[Julian Coleman]

I got my HM700 on Friday however not had much time to familiarise myself with it although the layout is very similar to my old HD100.

Tomorrow night will be my first shoot with it and I’m hoping that I’ve correctly setup what needed setting up. Really looking forward to working with the 2 cameras from now on.

I also invested in a Steadicam Merlin for use with the HM100 and have spent a lot more of my time with this setting it up and then practicing. I’m fairly confident to use it tomrrow night but also know that I have a lot more practicing to do.

Will keep you posted on my progress.

By the wat – seriously thinking of investing in the Rode NTG-3 with the Blimp offer. Any thoughts? I start shooting a documentary in January and believe that it will come into its own for this. I currently have the NTG-2.

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[Julian Coleman]

Charlie, yes of course I will – nothing like sharing information.

This morning I used the HM100 for the first time on a shoot (still waiting for the 700 to arrive) and I was totally amazed how good this camera really is. Well, all I have to compare it with is my old GY-HD100.

This ease of use and quality is superb and the thought had entered my mind about cancelling the 700 and getting another 100. But I still want the larger camera. I always had low light issues and now they have gone. Filming started at 7am lasting 1hr and did not need any additional lighting nor did I need any gain assistance. Previously I would have required my on camera light and to have gain. What a difference it makes not needing a light.

I shot everything in 720p and have just reviewed the footage on a 50′ plasma – WOW!

The only issue I had was controlling the speed of the zoom control and need to play more with and get use to it. Other than this I really believe that I have made the best choice and investment and cannot wait for the 700 to arrive later in the week – I hope!

I’m filming more throughout the week and then the main event is next Monday. I will let you know how it all went.

Julian Coleman A.M.Inst.V.

[Julian Coleman]

I just saw your post and felt it appropriate to contribute with the way I dea with this issue.

It is true that taking a feed from the mixing desk is very sterile and what I do is the following:

I have a Zoom H4n (https://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h4n) and make use of the 4 channels. I mount it on a mic stand close to the mixing desk and a speaker capturing audio using the internal mics. I then take a line out of the mixer desk and feed it into a 3rd channel. None of this touches any of my cameras.

On my main camera I use a Rode NTG-3 and the 2nd camera I use a Rode NTG-2.

All of the audio is then sync’d in post. What I achieve from this is back-up of my audio recording as well as the ability to have the best audio to choose from. You’d be surprised how quick it is to sync in post and you get all of the audio throughout the event which means that even when a camera is not recording the audio is and I never mis a thing. Plenty of cutaways is also a good idea.

Julian Coleman A.M.Inst.V.

[Julian Coleman]

Gents – thank you so much for your responses which I appreceiate. I got MH-100 on Friday and the 700 is due to arrive some time this week and cannot wait.

Julian Coleman A.M.Inst.V.