Z90 piggy-backed on F55 for rocket launch at DVinfo.net

Doug Jensen · February 6th, 2018, 08:44 AM

I've been wanting to try shooting a SpaceX rocket launch with two cameras mounted on the same tripod so that both cameras can follow the rocket as it ascends. So I mounted my new PXW-Z90 to the handle of my PMW-F55 and I must say that it worked even better than I expected.

The F55 is at the beginning and the Z90 begins at 1:15

The F55 was shooting 4K RAW @ 120 fps using a Canon 200-400 f/4 lens with built-in 1.4x extender. The Z90 was shooting HD @ 120 fps using the 12x optical zoom of the camera and custom Picture Profile that i created. Because I was shooting slow-motion the camera's digital extender and Clear Image Zoom could not be used. The tripod is my OConnor 1030D and 35L legs. The rocket lifted off about 10 miles away from my shooting location, and NASA's massive Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) is about five miles away.

Next, I'm going to try this setup with wildlife so I can have tight and wide shots simultaneously. I think the Z90's auto-focus and auto-exposure functions are so good that I can just align the two cameras and it will do a pretty good job.

The set up reminds me of when NASA used to transport the space shuttle orbiter on the back of a 747.

Paul Cronin · February 6th, 2018, 10:29 AM

Great footage Doug,

Very cool setup. Today they are sending a car into space, now that is a different marketing campaign.

John Nantz · February 6th, 2018, 01:21 PM

Very impressive setup! (not exactly a tourist cam setup)

Just came from the BBC.com web site where there was a picture of the "business end" of the rocket that'll be used. Title: Elon Musk's huge Falcon Heavy rocket set for launch

This is a "test launch" with three rockets powering the main one and can lift over 60 tons into a low earth orbit, weight equal to five of London's double-decker busses. That's a far cry from the early days when little basketball-sized satellites were being launched and the world was watching.

Elon does say that the test is just that, to see if all goes well and doesn't blow up the whole launch pad. It'd be great to have a video of that shot. However, if only two of the rockets fire and the system falls over on it's side, I wouldn't want to be in it's line of fire as it scoots across the ground! Each rocket has a number of thrusters! That's where your big tele would come in real handy. This is going to be a real doozer of a launch.

Doug Jensen · February 7th, 2018, 02:50 AM

I missed it by 8 hours. Just arrived in Korea to work at the Olympics. Fortunately the launch was a success, so there will be plenty more.

Bob Safay · February 7th, 2018, 05:43 AM

Doug, are you sure that rig is street legal? I mean it looks more like something you could use to shoot that rocket down with. I remember seeing it and looking through the viewfinder when we hooked up in Florida. I rig dreams are made of. Very impressive footage from both cameras. Enjoy Korea and please be safe. Bob

February 6th, 2018, 08:44 AM	#1
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Z90 piggy-backed on F55 for rocket launch I've been wanting to try shooting a SpaceX rocket launch with two cameras mounted on the same tripod so that both cameras can follow the rocket as it ascends. So I mounted my new PXW-Z90 to the handle of my PMW-F55 and I must say that it worked even better than I expected. The F55 is at the beginning and the Z90 begins at 1:15 The F55 was shooting 4K RAW @ 120 fps using a Canon 200-400 f/4 lens with built-in 1.4x extender. The Z90 was shooting HD @ 120 fps using the 12x optical zoom of the camera and custom Picture Profile that i created. Because I was shooting slow-motion the camera's digital extender and Clear Image Zoom could not be used. The tripod is my OConnor 1030D and 35L legs. The rocket lifted off about 10 miles away from my shooting location, and NASA's massive Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) is about five miles away. Next, I'm going to try this setup with wildlife so I can have tight and wide shots simultaneously. I think the Z90's auto-focus and auto-exposure functions are so good that I can just align the two cameras and it will do a pretty good job. The set up reminds me of when NASA used to transport the space shuttle orbiter on the back of a 747. SpaceX Rocket Launch shot with Sony PXW-Z90 piggy-backed on PMW-F55 on Vimeo __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

February 6th, 2018, 10:29 AM	#2
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Re: Z90 piggy-backed on F55 for rocket launch Great footage Doug, Very cool setup. Today they are sending a car into space, now that is a different marketing campaign. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com Last edited by Paul Cronin; February 6th, 2018 at 11:03 AM.

February 6th, 2018, 01:21 PM	#3
John Nantz Trustee Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 1,254	Re: Z90 piggy-backed on F55 for rocket launch Very impressive setup! (not exactly a tourist cam setup) Just came from the BBC.com web site where there was a picture of the "business end" of the rocket that'll be used. Title: Elon Musk's huge Falcon Heavy rocket set for launch This is a "test launch" with three rockets powering the main one and can lift over 60 tons into a low earth orbit, weight equal to five of London's double-decker busses. That's a far cry from the early days when little basketball-sized satellites were being launched and the world was watching. Elon does say that the test is just that, to see if all goes well and doesn't blow up the whole launch pad. It'd be great to have a video of that shot. However, if only two of the rockets fire and the system falls over on it's side, I wouldn't want to be in it's line of fire as it scoots across the ground! Each rocket has a number of thrusters! That's where your big tele would come in real handy. This is going to be a real doozer of a launch.

February 7th, 2018, 02:50 AM	#4
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Re: Z90 piggy-backed on F55 for rocket launch I missed it by 8 hours. Just arrived in Korea to work at the Olympics. Fortunately the launch was a success, so there will be plenty more. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

February 7th, 2018, 05:43 AM	#5
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Z90 piggy-backed on F55 for rocket launch Doug, are you sure that rig is street legal? I mean it looks more like something you could use to shoot that rocket down with. I remember seeing it and looking through the viewfinder when we hooked up in Florida. I rig dreams are made of. Very impressive footage from both cameras. Enjoy Korea and please be safe. Bob