What do you think of the new Z CAM E2 versions? Will you consider buying one? Let us know in the comments down below!.You got it; when carrying the Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L, you have choices, and it can rest on your shoulders for hours. The Manfrotto team put a lot of effort into making a comfortable bag. Being comfy is crucial as the Flexloader L can quickly become heavy considering how many compartments and how much stuff you can put in it.
B&H Buy link: DJI Osmo Pocket Was: $399.00 Now: $309.00 (Savings: $90.00).Also, there are rubber pull straps at the end of some zippers that open “secondary” compartments.
These theoretical tests don’t have much sense to me as you usually don’t always shoot at full brightness for this amount of time without switching off the monitor, but it gives you a rough idea. In “normal” real-life shooting conditions, I found the battery life to be pretty good.These tools are pretty much everything you need to judge the image on an on-camera monitor.
B&H Buy link: Canon EOS R Camera Body with Accessories Kit Was: $2,299.00 Now: $1,799.00 (Savings: $500.00).All the professional tools that you might need to monitor your image are still available, including support of 3D LUTs as well as Histogram, Zebra, False Color, De-Squeeze, and Zooming functions. Moreover, PortKeys claims that a new peaking algorithm will make focus pulling easier with this monitor, even though they do not thoroughly explain how.
The top flap features three meshed pockets: two small ones (12.5 x 11cm/4,92 x 4,33in) at the top and a large one at the bottom (23 x 17cm/9 x 6,7in).There is not a ton of competition in this price range, and the only product I can think of is the Zacuto ACT EVF Pro that retails for $499 and has far less features.
The Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L zippers are amongst the best I’ve ever seen, period. These are YKK zippers, which are some of the world’s best zippers you can get.Anamorphic de-squeeze, color temperature.
I got away with around 3 hours of battery life at the maximum backlight setting. To me, this is a decent battery life for an on-camera monitor powered by a small battery. However, if you do the maths, a big Sony NP-F970 battery could theoretically run the PT5 for more than 12 hours!.In essence, you could use your smartphone instead of a monitor if you accept some lag between the recorded and image view.
PortKeys LH5P On-Camera Monitor Announced.But, the real advantage of the BM5 over its competitors – other than the incredible $499 price – is the control port at the back of the monitor. By connecting the monitor to your camera, you can control various functions like start/stop the recording, change your ISO settings, adjust the focus settings… etc.
On the left side, the P6 features two HDMI ports (input/output) that accept 4K signals. Also, in the middle of the HDMI ports, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack output. At the bottom of the monitor, there is a DC 7.4-24V barrel input/output port that you can use to power the monitor or power your camera. Finally, there is a USB-A port for future firmware upgrade, loading your own LUTs, or charge your smartphone (5V output).The PortKeys LH5P retails for $399.00/€449.00, and it is available now. Compared to other options in the market, I’ve been really impressed, and it’s a solid daylight-viewable on-camera monitors for under $400 if you don’t need SDI input/output ports.
Back: the Sony NP-F/Canon LP-E6 battery plate and a battery release button.At the rear of the monitor, you will find the battery plate to power the PortKeys P6. The design of the battery plate is similar to the SmallHD 701, and you can use Sony NP-F batteries on the left side, or Canon LP-E6 on the right side. Also, you can power it with an external battery via the DC barrel input port.
I like the new dividers that don’t make you lose a ton of space inside the bag. When you’re packing your camera equipment for a trip, you want to pack as much stuff as possible inside your carry-on backpack. The Z CAM E2 cinema camera is a great new addition to the line of micro four thirds cameras, and got so many things right in the first place – first and foremost the image (audio via the 3.5mm input leaves a lot to be desired though).
HDMI is much more common on DSLR and mirrorless cameras and SDI is much more common on larger cinema cameras. While HDMI can transmit both video and audio, it doesn’t have the ability to lock into a port like SDI does. On the other hand, SDI only transmits video information and not audio.In terms of battery life, I’d say it’s a massive improvement over a Sony NP-F 970 battery on the back of an on-camera monitor. On the SWIT CM-S75F, one Volta36 battery gave me close to four/five hours of continuous runtime. On the PortKeys BM5, my four hours shoot was over, and the top handle’s battery wasn’t dead.
Top: there are four customizable function keys, a power switch, and four buttons to access and navigate inside the menu.The PortKeys LH5P is the big brother of the LH5H, and both monitors have a lot in common, including:.
But, you can put small LED lights – I put two Nanlite PavoTube 6C in one pocket with ease – or a compact slider, for example; it works. As I mostly shoot as a one-man-band filmmaker, I’ve been trying to create one rolling bag and one backpack shooting kit that fits everything I need for all basic shooting scenarios and talking heads: two cameras, lenses, two camera tripods, some LED lights, light stands, and so on.
The Volta36 batteries can’t be charged through the top handle, so it comes with a specific battery charger. As I mentioned earlier, the charger has a micro-USB port so that you can charge the cells via a USB wall adapter or even a power bank.The team at PortKeys is moving fast, and two weeks after the announcement of their latest P6 monitor, they just released a new product. However, this time they are not back with a display, but with a camera handle. This handle is a new kind of product for PortKeys, but it features the same leitmotiv as their monitors: affordable, innovative, and high-quality.
The Volta Cinema Top Handle is the company’s first product, designed with a simple goal in mind: create a top handle that can power camera accessories or even your camera via a D-Tap port. I had the chance to play with it for one month, and here are my findings.Other than the sensor upgrade, all the features are the same as can be found in the original Z CAM E2, including the same 10bit ProRes recording to CFast cards. Z CAM only published the spec sheet for the 6k S-35 version that you can check out below. On the recording format front, the company will support internal RAW recording via a firmware update soon. More details will be revealed at the end of April.
Fig. 2:IMATEST calculates 10.8 stops of dynamic range for the Z CAM E2 cinema camera at a signal to noise ratio of 2 for 4k DCI ISO500 ProRes recording using Z-LOG2 (1/SNR = 0.5, medium value in the upper right hand table). I hope that in the next production batches, Volta will solve that with a permanent labeling or engraving technique. We’ll talk about the battery charger’s build quality and monitor mount a bit later in their dedicated sections.
B&H Buy link: Canon EOS 6D Mark II Camera Body with Accessories Kit Was: $1,599.00 Now: $1,199.00 (Savings: $400.00).It’s time to talk about my favorite part of the Flexloader L: the straps and back padding. The back padding is out of this world, and even with a fully-loaded bag that is close to 20kg, you’ll not feel it on your back, especially your lower back. It has a firm – yet so comfortable – padding with a mesh design and air tunnels, so you don’t sweat.
In 4k DCI mode (4096 x 2160) the crop factor of the Z CAM is about 1.9, using the speed booster gives a crop of 1.35 approximately.The PortKeys LEYE II is available now for $399/€360, which is the same as the original LEYE it replaces.
Also, the (now discontinued) Manfrotto PRO Light 3N1-36 PL has been part of my kit for some years now. It’s been a joy to travel with, but I now retired it as my “wireless video system bag,” which is a bit overkill, as this backpack can carry a ton of equipment.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.
While planning a trip to the Indian jungle to film a short documentary about Pench National Park, my colleagues at cinema5d challenged me to leave my standard gear at home and take the new cinema camera Z CAM E2 instead – would it be up to the task?.You can navigate inside the menu via the touchscreen or the buttons at the top of the Black Mini. At first glance, the user interface looks a bit outdated, but in the end, it is straightforward to navigate inside and find what you’re looking for.
Anamorphic de-squeeze, color temperature.The PortKeys BM5 top and bottom. The remote camera socket is located at the left of the USB port.
Z CAM claims 13stops of dynamic range on their marketing materials, so I was quite curious how it would fare in our standard test (click here for more info on how we test). Firmware tested was 0.86, raw was not available at that time.Portkeys also showcased camera control for the Canon EOS C70, but you’ll need a dedicated LANC cable.
Another company that announced some Komodo Accessories is KipperTie. They offer a PL to RF mount adapter with a mounting foot. Additionally, the company offers a mounting bracket called Chinstrap for extra PL mount lens support even without a baseplate.Unfortunately, after the rolling shutter, the next disappointing fact was revealed: by the way how the stops are distributed in the Z-Log2 profile (which is the obvious choice for highest dynamic range readings), the noise floor is completely cut off.
However, Volta Cinema is a small team with only Tudor and his friend Oskar Woinski doing everything with love and passion. In that sense, you can’t judge and compare the product from a startup like a product from the big players of the filmmaking industry.There’s also a nice little pouch inside the bag, which is around 23 x 15 x 5cm/9 x 5,9 x 2in.
A quick word about the dummy battery that came with the top handle. There’s nothing revolutionary here, it’s a classic D-Tap to Canon LP-E6 dummy battery, but the cable has the perfect length to power a monitor attached to the monitor mount.B&H Buy link: FUJIFILM X-T30 Camera Body Kit with Accessories Was: $899.00 Now: $799.00 (Savings: $100.00).
One micro-HDMI to full-size HDMI cable. There is a little built-in screen on top of the camera but no “proper” display. You need to add your monitor via the HDMI/SDI ports.
If you swipe to the left or right, you can access the System settings page. This page is where you can adjust the display settings, audio output, LUT, firmware update, etc.B&H Buy link: Canon EOS Rebel T7i Camera with 18-55mm Lens and Accessories Kit Was: $899.00 Now: $649.00 (Savings: $250.00).
The HS7T Metal Edition still features a 7-inch 8-bit IPS display with a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 and a viewing angle of 178°. The screen has a contrast ratio of 1200:1 and it can reach a peak brightness of 1200 nits. This is not as bright as the BM5 (2200 nits), but it starts to be usable under bright sunlight. As I mentioned, the Portkeys PT5 does not have any physical buttons, and all the navigation is via the touchscreen. I’m glad there are only pages, as it is relatively easy to operate and understand, but there are also some drawbacks like the numerous fingerprints the screen will accumulate.
Moreover, a NATO-type clamp has been added to the bottom, which provides better flexibility when rigging the monitor. The NATO clamp also allows the screen to be attached to a handheld bracket: a great option for a run and gun director’s monitor setup. Four 1/4”-20 threaded holes on the body provide even more mounting options.SDI, HDMI and USB inputs are all available on the OEYE-3G as well as both SDI and HDMI outputs. You can send 4K DCI signals at 24 frames per second through the HDMI or 4K UHD at 24/25/30 fps, but the SDI input port is only able to accept 1080P signals at up to 60 fps. The HDMI and SDI ports allow for cross conversion as well.
The biggest improvement over the old plastic version is, of course, build quality. In fact, the new PortKeys HS7T Metal Edition features an all-aluminum alloy, which makes the monitor stronger and more durable. Furthermore, this metal construction also helps with heat dissipation.Another great addition is on the backside of the monitor. In fact, the new design includes a plate on the back of the screen to comfortably host a wireless video transmission system.
B&H offers additional free accessories (SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO SDHC UHS-I memory card, Corel PaintShop Pro 2020 ultimate license, and Ruggard Journey 24 DSLR shoulder bag).The concept of a handle that can power your camera is not new, with products like the Soonwell PH70. However, I’m not too fond of products that have built-in batteries. It means that once you run out of battery, you have no way to pop a fresh battery pack and continue shooting. It’s a no-go for me in professional shooting conditions.
Now PortKeys is introducing a brand new solution to the EVF market called the OEYE-3G EVF.B&H Buy link: Sony a9 Camera Body with Free Accessories Kit Was: $3,998.00 Now: $3,498.00 (Savings: $500.00).
Sony RX100 III Camera Kit with Accessories – $150 Discount.When you power on the monitor, it’ll display your image, but nothing else. If you swipe up/down on the left side of the screen, you can quickly adjust your brightness setting. On the other hand, if you swipe up/down on the right side of the display, it’ll change your audio output level. Now, if you swipe up in the middle of the screen, it’ll show you the menu. Also, you can access the menu by simply pressing the menu button.
Indeed, the Volta36 batteries are 36Wh/5A batteries; that’s a lot of juice in such a small package. In the graph above, you can see the capacity to weight ratio compared to other battery solutions.B&H Buy link: Canon EOS R Camera Body with Accessories Kit Was: $2,299.00 Now: $1,799.00 (Savings: $500.00).
It is already compatible with the Z Cam E2, Sony/Canon/Panasonic cameras. But, PortKeys just introduced a new Bluetooth Module that pushes the capabilities of the BM5 a little further.In short, the display is not stellar by any means. But again, if you look at things with a price/performance ratio in mind, it’s definitely acceptable if you’re starting out after a few tweaks.
So far, so good! Next, I put the Z Cam E2C through our lab to measure dynamic range and rolling shutter.Once you’re inside a page, the parameters at the bottom of the screen will change. Then, all you have to do is click the setting you want to change and do your thing.
The battery charger has a micro-USB port.Rigged out RED Komodo. Image Credit: Phil Holland.
Let’s be clear: the PT5 is not a rental product; it is designed for owner-operators or filmmakers starting out, and at this price point, you can’t complain that it’s not built like a tank that you can throw at walls.You’ll find a cold-shoe mount at the bottom of the monitor mount with a 1/4 “-20 threaded hole. The hex key is used to adjust the tension/friction of the tilt axis.
The battery fit is snug, it goes in and out smoothly. No major issue here.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°.
However, I found the small dividers not high enough. When you have small items (batteries or memory cards, for example) in a tiny space separated by a partition, they tend to move around in your bag, get out of their dedicated space, and end up hitting other items inside the bag.The currently retails at Amazon for $89 with the following Y2DWYGBM code. This special offer ends on October 5th,2021, at 23:59 PDT.
B&H Buy link: RX100 III Camera Kit with Accessories Was: $748.00 Now: $598.00 (Savings: $150.00).It has been more than two weeks since our last RED Komodo Update article. I have to say things are getting much faster around Komodo now since the first customers got their cameras and there are first hands-on tests with sample footage emerging. The best places to follow the latest news about Komodo right now are Jarred’s Instagram account, Komodo Section on REDuser, and RED Komodo Facebook group.
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. I was also pleased to find a printed user manual (finally!) with everything you need to know to get started and navigate through the menus.
Also, this review was initially done on the PortKeys LH5H that came out in July 2020 but was discontinued less than six months after its release. This review was ready to go, and we had to do it all over again when the LH5P came out (you can feel the blood tears here).One SDI output and one HDMI output port with cross-conversion.
In addition, there are multiple exhaust vents all around the monitor, which help with heat dissipation. Talking about heat, I was stunned that the monitor was not warm or hot to the touch even after a couple of hours of being turned on. So that’s a good sign!.The pouch that comes with the bag.
Portkeys, a Chinese company specialized in HDMI and SDI field monitors, recently announced an impressive new monitor: the PortKeys BM5. This 5″ monitor features a lot of monitoring tools, but it can also control your camera. Let’s take a look at it.E2-F6 FF: $4995 available in PL or EF mounts.
The pouch that comes with the bag.For more informations, please visit PorKeys’ website here.
The Portkeys PT5 only has one 1/4-20″ mounting point at the bottom, which is the same as the LH5P that I already reviewed, so that I would have the same complaints: one mounting point is often not enough for an on-camera monitor, and 3/8-16″ mounting points with ARRI locating pins are more versatile.This new Portkeys PT5 on-camera monitor came out in July 2021 and is the company’s most affordable monitor to date. With a $169/€150 price point, I was skeptical at first regarding what this monitor has to offer. However, I soon realized I had nothing to worry about.
One feature that sets the PortKeys LH5P apart from many of its competitors is that it can control your camera. To make it work, you have to connect an optional cable from the monitor’s dedicated mini-USB port and connect it to your camera. With a very affordable price of $399, this entry-level electronic viewfinder filled a hole in the market. And, if you have a camera without a built-in EVF – like the Canon EOS C70 or Sony FX3 – it could have been the perfect solution.
In terms of weight, the monitor is 250 grams/8.8 oz without batteries. External dimensions are 144 x 114.8 x 28mm/5.5 x 4.3 x 0.7in without battery. Comparing the LH5P to some of its competitors, like the smallHD FOCUS 5, the PortKeys monitor is slightly heavier. However, with dimensions of 133 x 84 x 19mm/5.25 x 3.3 x 0.75in, Focus 5 is overall smaller, but it is 5″ vs. 5.5″.You can adjust the scale/position/settings of each tool via the touchscreen. However, you have to press the monitoring tool you want to change for a second and slide it to the side. I have to admit that this manoeuver is sometimes tricky, and it takes some time to get used to.
The Z Cam E2C Cinema Camera (photo by Z CAM).Adjust other parameters such as your project frame rate, codec, quality, off-speed frame-rate, and recording.
With these upcoming firmware updates, the Ninja V will be capable of recording ProRes RAW HQ/ProRes RAW at up to 4K60P from the HDMI port of the E2. According to Atomos, “additional frame rates will be added in the future.” Your footage will be recorded onto affordable AtomX SSD mini SATA drives in the Ninja V.The PortKeys P6 is a lightweight – 0.28lbs/130grams – entry-level monitor for filmmakers looking for a compact on-camera display. The P6 features an 8bit 5.5″ 1080P display with a 500nit brightness and 1000:1 contrast ratio. This monitor is much more affordable than their PortKeys BM5 that is a workhorse entirely made of aluminum – the P6 is made out of ABS plastic.
Volta’s capacity to weight ratio compared to other battery solutions. Image credit: Volta Cinema.Brightness, contrast, chroma, sharpness, tint.
First Komodo accessory is the GDU Komodo Monitor Mount priced at $79. The mount sits between the camera and a monitor and provides forward and back tilt. According to GDU, a tension bolt system keeps the hinge tight across the tilt range and prohibits loosening during use.PortKeys was kind enough to send us this new LH5P model with very similar features: in short, it is the same display but 0.3″ bigger, it is made out of aluminum instead of plastic, and it has an antenna for wireless control. We updated this review accordingly and took some time to test every feature again. Enjoy!.
I would suggest getting a case for transporting these batteries inside your camera bag. Maybe Volta Cinema will come out with a battery pack holder in the near future. Framing tools: Check Field, Grids, Image Flip, Cross Hair.
This means, that you cannot dig into the shadows – there is nothing there, only black.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.
The new monitor has a 7-inch touchscreen IPS display with a maximum resolution of 1920×1200. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides some extra vertical space for monitoring tools.Z CAM E2 Cinema Camera in the Wild – Hands-on Review.
The idea behind the Volta Cinema Top Handle was born out of frustration. As Tudor told us:.Because it oversamples its 20.1 MP full-frame sensor, it offers better image quality, but at the cost of some overheating issues. Take a look at our Canon R6 review to know more. This set includes an extra Canon LP-E6NH battery and Canon 24-105mm f/4L RF-Mount lens.
The motor control settings page if you have a follow focus attached to your monitor.Fan speed (low/medium/high), volume output, image flip.
Buy link: Canon EOS R6 Bundle Was: €4.061,14 Now: €3.916,32 (Savings: €144,82). PortKeys LH5H – Ergonomics and Powering Options.
Portkeys PT5 5″ On-Camera Monitor.The idea behind the Volta Cinema Top Handle was born out of frustration. As Tudor told us:.
There is a built-in Bluetooth module and a camera control port to control your camera wired/wirelessly. Any Smart 7 Monitor + Bolt 4K Monitor Module RX on the remote monitor.
B&H Buy link: Sony a7R III Camera Body with Free Accessories Kit Was: $2,798.00 Now: $2,498.00 (Savings: $300.00).CVP Buy link: Sony a7R III Camera Body Was: €2,435.93 Now: €2,240.98 (Savings: €194.95 – CashBack).
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.DC 7-24V barrel and 5V USB Type-A ports on the device’s right side to power the EVF externally.
Exposure tools: RGB and Luma Waveform, Zebra, False Color, Histogram.you have time to write between 2 and 25 articles per month (Lengths can vary.).
You can activate multiple monitoring tools simultaneously to help you, but you can’t decide where they’ll be on the screen. For example, the waveform and histogram will always be on the bottom right of the screen.Adapta is KipperTie’s simple PL to RF adapter while Revolva also offers a system for inserting ND filter cartridges. Pricing for KipperTie Komodo accessories has not been announced yet.
You can use this pouch to store small items, filters, memory cards, cables, and so on.At the back of the monitor, there is a Sony NPF-style battery slot to power the monitor. As I mentioned, you can use the USB port to feed the monitor from a V-Mount/AB external battery as well as a battery bank.
I hope that in the next production batches, Volta will solve that with a permanent labeling or engraving technique. We’ll talk about the battery charger’s build quality and monitor mount a bit later in their dedicated sections.PortKeys Bluetooth Module for BM5 Monitors.
Fast forward 10 years and I have the new cinema camera Z CAM E2 from the Chinese manufacturer Z CAM in my hands. A micro four thirds camera capable of shooting 4k DCI using a LOG profile (Z-LOG2) recording ProRes HQ 10bit 4:2:2 internally up to 60fps (4k H265 up to 120fps, 160fps in 1:2.4 mode). Wow!.Disclaimer: As usual, let me first say that I am not a VideoGear Ambassador. Like every other article on CineD, VideoGear, or any other brand, did not pay us to write this article. However, the company approached and sent us the product to review for free.
I think that this smart move from Atomos will allow the E2 to become even more popular amongst independent filmmakers looking for a lightweight camera package capable of shooting high-quality images. Judging the brightness, color accuracy, or Delta E of the Portkeys LH5P with a spectrophotometer did not make a lot of sense. Indeed, numbers are just what they are: numbers. I prefer to judge a product by its feeling and the overall perception of an image.
PortKeys LH5H Released – Affordable 5″ Monitor That Can Control Your Camera.E2-S6 S35: $3995 available in PL, EF and M4/3 mounts.
Volta Cinema Top Handle real-life test. B&H Buy link: Panasonic LUMIX G85 Camera with 12-60mm Lens and accessories set Was: $997.99 Now: $697.99 (Savings: $300.00).
CVP Buy link: Canon EOS RP Camera Body Was: €1,362.46 Now: €1,118.99 (Savings: €243.47 – Cashback, Free RF-EF Adapter). These dummy batteries are off-the-shelf and not made by Volta Cinema directly. Several models are available, including D-Tap to Sony FZ100, Sony FW50, Panasonic DMW-BL19e, Sony NP-F (the plate is from Atomos), Micro USB for the Tilta Nucleus, as well as custom ones.
Second is to use the dedicated 7-24V power input port, which is ideal if you want to power it of a V-Lock/Gold Mount battery.Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Camera Body with Accessories Kit – $600 Discount.
proficiency in filmmaking – you know your stuff in one or more areas of filmmaking (producing, editing, directing, cinematography, post-production …).The new Z CAM E2’s will be available in October 2019. To me, pricing is impressive, for cameras with that many features:.
Among the people who got the first Komodo was Phil Holland and Philip Grossman. They both started posting first thoughts and answering questions about Komodo quite quickly. Phil Holland made a special thread on REDuser where he shares his findings on Komodo. Philip Grossman posted already several sample clips and comparisons with his RED Helium 8K on his Youtube channel.Since May this year, I have been using the micro four thirds (MFT) Z CAM E2 and more recently now the Z Cam E2C cinema camera. The more expensive Z CAM E2 flagship model has very pleasing colors out of the box, a flat Z-Log2 profile and high frame rates (up to 4K 160fps) in combination with strong internal recording options (H265, ProRes) as well as anamorphic modes – a very well rounded offering.
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.In short, you got it, the PortKeys LH5P’s UI is a big step up from the previous archaic one, but I feel like it still needs some refinement and improvements to get it “right.” PortKeys could change this kind of thing via a firmware update, so I have no doubt they’ll put in the extra work to make it a great, easy to use, and pleasing UI.
PortKeys, the company specialized in HDMI and SDI camera monitoring solutions has just released its latest 5.2″ monitor that is capable of controlling your camera: the PortKeys LH5H.PL to RF Revolva Mount Adapter with ND filters. Source: KipperTie.
Now, this was a major deciding factor for me to take the Z CAM E2 cinema camera on my trip – 4k DCI ProRes HQ in a small but durable package – despite the risk of taking a new, unknown camera with me I just couldn’t say no. What matters to become a CineD writer:.
Zoom, Peaking, Framing guides, Grids, Aspects, Anamorphic de-squeeze.When the Black Mini is up and running, you can adjust various display settings inside the menu, including:.
First and foremost the Z CAM facebook group is worth mentioning, the spirit of conversation is very good and people from Z CAM as well as visitors are helpful, including the CEO Kinson Loo who answers questions very often himself.Fig. 2:IMATEST calculates 10.8 stops of dynamic range for the Z CAM E2 cinema camera at a signal to noise ratio of 2 for 4k DCI ISO500 ProRes recording using Z-LOG2 (1/SNR = 0.5, medium value in the upper right hand table).
Prices are not outrageous, starting at €15.00 per adapter, so it’s nice to buy these directly from Volta Cinema.Display adjustments: Color Temperature, Contrast, Sharpness, Brightness, Tint, Backlight, Display Flip, Underscan.
In the photo above, you can see that the PT5’s case is bigger than the one included with the Portkeys BM5 III WR (pictured) or the LH5P. That was one of the main complaints I had with these previous small cases. Indeed, you could only store the monitor inside, which is a bummer, as you’ll always want to carry at least video cables or some accessories along with your monitor.The Portkeys PT5 is a 5″ monitor with one HDMI input and one HDMI output port. Having HDMI loop-through is pretty impressive on a monitor at that price level. Both in and out ports support resolutions up to 4K DCI at 24p, 4K UHD at up to 30p, FullHD at up to 60p.
I think soon we will start seeing third party accessories for Komodo from other manufacturers as well.A quite surprising result on the rolling shutter measurements, which adds up to the very positive overall impression: in 4K DCI 25p mode (using ProRes HQ and ZLOG2) I got a very good result of 11.1[ms]. For comparison, the BMPCC4k has a rolling shutter of 16[ms] in UHD 25p mode.
Ideally you come from the filmmaking industry, have a technical mind and are interested in nerding out about new camera gear, fuzzing over things that matter to filmmakers and content creators alike, and have a talent and lust for writing.As a filmmaker, I usually stand by the saying, “you get what you pay for.” So I was pretty surprised with the number of included accessories. Inside the case, you’ll find:.
PortKeys BM5 Monitoring Functions.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.
There are quite a few 5”/5.2” on-camera monitors available on the market, at various price-point. It doesn’t make sense to compare the LH5P to some of the big boys like the SmallHD 503 Ultra bright that retails for eight times the price of the PortKeys.Waveform and Waveform SDI output.
PortKeys has just announced the launch of a new 5.5″ on-camera monitor: the PortKeys LH5P. This HDMI-only (in/out)monitor is made out of aluminum, it is daylight-viewable with a maximum brightness of 1700 nits, and it can control your Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K/6K wirelessly. Let’s take a closer look at it!.If you want to use this camera for live streaming, in a locked-down scenario which is not demanding in terms of dynamic range, it will work very well.
Next, I was curious to see the dynamic range of the Z Cam E2C (have a look here to see how we measure DR).It supports Teradek’s “Broadcast Mode”, which means that this one transmitter can communicate with an unlimited number of receivers. And it can also pair with their Bolt App for iOS and Android, which will allow you to tune the 5GHz transmission channel and monitor for interference.
Another great addition is on the backside of the monitor. In fact, the new design includes a plate on the back of the screen to comfortably host a wireless video transmission system.For more information, please visit Portkeys’ website here.
A good monitor is nothing without great monitoring tools. These tools allow you to judge your exposure, focus, white balance, and so on. This is useful to make creative decisions and adjust your camera settings.There is a printed user manual in the box. It’s not very detailed, but it’s a good starting point if you need it.
Canon EOS C500 Mark II is a full-frame cinema camera capable of 5.9K video. When announced last year, the camera introduced the new modular design. To know more about it, check our Lab Test as well as our first look hands-on video. This bundle will additionally get you a Canon BP-A60 (OTH) battery and SanDisk CFexpress Extreme Pro 512GB memory card. In total, there are four ways to power the Portkeys PT5, which is quite impressive for an entry-level product.
Indeed, 1/4-20″ with locating pins mounting points are not “industry standard,” but 3/8-16″ with locating pins are. But, again, to me, Atomos did it right with their Ninja V/V+, and a lot of camera monitor manufacturers should follow the trend.The addition of this plate easily turns the F7 PRO into an affordable, compact director or 1st AC monitor. Furthermore, the vertical position of the NP-F style plate can be adjusted by loosening two screws in order to adapt to a wider variety of systems.
At the back of the PT5, there is a built-in Sony NP-F and Canon LP-E6 battery bracket.These are very good results for a micro four thirds sensor, almost exactly the same as for the Panasonic GH5s (10.7 stops) and coming in second behind the other four thirds cinema camera rival, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, BMPCC4k, which has 11.6 stops of dynamic range in ProRes HQ.
Video Plugins are available for only $89 (Was $179). FilmConvert Nitrate Bundle is available for only $129 (Was $249). Sale runs from Monday November 25 until Cyber Monday, December 2.You can get the gimbal inside the bag; it works. However, I’m not a massive fan of putting some stress on a motorized gimbal that will take some pressure from my back.
Canon’s full-frame DSLR flagship 5D Mark IV offers interesting price tag and free accessories in kit on B&H (spare battery, memory card, bag, and optics cleaning kit). Currently, with the pre-release models, available resolutions and frame rates are:.
Also, another thing that surprised me is that the NATO locking mechanism doesn’t have a spring inside. It means that when you unscrew it, the part that moves doesn’t follow the locking screw, and you might have to move it by hand. This is something minor and not a dealbreaker, but a small improvement that could be made in the next versions.Untouched (left) vs. tweaked (right) colors when applying the official Z-Log2 LUT to the Z Cam E2C footage. Skintones are yellowish, tweaks are needed (screenshot from Resolve).
Have you worked with the Z CAM E2? What are your experiences with this camera? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.The PT5 has a claimed maximum brightness of 500nit, which is not daylight-viewable like monitors with a brightness under 1500nit. It does not mean that you can’t use it outside with the included sun hood, but you’ll have a hard time in direct sunlight. The glossy display doesn’t help with that, but we’ll talk more about that later.
The reason there is a hole is to allow the user to easily remove the battery without having to tilt the camera, on top of the inherent advantage of heat dissipation which comes with an open design.To power the camera, you can use Sony NP-F batteries or use the DC 12V 5A LEMO power port. Finally, there is an ethernet port for control/setting/live streaming, a Wifi antenna port, a USB port, and an HDMI output. Also, you have full camera control (including monitoring) through a phone application.
Featured Image credit for this article: Phil Holland.PortKeys, the company specialized in HDMI and SDI camera monitoring solutions has just released its latest 5.2″ monitor that is capable of controlling your camera: the PortKeys LH5H.
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