[Greg Pasztor]

I have no problem with FCPX doing whatever it wants to do to link the program to my files but it should not make my entire video archive dependent on FCPX. This is the same problem Apple created for iPhoto, where outside of their proprietary software & keywords you have to be patient and lucky to find a file. At least FCP7 let you rename files to clips and vice-versa. FCPX does not seem professional in its attitude towards archiving, does not make use of metadata or the Finder’s Spotlights Comments or any other tool that would allow one to search files outside their program. Unfortunately this is something I often have to do and will not surrender to the changing whims of software developers. I guess it’s back to FCP7 for ingest for now, unless Sony adds this functionality to XDCAM browser or some third-party software developer steps in…
Thanks for all your thoughtful responses!
Greg

[Greg Pasztor]

I’ve had reasonable results converting to ProRes and then performing the speed change…certainly better than applying the change to the raw clip.
For slowing down very complex scenes, in my case–birds flying past and through brush in the winter (think lots of twigs, flapping wings) I purchased Furnace Core. But you have to leave yourself plenty of time to tweak the settings to get a good result…and even more time to render.

[Greg Pasztor]

I’ve been using a PortaBrace backpack for several years and it’s been great. Holds W/A, Fisheye, 2x lenses plus batteries, mics, cords,water…and when I need to schlep everything across the prairie I can even shock cord my Sachtler 2a into the long side pocket and hike.

[Greg Pasztor]

Make sure there is nothing the slightest bit loose on the camera because Blackhawks pull some pretty serious g’s. I had a lens hood sucked off my camera circling the remains of the “Giant” set in West Texas. Be sure to tell the pilot you’re up for anything (they’ll regard it as a challenge to get you sick).