Andre Labous

Sure this has been covered but........ Have upcoming shoot where flash effect on talent is requested. I'm planning on using my Arri Amira for shoot. As of now my plan is to use Creamsource LED with sync box and go genlock into camera to sync strobe effect. Any other suggestions to accomplish flash effect with no rolling shutter half frame? I realize a global shutter camera can solve this problem but I'm hoping to stay with my Amira. Thanks, Andre

I've decided on the Canon 17-120PL for Amira for documentary/sports for it's range. Granted it's not a light set-up but I've been using my Alexa with carbrio 19-90 with success. The B/4 adapter works great with 2/3" lenses. You increase the focal length around x2.5 and that'll give you equiv. 35mm focal length. 2 stop light loss but not a biggie with native ISO at 800. Negatives with B/4 adapter is it breathes a lot and makes camera very long. The Amira's EF mount is scheduled to come out by end of year so lighter set-ups will be attainable. Options are still on the heavy side at present, but the image is the reward.

Benjamin, I had similar problem with my PMW-500 using a Canon HJ 4.7x11 lens. It my case the chromatic aberration problem created blue lines in edges from extreme over exposure on horizontal and vertical lines. The PMW 500 has Automatic Lens Aberration Compensation. In menus make sure you have right lens selected. My problem was finally solved when I sent my lens back to canon and had latest firmware installed so that the 500 could recognize the lens thus adjusting aberration. Hope that helps, Andre

I'm struggling the decision on what camera to put on RC helicopter for aerials. In your opinion is codec more important than field of view. PMW-200 --3 1/2" cmos sensor. 422 50mbs. Wide is around 30mm (converted to 35mm) and with 0.6 wide angle adapter 18mm FS-700 ----- super 35 field of view. codec AVCHD 420 . Slo mo capability. Wider lens options. Scarlett------- whatever 5D------- h264. Blah

Maybe ARRI varicon.

I believe once firmware is installed need to power off then on. Then do factory reset.

Primitive but effective. Shot paddle boarders from boat. Draped black over head with hole cut for lens and c-47's to bean bag. Steady. Andre

Here in Florida in 2002 we had a fellow cameraman killed in the same manner. He was shooting golf when they moved the cherry picker while still elevated and it fell over with the same result. It's a reminder that no shot is worth being unsafe. Recently I had a producer for a television doc ask me to shoot from the back of a pick up truck. When I refused they were shocked in that others routinely had done that for them. Safety must always be priority.

Uh. I think shooting at T1.3 does create shallow depth of field. The point of the "words" in the article is that at EI 800 with Log C the Alexa performs pretty darn well in super low light.

Oops. Totally off topic and not to offend but........IFC is replaying Freaks and Geeks and I've always been curious if the actress Linda Cardellini is of any relation?

I am a freelance DP living in Florida and incorporated about 10 years ago. I was told with social security tax incorporation would save money. When you are employed by the man 7.5% SS is paid by the employee and 7.5% is paid by the employer. When you are an independent contractor you pay the whole 15%. Once incorporated what Mr. Boddington said is correct. Your W2 represents minimum salary and dividends are not taxed by social security. However there is the expense of the accountant to make sure it's all smooth. You end up paying for alot more for management of monthly payments to the IRS to the accountant and state. (not sure about CA) As I understand it it works to your benefit with income over $40,000 because you end up paying about $2800 annually to accounting. After that your saving that 7.5% The one drawback I have found is when you are an independent contractor you're kind of under the radar. When you become incorporated big brother is all over you. Also I pay monthly IRS tax by being incorporated. Hope that helps and hope I'm sorta right.

I would try Tiffen Soft FX. Highlights generally don't bloom.

Sony!! Still 2/3" chip. Why don't they put a pl mount with a 35 sensor and be done with it!

The operations menu can be customized. You can put most used functions in operation menu so you don't have to go search for them elsewhere. You can adjust frame rate settings in either menu. You have to power camera off and then back on to make frame rates change. To go into your monitor just use component outputs from side of camera instead of coming out of Miranda.