[Lang Elliott]

Yes, that is true. I finally got hold of a fixed strength ND filter and the focused fine manually. So I’ll be using two fixed NDs as opposed to a variable ND. I spoke with Chuck Westfall (Cannon expert) and he said that it was entirely possible that variable NDs could be problematic with the new 100-400, due to how variable NDs are made, and strongly suggested I used fixed strength.

[Lang Elliott]

It turns out to have nothing to do with the GH4 because the same thing happens when I use a Canon body. So it must be that the filter somehow makes the lens impossible to focus.

Anybody?

[Lang Elliott]

I figured it out and ran a test.

When I import the 4K clip, I choose not to make optimized media. I then import the clip and set spatial conform to “none” in the inspector, which displays the 4K at full resolution, extended way out from the 16:9 frame margins. If I then view the clip at a low screen viewing percentage, I am able to see the transform handles and pull them in to my liking, as well as adjust the cropping by moving the transform window around.

I do bird videos and this workflow will be terrific for HD projects. Shooting in 4K is equivalent to using a zoom lens and will allow me to shoot without worrying so much about exact framing, which is a total pain in the arse to adjust when shooting at focal lengths approaching 3000mm. I will be able to focus and frame quickly, and then crop to my liking in post without losing any resolution (for HD). Wow!

[Lang Elliott]

This sounds even better, but how/where do you set “spatial conform” to “none” when importing a clip?

[Lang Elliott]

Great idea! Create compound clip and then drop it into an HD project … I hadn’t thought of that. So I don’t have to export the edited clip it at all.

Note that I can’t import initially into an HD project because I need to create a zoomed-in 16:9 crop (up to a 50% crop). I presume this needs to be done while editing a full-res clip ’cause otherwise I’d lose considerable detail.

BTW, the GH4 4K at 100mbps imports and plays just fine on my new (and somewhat souped-up) iMac. Rendering certainly takes awhile, but otherwise it’s smooth as silk. I’ve read that this is not the case for 4K from a lot of other cameras. Another great thing is that I can record the 100mbps 4K in-camera to a fairly inexpensive Transcend 64GB UHS-1 SDXC card ($99). That’s my kind of 4K … very user-friendly!

[Lang Elliott]

Thanks Nate.

I’ve decided to purchase the AJA Kona LHi, which will give me 10-bit RGB true progressive up to 1080p 60fps using the HDMI output. That should keep me happy for a couple of years, anyway.

I’m purchasing the LHi on the advice of Allan Tepper. We’ve been in e-mail contact and I’ve been following all his articles on ProVideoCoalition.com.

BTW, my initial confusion over the absence of Dreamcolor Monitor software for the Mac was basically unfounded. Attach the monitor and it works. The main problem is that you can only upgrade the firmware using a PC or Boot Camp and Windows.

[Lang Elliott]

Thanks Walter. I’ll head over to the Color forum and see if I can learn anything. If this proves to be a nightmare, I think I’ll send the stupid thing back to HP. It’s pretty, though, so maybe I should keep it around just for its good looks!

[Lang Elliott]

Thank you Scott for a simple solution.

But returning to a subject brought up elsewhere, I understand it is not possible to use the new Apple LED display in the miniDVI port and then use the DVI connector for a second monitor . . . because Color doesn’t like this kind of setup. Is this correct? I remember reading that one must get the miniDVI-to-DVI adapter and use two older Apple monitors to keep Color happy.

[Lang Elliott]

Shane:

Now I’m confused. I thought the MXO2 does allow for color critical monitoring, but only using a display having HDMI in . . . such as the Dell 2409 (with HDMI) you have recommended in other threads—which might be capable of better blacks than a non-LED ACD. But would the combination of stock DVI out plus MOX2 HDMI out work with FCP and Color?

Perhaps this is a bit off-topic, but do you have any experience or knowledge of using an HP Dreamcolor monitor as a second display with a new MacPro?

[Lang Elliott]

Sorry, I just noticed it’s Shane, not Shannon!