Focus Check podcast ep73: LUMIX S1II Rivals ALEXA Mini LF in Dynamic Range! - TUNE IN now!
Focus Check podcast ep73:LUMIX S1II Rivals ALEXA Mini LF in Dynamic Range!
Education for Filmmakers
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A camera alone does not make a movie, as they say. But in reality, a camera alone doesn’t even power up, so we need a whole bunch of accessories to make it work properly. And many more accessories to make it work comfortably for a particular use case. So in this Gear Guide, I’ll walk you through my personal, yet utterly reliable Canon C300 Mark II kit for documentary work!
As you can tell from the featured image above, my kit includes everything you need to comfortably do some serious handheld documentary work. Other shooting scenarios work just as well, of course, but documentary style is my bread and butter most of the time. The kit includes a base plate for mounting the camera on the shoulder, but it also works on a standard VCT-14 tripod quick release plate. Powering options are there, a dedicated EVF, an external mic, a wireless audio system (TX/RX), a matte box, and a wooden handgrip complete the package.
First things first: the camera body. Granted, the Canon C300 Mark II isn’t the latest and greatest camera body on the market, but it’s rock-solid, has never let me down, doesn’t suffer from overheating, no weird quirks. And I (personally) like the colors that come out of this little beast.
The nice thing about this rig is that is pretty much modular. If I step up to a C300 Mark III, for example, I won’t need to change much in order to make it work just as fine with this kit.
This rig revolves around two key hardware components: The base plate and the top plate. Both come from Zacuto, hence all the red anodized thumbscrews. The base plate not only provides a comfortable memory foam shoulder pad, but it also accepts 15mm rods on the front and back and is very customizable in terms of perfectly balancing the camera on your shoulder. It’s not exactly lightweight, but it works perfectly for me.
The top plate is called helmet and is one of the components I would need to replace should I want to upgrade the camera at some point, as it is specifically designed for the C300 Mark II. The wooden handle, Zacuto again, is attached to it via NATO rail. Note: The C300 II helmet doesn’t appear to be available from B&H or CVP, but you can source it directly from Zacuto here.
The Zacuto Gratical Eye is a fantastic EVF and is attached to the handgrip via the so-called Axis Mini EVF Mount. This mount offers a wobble-free and smooth positioning of the EVF without having to fiddle with any screws.
However, there are a few drawbacks to this EVF. First, it requires an outboard power supply, and second, the very sharp and high-contrast OLED screen is susceptible to burn-in inherent to its design (and this becomes apparent after a few years of use). But the very sharp 4:3 display, which offers a lot of extra screen real estate for additional scopes and info, was definitely worth the purchase.
The dedicated LCD screen module, which also hosts the audio section of the C300 Mark II, resides on the back of this rig but offset slightly downward so that the whole setup doesn’t get too tall. A 15mm carbon fiber rod and two 15mm cold shoe adapters were all that was needed to mount the unit to the back of the camera so that 1) the director can see the screen, 2) all the cables point downward, which is the cleanest solution in my opinion, and 3) a Sennheiser AVX receiver picks up the incoming wireless audio.
Underneath the entire I/O block is the Gripper 75Wh battery to power the Gratical Eye EVF. This battery also serves as a counterweight so the whole rig sits snugly on the shoulder.
For powering the camera itself, I use standard Canon BP batteries, although I sometimes use a third-party battery that comes with a D-Tap, so I can get rid of the Gripper battery if I want to and still be able to power the Gratical Eye.
In terms of audio, I use the aforementioned Sennheiser AVX transmitter/receiver package along with an MKE2 Lav microphone (never skimp on the mic!). For recording scratch audio, better than the camera’s built-in mic, I use a Rode M5 mic, which also connects to the I/O box on the back.
On the front of the rig, I have a Wooden Camera Zip Box Pro and next to it is a Shape wooden grip mounted along with a telescoping arm. This is easily adjustable by simply pushing the big red button. It is pricey, but it is also very handy!
When it comes to lenses, I often use full-frame Samyang/Rokinon Cine DS lenses, which are certainly not high-end lenses, but especially the 24mm (about 38mm full-frame equivalent) offers a very nice minimum focusing distance. This feature cannot be overstated! Aside from these lenses that I own, I usually just rent a set of lenses that are suitable for the job at hand.
I also use an ARRI Mini Follow Fous unit (not pictured above – I forgot to bring it from my office) when working with higher-end lenses, but with the Samyangs, I tend to work just by hand since the focus throw is not as great.
So this is my kit and it has served me well over the years (and still does)! I like the modularity and thus the flexibility it brings. I can fully rig it out, or use it with just the grip and EVF. I can use it on a tripod or handheld. I can connect different audio options, it outputs various video streams, a dedicated TC generator can be attached to the side with a bit of Velcro. A director can see what’s going on without needing a wireless video solution, and the whole thing is still relatively compact. And I don’t mind the weight, as it helps balance the camera.
So for me, this is almost a perfect camera package, and if I want to upgrade the camera, all I have to do is get another top plate to attach the handle. Pretty neat, I’d say.
Create cinema-quality productions with the Canon EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera. This camera features a Super 35mm sensor with up to 14 stops of high dynamic range The EF lens mount offers compatibility not only with Canon's existing…
Create cinema-quality productions with the Canon EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera.
This camera features a Super 35mm sensor with up to 14 stops of high dynamic range The EF lens mount offers compatibility not only with Canon's existing broad range of DSLR lenses but also with their line of EF-mount cinema prime lenses and zooms. It also sports built-in ND filters.
With built-in ergonomic shoulder pad, 10" sliding track, extra space for accessories in front, VCT14-compatible V-wedge, red buttons and levers all around, and much more, this is the stylish VCT Pro Baseplate from Zacuto. Use it with all types of…
With built-in ergonomic shoulder pad, 10" sliding track, extra space for accessories in front, VCT14-compatible V-wedge, red buttons and levers all around, and much more, this is the stylish VCT Pro Baseplate from Zacuto. Use it with all types of cameras, from DSLRs to larger models, like the Alexa or, in this case the Canon C300 Mark II.
Add a versatile handle to your rig or cage with the Tactical Handle from Zacuto, which features a slim, adjustable design that allows you to use it as a top handle or side handgrip. It features a built-in Z-Rail/NATO-type rail,…
Add a versatile handle to your rig or cage with the Tactical Handle from Zacuto, which features a slim, adjustable design that allows you to use it as a top handle or side handgrip.
It features a built-in Z-Rail/NATO-type rail, a shoe mount, and multiple 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 mounting threads that enable you to mount a variety of accessories. Its grip features finger grooves and is lined with wood for a smooth, comfortable feel. Note: this seems to be the successor to the handle pictured above in my kit. This one is a bit different but I'm sure it can used in the same way, maybe with the help of some extra parts.
With the Gratical Eye, Zacuto takes the highly regarded 0.61", 1280 x 1024 micro OLED panel found in their Gratical HD and packs into an EVF that weighs just 14 oz and fits into the palm of your hand. In…
With the Gratical Eye, Zacuto takes the highly regarded 0.61", 1280 x 1024 micro OLED panel found in their Gratical HD and packs into an EVF that weighs just 14 oz and fits into the palm of your hand.
In order to keep the EVF small and compact, it features a round design and it equipped with only a single 3G-SDI input that supports up to 1080p60 video, a 2-pin LEMO power connector, and a USB port for firmware updates.
Not content at being just a professional-grade EVF that produces natural looking images with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, the Gratical Eye is equipped with a FPGA dual core processor to support the full set of monitoring and image analysis features found on the larger Gratical HD, including LUT support, vectorscope and waveform displays, and peaking, which are controlled using a joystick-style button on the back of the unit.
With its compact size and full feature set, the Gratical Eye is an EVF ideally suited for use with professional SDI cameras and rigs using external power solutions.
A versatile and adjustable arm for attaching a rosette-mounted EVF to your camera. The Zacuto Axis Mini is an ENG-style mount that is designed to attach to the top of your camera setup and provide you with ample room for…
A versatile and adjustable arm for attaching a rosette-mounted EVF to your camera.
The Zacuto Axis Mini is an ENG-style mount that is designed to attach to the top of your camera setup and provide you with ample room for adjusting focus or working with large lenses. It attaches directly to rigs fitted with a 15mm rod port and then connects with EVFs, such as the Gratical HD, using a secure 1/4"-20 rosette mount, or can also be used with 1/4"-20 screw mount EVFs with the separate Quad Rail for mounting.
Designed for the Gratical Eye electronic viewfinder, this custom 2-Pin LEMO Power & Video Cable from Zacuto enables you to both power the Gratical Eye from a D-Tap source and transmit an SDI signal via BNC. A switch is located…
Designed for the Gratical Eye electronic viewfinder, this custom 2-Pin LEMO Power & Video Cable from Zacuto enables you to both power the Gratical Eye from a D-Tap source and transmit an SDI signal via BNC. A switch is located on the D-Tap connector for powering the Gratical Eye on and off.
A versatile handle to attach to a standard ARRI rosette (which the Zacuto VCT base plate offers on the right side). It is easily adjustable not only in leg length, but also in angle and rotation. A very practical device…
A versatile handle to attach to a standard ARRI rosette (which the Zacuto VCT base plate offers on the right side). It is easily adjustable not only in leg length, but also in angle and rotation. A very practical device since no tools are needed.
This 15mm Carbon Fiber Rod Set from SmallRig lets you attach 15mm rod-mounted accessories to your rig. These carbon fiber rods are 8" in length and, with the appropriate baseplate, will conform to the 15mm LWS rod standard for accessory…
This 15mm Carbon Fiber Rod Set from SmallRig lets you attach 15mm rod-mounted accessories to your rig.
These carbon fiber rods are 8" in length and, with the appropriate baseplate, will conform to the 15mm LWS rod standard for accessory mounting. The carbon fiber construction keeps these rods lightweight, while allowing them to maintain the rigidity necessary for accessory support.
This 15mm rod clamp is used to attach a 15mm rod to a cold shoe mount. I use this for attaching the LCD monitor / Audio I/O box to the back of the camera.
The swing-away Wooden Camera Zip Box Pro 4 x 5.65" Matte Box mounts on 15mm LWS support rods (not included) and features a rear opening of 114mm. A lightweight yet durable matte box with interchangeable mounting systems, the Zip Box…
The swing-away Wooden Camera Zip Box Pro 4 x 5.65" Matte Box mounts on 15mm LWS support rods (not included) and features a rear opening of 114mm.
A lightweight yet durable matte box with interchangeable mounting systems, the Zip Box Pro accepts up to three 4 x 5.65" (Panavision-style) filters without the use of filter trays. If reflections from light sources in frame are a concern, they you can tilt up to two filters in the matte box to help move the reflections out of the picture area.
The Canon BP-A60 Battery Pack for EOS C300 Mark II mounts on your camera and provides 90 watt-hours of power. It is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery compatible with Canon's Intelligent Battery system. The battery features a removable contact cover that…
The Canon BP-A60 Battery Pack for EOS C300 Mark II mounts on your camera and provides 90 watt-hours of power.
It is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery compatible with Canon's Intelligent Battery system. The battery features a removable contact cover that can help keep the contacts clean and helps prevent short circuit discharges when the battery is not mounted on the camera.
The Canon BP-A60 14.4V 96Wh 6700mAh DV Power Pack Battery from BLUESHAPE works with the same cameras that use Canon BP-A60 batteries. This battery pack features a capacity of 96Wh, 6700mAh, and 14.4V of output power. It features a USB…
The Canon BP-A60 14.4V 96Wh 6700mAh DV Power Pack Battery from BLUESHAPE works with the same cameras that use Canon BP-A60 batteries.
This battery pack features a capacity of 96Wh, 6700mAh, and 14.4V of output power. It features a USB Type-A output and a D-Tap input for charging the battery. It can be charged with most USB chargers or third-party BP-A60 chargers. The battery can power BP-A60 cameras and light fixtures for extended lengths of time. Small and lightweight, lithium-ion batteries do not suffer from memory effects due to charging a partially discharged battery.
A convenient power solution for your 15mm LWS rig. The Gripper Series GR-75 Clip-On Battery from Zacuto provides 75Wh of juice in a compact chassis. Two D-tap outputs, one on each end, can output 14.4 volts at up to 7…
A convenient power solution for your 15mm LWS rig.
The Gripper Series GR-75 Clip-On Battery from Zacuto provides 75Wh of juice in a compact chassis. Two D-tap outputs, one on each end, can output 14.4 volts at up to 7 amps, more than adequate for a compact camera rig.
For those working in high-performance industries such as broadcasting, cinema, and photography, the 128GB Extreme PRO CFast 2.0 Memory Card from SanDisk combines the speed, capacity, and performance needed to record uninterrupted DCI 4K video, which has a resolution of…
For those working in high-performance industries such as broadcasting, cinema, and photography, the 128GB Extreme PRO CFast 2.0 Memory Card from SanDisk combines the speed, capacity, and performance needed to record uninterrupted DCI 4K video, which has a resolution of 4096 x 2160 and a 17:9 aspect ratio.
It features a SATA III 6 Gb/s bus, a maximum read speed of up to 525 MB/s (3500x), a maximum write speed of up to 450 MB/s (2933x), and a minimum write speed of 130 MB/s. Its minimum write speed is backed up by the Video Performance Guarantee 130 standard (VPG-130), meaning that its minimum write speed will never drop below 130 MB/s.
This card has been tested to work in temperatures of -4 to 158°F, and in the case of card errors or accidental deletions, this card comes with a RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software download offer.
The ARRI Mini Follow Focus Cine Hard Stop Set assembles to create a lightweight follow focus unit that can mount on either side of your camera. The Cine Base snaps onto 15mm LWS rods and features a double-hinged mechanism that…
The ARRI Mini Follow Focus Cine Hard Stop Set assembles to create a lightweight follow focus unit that can mount on either side of your camera.
The Cine Base snaps onto 15mm LWS rods and features a double-hinged mechanism that allows you to adjust the drive unit to match the diameter of your lens. The focus knob features a hard stop, marking disk, and has a built-in accessory socket.
The included 0.8 MOD drive gear, is 6mm thick, and has 43 teeth, all of which make the unit well suited for use with larger prime and 35mm format zoom lenses.
The ultra-compact Sennheiser AVX-MKE2 SET provides professional videographers, video journalists, or vloggers with a dependable wireless microphone system that's so easy to use, it's like having a dedicated sound engineer on set handling audio tasks. Made with simplicity in mind,…
The ultra-compact Sennheiser AVX-MKE2 SET provides professional videographers, video journalists, or vloggers with a dependable wireless microphone system that's so easy to use, it's like having a dedicated sound engineer on set handling audio tasks.
Made with simplicity in mind, but without compromising audio quality, this self-configuring digital system handles time-consuming frequency setup and mic-level adjustments for you, so you're ready to shoot within seconds. Now, you can focus on the other critical elements vying for your attention during a shoot, and confidently record crisp, clear audio on your camcorder, DSLR, or mirrorless camera.
Each of this matched pair of M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphones from Rode features a cardioid polar pattern, an all-metal body, active electronics, and a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response. This permanently polarized condenser mic can be used…
Each of this matched pair of M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphones from Rode features a cardioid polar pattern, an all-metal body, active electronics, and a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response.
This permanently polarized condenser mic can be used in several environments including stage, theater, studio, and home applications. It is well-suited for instruments, choirs, or anywhere you would employ a small-diaphragm condenser microphone.
The Rycote Mic Tail Short XLR Cable features high-quality Neutrik XLR male and female connectors. Designed with Mogami cable, the Rycote Mic Tail measures 15.74" (40cm) in length and is ideal for use with Rycote Connboxes and other applications.
The Rycote Mic Tail Short XLR Cable features high-quality Neutrik XLR male and female connectors.
Designed with Mogami cable, the Rycote Mic Tail measures 15.74" (40cm) in length and is ideal for use with Rycote Connboxes and other applications.
This Kit provides four lenses that you can use to shoot images from wide shots to portrait; it includes Rokinon's 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm T1.5 Cine DS Lenses for Canon EF Mount that feature sharp optics and similar physical…
This Kit provides four lenses that you can use to shoot images from wide shots to portrait; it includes Rokinon's 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm T1.5 Cine DS Lenses for Canon EF Mount that feature sharp optics and similar physical characteristics for fast lens changes.
The lenses share a T-stop range of 1.5 to 22. The included lenses feature Canon EF lens mounts and cover full-frame sensors. The lenses are suitable for shooting using available light, and as they all share the same exposure range, there is no worry when changing lenses you will also have to change your lighting or camera settings. covers full-frame sensors Available Mounts: Canon EF / Micro Four Thirds / Nikon F / Sony E