Keith Dobie
Forum Replies Created
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I have been using an Anton Bauer Ultralight 2 with a 20W 12v MR16 bulb (I think about 40 degree beam). It’s pretty good for shooting news, you can go to a higher wattage MR16 if your battery can hack it. I wouldn’t use it for interviews though unless it’s for news or a bit of fill. I have a mini softbox that makes it a lot easier on the interview subject and gives a much better image. It uses a D-tap to take power off my A/B batteries but I think you can get a 4pin XLR. I’ve looked at the new crop of LED lights in their various forms and I’m not quite sold on them yet. They just don’t seem to have much punch. Maybe someone can suggest an LED that isn’t a joke, because the low power they draw sure is attractive.
Hope this helps. -
This was a very helpful thread! I wanted to see how it turned out, so I contacted Catalin Brylla (she made the original post) and asked how her plasma solution was working out. She kindly wrote back and gave me permission to post it here:
I am quite happy with the solution. I went with the TH-42PF20, which is their new model with HDMI in. I am using the Matrox MXO2 LE and connect the monitor via HDMI (the SDI module from Panasonic was too expensive). Calibration was very easy via the software GUI. I have onlined a few times with it (I am more an offline editor), so I cannot tell about permanent use, but the colours are still very crisp. There is a bit of jitter on the screen, but I guess that is the plasma (it is very minimal). The monitor is bloody heavy, so make sure you have a steady desk. Other than that, no problems. I think it is the best solution for a mid-budget setup.
Are you running Avid or Final Cut? In any case, I am still using the meters (Y waveform, RGP parade, vectorscope) to monitor and judge the signal, as I am not sure how accurate the MXO2 software calibrator is. People recommend to have a professional calibrating it. Somewhere on the net, I think you can even get calibration profiles for Panasonic models (usually in forums), so might be worth checking those.
Let me know if there is anything else you want to know. Please feel free to share this info on the CC thread.
Catalin
Thanks to Catalin for that. I just upgraded camera to HD. Will be editing with a Mac Pro, Matrox MXO2 Mini and a 42″ Panasonic plasma as broadcast monitor. (Also considered 24″ Dell monitor with HDMI) Just trying to figure out which Panasonic model would be best. (Waiting to hear back from them) They have quite a lineup of consumer and Pro plasmas. The top end consumer models and the Pro Plasmas with 1920×1080 seem to be about $1,000 less than the entry level FSI monitors (Canadian pricing). The Pro Plasmas have a lot of features used in digital signage. Can’t tell if they use better or different panels than the top consumer ones. So if it would do the job for now, would consider getting an entry level 42″ Panasonic consumer model (1024×768) and then upgrade to the Grade 1 monitor later. I’m doing events, freelance news, and corporate projects.
Any thoughts?
Keith
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Maybe I’m missing something but… isn’t it easier to scan the images so you can do nice motion effects inside your NLE? Or if you can’t scan them, use a digital camera?
Keith
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Mediahead — that sounds really interesting. I was there a long time ago (1980-1981) so I’m not sure how valuable my comments are, no doubt things have changed. I was on a youth program where we worked on rural agriculture projects with our Senegalese counterparts and learned about the culture. My group stayed in northern Senegal near Louga, but we also spent a lot of time in Dakar and visited other cities. Also spent a week doing a tour in southern Senegal, crossed The Gambia into the Casamance region of Senegal. At the time there was a lot of military presence in the south, and we saw (and were stopped) by army units. I’ve read that the southern independence movement has resulted in a peace treaty though.
A few ideas, hope this helps.
> You wrote you have your shots. Good! I got very sick while I was there, as did quite a few of my group members. I’m not sure if there are medications available now to help avoid dysentery, but it’s just such a terrible drain on your energy, and knocks you out of service for days. You might want to have a doctor / tropical health specialist you can call back home. In Senegal they speak French (along with Wolof etc.) and not many people spoke English.
> Don’t swim in lakes or rivers because of shistosomiasis. https://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/schistosomiasis/factsht_schistosomiasis.htm
> Find out the latest prevention measures for malaria. Have mosquito repellent and mosquito netting available.
> If you haven’t been to the tropics before, don’t underestimate the intensity of the sun. It is just so easy to get a severe burn in a ridiculously short exposure time. (I’m from Canada so this was even worse for me).
> Senegal and Mali are 90%+ Islamic. Very very good idea to read up on what to expect. I found the people really welcoming and gracious, and I’m sure you will too. But they do expect you to fit in. We got yelled at in some cities for wearing shorts. Don’t forget to allow for their prayer times when planning shoots.
> Expect a lot of kids to follow you around, be curious about what you’re doing, ask for money and generally just be an inconvenience during your shoots.
> There are religious cities (like Touba) which have perimeter inspection points. Religious police have extraordinary authority. Expect to have your vehicle searched for the usual prohibited items. In other areas it was pretty casual though. You might want to avoid use of your left hand though in eating and greeting. It’s considered “dirty”. You’ll realize why after you’ve visited some of the very basic toilets/washrooms. You’re going to find some that have just a hole in the floor and a can of water.
> I had no problem with photography. I took a lot of photos, but no video. People didn’t seem to mind.
> I lost a camera to theft, as well as some money. I would be extremely cautious with your gear and passport / ID. Police didn’t hassle us though, and many people were very helpful and kind.
> If you’re going to be in an area away from a major town/city for any length of time, I would really want to investigate the availability of fresh water and basic sanitation. That was one of our biggest problems.
> If you’re doing long distance trips around the country there are squadrons of “taxi” like vans/station wagons that can be hired for day trips. They’re everywhere! This is fine and works well, but make sure you negotiate the price and don’t be shy about it. Negoiation and bartering is expected and respected. Make sure it is absolutely clear. We had drivers try to rip us off upon arrival at the destination, demanding more money, threatening to keep our bags, etc. They just thought we were soft and gullible… but usually some other local men would come to our assistance after we got into a loud argument over it at the destination. And oh ya, the drivers aren’t actually trying to get everyone killed, they just like to drive fast!
> Sand is everywhere. Expect it to get into your gear if you don’t have covers.
Hope you have a great time and successful shoots. Going to be a great experience.
Keith
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Where are you going to be working in West Africa? I lived for six months in Senegal. I think the technical challenges would be outweighed by the struggle to stay healthy and safe.
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Hi Nestor
Thanks very much for replying, I appreciate your comments. I’ll look into incorporating, looks like it is time. -
What’s your company name, website etc? I googled “infiniFLO” but there were no hits. Interested to see what you’re producing.
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What are you shooting? What’s your budget? Are you shooting indoors or outdoors mostly? Are you shooting away from AC power? Do you have to contend with shooting inside while exterior windows are visible? How much of a hurry are you in when you’re shooting? Is it always just a single person you’re interviewing? Do you have an assistant with you on the shoots usually?
The more details you give these guys, the better their answers will be. As for me, I just lurk and learn.
Keith
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Mike …. could you shoot it against a greenscreen and key the white in post… so you could get it perfect?
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I was reading this thread when I remembered there’s a way to finish a 30 minute show in 30 minutes. I’m not trying to be a Luddite, but does anyone cut shows live to tape any more? I used to work in a studio and recorded too many shows to count, and it’s the most efficient way there is. Maybe it’s not the most flexible, but you can always iso the wide shot or all the cameras. I guess it depends on how “perfect” you need the finished product to be. With the right switcher I suppose you could digitize to NLE as you lay the show to tape as well.
Keith