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!.
On most on-camera monitors (the ones that are not OLED), if you crank up the brightness to its maximum setting, 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 becomes a little washed out.
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.
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).
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.
We are using a new test method based on a high frequency, quartz & microcontroller based strobe light at 300Hz. As the sensor readout happens from the top to the bottom, we are getting a sequence of black and white bars from the strobe.
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.
The Z CAM E2 M4 is a new addition to the Z CAM line. It is basically the original Z CAM E2 without some functions in a new body and with a lower price tag. For more information about this interesting modular Micro Four Thirds camera, make sure to check my article from its launch. Besides the camera body, this bundle further includes the PortKeys BM5 MKII Monitor (which can control the camera) and Hawk-Woods DV-F990 Battery.
However, I think that the Portkeys PT5 is more suited if you’re often shooting inside. For example, during corporate/interview shoots inside, it’s an excellent low-cost option that I had a blast using.
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).
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.
The company has just released a new budget-friendly 5″ monitor that could be a good option for filmmakers that are just starting out.
In this discounted set, along with the camera, you get SanDisk 32GB extreme PRO UHS-II SDHC memory card, Watson 2000mAh battery pack, Watson compact AC/DC charger for NP-FZ100 battery, and Ruggard Journey 24 DSLR shoulder bag.
Last but not least, you can power the PT5 via the 5V1A USB input/output port. You can use this port to power the monitor with a power bank, for example, but also to charge your camera/power your accessories if you power the PT5 of a Sony NP-F/Canon LP-E6 battery.
You can set the two included straps onto the four front holes of these rubber parts to attach extra equipment/tripod to 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 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.
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!.
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.
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.
Now Z CAM is introducing three new cameras. The E2 S6 (Super-35 6K camera with a choice of MFT, EF or PL mounts) and two full frame models, with 6K and 8K sensors. (E2 F6 and E2 F8 with a choice of EF and PL mounts).
The other part of the “proper” 3rd-party EVF market consists nearly entirely of Zacuto products. I will not mention the Wooden Camera modification kit for the Blackmagic URSA EVF. We recently reported about the new Zacuto Kameleon EVF, but they also make other EVFs like the Gratical Eye that we reviewed and the Gratical HD. These EVFs are amazing, full of features and build like tanks, but they are not cheap at all.
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.
Also, don’t forget that you can put a light stand, a camera tripod, and two small LED tubes on the sides/front of the bag, as well as your gimbal and laptop at the back. It means that an entire shooting kit can fit inside/outside the Flexloader L.
The PortKeys BM5 is daylight-viewable with a maximum brightness of 2000nit – the newest BM5 II monitor is 2200nit – and it is entirely made out of aluminum for a total weight of 350 grams.
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.
To modify a tool’s settings, you have to hold the icon of the tool you want to adjust in the sidebar and slide to the right at the same time. I’ve been able to make it work, but even with the user manual, it’s not straightforward, and it took me a dozen tries to get to the tool adjustments settings.
PortKeys recently released a Metal Edition of their HS7T monitor. This upgraded version features a 7-inch 1920×1080 display with a peak brightness of 1200 nits, an all-aluminum construction, a new peaking algorithm, and a plate on the back to host a wireless video transmission system. The monitor is now available for $399.
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.
Once in place, it works nicely, but I had issues getting it in. Indeed, it came in two pieces in the box: the round part that slides in the handle and the piece that attaches to your monitor. I had to unscrew the two screws on the round piece to assemble the monitor as one piece like it should be.
CVP Buy link: Panasonic LUMIX GH5 Camera Body Was: €1,182.68 Now: €967.65 (Savings: €215.03, Free accessories, Free 25mm f/1.7 lens, and Free 3-year warranty).
It is entirely usable in bright daylight conditions, but the battery life will take a severe hit. You can see what you’re shooting, sunlight’s reflections are not bad, but I wouldn’t judge my exposure by just looking at the picture without any monitoring tools (and I guess you shouldn’t do that with any monitors anyway).
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.
However, I found that the Flexloader L quickly caught dust and marks during my tests. I’ve not been very kind with it and shot in some industrial factories that are not the cleanest environments out here. Back at the office, a quick wipe with a wet sponge and the backpack looked brand new again – as it cleans easily – but it’s something to notice.
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.
On the software side, the PortKeys P6 features a lot of useful analyzing functions and tools. Below is a list of the built-in tools:.
I tried the Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L in two primary configurations: a “traditional” camera bag and a multipurpose backpack.
The sweeping images we see on movie screen are first visualized by looking through a camera, but the second step before anything rolls is to view them through a larger monitor.
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.
Lenswise, I opted for two lenses only: the Olympus 12-100mm f4 for the documentary part (it has great image stabilization), and a Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5 – 5.6 version 1 using a Metabones speed booster for the wildlife part.
The PortKeys P6 will start shipping at the end of December, and it retails for $169.00. You can pre-order it on PortKeys’ website, we will update this article with links to B&H and CVP as soon as it becomes available.
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.
The LH5P display is color calibrated by Portkeys out of the factory. The monitor is in-factory calibrated using an X-Rite i1 Display Pro colorimeter. In short, it should be pretty color accurate out of the box.
To install it, you have to open the battery compartment and slide the monitor mount in place. Then, close the battery cap, and that’s pretty much it. The fit of the monitor mount on the handle is very snug, and there are no ways to lock it in place.
Left side: one HDMI input port, one USB port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 7-24V DC input port with a barrel connector.
Once you switch the power button on, the monitor takes around ten seconds until it is operational, which is acceptable.
To install a battery inside the handle, all you have to do is unscrew the front cap with a coin. The battery door threads on the inside are pretty short, and it only takes you half a turn to loosen it fully.
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.
Music for the above video is courtesy of MusicVine. Get 25% off your next music license with code C5D25 (valid for one use per customer).
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.
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