Buy link: Canon EOS C500 Mark II Bundle Was: €19.452,65 Now: €18.928,94 (Savings: €523,70). 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).
B&H Buy link: Sony a9 Camera Body with Free Accessories Kit Was: $3,998.00 Now: $3,498.00 (Savings: $500.00). 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.
That’s many included accessories for an entry-level/budget monitor and even more than some previous and more expensive options Portkeys has to offer. The monitor mount came in two parts. The round piece’s screws had threadlocker which makes removing them really hard, but you have to do it to assemble the monitor mount together.
The clever location of the Z CAM E2 battery allows the use of standard Sony NPF batteries with various capacities (and protects the HDMI port at the same time). For my trip I took a few 5200mA (NP F750) ones with me – good news is that power consumption was surprisingly low hence battery life was no issue at all. On the Black Mini, there is only one HDMI input port. The monitor supports a maximum input resolution of UHD at up to 30p and FullHD at up to 60p. My findings are a bit different from the manufacturer’s claim of “4K 60Hz”, but it’s already pretty good.
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. Buy link: Canon EOS 1DX Mark III Bundle Was: €9.620,00 Now: €9.138,19 (Savings: €481,91).
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. Dynamic Range of the Z Cam E2C Cinema Camera.
Build quality and mounting points. I’ve used bags, cases, rolling bags, and fly cases from various types and many different brands. The quest to find the perfect storage/carrying solution that combines build quality, storage capacity, total package weight, and functionality is endless.
Sony a7S III Bundle – €187,54 Savings. Top: menu and navigation buttons, a 1/4″-20 mounting point, a power On/Off button, and a function button.
The same type of battery can be used for the Portkeys BM5 monitor as well which is a big plus, and I needed all the spare batteries for the monitor, as its power consumption was quite high. 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.
The bag is made out of nylon and synthetic fabric. The ripstop nylon fabric features a cross pattern all over it. This kind of fabric is used to make military clothes, so I have very little doubt about its quality or longevity. All in all, it’s a matter of taste, but it’s a nice-looking bag that looks professional without screaming “there’s plenty of camera equipment inside,” which I always like. The Portkeys PT5 retails for $169/€149, and it is available now.
Attaching an external monitor gives a closer approximation of how each shot will translate to the big screen, and as an added bonus, other people on set can watch the footage take shape. PortKeys is mostly known for making affordable products that offer filmmakers an excellent price/features ratio. The PortKeys LH5H came out in July 2020, and its successor, the LH5P, was released in January 2021. This monitor is one of the company’s entry-level products. However, the least we can say is that this HDMI-only monitor is no different from its bigger brother when it comes to features, at an aggressive price-point.
A Sony NP-F-style battery powers it. Also, there is a power input/output port so you can power it off a V-Mount/Gold Mount battery or use the monitor to power your camera. At first, I had a weird feeling as in case of assistance or firmware updates, I guess you are left in the dark with no customer service to contact.
The batteries are best isolated from one another when traveling as long as there are other metallic components in the compartment. We haven’t yet experienced a short after months of use. They have short circuit protection, but as you know, in case it does happen it requires the user to connect them to the charger in order to restore them. 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).
E2-F6 FF: $4995 available in PL or EF mounts. The fan is quiet; you can hear it when you start the monitor because it’ll kick in at maximum fan speed for a second. But, once the monitor is on, you’ll have to put your hear next to the exhaust vent to notice it at low speed, and even an on-camera microphone would have a hard time catching it.
To grab the bag, there are three handles: one on the top and one on each side. Although all the handles feel robust, they can take a lot of weight. If I am being picky, I would’ve liked to see a fourth grip at the bottom. If you ever been in the market for a 3rd-party electronic viewfinder, you probably know that there is not a lot of options out there.
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. CVP Buy link: FUJIFILM X-T3 Camera Body Was: €1,314.19 Now: €1,041.41 (Savings: €272.78 including Cashback).
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. Like the PortKeys OEYE-3G, the LEYE doesn’t have a built-in battery. You can power it via the DC 7-24V barrel port or 5V USB Type-A port on the device’s right side. It means that you’ll have to use an external battery to power the EVF, either a V-Lock/Gold-Mount battery or a power bank.
The PortKeys LEYE is very compact, with dimensions of only 106 x 70 x 78mm. Most of the device is made of plastic, except for the metal rear cover. The PortKeys Bluetooth Module for BM5 monitors retails for $119/99€, and you can pre-order it directly on PortKeys’ website. It should ship from the 30th of November.
As you would expect, the casing of the is mostly made out of plastic. I think that there is no metal except the 1/4-20″ inserts. The plastic quality is decent. As a direct frustration with Tilta’s Nano motor which required a very specific input to perform well, I decided to have a go at designing a solution. Oskar joined me again so this time we actually ended up launching an Indiegogo campaign. At the time we didn’t have much of a prototype but the idea was clear: Someone had to put some high-capacity cells inside a top handle since it was such a mandatory piece of kit. Why not us?.
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. The functions you can control are pretty basic at the moment: start/stop the recording, change your ISO settings, adjust the focus settings…etc. I think this is just the beginning.
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. 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).
The Volta36 battery charger has two charging indicators. The PortKeys KeyGrip has been shipping for a couple of months now, and filmmakers have been complaining about the lack of a power switch button. Indeed, there was no battery switch, which means the KeyGrip was draining power if you didn’t remove the batteries from the handle.
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. However, for the past four years, I finally found some solutions that work for me. I purchased and used Manfrotto rolling bags – including the Pro Roller Bag 70 and Reloader Air-55 Pro – and they’ve been real workhorses. They’ve been a joy to use and what carries all my camera equipment 99% of the time. The Windows vs. macOS debate is as big as the backpack vs. rolling case one, but both solutions have pros and cons.
However, the sun hood blocks the sunlight pretty effectively, there are minor light leaks on the edges, and it’s quick to set up. It’s definitely nice to have it in the package!. Back: the Sony NP-F battery plate and a battery plate lock button.
The R5 is the other one of Canon’s two newly introduced mirrorless cameras. With its 45 MP full-frame sensor, it offers 8K30p RAW internal video recording as well as 4K60p in 10-bit – both with no crop and with AF. Back on the Function page, you’ll find a little “+” icon on the left. Press it, and you can assign any of the monitoring tools as a shortcut in the toolbar.
However, the resolution of the LH5H is FullHD 1920 x 1080, and it can take 4K HDMI signals. In front of the screen, they use tempered glass to protect the monitor from scratches and the harshness of set life. Can you get more camera stuff inside? For sure, but that’s already a fair amount of gear to carry on your back.
One SDI output and one HDMI output port with cross-conversion. 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.
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. 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.
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!. To celebrate our relaunch to CineD, our partner CVP prepared some special deals for our European readers. These include popular cameras from Canon, FUJIFILM, Panasonic, Sony, and Z CAM bundled with useful accessories. (All prices are including VAT).
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). The bundle further includes the Sigma MC-21 adapter for Canon EF lenses and the 5″ monitor/recorder Atomos Ninja V. With the Ninja V, you can take advantage of recording in 12-bit ProRes RAW with this camera. In this price range, it is a very interesting combination.
The exterior design of the PortKeys LH5P is not groundbreaking; it’s simple and quite minimalist. Now let’s take a quick tour of the monitor. The screen has a viewing angle of 180°, a contrast ratio of 1200:1, and a peak brightness of 500 nits. This level of brightness is a little disappointing since it’s way too low to make the monitor usable under bright sunlight. Moreover, it only represents a 50-nits increase over the original F7.
There is also a nice Z CAM smartphone app available for IOS (Android still in a beta release), which connects to the camera’s wifi and allows access / display / change all settings as well as providing a full screen image preview with little latency. CVP offers free LUMIX 25mm f/1.7 lens (!) and free 3-year Panasonic LUMIX warranty. CVP also offers G9 in a set with the LUMIX 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens for an incredible price.
Komodo Monitor Mount. Source: GDU. Finally, there’s a 7.4/24V power input/output port with a barrel connector that you can use to power the PT5. Unfortunately, a D-Tap or any other powering cable isn’t included in the kit, but you can easily find one at an affordable price. Last but not least, this port can feed a 7.4V camera accessory if you power the monitor with a Sony NP-F/Canon LP-E6 battery, but I did not try it.
The Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L is one of the biggest carry-on camera backpacks available on the market. In this review, we’ll take a look at the bag’s build quality, features, and how much gear it can hold. If you’re looking for one of the best solutions money can buy, let’s take a closer look at the Flexloader L!. Dimensions, Mounting Options and Power.
Control Any Camera with the PortKeys Universal Handle. Canon EOS R6 Bundle – €144,82 Savings.
possibility of taking you to major trade shows like NAB in Las Vegas, IBC in Amsterdam, … if we are really happy with your work and if you work well under time pressure (we always take some selected team members to shows around the world). 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.
Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L Backpack Review. Build quality and mounting points.
Back: the Sony NP-F battery plate and a battery plate lock button. Z Cam E2C cinema camera rigged up with a monitor (Portkeys BM5) and a ZOOM H2 (not visible, behind the monitor) for audio capture via the 3.5mm input.
You can power it via Sony NP-F style batteries, or the DC 12V 5A 4-pin LEMO connector. Prices are not outrageous, starting at €15.00 per adapter, so it’s nice to buy these directly from Volta Cinema.
Who is this monitor for? I think it can be a fantastic addition to your kit if you don’t need a daylight-viewable monitor nor the built quality of a product you can rent. For owner-operators that are shooting inside most of the time, or people that are making live streams, you can’t go wrong with the Portkeys PT5. Yes, that’s right. Even the brand new Sony a7S III is included in this CVP special. The camera is supposed to start shipping in September 2020, but it already caused a lot of excitement.
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. adding a handle at the bottom of the bag.
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. 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.
There are four user-assigneable buttons on top of the LEYE II. The Function button is next to the red power button.
Bottom: one 1/4-20″ mounting point with locating pins. As Phil Holland wrote, aside from REDCODE RAW files, the camera can also shoot ProRes MOV files for quick turnaround. They are available in HQ and 422 for both 4K and 2K resolutions. According to Phil, the camera can’t record both at the same time.
Some companies try to enter the EVF market with a monitor and a loupe attachment. It’s the case with products from SmallHD, with their SmallHD 502 + viewfinder attachment, and F&V with the SpectraHD 4 EVF. While these two solutions can be helpful, they are also quite bulky. Like most on-camera monitors (the ones that are not OLED), especially daylight-viewable ones, if you crank up the brightness, the display tends to lift the image’s black parts. In short, blacks are not black anymore, but more on the grey side and the picture starts to be a little washed out.
The stickers were a bit of an afterthought when we realized not many of the clients were actually watching the video guide before using the handle. It has resulted in a couple of instances where the battery was forced in the wrong way, and it broke the pins (which is also why we provide the supplementary set). A Postcard from Hallstatt – Z CAM E2C Cinema Camera Review.
Camera Controls through the Monitor. There is a built-in Bluetooth module and a camera control port to control your camera wired/wirelessly.
PortKeys is also teasing a new version of the LEYE with SDI and HDMI input ports: the LEYE SDI. This version should also have a built-in Canon LP-E6 battery plate. The Portkeys PT5 LH5P features a 5″ WLED display with a FullHD 1080p / 1920 x 1080 resolution. The display is a touchscreen and the only way to navigate inside the menus.
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. As you can see, the PortKeys LH5P represents a good value for money compared to other monitors in the same price range, but it will be up to you to decide if it ticks all the boxes for your needs.
FEELWORLD F7 PRO Released – Affordable 7” Director’s Monitor. PortKeys HS7T Metal Edition: power options.
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