You are limited to a single 7-24V Lemo port for power and some may miss having a battery option. After a quick run-through the menu/UI seems especially intuitive and the peaking seemed great. According to Portkeys, the PT5 only draws 6W of power. To give you a rough idea, as these results can vary a lot depending on the age/state of your battery pack, I did a quick test with a fresh Canon LP-E6N battery pack (14Wh).
This does not allow an analysis via our standard IMATEST routines – because no RMS noise values can be calculated for the lower stops. Therefore we only have the waveform plot of the Xyla 21 stepchart as a reference. From the waveform, about 10 stops of dynamic range can be identified. 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.
you’re getting your name out there to thousands of eyeballs, and we can link to your personal site from your name in the news and review posts. But, you’ll have to handle all that extra tripod weight on your back, the unbalance, and the Flexloader L will flip over when you put it on the ground. Also, it’s not very practical to access the bag’s camera compartment.
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). Also, I had build quality issues with the battery charger, which is entirely made out of plastic. I’m cautious with gear, but after two days, I grabbed the charger by its casing, and it literally opened in two.
Nikon Z 6 is the first full-frame mirrorless camera from Nikon – it is the “all-arounder” within the new Z system. It features 24.5MP CMOS sensor and can record UHD 4K video at up to 30fps and full HD at up to 120fps – all in H.264. The camera can also output RAW signal via HDMI, so this could be the perfect camera to use with the Ninja V to capture in ProRes RAW. If you’re a regular CineD reader, you’ve heard us talk and write about Portkeys – a Chinese company specialized in creating monitors and viewfinders. Indeed, we’ve reported numerous times about their products that feature an incredible price/feature ratio, including their latest Portkeys BM5 III WR that can control the RED Komodo or the Portkeys LH5P that I reviewed earlier this year.
In total, you can put up to twelve monitoring tools on the sidebars. Then, when you’re set, all you have to do is press an icon to enable/disable this tool. In addition, you can long-press on a shortcut to change it or remove it from the side. 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.
On the front of the OEYE-3G, it features an SDI, HDMI and USB input, plus an SDI and HDMI output. The HDMI input can accept signals up to 4K DCI at 24 frames per second, or 4K UHD at 24/25/30 fps. The SDI input is limited to 1080P input up to 60 fps. B&H has a great deal on the Sony a6000 with two lenses – E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS and E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS – plus memory card, extra battery, battery charger, and camera bag.
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. Canon EOS C300 Mark III has also been announced this year. It is a sucessor of one of Canon’s most popular cinema cameras ever – the C300 Mark II. The new generation offers an uncropped 4K120p video on the Super35 sensor as well as modular design, internal ND filters, and Dual-Pixel AF.
Two ways to mount the EVF on your camera/rig: a built-in NATO rail and three 1/4″-20 mounting points with ARRI locking pins. All the mounting options are at the bottom of the LEYE II. In terms of input/output, you’ll find an HDMI input and HDMI output ports on the left side of the LH5H, as well as a 3.5mm jack output, but no SDI ports. The LH5H is an “entry-level” monitor, perfect for DSLR/Mirrorless camera users. If you need both HDMI and SDI ports, the BM5 II is more suited for you. Also, the PortKeys LH5H is made of plastic, not metal, with a weight of just 170g/0.37lbs.
Canon EOS 1DX Mark II Camera Body – $500 Discount. Top Black Friday Deals for Filmmakers – Part 1: Cameras, FilmConvert, MZed.
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. PortKeys Firmware Update and Updated PortKeys KeyGrip.
B&H: Nikon Z 6 with FTZ Mount Adapter and Bag Kit – $547 Discount. CVP Buy link: FUJIFILM X-T30 Camera Body Was: €827.09 Now: €680.96 (Savings: €146.13 including Cashback).
CineD has become one of the most successful video camera gear reviews & news websites in the world over the past decade, and we are only getting started. We need more CineD writers. Last but not least, the waist belt is inside the built-in pocket when you receive the bag. This is handy if you, like me, rarely use them. One thing I hate is to have a waist belt I don’t use swinging around. Also, the waist belt features a small mesh pocket with a zipper.
However, I’ve been able to try the camera control features with my Panasonic GH5, and it worked flawlessly. I’m not a massive fan of big camera setups with tons of cables, so I tried it to see if it work, but I don’t see myself using it. It’s nice to have these camera control capabilities; it works perfectly fine, it’s great to have it, and I’m sure it’ll fit a lot of filmmakers’ shooting style. Waveform, Luma, Histogram, false color, and zebra.
And now comes the fun part! Like its big brother the BM5 II, the PortKeys LH5H is capable of controlling your camera. Above is a list of all compatible cameras, and the features you can control via the LH5H. Right side: a power switch, a USB Type-A port, and a 7-24V power input/output port with a barrel connector.
The two included straps are made from nylon and metal and are high-quality; you can easily trust them to hold a bit of weight. Sony a9 Camera Body with Free Accessories Kit – $500 Discount.
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. PortKeys has now released the LEYE II to solve that powering issue, offering a built-in battery plate.
However, on the Porkeys PT5, I found that even at maximum brightness, the image doesn’t shift a lot, and blacks are still pretty dense. I guess it’s mainly because the PT5 has a full brightness of 500nit only. 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.
There are three 1/4″-20 mounting points at the back of the top handle. The camera control settings page to control your camera.
When communicating with the company they told me the following. The camera supports recording in ProRes 422 HQ/Normal/LT as well as H.265 and H.264 codecs. It records directly onto CFast cards and also includes time-lapse modes.
Key features: 7-inch IPS display, 1920×1200, 16:10 aspect ratio, 500 nits, 1200:1 contrast ratio, 160° viewing angle, 4K 60fps HDMI input and output, Touchscreen , Sony NP-F battery plate on the back to host and power accessories, Support for 50 custom 3D LUTs, Camera power supply , 5V USB-C Power Supply, 4x 1/4”-20 threaded holes, 330g, 175x105x22mm. 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.
Control Any Camera with the PortKeys Universal Handle. I loved how lightweight the PT5 is; it weighs nothing with a Canon LP-E6 at the back, so your camera rig stays easy to operate handheld.
Also, there is a 7/24V power input port on the left side of the monitor that you can use to power the Black Mini externally. What do you think of the new Z CAM E2 versions? Will you consider buying one? Let us know in the comments down below!.
Volta Cinema Top Handle Review – Elegant Way to Power Accessories. For the camera part, all the exposure tools (zebra, false color), as well as focus peaking, work very well, although the focus peaking is very strong – I would prefer an option to adjust this in the menu (not available currently).
Atomos Unleashes ProRes RAW for the Z CAM E2. There are four user-assigneable buttons on top of the LEYE II.
I’d say that from 0 to 25% brightness, black levels are okay, but you’ll have to consider gamma shifts if you go higher than that, which you’ll do if you go outside. Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L Backpack Review.
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. Great monitoring tools, including 3D LUT monitoring, waveform, false color, zebra, peaking, zooming, audio meters, crosshair, framing guides, grids, aspects.
A monitor of this size and weight makes a lot of sense to use with a small and lightweight battery, like a Canon LP-E6 pack, which is around 50 grams. Indeed, for example, a Sony NP-F 970 battery is 350g, which is twice the monitor’s weight; it looks a bit ridiculous. Also, Canon LP-E6 batteries are the same I use to power my Canon EOS R. I only have to use and carry one type of battery on set. The promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time and to amend or withdraw this promotion at any time. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Pricing accurate as of 7th August 2020, CVP is using live exchange rate pricing converted from GBP currency. Currency exchange might affect amount payable.
The HDMI ports are located on the left side of the monitor. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack in the middle of the ports. The BM5 III WR is made from aluminum, and there is a tempered glass in front of the display.
Also, the barrel connector should be replaced by a 4-pin power input at the back of the unit, next to the SDI input. Talking about the SDI input: the viewfinder should support resolutions up to 1080p60 via the SDI Input. Bottom: one 1/4-20″ mounting point with exhaust vents.
PortKeys LH5P on the left, PortKeys LH5H on the right. 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.
In terms of direct comparison, the Soonwell PH70 battery handle retails for $279.00; it has double the Volta Cinema Top Handle’s capacity, but you can’t change batteries, and it is a lot bigger. Plus the Soonwell handle we have at our CineD headquarters can’t be turned on or charged anymore after it wasn’t used for about three months. For the price, it’ll be hard to beat the Volta Cinema option. That’s quite a hefty amount of weight to carry all day long, but you can quickly move around the city (and stairs!) with only one bag.
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. I had to read instructions to find simple functions. For example, when you’re on the Function page, I activated the Frame Guide tool by tapping on the screen and activating it on the side. Then, I could not find where to adjust the settings and aspect ratio of that tool.
FilmConvert Black Friday 2019 Offer. As a bonus within this accessory kit you will also get the FTZ Mount adapter to use with exsiting Nikon F lenses, Sony 32GB XQD G Series memory card, and DSLR shoulder bag.
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. Canon EOS C500 Mark II Bundle – €523,70 Savings.
What do you think of the PortKeys Bluetooth Module? Do you think it is useful for the BMPCC 4K/6K cameras? Do you already have the PortKeys BM5 monitor? Let us know in the comments!. Portkeys PT5 5″ On-Camera Monitor.
There’s also a nice little pouch inside the bag, which is around 23 x 15 x 5cm/9 x 5,9 x 2in. 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.
Powering options and battery life. Teradek just released the 4K Monitor Module 750 TX, a transmitter unit capable of 750 feet of 4K HDR transmission – not to mention wireless camera control. Oh, and it meshes right onto your SmallHD Smart 7 monitor. Are you drooling yet?.
I guess that most filmmakers will be covered. It is also possible to connect the LH5P to a Tilta Nucleus N/M wireless follow focus to pull focus via the monitor. All in all, I’ve not been overly impressed by this monitor as I’m used to much higher-end monitoring options. However, every time I had complaints about the Black Mini, I always came back thinking, “well, it’s $89, so it has some caveats, but it’s usable.”.
At the back of the PT5, there is a built-in Sony NP-F and Canon LP-E6 battery bracket. The monitor mount was designed for use with the SmallHD 5 series and the Portkeys BM5 but it will work with most other monitors that have 1/4″-20 mount holes on the bottom of the monitor.
MZed Pro annual membership is available for just $199 (normally $299, save $100). Members get access to MZed library of 29 current courses plus new courses added regularly. The ourses can be downloaded using their new iOS app. The charger uses a standard micro USB PCB, and it can be charged with a plethora of devices, including wall plugs and power banks. To maximize the charging speed, it requires a minimum of 2.1A 5V connection.
To know more, check our Lab Test as well as Nino’s C300 Mark III review. This bundle will additionally get you a Canon 24-70MM F2.8L II USM EF-Mount lens and SanDisk CFexpress Extreme Pro 512GB memory card. Panasonic G9 used to be “only” a great MFT mirrorless camera with a main focus on photography. Panasonic recently announced new firmware update, which will equip the G9 with killer video features – same like its slightly bigger sibbling, the GH5. G9 will be able to record 10-bit video internally up to 4K 30p, 4K 60p 8-bit, new slow motion framerates in 1080p, and it will also support the paid V-log upgrade.
All in all, I was amazed by this aggressively priced 5″ monitor from Portkeys, which is the company’s “entry-level” monitor. The image coming out of the PT5 is great for the price, and it offers all the tools you need to monitor your signal properly. In addition, the Z CAM app essentially gives you full control over all the camera settings – very nice!.
There are “direction” stickers on the handle and batteries. 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.
Dimensions, Mounting Options and Power. 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.
So is the Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L the perfect bag? There are only very few minor things that, to me, could be improved. Komodo Monitor Mount. Source: GDU.
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: Sony a7S II Camera Body with Free Storage Kit Was: $2,438.00 Now: $1,998.00 (Savings: $440.00).
E2-F6 FF: $4995 available in PL or EF mounts. RED Komodo with the new Laowa 9mm T2.9 lens. Image Credit: Phil Holland.
Fig.1: Waveform plot of the Z CAM E2 cinema camera at ISO500 using Z-LOG2 ProRes HQ – about 11 stops can be identified above the noise floor. False Color, Zebra, Underscan, Luma Histogram, Luma Waveform, RGB Waveform, 3D LUT.
The Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L is a pretty simple camera bag with four main pockets and compartments. The Z CAM E2 in Conjunction with the Portkeys BM5 Monitor.
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