[Dean Longfield]

Thanks for the responses. Good stuff. Just one thing I’m a little confused about. When the audio on a 60D is switched from Auto to Manual,
does that turn off the AGC? I’ve read that it does and that it does not on various tech boards on-line. Also, many suggest setting low manual audio levels on the 60D and using a high output mic, (and/or the +20 gain on mics with that feature). It would stand to reason that switching to manual would turn off the AGC, but the more I research the more I find that there is disagreement on that…. I’ll have to test more and see if I hear fluctuations in the sound when on manual setting.

[Dean Longfield]

Thanks for the response. Much appreciated. I know of the Sennheiser MKE400. That’s defiantly also a mic to consider.

Do you use manual levels when recording in camera audio?
My tests have been done that way thus far, but I’ve read that some people use the auto feature in live situations. (I have a Canon 60D).
I have used the auto feature with the in camera mic during tests in quiet situations and it wasn’t terrible, (and is a good to reference)

My thoughts of using the shotgun style mic (and lavalier in the church),
connected into the H4N and then outputting that signal into the DSLR,
was so I could adjust the audio levels during live recording, if need be, and then send a cleaner (not over modulated) signal to the DSLR.

I’ll have to continue testing. Especially in a loud music situation like a wedding reception.

[Dean Longfield]

I have a H4N as well and my thinking was to use one of the Rode Mics I asked about – mounted on the DSLR rig – going into the H4N, and also having a wireless mic, (lavalier on groom in church or mic near speaker at reception), going into the H4N’s other input. Then outputting from the H4N via a Y cable with one going into the DSLR and the other to the headphones. This way I can at least monitor the audio somewhat, and have two recordings, (keeping the H4N levels on the slightly lower side).

[Dean Longfield]

Thanks. I have a H4N as well and my thinking was to use one of the Rode Mics I asked about – mounted on the DSLR rig – going into the H4N, and also having a wireless mic, (lavalier on groom in church or mic near speaker at reception), going into the H4N’s other input. Then outputting from the H4N via a Y cable with one going into the DSLR and the other to the headphones. This way I can at least monitor the audio somewhat, and have two recordings, (keeping the H4N levels on the slightly lower side).

[Dean Longfield]

Wow. Thanks for the zoom servo motor info Alister. That’s encouraging news.

[Dean Longfield]

I always adjust the zebra stripes. I’d rather have an underexposed image than an overexposed image,
as it’s more possible to correct in post.

Regarding settings I kind of use a combination of Doug Jensen’s suggestions and Alister Chapman’s I suppose, in that I like DJ’s suggested settings of:

Matrix: Turned ON and set to HIGH SAT
Detail Level: -10
Master Black: -3
Black Gamma: -2

But i tend to use: (more like AC)

Cine Gamma 1: for outdoor, Daylight shooting
Cine Gamma 3; For indoor shooting
Cine Gamma 4; (sometimes) for indoor when it’s very dark and I want to increase brightness of the entire frame.

i believe DJ uses Cine Gamma 4 most of the time, (indoors or outdoors).
Note that even the Cine Gamma 4 is a little darker than the Default settings.

So that’s what’s working best for me right now. Hope that helps.

[Dean Longfield]

I use one of these:
https://shop.dm-accessories.com/products/ex1-ex1r-shoulder-kit

if you like to be shoulder mounted the above unit works very well. i also have an Anton Bauer back on that unit and for the wireless mic receiver I attached one of these:
https://shop.dm-accessories.com/collections/wireless-receiver-mounts/products/bec-500

I don’t know if you use the rear shoe mount on the EX1R for anything else, but if not then you can easily attach your Sennheise G3 receiver to the shoe mount as your Senn. kit should have come with that shoe mounting accessory, (it attaches to the receiver with the metal belt clip). i do this when I’m not using the DM Accessories shoulder mount unit.

The bracket you picked up looks good as well. Good luck.

[Dean Longfield]

Thanks Thanks Thanks.
Appreciate it.

[Dean Longfield]

Thanks for your response. The client does both HD and SD jobs. When I shoot an HD job for them, I deliver in an HD file, via portable hard drive. But when I shoot an SD job, I still shoot in HD but then deliver the job in SD via DV tape. I had been shooting the SD deliverable job, in 1080 60i, and then converting to SD 480i.

So I was wondering is it better to shoot in 1080 30p XDCAM EX HD, and
just deliver in an HD file and have them convert it.

But if they did not want to do that is it better for me to shoot in HD 1080 30p and then convert the footage to 480 60i on DV tape. In other words will the footage then be more progressive TV friendly being it was originally shot in 30p – Or is there a downside to that approach such as pixellating artifacts…etc?

It seems that you’re suggesting that shooting in 30P is the way to go in either scenario.

Thanks again for your input.

[Dean Longfield]

Hi, I see that your camera is on a rolling tripod. Is the subject moving?

I’m not sure why you’d use that particular receiver (Senn EW-500).
Isn’t that an 8 x 8 inch, 2 plus pounds unit? I wouldn’t attach anything like that to an EX1.

Do your dolly wheels have an accessory plate in the middle? If they are heavy duty dolly wheels you can probably attach an accessory plate and then place the receiver on the plate and use longer audio cable. Also, if the camera isn’t moving, (or not moving much), you cam place the receiver on solid ground and use a longer (20’…) audio cable… Or rig a sturdy bag to saddle the tripod that will carry the receiver.

Of course, you can just go with a Sennheiser G3 ENG system if you want to attach the receiver to your camera, (I attach audio receivers to the rear shoe on the EX1).

here’s a link to the Sennheiser G3 ENG system:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/618735-REG/Sennheiser_EW100ENGG3_A_Evolution_G3_100_Series.html