Zoom H5n; with the XLR extension module. This gives me four XLR inputs and physical knobs for adjusting all my inputs.

[Ben Hilton]

Thank you both for taking the time to respond.

I understand the basics of on-set recording, and mixing and mastering audio for films. (I have been recording and mixing audio for short films and promotional pieces for four years.) Most of my audio has been recorded with either hidden Sennheiser G3s, and or mixed with a boomed Sennheiser ME66. And while I can get my dialogue sounding really “good” in post, I can’t seem to get that “feel” I was talking about in my first post.

Here is an example of dialogue with that “feel” I am talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VneoEvAJX0g

And an example of a “well” mixed dialogue without that “feel”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwBFiT7VqVU

I am sorry I am not able to convey what I am talking about better, I guess it is hard to describe something if you don’t know exactly what it is.

Thank you!

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[Ben Hilton]

You should look into a Sony Nex 5n, great camera with 1080 60p for slow motion. I have one myself, and the image quality for so cheap is amazing, perfect for music videos. Might be a little bit out of you price range….but you never know what you might find on ebay if you look hard enough.

[Ben Hilton]

I actually haven’t used the HDMI out of my camera before, but I think you are right about the overlays. The Sony NEX VG-10 has the exact same sensor and specs as the NEX 5N, except the VG-10 has clean HDMI output. It is a bit more expensive, but has a few more video options. The lens mount is the same though.
Ben

[Ben Hilton]

A Sony Nex 5N is a good choice, you can pick one up used on Ebay for under $400 with a good lens. I have one, and it shoots beautiful video, with full manual controls. The only major downside, is the bad internal mic, and no mic jack…but a zoom H1 is only $100 and should fit you needs well if you don’t mind syncing in post.

[Ben Hilton]

Thank you so much for the help.