What else do I need. Canon 5D Mk II at DVinfo.net

Simon Denny · August 6th, 2009, 07:21 AM

Ok , I’m ready to pull the trigger and get this camera and need some extra bit’s and pieces.
This is what I’m thinking.

SinghRay Vari ND
Hoodloupe
Magic Lantern
JuiceLink or something similar
Follow Focus “maybe”
Media cards
Shoulder mount

Is there anything else I’m missing?

Buba Kastorski · August 6th, 2009, 07:48 AM

extra battery, better two

Bill Grant · August 6th, 2009, 08:00 AM

ummmm. lenses :)

Chris Hurd · August 6th, 2009, 08:31 AM

If we assume that Simon is getting the 5D Mk. II kit which includes the 24-105mm L IS lens, it just might be the only lens he'll need for awhile.

Dan Brockett · August 6th, 2009, 10:14 AM

Simon:

A tip that will save you money. Forgo the Singh-Ray and get the Fader ND from Ebay. I had the Singh-Ray, got together with Nigel Barker from this forum for some comparison and we came to the conclusion that the Singh-Ray is not worth almost four times the money over the no name Fader ND.

I sold my Singh-Ray and ordered three Fader NDs for the same money.

Dan

Dan Brockett · August 6th, 2009, 10:19 AM

Simon:

Matte Box (Maybe)
High quality tripod and head (you will be frustrated if all you can do is handheld, it gets old and the 5D MKII is a total tripod camera, it gets better results on a tripod IMHO, it is difficult to shoot really smooth hand held).
Extra battery
Carrying case or bag (I like the Think Tank Speed Demon)
Circular Polarizer
ND Grads

Good luck,

Dan

Douglas Joseph · August 6th, 2009, 10:49 AM

Get two batteries and buy the bg-e6 battery grip. I love it, and... It makes your camera look like a tank. UV filter for your lens, so don't scratch the lens is another thing I'd look into.

Jon Fairhurst · August 6th, 2009, 11:47 AM

If editing on the PC, you'll want Cineform NeoScene.

If you want to do timelapse videos, you'll want the Aputure AP-TR3C timer.

Regarding the filters, you might want to go with 77mm and buy the needed step up sizes. That covers all but the small number of 82mm lenses on the market.

Chris Barcellos · August 6th, 2009, 12:03 PM

1. re: Juiced Link, or similar: I love my CX 231, and ou won't find anything else like Juiced Link with preamps that is camera mountable. However Juiced Link is just at the edge of its limits on this camera, and if you are going off camera, use of something like a Sign ENG 44 will give you plenty of preamp boost to work with. To get it to camera you can use mic out on mini plugs, or use a cheap non-powered XLR adapter to get balanced line to the camera. Remember, you need to run mic level to the camera.

2. Hoodloupe works great, and I actually built my own version, but you will find that shooting at other than eye level, you are going to need a monitor. I have a little LCD4Video 7" monitor that does a decent job. It is SD. You set it for 4:3, and you won't have any change occur when you start shooting. Others are using simple SD DVD players with AV input, in a similar manner. HDMI out has this crazy change over from HD to SD output when camera rolls. There is lag from start. And since it only give you an SD signal when rolling, I have actually used a 19 inch HD monitor, but fed it with composite SD, setting it to 4:3 for best result. If you stay HDMI, you will need a miniplug HDMI cable from camera to a likely standard HDMI cable for the Monitor.

3. John is right, you can get a cheap Chinese time lapse timer, on Ebay. I shout this with it: http://www.vimeo.com/5904387

4. Nobody has mentioned cheap batteries. They are not chipped, so when you start camera, you have to go through acceptance process to use them, and their level cannot be monitored. But at real price of about $ 15 delivered, they are great alternative. They don't as of this writing, work with Magic Lantern, though..

Raymond Tsang · August 6th, 2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

4. Nobody has mentioned cheap batteries. They are not chipped, so when you start camera, you have to go through acceptance process to use them, and their level cannot be monitored. But at real price of about $ 15 delivered, they are great alternative. They don't as of this writing, work with Magic Lantern, though..

Which batteries or brands have you used? We purchased a few that were 50% cheaper than the OEM LP-E6s but still considerably more than $15. They work great and from what I can tell, last just as long as our Canon branded ones.

Chris Barcellos · August 6th, 2009, 12:20 PM

bought mine on ebay... combo with charger, and then some alone... I will have to dig around for brand name. But they have a lot listed there....

Chris Hurd · August 6th, 2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

...you can get a cheap Chinese time lapse timer, on Ebay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

bought mine on ebay... combo with charger, and then some alone... I will have to dig around for brand name.

Just an FYI, it's okay to post Ebay links to the board (as long as they're vouched for by a DVi regular).

Rickey Brillantes · August 6th, 2009, 01:37 PM

Don't rely on the audio of the 5D specially if your using lens w/image stabilizer, the internal mic picks up all the motor noise. I use the Tascam DR100 with the Rode NTG 2, and Im happy with it's result.

Simon Denny · August 6th, 2009, 02:43 PM

Sorry that post seemed a bit thin as I posted late last night.

The lens I'm going with is the 24-70mm f2.8 Canon if It's still in stock.
I have and EX1 so I have a suitable tripod.

Cheers

Jon Fairhurst · August 6th, 2009, 02:45 PM

Yeah, the internal mic is only good as a track to sync to. Even manually focusing with a non-IS lens can sound like a gravel truck.

The recording circuit isn't bad though. As long as you use an external mic, an active preamp with a hot signal, and Magic Lantern firmware for overriding the automatic level control, the results can be surprisingly clean.

August 6th, 2009, 07:21 AM	#1
Simon Denny Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,409	What else do I need. Canon 5D Mk II Ok , I’m ready to pull the trigger and get this camera and need some extra bit’s and pieces. This is what I’m thinking. SinghRay Vari ND Hoodloupe Magic Lantern JuiceLink or something similar Follow Focus “maybe” Media cards Shoulder mount Is there anything else I’m missing?

August 6th, 2009, 07:48 AM	#2
Buba Kastorski Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,414	extra battery, better two __________________ I love this place!

August 6th, 2009, 08:00 AM	#3
Bill Grant Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Columbia,SC Posts: 806	ummmm. lenses :) __________________ Cinema Couture www.cinemacouture.com

August 6th, 2009, 08:31 AM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	If we assume that Simon is getting the 5D Mk. II kit which includes the 24-105mm L IS lens, it just might be the only lens he'll need for awhile. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 6th, 2009, 10:49 AM	#7
Douglas Joseph Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Zanesville OH Posts: 205	Get two batteries and buy the bg-e6 battery grip. I love it, and... It makes your camera look like a tank. UV filter for your lens, so don't scratch the lens is another thing I'd look into. __________________ "Warriors... Come out to play..." www.importexporthd.com

August 6th, 2009, 10:14 AM	#5
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Simon: A tip that will save you money. Forgo the Singh-Ray and get the Fader ND from Ebay. I had the Singh-Ray, got together with Nigel Barker from this forum for some comparison and we came to the conclusion that the Singh-Ray is not worth almost four times the money over the no name Fader ND. I sold my Singh-Ray and ordered three Fader NDs for the same money. Dan

August 6th, 2009, 10:19 AM	#6
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Simon: Matte Box (Maybe) High quality tripod and head (you will be frustrated if all you can do is handheld, it gets old and the 5D MKII is a total tripod camera, it gets better results on a tripod IMHO, it is difficult to shoot really smooth hand held). Extra battery Carrying case or bag (I like the Think Tank Speed Demon) Circular Polarizer ND Grads Good luck, Dan

August 6th, 2009, 11:47 AM	#8
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	If editing on the PC, you'll want Cineform NeoScene. If you want to do timelapse videos, you'll want the Aputure AP-TR3C timer. Regarding the filters, you might want to go with 77mm and buy the needed step up sizes. That covers all but the small number of 82mm lenses on the market. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

August 6th, 2009, 12:03 PM	#9
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	1. re: Juiced Link, or similar: I love my CX 231, and ou won't find anything else like Juiced Link with preamps that is camera mountable. However Juiced Link is just at the edge of its limits on this camera, and if you are going off camera, use of something like a Sign ENG 44 will give you plenty of preamp boost to work with. To get it to camera you can use mic out on mini plugs, or use a cheap non-powered XLR adapter to get balanced line to the camera. Remember, you need to run mic level to the camera. 2. Hoodloupe works great, and I actually built my own version, but you will find that shooting at other than eye level, you are going to need a monitor. I have a little LCD4Video 7" monitor that does a decent job. It is SD. You set it for 4:3, and you won't have any change occur when you start shooting. Others are using simple SD DVD players with AV input, in a similar manner. HDMI out has this crazy change over from HD to SD output when camera rolls. There is lag from start. And since it only give you an SD signal when rolling, I have actually used a 19 inch HD monitor, but fed it with composite SD, setting it to 4:3 for best result. If you stay HDMI, you will need a miniplug HDMI cable from camera to a likely standard HDMI cable for the Monitor. 3. John is right, you can get a cheap Chinese time lapse timer, on Ebay. I shout this with it: http://www.vimeo.com/5904387 4. Nobody has mentioned cheap batteries. They are not chipped, so when you start camera, you have to go through acceptance process to use them, and their level cannot be monitored. But at real price of about $ 15 delivered, they are great alternative. They don't as of this writing, work with Magic Lantern, though.. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

August 6th, 2009, 12:20 PM	#11
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	bought mine on ebay... combo with charger, and then some alone... I will have to dig around for brand name. But they have a lot listed there.... __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

August 6th, 2009, 01:37 PM	#13
Rickey Brillantes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, California Posts: 309	Portable Audio Recorder Don't rely on the audio of the 5D specially if your using lens w/image stabilizer, the internal mic picks up all the motor noise. I use the Tascam DR100 with the Rode NTG 2, and Im happy with it's result.

August 6th, 2009, 02:43 PM	#14
Simon Denny Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,409	Sorry that post seemed a bit thin as I posted late last night. The lens I'm going with is the 24-70mm f2.8 Canon if It's still in stock. I have and EX1 so I have a suitable tripod. Cheers

August 6th, 2009, 02:45 PM	#15
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Yeah, the internal mic is only good as a track to sync to. Even manually focusing with a non-IS lens can sound like a gravel truck. The recording circuit isn't bad though. As long as you use an external mic, an active preamp with a hot signal, and Magic Lantern firmware for overriding the automatic level control, the results can be surprisingly clean. __________________ Jon Fairhurst