What would recommend for a minimalist 5dm2 kit?

[Daniel Weber]

Originally Posted by Les Wilson

I'm still getting used to the 5Dm2. It's disappointing to not have a live exposure and focus aids while recording. Unless I'm doing something wrong, both the live histogram and the 5x/10x turn off when record is pressed.

Nope that is normal behavior for the Canon's when recording. You will have to get used to it.

Daniel Weber

[Les Wilson]

The z-finder is wonderful. It creates a very solid platform for stabilizing handheld shots. Kudos to Olof Eckberg at Westside AV for the tip to use .6 and .9 ND filters along with a polarizer to manage aperture.

Cherries in Chisinau Moldova on Vimeo

[Peer Landa]

Originally Posted by Les Wilson

Any critical accessory you'd recommend for a minimalist starter kit?

For a "minimalistic" kit I think I would go for Redrock's "Captain Stubling":
Redrock Micro - DSLR "Captain Stubling"

-- peer

[Roibeard MacEasmainn]

Hello Nigel.
Just wondered if you received your GGS LCD viewfinder yet, and, if so, what you think of it? The flip-up looks useful, but I wonder how practical it is to leave the rest on the body for viewing.

[Les Wilson]

Originally Posted by Spiros Zaharakis

Try this GGS LCD Viewfinder Loupes 3X For 7D 5DII 550D 600D ab41 | eBay UK it has diopter adjustments and it's cheap

Hardly minimalist.

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Nigel Barker

That GGS LCD Viewfinder looks worth considering at about one eighth the price of a Zacuto Z-Finder. I have just ordered one from a supplier in the UK for just £42.50 (€48/$70) including delivery New LCD viewfinder For Canon 7D 5D Mark II on eBay (end time 13-Jun-11 03:21:25 BST)

Originally Posted by Les Wilson

Hardly minimalist.

I think adding a loupe to the 5DII is about as minimal as it gets after an ND filter.

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Roibeard MacEasmainn

Hello Nigel.
Just wondered if you received your GGS LCD viewfinder yet, and, if so, what you think of it? The flip-up looks useful, but I wonder how practical it is to leave the rest on the body for viewing.

The loupe is great. I used it for the first time at a wedding yesterday & was really impressed. My co-shooter was using a 5D with a Zacuto Z-finder & we swapped cameras a few times. The Zacuto is obviously better built but in use we both agreed that there was minimal difference. The optics are just as clear & sharp & the view of the screen is right to the corners. At one tenth of the price of the Zacuto it's a bargain.

The flip-up is pretty useless as it's just as easy to unclip the body & you do get a better view with the body removed.

[Roibeard MacEasmainn]

Thanks for that review, Nigel. Very informative.

[Les Wilson]

Originally Posted by Nigel Barker

I think adding a loupe to the 5DII is about as minimal as it gets after an ND filter.

Nigel, my mistake. I meant to quote Peer like this:

Originally Posted by Peer Landa

For a "minimalistic" kit I think I would go for Redrock's "Captain Stubling":
Redrock Micro - DSLR "Captain Stubling"

-- peer

[Peer Landa]

Originally Posted by Les Wilson

Nigel, my mistake. I meant to quote Peer like this:

Originally Posted by Peer Landa

For a "minimalistic" kit I think I would go for Redrock's "Captain Stubling":
Redrock Micro - DSLR "Captain Stubling"

Originally Posted by Les Wilson

Hardly minimalist.

Well, if you were about to shoot a 3 weeks documentary, don't you think the "Captain Stubling" setup is still quite "minimalistic"..?

-- peer

[Les Wilson]

As a b-camera I don't think the captain stubling rig is minimal...no. Just my opinion tho.

[Silas Barker]

Hey guys,

Would you suggest a monitor with peaking or Magic lantern for pulling focus on the Canon 5D (version 2 and 3).

I am using the 50mm 1.4, 10mm 2.8, 70-200mm 2.8 and 24mm 2.8

Thanks!

[Les Wilson]

Pulling focus using the LCD is difficult. Anything you can do will help. I can't speak for ML but on a 5DM2 the LCD changes to low res when you start recording. I'm not certain but I think the same is true on the HDMI. I find it difficult to see focus accurately on a 50mm and have to use 10x to get initial focus. After that it's a guess. I can't imaging doing it on a 24mm or 10mm unless your subject is really close. YMMV

[Jeff Zimmerman]

Great stuff here. The lenses you have are great and should function very well. My setup, Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS, Canon 50mm f/1.4 and a Canon 70-200mm f/4. Backpack, monopod, LED light, Zoom H1 Recorder/Mic, wireless, 10 camera batteries, 8 AAA for mic. I always plan to have enough power for 8-10 hours shoots.

1. Use a viewfinder for critical focus and for use in bright areas. The LCD is workable alone but a viewfinder will enhance what your seeing. Plus it becomes a 3rd point of contact making your handheld shots steady.

2. Focus puller is very optional in my opinion. I can do just as smooth pulls reaching around the lens. Unless your wrist or fingers have bad arthritis its optional.

3. Vari-ND I would recommend this is bright situation to get depth of field controlled and where you want it to be. Often times I here people ramping up the shutter instead. This can lead to ISO/shutter banding.

4. Best and lightest support, a monopod. It you have to keep it simple and compact. My monopod has a simple manfrotto head which I can turn to 45 degrees and then it becomes a simple should rig.