Edit: just after completing this review, Z CAM introduced a new firmware update (V 0.88) featuring ZRAW (internal RAW capture, partial debayer, supports up to 4096×2160@30fps initially). We might take a closer look at this ZRAW firmware in the near future.
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.
The number of software features included is impressive. Unlike the Gratical X for example, all software features are included for free, and the PortKeys OEYE-3G EVF firmware can be upgraded through the USB port. These features include:.
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.
Right side: a power switch, a USB Type-A port, and a 7-24V power input/output port with a barrel connector.
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.
As I mentioned earlier, the Portkeys PT5 casing is made out of ABS plastic. It feels like good quality plastic, but I wouldn’t want to drop the monitor just to check if it survives.
In addition, the Z CAM app essentially gives you full control over all the camera settings – very nice!.
But there’s even more for BMPCC 4K/6K users: The LH5P has a built-in Bluetooth module, which means you can connect your camera and monitor without the need for a cable. I loaned the monitor to a friend that has one, and it worked perfectly with his BMPCC 6K camera.
Bottom: one camera control mini-USB port, a 5-pin motor camera control port that doubles up as a DC 7-24V power output port. There’s also a 1/4-20″ mounting thread and a USB Type-A port to update the firmware of the LH5P, load your LUTs, or power it.
Three “normal-sized” lenses and a big zoom lens (Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS).
As far as specs go, the 4K Monitor Module 750 TX is no slouch. It features zero-delay 4K30p video, 10-bit 4:2:2 HDR video, and of course the titular 750ft of transmission.
There’s also a nice little pouch inside the bag, which is around 23 x 15 x 5cm/9 x 5,9 x 2in.
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).
I had an enjoyable time using the LH5H in run-and-gun situations, especially with a mirrorless camera. The monitor is light, it has a decent battery life, so it’s perfect for compact camera setups. However, I had a couple of hard times with the UI while trying to adjust some features, but I already mentioned that.
If you’re often shooting outside you should probably not consider this monitor as the screen is tough to see if you’re shooting outdoor. Also, even on a cloudy day, the included sun hood has its limits.
The Portkeys PT5 comes in a small box. Open it, and inside you’ll find a Pelican-style hard case.
The Volta Cinema Top Handle immediately caught my attention when I first saw it. From what I saw, I found this product brilliant, with a simple design and a clear mission: power your camera or accessories via the handle. Other companies have tried this, albeit arguably not as elegantly.
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.
In short, the PortKeys LH5P has plenty of input/output power ports, which is nice, as some much more expensive options out there don’t offer that much.
However, they also closed the door on other monitors who might want access to the latest features from Teradek. BlackMagic, Atomos, PortKeys, and others will have to find their own solutions.
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.
Temperatures in the Indian jungle would be as high as 45°C, the climate is very dry hence exposing the gear to the bumpy, dusty roads in an open jeep got me a bit nervous. Would the cam and the monitor survive?.
The OEYE-3G is targeted at professional users, while the PortKeys LEYE fills a big hole in the market for enthusiastic/filmmakers that don’t use an external viewfinder on a daily basis and are looking for an EVF that doesn’t break the bank.
Waveform (RGB and Luma), False Color, Exposure, Histogram, False Color, 3D LUT.
The battery is held at the back of the handle by a screw. As you can see, one end of the Volta Cinema Top Handle is fully open. According to the company:.
Edit: the Z Cam E2C offers a gigabyte ethernet connection for control and live streaming, but no multicam synchronization as written earlier in this post and mentioned in the video above – sorry for this mistake – I have deleted the respective passages in the text below.
The buttons on top of the monitor are a bit rigid and clicky too. The battery fit at the back of the monitor is smooth, tolerances are good, and both Sony/Canon batteries go in and out smoothly; no issues here.
For all ZCAM E2 models, the control interface adds AF/MF and touch focus enable button.
PortKeys has just released a new electronic viewfinder for DSLR/Mirrorless camera shooters with only one HDMI input that can take a 4K video signal: the PortKeys LEYE. This very compact EVF fills a hole in the market with an affordable price tag of $399. Let’s take a closer look at it!.
Retail price is $1199, and the shipping date is set for May 1st. You can take a look at the PortKeys OEYE-3G EVF during NAB 2019, booth #C12030. We will add B&H buy links when it becomes available.
Buy link: Canon EOS C300 Mark III Bundle Was: €13.967,33 Now: €13.446,06 (Savings: €521,27).
Buy link: Panasonic LUMIX S1H Bundle Was: €4,830.89 Now: €4,502.40 (Savings: €328,49).
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 BM5 is PortKeys’ new 5-inch 1080P flagship field monitor. It features an HDMI and SDI input, and an SDI output with cross-conversion. In case you need to monitor your sound, a 3.5mm output jack is located on the left side. There is a USB port at the bottom of the monitor for future firmware upgrades.
Nothing broke; it still works perfectly. I secured the casing with some tape, so it stays as closed as it is supposed to be. However, I’m a bit worried about its longevity over time. I think that Volta Cinema could work on a better battery charging solution.
Cine 7 monitor + Bolt 4K Monitor Module 750 TX connected to the camera with ARRI license installed (If you are using 2 Cine 7 monitors you can have the license installed on either one.).
Most of the navigation inside the UI happens via the touchscreen. But, you can also use the physical Menu and navigation buttons at the top of the monitors. These buttons allow you to navigate inside a page. However, you can’t switch pages from these buttons.
You can power it via Sony NP-F style batteries, or the DC 12V 5A 4-pin LEMO connector.
The monitor has a contrast ratio of 1000:1, and I could not confirm if the panel itself is 8 or 10-bit (8+2 FRC obviously if it’s the case). According to VIDEOGEAR, the display covers 131% of the Rec.709 color space and 98% of DCI-P3. On top of that, the panel would support HDR ST2084 300 / ST 2084 1000 / ST 2084 10000 / HLG monitoring, but I have high doubts about it and can’t confirm.
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.
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.
Not all monitors are created equally, and the quality of the display behind them may vary significantly. A great on-camera monitor must be as color accurate as possible and as close to “what you see is what you get” as possible.
Optimize the ratio options in the guide function, automatically adapt the deformation function, and add three ratio modes of 1:1, 16:9, 6:19.
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.
Our first Black friday deals post features interesting cameras from DJI, Canon, FUJIFILM, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, and Z CAM. Additionally there are FilmConvert, and MZed Black Friday offers. This is the first out of three Black friday posts. In the next post we will take a look at lenses and computers.
Using a stabilized lens is a must – as I did for the sample footage (the Olympus 12-100 F4 IS Pro lens).
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.
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.
Codec wise there are H264 and H265 10bit internal recording options to SD cards, but as a big differentiator to other cams in this price bracket, it offers to record ProRes via USB-C to an external SSD drive.
I used the Volta Cinema Top Handle during seven full productions days, it held all its promises, and it’s been a joy to use. It’s a nine out of ten usability score for me, because the one thing that I am missing is a battery indicator on the handle to see the battery state with a push of a button.
This type of case is similar to most – if not all – Portkeys monitors. However, I was pleased to see that this case is more prominent than previous cases.
It is powered via a single Sony NP-F style battery, and you can use the power output of the BM5 to feed your camera via a dummy battery. Also, you can power it with an external battery by using the Lemo port on the monitor.
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 Portkeys PT5 has a glossy and quite reflective screen, so the included sun hood is a must if you plan on shooting outside (more on that later.).
Chinese manufacturer PortKeys has just introduced a new version of its famous HDMI-only compact electronic viewfinder: the PortKeys LEYE II. The LEYE II now features a built-in battery plate. Also, PortKeys has been teasing an SDI version of its viewfinder for quite some time now, which should be released soon. So let’s take a closer look at these!.
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.
If you’re new to PortKeys, this company is specialized in affordable HDMI and SDI camera monitoring solutions. Recently, we talked about their LEYE viewfinder, the fully-featured SDI/HDMI BM5 monitor, and the affordable PortKeys P6. The company has just released a new 5.5″ HDMI-only monitor, the PortKeys LH5P. This product name may sound familiar to you, as it is the big brother of the PortKeys LH5H that was released last year.
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.
Let’s be honest, this plastic sun hood will not get you very far, especially as one of the sides is open. It is hard to put inside the bracket, it barely fits, there are light leaks from all sides… So you have it, it’s not the best design in the world, but at least they give you something that can help a bit.
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.
Also, Manfrotto put two thick rubber reinforcements/locking holes on the front and one on each side to create a tuck-away strap system.
The first bundle includes the full-frame mirrorless camera from Panasonic – the LUMIX S1 (our Review, our Lab Test). With its 24.2MP sensor, the camera can record up to 4K 60P cropped or 4K 30P uncropped video. It offers nice ergonomics, good IBIS, and relatively clean images with high ISO. It even became our camera of the year in 2019. The bundle further includes the Sigma MC-21 adapter and Sony 120GB XQD G-Series memory card.
Finding more information about PortKeys as a company is a little tricky as we haven’t been able to locate much information on the web about them, but the EVF does look promising at first glance.
Portkeys recently released an updated version of its famous BM5 monitor that can control your camera: the Portkeys BM5 III WR. This new model features a bigger 5.5″ display with a maximum brightness of 2200nits. It has a built-in Bluetooth module to control your camera, and an implemented wireless camera control for the RED Komodo. Let’s take a closer look at it!.
This product demonstrates the advantages of a semi-closed ecosystem. The Vitec Group has, over the years, picked up SmallHD, Teradek, and even Amimon – the company that manufactures the wireless chips underlying them all. By bringing all of these companies under one umbrella, Vitec opened the door to collaborative products like the Teradek 4K Monitor Module family.
Retail price is $1199, and the shipping date is set for May 1st. You can take a look at the PortKeys OEYE-3G EVF during NAB 2019, booth #C12030. We will add B&H buy links when it becomes available.
As I already mentioned, there is a built-in Sony NP-F style battery plate at the monitor’s back. I did a quick battery life test with a Sony NP-F970 battery at maximum brightness (1700nit). I got away with around one to one hour and a half battery life.
Apparently, this design is becoming quite popular. In fact, the new FEELWORLD F7 PRO has a very similar feature, which makes it a good director or 1st AC monitor on a budget. Let’s take a closer look.
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 first batch of both accessories got sold out relatively quickly, the next batch should be shipping by the end of June.
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!.
Education is an important part of self-development. MZed offers all kinds of usefull online courses. You can check our rewievs of their courses – Cinematic filmmaking masterclass by Philip Bloom and Directing color with Ollie Kenchington. They have interesting Black Friday offers which will be live from Wednesday 27th (PST) until the end of Monday, December 2nd (PST). Available offers:.
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.
On the left side, there is a standard ARRI Rosette, the USB port, and the On/Off switch. At the bottom, you’ll find two 1/4″ holes for mounting purposes, and the diopter adjustment dial.
The Volta Kit is available now and includes the top handle, two batteries, a battery charger, and a NATO rail for €140.00. The monitor mount will cost you an additional €40.00. You can purchase an extra pack of Volta36 batteries for €50.00.
These tools are pretty standard nowadays on on-camera monitors, but nothing is missing on the LH5P. Also, you can adjust the position and scale of each tool via the touchscreen, but more on that in a second.
you’re still getting based on the reach of your “old” articles if you continue to write regularly for the site, it’s all very transparent – loyalty is welcome and awarded.
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.
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.
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.
“To set up wireless camera control for KOMODO or DSMC2 (coming later this summer), the following hardware and software are required.
Let’s be clear, this new Portkeys BM5 III WR is not a massive upgrade over its predecessor, and most of the main features are the same, including:.
The battery is held at the back of the handle by a screw. As you can see, one end of the Volta Cinema Top Handle is fully open. According to the company:.
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.
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.
I have tried this option in practice but quickly abandoned it for moving shots, as the motion blur (or partial lack thereof) of the resulting image looks weird. It may work for a static interview though, or a situation where the scene demands a higher shutter speed (1/200 and up).
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 R6 is one of Canon’s two newly introduced mirrorless cameras. It is the lower-resolution more-affordable sibling to the Canon R5. It offers internal 4K60p video in 10-bit with no crop and with AF.
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.
The Chinese manufacturer PortKeys is starting to be well-known for making affordable monitoring solutions for filmmakers with a lot of built-in monitoring and camera control features. We first heard about the company with the fully-featured BM5 monitor that can control your camera, then more recently the LH5H that is HDMI-only which we are currently reviewing – stay tuned for more info about it.
The battery fit at the back of the monitor is snug. The battery goes in and out smoothly; no issues here. There is a battery lock to keep everything nicely and securely in place.
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.
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.
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.
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 LH5H, which works fine.
As I mentioned earlier, the Portkeys PT5 casing is made out of ABS plastic. It feels like good quality plastic, but I wouldn’t want to drop the monitor just to check if it survives.
Make sure to check our hands-on and footage article as well as Philip Bloom’s two hour in-depth review of the camera. This bundle will get you the camcorder body with Sony 120GB XQD G-Series memory card and a spare Sony BP-U60 56Wh battery (another battery ships with the camera already).
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.
If you are tempted by the price to use it as a cinema camera be aware that the rolling shutter means that you cannot shoot handheld footage without a stabilized lens. It’s an absolute must in that scenario.
However, I was a bit worried about a possible short inside my camera bag between the batteries and whatever metal object they could hit. Volta Cinema told me that:.
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.
If you wish to attach your monitor to a 1/4-20″ mounting accessory, all you have to do is put a 3/8-16″ to 1/4-20″ threaded insert. Simple and easy, I guess implementing this type of mounting option at the bottom of every monitor is easy to make, making every filmmaker happy.
However, the 5-inch display of the BM5 is a little too small sometimes, especially for focusing or precise monitoring tasks. There’s some good news though since PortKeys is now improving their 7-inch monitor lineup by introducing a Metal Edition of their already-existing HS7T monitor. Let’s take a look at the improvements.
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.
Finally, there are four functions buttons at the top of the monitor and a menu button plus scroll wheel to navigate in the menus.
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.
Your camera monitor attaches to the mount via a 1/4″-20 screw. There is a rubber pad to protect the bottom of the monitor from being scratched.
As I mentioned previously, the PortKeys LH5P has one 1/4-20″ mounting point at the bottom. This is the monitor’s only mounting point, which is a bit of a letdown. I like to have multiple options for rigging a monitor to my camera, at least one on the left or right side and one at the bottom. There is nothing but an exhaust vent on the monitor’s right side, so I guess it would have been probably possible to put another mounting point here.
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.
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.
And the Z CAM E2 did not disappoint – see the video on top. The camera has a very organic, detailed image with fantastic, out of the box colors. Grading the Z-LOG2 profile using the LUT’s supplied by Z CAM on their homepage was a joy and is as easy as it can get.
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.
According to Manfrotto, these “SAS-TEC” structural reinforcements feature exclusive viscoelastic memory foam for multi-impact endurance. Unfortunately, I did not open the bag with a knife to verify, but the bottom bumpers did well during my testing.
The has a glossy and quite reflective screen and is not very bright, so if you plan on using the monitor outside, the included sun hood will come in handy.
Fig. 3: The Portkeys BM5 monitor – bright (2000 NITS) and well built, however the screen is very reflective which can hamper the viewing experience outside.
Let’s be clear, this new Portkeys BM5 III WR is not a massive upgrade over its predecessor, and most of the main features are the same, including:.
As you can tell, there are many different ways to power it, which is nice. Also, the monitor only draws 6W of power, which means it should have fairly long battery life.
If you already have a PortKeys monitor – including the BM5, BM5 II, HH7, HS7T, OEYE-3G – the company just released several firmware updates on its website. Here are the firmware update details:.
The battery is held at the back of the handle by a screw. As you can see, one end of the Volta Cinema Top Handle is fully open. According to the company:.
This year we decided to divide the Black friday deals into three posts, which we will publish in the next days before friday November 29:.
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.
Inside the small pockets with tripod logos, you’ll find straps that attach to their respective rubber hooks.
As you can tell, these are minor issues and not a dealbreaker. Manfrotto did a great job at improving their camera bag lineup and they’ll have a hard time competing with themselves for the next generation.
The FEELWORLD F7 PRO offers several input and output power options. The monitor can be powered using either a Sony NP-F battery or via a 12V DC power input. Moreover, a 5V USB-C port offers an extra power supply option, while an 8V DC output can provide power to your camera.
However, on-camera monitors are not your traditional computer display. Most of the time, you can’t use a probe or spectrophotometer to adjust your on-camera monitor.
In short, blacks are not black anymore, but more on the grey side, and the picture starts to be a little washed out. On the , even if it has a “low” maximum brightness of only 400nit, you can see that the image shifts quite a lot when the backlight is at 100%.
One of the only things that could be improved on the BM5 II that I have is the overall UI, which feels a bit outdated. The new PortKeys LH5H features a new UI that looks much better and more intuitive. On the left and right sides of the monitor, you’ll find various customizable shortcuts to your favorite monitoring tools. The display itself is tactile, so you can activate/disable functions quickly without having to go inside the menu.
Did you like any of our deals? Did we miss something interesting? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.
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.
Once your monitor is in place, you can tilt it forward and backwards, but within limits. Above are the maximum positions you can reach. Volta Cinema told me that the mounting screw hits the monitor mount and limits its orientation so that your monitor doesn’t fall on your lens or camera rig.
The Chinese camera manufacturer Z CAM has made quite an impression on us when we reviewed their flagship model Z CAM E2. Now we have the much more affordable sister cam Z Cam E2C cinema camera in our hands – has it inherited some of the strong features? Read on ….
B&H Buy link: Sony a7R III Camera Body with Free Accessories Kit Was: $2,798.00 Now: $2,498.00 (Savings: $300.00).
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.
Out of the box, the colors and images coming out of the PT5 are extremely good, and I would say close to being 100% color accurate. I only lowered the saturation by 3-4, and that’s it. I was delighted by what I saw, and I would not be that surprised if Portkeys calibrate each monitor out of the factory. The image is crisp and clear, which is impressive for an entry-level product.
In addition to that, we are also looking for a writer who is particularly interested in “smartphone filmmaking” as we are planning to greatly extend our coverage in that area. Both news about new smartphone cameras and apps as well as reviews of these cameras are important for us.
DJI Osmo Pocket is the smallest Osmo yet. It combines camera with a 3-axis gimbal and fits literally in the palm. The camera still offers up to 4K 60fps video recording. Make sure to watch and read our DJI Osmo Pocket review for more information.
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.
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.
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.
The Z CAM E2 uses a dual ISO sensor, so I also tested the second gain value of ISO 2500 and got a result of 10.4 stops (SNR = 2).
If your monitor colors are incorrect, you won’t see your footage how it really is. For example, when a monitor’s colors are wildly inaccurate, you can see orange when you’re supposed to see yellow or red. It can affect how you’ll set your camera’s white balance or exposure, for example.
Jarred’s other company Global Dynamics United (GDU) has been producing accessories for other RED cameras for a while already. The company now officially announced some previously teased special accessories for the RED Komodo.
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.
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.
The PortKeys LH5P is available now for $399.00, and the package includes a straight to elbow DC power cable, one camera control cable, a safety box, and a USB stick with the instructions. The LH5H currently retails for $100.00 less at $299.00 and can be a nice option if you don’t need the extra aluminum toughness. For more information, please visit PortKeys’ website here.
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.
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.
The new PortKeys Bluetooth Module for BM5/BM5 II monitors screws directly to the back of the monitor. This update is especially exciting for BMPCC 4K/6K users. First, you will have access to the daylight/tiltable screen of the BM5. Second, you will be able to control your camera via the monitor wirelessly. The number of settings you can adjust via the BM5 is imposing; please see the full list below.
The Portkeys PT5 is made from ABS plastic, which helps keep the weight down at only 130g/0.28lbs. Also, it is very compact at 136 x 72 x 17mm in terms of dimensions, so it should not take that much space in your camera bag.
However, even if I found the UI easy to understand, there are some things I did not like. First, when you open the menu, it’ll stay open for a certain amount of time that you can adjust between 10 and 30 seconds. But when you’re done, you can’t exit the menu and hide it. Instead, you’ll have to let it disappear on its own without touching anything for 10/30sec.
“To set up wireless camera control for KOMODO or DSMC2 (coming later this summer), the following hardware and software are required.
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.
Using a stabilized lens is a must – as I did for the sample footage (the Olympus 12-100 F4 IS Pro lens).
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.
This monitor has its limits for sure, but it is an excellent monitor if you want to step up your game and start working with a product that offers professional monitoring tools.
Disclaimer: As usual, let me first say that I am not a Portkeys Ambassador. Like every other article on CineD, Portkeys, or any other brand, did not pay us to write this article. However, the company sent us the product to review for free. This review is my unbiased opinion as Portkeys did not modify, influence, or give input about the article before its publication.
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.
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.
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