Getting ready for a shoot with my new camera. Was wondering if anyone had a Check list as to the steps to prep your camera for a shoot (e.g. Clean lense, white balance, etc). If there's already one available I would appreciate it if you could point me to it. Thx.

Good idea - I'd print and laminate that!

I'll bite -

First the obvious stuff, charge batteries, clean lens, make sure you are in the mode/preset you want.

The two most important things (I think) are to check for dead pixels and set the cameras back focus. You will need an HD monitor to do this. Also the back focus of the HD100 drifts a bit with temperature,etc so it's great if you can check it during the shoot as well.

"set the cameras back focus. You will need an HD monitor to do this. Also the back focus of the HD100 drifts a bit with temperature,etc so it's great if you can check it during the shoot as well."

Burk makes (certainly from my experience) a crucial, easily overlooked point. I personally have had to learn this the hard way.... Check the back focus even from going from air conditioned interiors to any exterior location shots. Obviously you should also set it before every project.

Jay Webster
Director/Cameraman
New York

Daylight shooting.. add a screw on 2ND filter *(Hoya HMC for instance) , and set your built ND to 2.
Gain off. White balance. especially when adding screw on ND filters. They say it doesn't change the color balance. They lie... it does...
a new REAL white card every season, rotate old card to older cameras.
night shooting, TAKE OFF THE SCREW ON ND FILTER!!!! rewhite balance or pick a balance to keep the red street lights red..... Turn down your built in ND filters... ...
don't gain over 9+.
ALWAYS pack 2 cleaning tapes with you. You never know if one fails while you have a "Dirty Head" message...

Remember with your shoulder mounted rig you are going to look more professional than many of your competitors, so it is important to act like it. Professional, friendly, courtious, if something goes wrong, don't let anyone know, fix it or fake it. You got the shoulder rig, the other guy/gal has a handy-cam... Your as much of the center of attention as your talent. You spent the money for a fully manual HD camera and know how to use it, time to prove it.