There are two little charging indicators on top of the Volta36 battery charger that goes from red (charging) to green (charged).
The Z CAM E2 is a very compact and lightweight cinema camera that we discovered during NAB 2018. Here is a quick summary of the features and what this small camera is capable of:.
Also, once the image looks acceptable, you can start seeing that the display doesn’t have a high density of pixel: 441ppi, according to the manufacturer. If you’re pixel peeping, you can see individual pixels on the screen.
You can activate numerous monitoring tools at the same time to help you. I’m not sure if i’s a bug or something regular, but you can “only” activate two scopes at the same time between Luma Histogram, Luma Waveform, and RGB Waveform. You can’t start all three at the same time. However, you can activate two scopes and peaking/guides/grids at the same for example. All in all, monitoring tools are fine.
This interesting bundle includes the newest APS-C mirrorless camera FUJIFILM X-T4 (our review). With its 26.1MP sensor, the camera can record up to 4K 60P uncropped video in 10-bit in F-Log. It offers nice ergonomics, good IBIS, and flip-out screen. The bundle further includes the 5″ 1000nit monitor/recorder Atomos Ninja V and SanDisk 128GB 300MB/s SDXC memory card.
Material Possession ltd, the company behind Volta Cinema, is a relatively new film industry player. The British company is run by Tudor Chirila, which first launched a non-successful crowdfunding campaign for the version of its Top Handle back in November 2019.
The monitor has a built-in fan that you can set to auto or adjust to low/mid/high in the menu. However, it should be much more silent than other monitors in Portkeys’ lineup. It has fewer functionalities/features and is also less bright compared to their BM5 III, for example.
We plan to add subsequent control to Sony FS5/FS7, Canon C200/C300 II, RED, and ARRI cameras. We even plan to add the Tilta Nucleus N/M wireless follow focus The user can update the monitor’s firmware via the USB port.
The great thing about the BM5 and HS7T is that they are equipped with both HDMI and SDI inputs and outputs. 4K video signals up to 30fps and FullHD up to 60fps are supported over the HDMI, while the SDI connections only support 1080p signals up to 60fps.
Overall, the PortKeys HS7T Metal Edition seems to be designed to meet both focus pullers’ and director’s needs, even though it would have been great to see an even brighter 7” option from this company. We’ll probably have to wait a little longer for that. Meanwhile, the PortKeys HS7T Metal Edition is available for purchase on the PortKeys website. Retail price is $399.
The D-Tap output port of the Volta Cinema Top Handle can give you 7.2V with a maximum load of 5A. The company has a full compatibility list on its website.
This feature is helpful for live streaming purposes, and according to VIDEOGEAR, there is “zero latency, and it supports video platforms like Skype, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Periscope, Zoom, and more.” Though I did not test that feature of the monitor.
Earlier this year, PortKeys introduced the BM5 field monitor, an impressive little display that can control your camera. If you never heard of the PortKeys BM5 before, it is a 5-inch 1080P WLED touchscreen display that features an HDMI and SDI input, and an SDI output with cross-conversion.
What is unique with the Volta Cinema Top Handle is that it is the first design I saw where you could swap batteries to use it infinitely if you have enough batteries. With very little information available on the Internet and no reviews yet, we reached to the company to see if it holds all its promises.
The PortKeys LEYE electronic viewfinder was first announced back in November 2020. This 4K HDMI-only EVF had a nice and compact form factor (106 x 70 x 78 mm) for a weight of 300g. In addition, the LEYE features a 2.4-inch display with a resolution of 1440 x 900, and can take signals up to 4K at 30 frames per second.
On the PortKeys LH5P, there are one HDMI input port and one HDMI output port. The monitor supports a maximum input resolution of DCI 4K at 24p, 4K UHD at up to 30p, and FullHD at up to 60p. I tested all three with a Panasonic GH5 and did not get any issues, may it be on the input or output side.
Finally, there’s an HDMI input port on the right side, above the power inputs, that can take video signals of up to 4K30p. There is no video output port.
In a lot of ways, the Portkeys PT5 reminds me a lot of the SmallHD 501, which is still to this day my favorite 5″ on-camera monitor. It’s compact, lightweight, with good battery life, and it just feels like it’s part of your camera. The good thing is that the PT5 is a fraction of the SmallHD 501’s price, and it even has a way better battery life, but it doesn’t have SDI input/output ports. So you can’t have the cake and eat it too.
The direction of the NATO rail mount can’t be adjusted, like other top handles on the market, which is a bit of a letdown.
To me, the Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L shines as a multipurpose backpack. To give you an idea, I was able to fit:.
Last but not least, Portkeys implemented wireless camera controls for the RED Komodo. This means that, compared to the SmallHD Focus Pro, for example, you don’t need an extra cable to communicate between the Komodo and the monitor.
The Portkeys PT5 comes in a little case with a sun hood, one HDMI to HDMI cable, one HDMI to micro HDMI cable, a sunshade, and a cold shoe monitor mount with locating pins. Portkeys is very generous on this one.
As you can see, you need a cable to connect the handle to some cameras. Otherwise, if you are a Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4k/6K user, you can wirelessly control/adjust:.
In terms of construction, the PortKeys BM5 is entirely made out of aluminum. In front of the screen, there is a toughened glass in to protect it against shocks. It weighs only 350g, which is relatively light for a rugged field monitor. The BM5 is daylight viewable with an impressive brightness of 2000 nits and a viewing angle of 178°.
It is entirely usable in bright daylight conditions, but the battery life will take a severe hit. You can see what you’re shooting, sunlight’s reflections are not bad, but I wouldn’t judge my exposure by just looking at the picture without any monitoring tools (and I guess you shouldn’t do that with any monitors anyway).
Jarred said RED has been working on the Komodo for around five years already. The whole idea behind it was to provide filmmakers with a better crash camera. A camera that is small enough to fit in tight places, but still produces RAW footage that is more flexible in the post-production and can better intercut with large cinema cameras, than a GoPro.
Also, if you use a 5-pin XS16 to dummy battery cable, you can power your camera/follow focus motor directly from the LH5H dedicated output port, which is smart. This port is compatible with Tilta Nucleus-M and Nucleus-Nano follow focus motors.
EOS R’s smaller brother – the EOS RP – is now also on sale during Black friday. As a bonus within this accessory kit on B&H you will get a SanDisk 32GB SDHC memory card, and a shoulder bag.
Also, there is a USB Type-A port at the bottom of the monitor that you can use to power the LH5P via a power bank (5V/2A). If you power your monitor with a Sony NP-F battery, this USB port doubles up as a 5V/1A power output that could charge your smartphone at the same time just fine.
I think the Black Mini has a tiny little fan on the inside that you can only hear if you put your ear at the back of the monitor. In short, you won’t hear it, and the monitor is 100% silent.
Last but not least, you can power the PT5 via the 5V1A USB input/output port. You can use this port to power the monitor with a power bank, for example, but also to charge your camera/power your accessories if you power the PT5 of a Sony NP-F/Canon LP-E6 battery.
Only the large pocket is closed by a zipper. The two small ones feature soft fabric wings to kind of close them, but tiny items could eventually fall out of the pockets as they are not physically closed.
Another feature is a gigabyte ethernet connection for control of the camera and live streaming. The WIFI (with the included antenna) of the cam allows the use of the Z CAM app that features a full-screen image view – essentially, if you accept some lag (see the video above) you can use your smartphone as a monitor.
In a nutshell, the top handle can support most DSLR and mirrorless cameras, as well as cinema cameras, including the BMPCC 4K/6K, the RED KOMODO, and up to an ARRI Alexa Mini, which is impressive. Also, it should support most on-camera monitors and camera accessories, as long as they stay within the 7.2V/5A limit.
So is the Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L the perfect bag? There are only very few minor things that, to me, could be improved:.
The PortKeys LH5H features a 5.2″ touch screen display with a maximum brightness of 1700nit. Usually, an on-camera monitor with more than 1500nit is daylight-viewable.
Also, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack if your camera doesn’t have one or if you want to monitor your audio signal directly from the PT5, which works fine.
At the back of the Black Mini, there is a built-in Sony NP-F and Canon LP-E6 battery bracket, similar to the one found on the Portkeys PT5 that I already reviewed. To use a Canon LP-E6 battery, simply slide it to the left.
Last but not least, at the front of the bag, inside the rain cover pocket, you’ll find two nylon loops. Using the two front straps and these two nylon loops, you can attach a heavy camera tripod to the bag. I tried with my Sachtler Speed Lock CF HD set of tripod legs: it works.
The offers you three 1/4″-20 mounting points at the bottom, top, and right side of the monitor. I think that it is enough for an on-camera monitor, even if, as always, I would have preferred 3/8-16″ mounting points with ARRI locating pins, which are more versatile.
I went through the current deals on our partners’ websites and have selected the best offers currently available, which I think could be interesting for you. Some offers are only available at american store B&H, some offers only at european store CVP, and some offers are available globaly with both our partners.
Panasonic LUMIX GH5 Camera Body – $700/€215 Discount Plus Cashback, Free LUMIX 25mm f/1.7 Lens, Free 3-Year Warranty.
To give you a rough idea, the PT5’s maximum brightness is slightly over the Canon EOS C70’s display, which is also hard to view in bright daylight conditions.
Also, there are a couple of strange things in the UI. For example, you can’t activate an aspect marker and the grid simultaneously since they’re on the same page, so you’ll have to choose between one of them at a time. The same goes for the waveform; you can’t activate the RGB and Luma waveform simultaneously. This is a bit weird, but you can get used to it.
And this is the feeling you get, colors are not off, but you can make them better by adjusting the contrast a bit and the chroma/tint settings by plus or minus two/three. If you have an i1 Display Pro prob, you can even re-calibrate your LH5P yourself later down the road if needed.
A few days ago, we covered the release of the PortKeys HS7T Metal Edition monitor, with its most exciting feature being a plate on the backside of the device to host a wireless video transmission system.
The monitor has a contrast ratio of 1000:1, and the panel itself is 10-bit (8+2 FRC), so not “true” 10-bit. An 8+2 FRC panel is less expensive for manufacturers to produce, as it’s based on a “software trick” to simulate 10-bit on an 8-bit panel. I’m simplifying things here, but keep in mind that even some of the most expensive monitors from SmallHD or Atomos (except NEON) use the same technique.
Fair enough, that’s not the end of the world as micro-USB to USB cables are very common in everybody’s house, but it’s worth mentioning. After all, even Apple decided to not ship their iPhone 12 with a charger anymore, which is curious considering its high price point.
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