Most transparent, versatile wind protection for Schoeps MK41? at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · March 23rd, 2017, 11:24 AM

My gut tells me that it's still the Rycote baby ball gag with wind jammer. Have things changed? Some of Schoeps' own hollow foam options look interesting, maybe with some kind of furry over them as the occasion merits. I've found that Rycote's regular softie is completely worthless on the Schoeps. What about this product? I had never heard of Bubblebee before.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...er_bubble.html

Rick Reineke · March 23rd, 2017, 11:53 AM

Hi Marco,
Dave Fisk worked for Bubblebee as well as Ktec..You could PM him from the DVX User forum, or for the JW group He wouldn't steer you wrong. I'm not sure he frequents this group.
BTW, Rycote is about to, or has released a new 'Baseball" windscreen, I don;t recall if it's supposed to be better than the Softies, or just a smaller/lighter option. Like the Softie, it won't be a substitute for a Zeppelin.
.

Marco Leavitt · March 23rd, 2017, 01:23 PM

Thanks for the heads up. I guess you're talking about this?

Baseball | Rycote

I went all through their site and didn't see it. I am looking for the ability to switch to full wind protection at a moment's notice.

Dave Fisk · March 31st, 2017, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

Hi Marco,
Dave Fisk worked for Bubblebee as well as Ktec..
.

I'm here as well. Just recently joined. I'm with DVeStore now as the production audio specialist.

Marco, are you looking for a full on windshield setup or just a slip on windscreen? Are you looking to be able to go from interiors to exteriors?

Marco Leavitt · March 31st, 2017, 10:03 PM

Yes this is a run and gun situation with mostly interiors, but occasionally outdoors as well. Transparency is more important than heavy wind protection. Small size is important as well, so a slip on windscreen is best. How does the bubblebee compare to rycote's baby ball gag?

Dave Fisk · April 4th, 2017, 10:23 AM

If transparency is the most important thing then the new Baseball from Rycote is probably your best bet. It's not the best wind protection...really only protecting against wind created when you cue hard if you are doing a 2 shot. A baby ball gag is overkill for interiors, but works great for exteriors. The Bubblebee Spacer Bubble isn't going to give you as good wind protection as the baby ball gag from Rycote for exteriors. It's good for moderate wind with the short fur that it ships with, and the fabric covered foam windscreen it comes with is just fine for interiors, but it sits in the middle of what you are looking for.

In the end it also depends on how specific your needs are. The one nice thing about the Spacer Bubble is how quickly you can go from interiors to exteriors because the fur is removable. However, you really need to purchase the longer fur for it to be useful outdoors. If you aren't going to be in a huge rush to go from interiors to exteriors, as far as gear changes go, then the best set up in terms of wind protection outside and transparency inside is a Rycote Baby Ball Gag exterior and Rycote Baseball interior.

Marco Leavitt · April 4th, 2017, 09:42 PM

Very honest response. Thanks much sir.

Jim Feeley · April 6th, 2017, 10:03 AM

Since I'm not a complete idiot, I take Dave's advice to heart. But let me chime in that I just came off three tough days where I was using my Schoeps MK41 on both interiors and some exteriors on a hectic shoot. Some of the exteriors were shot in gusty 20mph/30kph or so winds...Maybe more? Pretty sucky conditions.

But I had great success with a small Rycote Cyclone. Info page:
Cyclone | Rycote

Image of Cyclone with windshield:
http://rycote.com/wp-content/uploads...e-Small-01.jpg

I was pretty impressed. Too busy to do any direct comparisons but it seemed at least as good at dispersing wind as my Rycote windshield with fuzzy windjammer (but my windshield is longer and holds a Sanken CS-3e). And I say this as a fan and owner of a bunch of K-Tek products and some bubblebee stuff.

Anyway, with the Cyclone, on interiors I could quickly remove its windshield, slide on a small Schoeps B5D tear-drop and go (the Cyclone windshield might be fine indoors, but I didn't have time to experiment and I'm used to the B5D).

Image of Cyclone suspension (with windshield removed):
http://rycote.com/wp-content/uploads...spension-1.jpg

Downside? The Rycote Cyclone system costs $600.

The other options mentioned here are totally worth checking out...way less expensive and heck, you'd probably want them anyway for other conditions.

Well there you go. Let us know what you decide to do and how it works out.

Dave Fisk · April 6th, 2017, 11:20 AM

I'll add on to what Jim said.

The Cyclone is going to be the best wind protection mentioned here, and it's quite easy to use. I don't know why that didn't come to my mind...possibly because I was only thinking about the only two things mentioned already.

Thanks for mentioning the Cyclone, Jim. Good call.

March 23rd, 2017, 11:24 AM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Most transparent, versatile wind protection for Schoeps MK41? My gut tells me that it's still the Rycote baby ball gag with wind jammer. Have things changed? Some of Schoeps' own hollow foam options look interesting, maybe with some kind of furry over them as the occasion merits. I've found that Rycote's regular softie is completely worthless on the Schoeps. What about this product? I had never heard of Bubblebee before. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...er_bubble.html

March 23rd, 2017, 11:53 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Most transparent, versatile wind protection for Schoeps MK41? Hi Marco, Dave Fisk worked for Bubblebee as well as Ktec..You could PM him from the DVX User forum, or for the JW group He wouldn't steer you wrong. I'm not sure he frequents this group. BTW, Rycote is about to, or has released a new 'Baseball" windscreen, I don;t recall if it's supposed to be better than the Softies, or just a smaller/lighter option. Like the Softie, it won't be a substitute for a Zeppelin. . Last edited by Rick Reineke; March 23rd, 2017 at 12:59 PM.

March 23rd, 2017, 01:23 PM	#3
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Re: Most transparent, versatile wind protection for Schoeps MK41? Thanks for the heads up. I guess you're talking about this? Baseball \| Rycote I went all through their site and didn't see it. I am looking for the ability to switch to full wind protection at a moment's notice.

March 31st, 2017, 10:03 PM	#5
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Re: Most transparent, versatile wind protection for Schoeps MK41? Yes this is a run and gun situation with mostly interiors, but occasionally outdoors as well. Transparency is more important than heavy wind protection. Small size is important as well, so a slip on windscreen is best. How does the bubblebee compare to rycote's baby ball gag?

April 4th, 2017, 10:23 AM	#6
Dave Fisk New Boot Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 24	Re: Most transparent, versatile wind protection for Schoeps MK41? If transparency is the most important thing then the new Baseball from Rycote is probably your best bet. It's not the best wind protection...really only protecting against wind created when you cue hard if you are doing a 2 shot. A baby ball gag is overkill for interiors, but works great for exteriors. The Bubblebee Spacer Bubble isn't going to give you as good wind protection as the baby ball gag from Rycote for exteriors. It's good for moderate wind with the short fur that it ships with, and the fabric covered foam windscreen it comes with is just fine for interiors, but it sits in the middle of what you are looking for. In the end it also depends on how specific your needs are. The one nice thing about the Spacer Bubble is how quickly you can go from interiors to exteriors because the fur is removable. However, you really need to purchase the longer fur for it to be useful outdoors. If you aren't going to be in a huge rush to go from interiors to exteriors, as far as gear changes go, then the best set up in terms of wind protection outside and transparency inside is a Rycote Baby Ball Gag exterior and Rycote Baseball interior.

April 4th, 2017, 09:42 PM	#7
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Re: Most transparent, versatile wind protection for Schoeps MK41? Very honest response. Thanks much sir.

April 6th, 2017, 10:03 AM	#8
Jim Feeley Supports LPFM Radio Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northern California USA Posts: 170	Re: Most transparent, versatile wind protection for Schoeps MK41? Since I'm not a complete idiot, I take Dave's advice to heart. But let me chime in that I just came off three tough days where I was using my Schoeps MK41 on both interiors and some exteriors on a hectic shoot. Some of the exteriors were shot in gusty 20mph/30kph or so winds...Maybe more? Pretty sucky conditions. But I had great success with a small Rycote Cyclone. Info page: Cyclone \| Rycote Image of Cyclone with windshield: http://rycote.com/wp-content/uploads...e-Small-01.jpg I was pretty impressed. Too busy to do any direct comparisons but it seemed at least as good at dispersing wind as my Rycote windshield with fuzzy windjammer (but my windshield is longer and holds a Sanken CS-3e). And I say this as a fan and owner of a bunch of K-Tek products and some bubblebee stuff. Anyway, with the Cyclone, on interiors I could quickly remove its windshield, slide on a small Schoeps B5D tear-drop and go (the Cyclone windshield might be fine indoors, but I didn't have time to experiment and I'm used to the B5D). Image of Cyclone suspension (with windshield removed): http://rycote.com/wp-content/uploads...spension-1.jpg Downside? The Rycote Cyclone system costs $600. The other options mentioned here are totally worth checking out...way less expensive and heck, you'd probably want them anyway for other conditions. Well there you go. Let us know what you decide to do and how it works out. Last edited by Jim Feeley; April 6th, 2017 at 11:57 AM.

April 6th, 2017, 11:20 AM	#9
Dave Fisk New Boot Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 24	Re: Most transparent, versatile wind protection for Schoeps MK41? I'll add on to what Jim said. The Cyclone is going to be the best wind protection mentioned here, and it's quite easy to use. I don't know why that didn't come to my mind...possibly because I was only thinking about the only two things mentioned already. Thanks for mentioning the Cyclone, Jim. Good call.