XDCAM EX1 on the road blog

Phil Bloom · December 8th, 2007, 08:42 AM

hi Nick

I am still awaiting the schedule from Channel 5. But the first one goes out on Christmas eve then every day until Friday. I understand Sky News are taking them too to run on the same days.

There is a link to an HD version now too.

Phil Bloom · December 8th, 2007, 04:48 PM

OK.

These are my main lenses.

16mm Zenitar f2.8
18mm Signma f1.8
28mm Nikon F2
35 Nikon F1.4
50mm Zeiss f1.4 and Zeiss Macro T2 and Nikon 50mm F1.4
85mm Zeiss f1.4
105 Nikon f2 DC
135 Vivitar f2.3
180 Nikon F2.8
I also have one Sigma zoom which I think is 28-70mm f2.8
Two f2.8 swing tilt lenses. One 50mm, one 85mm

I use the Letus support bracket on a set up mish mash rods that I am still perfecting.

The most solid I have come across are the Cinevate camera base and rod support. I actually use the carbon fibre rods from Cavision. Cavision supports are pretty good and very customisable. I did use my old Redrock one for a bit but it is SOOO heavy.

I used a Marshall 7" monitor when I need external focusing. Helpful but no longer essential with my ex1 and it's amazing LCD screen. But it is still easier to focus using an external monitor. The resolution on the screen can by a 100 billion pixels but it's still small and size is everything!

I sometimes use my redrock follow focus but this is quite rare. I am a fast worker. Constantly changing tools, constantly changing lenses and having a follow focus slows me down. What i do have is the gears on most of my lenses. It helps me to rack focus so much easier.

My tripod is a Miller DS20 solo. i CANNOT rave about this enough. It is a super tripod. It is lightweight but solid. It can go as low as my low boy manfrotto tripod and very high. it has a superb head that can take the weight of a fully laden down 35mm ex1 combo and monitor. It is also super smooth.

I have a few different radio mics. 2 Sennheiser evolution lavalier but not sure of the model number. They are affordable and good quality. I also have recently bought audio technica's dual receiver lavalier system which is great for my larger cameras as it powers off of the 12v camera output. The receiver is a little big for the smaller cameras but it works so well.

I have a wally dolly which is for me the best dolly I have used for the price. So smooth. easy to set up, doesn't need perfect surfaces and is cheap. Oh and it doesn't need a grip!

My main light is a rifa 55 500w soft box with a 45 degree egg crate diffuser. A superb soft key light and it goes everwhere with me. I also have 2 dedo 150 lights which I use for backlights etc. I have a projector and gobos for them. I have redheads and otherlights but rarely use them. I often try to make use of as much natural light as possible. For example if you look at my Anorexia section most of the interviews in parts 1-3 are with available light.

I have three matteboxes. I cheap Indian one which is fine. A cavision one, which keeps falling apart and a lovely Chrosziel one that lives on my DSR 450. I recommend buying the best you can afford as I didn't to start with and just bought cheap. They fell apart quickly. I have formatt and Tiffen 4x4 filters.

I think that's the bulk of my daily kit and set up.

Oleg Kalyan · December 8th, 2007, 05:03 PM

How would you compare Nikon 50 mm F1.4 to Zeiss 50mm F1.4
Wonder if you ever tried Zeiss 85mm 1.4?
Regards.

Phil Bloom · December 8th, 2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oleg Kalyan

How would you compare Nikon 50 mm F1.4 to Zeiss 50mm F1.4
Wonder if you ever tried Zeiss 85mm 1.4?
Regards.

The Zeiss 85mm is on there. I prefer the Zeiss 50mm to be honest!

Oleg Kalyan · December 8th, 2007, 05:27 PM

Is it true that Zeiss has more color contrast, in 50 mm?
In regards to 85mm I meant if you ever compared it to Nikon 85 mm 1.4

Phil Bloom · December 8th, 2007, 05:28 PM

I would agree with that. I sold my Nikon 85mm when I got the Zeiss lens. Even though they aren't true German made lenses I think they are superb and easily the best lenses in my kit.

Oleg Kalyan · December 8th, 2007, 05:34 PM

Thanks a lot, look forward to get 85mm and 50 mm Zeiss lens, just ordered Letus adapter.
Was it your idea to do homeless people stories? I was inspired by that, when I have some time want to do similar in Moscow, we also have lots of homeless dogs.

Sulev Sepp · December 8th, 2007, 05:53 PM

Hi Phil,

Please tell me how big is in Megabaits ( or GB-s) Your Piccadilly Furs clip which runs on Your website?
I like it very much! Thanks for sharing!

Have a nice weekend!

Sulev

Phil Bloom · December 8th, 2007, 06:22 PM

Hi Sulev,

I think it is about 35mb

Phil Bloom · December 8th, 2007, 06:28 PM

Here is an update version of my Protestant short with magic bullet grading. It looks a lot more 35mm adaptor a like now even though it was shot with the ex1 clean. I will also post a link to my first short on a Buddhist family in the UK for comparison. It was shot on the XDCAM HD F350. One camera cost £20,000 including lens then other cost £4200.

http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/protestantsnewgradesd.mp4 NEW GRADE 700x400

http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/protestantsnewgrade720.mp4 NEW GRADE 1280x720

http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/buddhism%20sd.mp4 F350 Short 700 x 400

Sulev Sepp · December 8th, 2007, 06:29 PM

Thank You, Phil!

For 3 minutes and 35 Mb looks very nice!
And format is? QT, WMV or FLV?

Sulev

Phil Bloom · December 8th, 2007, 06:35 PM

It is .mp4 compressed in h.264 about 1300 kbits a sec.

John Hewat · December 8th, 2007, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Bloom

Here is an update version of my Protestant short with magic bullet grading...

Hi Phil,

As always your footage is fantastic. Something that made me laugh though - the final two shots of the clip are of the woman saying something to the effect of "My hopes are that my children follow religion the way I've followed.." and then it dissolves into that sped up footage of the sheep.

Was this a symbolic comment or just co-incidence?

-- John.

Leonard Levy · December 9th, 2007, 01:19 AM

Phil, What are the swing tilt lenses you're using and how do you like them?

Oleg Kalyan · December 9th, 2007, 03:08 AM

Phil, the Buddhist family story looks amazing, except two shots: one, with bicycle in the shot, another one with a yellow warning sign, (some blown highlights there), love the colors, was the lens wide open? It's probably the best stuff I've seen from 350. Makes me think of buying it instead of waiting for the Red One.
The protestant family has more problems with dynamic range, I could definetly notice more lost details in white, less dynamic range, less color, etc.
Great stories. Thanks again.
Could you post one image of Ex1 with letus in full res?

December 8th, 2007, 08:42 AM	#91
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	hi Nick I am still awaiting the schedule from Channel 5. But the first one goes out on Christmas eve then every day until Friday. I understand Sky News are taking them too to run on the same days. There is a link to an HD version now too. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 8th, 2007, 04:48 PM	#92
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	I have been asked for my set up details so here they are! OK. These are my main lenses. 16mm Zenitar f2.8 18mm Signma f1.8 28mm Nikon F2 35 Nikon F1.4 50mm Zeiss f1.4 and Zeiss Macro T2 and Nikon 50mm F1.4 85mm Zeiss f1.4 105 Nikon f2 DC 135 Vivitar f2.3 180 Nikon F2.8 I also have one Sigma zoom which I think is 28-70mm f2.8 Two f2.8 swing tilt lenses. One 50mm, one 85mm I use the Letus support bracket on a set up mish mash rods that I am still perfecting. The most solid I have come across are the Cinevate camera base and rod support. I actually use the carbon fibre rods from Cavision. Cavision supports are pretty good and very customisable. I did use my old Redrock one for a bit but it is SOOO heavy. I used a Marshall 7" monitor when I need external focusing. Helpful but no longer essential with my ex1 and it's amazing LCD screen. But it is still easier to focus using an external monitor. The resolution on the screen can by a 100 billion pixels but it's still small and size is everything! I sometimes use my redrock follow focus but this is quite rare. I am a fast worker. Constantly changing tools, constantly changing lenses and having a follow focus slows me down. What i do have is the gears on most of my lenses. It helps me to rack focus so much easier. My tripod is a Miller DS20 solo. i CANNOT rave about this enough. It is a super tripod. It is lightweight but solid. It can go as low as my low boy manfrotto tripod and very high. it has a superb head that can take the weight of a fully laden down 35mm ex1 combo and monitor. It is also super smooth. I have a few different radio mics. 2 Sennheiser evolution lavalier but not sure of the model number. They are affordable and good quality. I also have recently bought audio technica's dual receiver lavalier system which is great for my larger cameras as it powers off of the 12v camera output. The receiver is a little big for the smaller cameras but it works so well. I have a wally dolly which is for me the best dolly I have used for the price. So smooth. easy to set up, doesn't need perfect surfaces and is cheap. Oh and it doesn't need a grip! My main light is a rifa 55 500w soft box with a 45 degree egg crate diffuser. A superb soft key light and it goes everwhere with me. I also have 2 dedo 150 lights which I use for backlights etc. I have a projector and gobos for them. I have redheads and otherlights but rarely use them. I often try to make use of as much natural light as possible. For example if you look at my Anorexia section most of the interviews in parts 1-3 are with available light. I have three matteboxes. I cheap Indian one which is fine. A cavision one, which keeps falling apart and a lovely Chrosziel one that lives on my DSR 450. I recommend buying the best you can afford as I didn't to start with and just bought cheap. They fell apart quickly. I have formatt and Tiffen 4x4 filters. I think that's the bulk of my daily kit and set up. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 8th, 2007, 05:28 PM	#96
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	I would agree with that. I sold my Nikon 85mm when I got the Zeiss lens. Even though they aren't true German made lenses I think they are superb and easily the best lenses in my kit. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 8th, 2007, 06:22 PM	#99
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	Hi Sulev, I think it is about 35mb __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 8th, 2007, 06:28 PM	#100
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	Here is an update version of my Protestant short with magic bullet grading. It looks a lot more 35mm adaptor a like now even though it was shot with the ex1 clean. I will also post a link to my first short on a Buddhist family in the UK for comparison. It was shot on the XDCAM HD F350. One camera cost £20,000 including lens then other cost £4200. http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/protestantsnewgradesd.mp4 NEW GRADE 700x400 http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/protestantsnewgrade720.mp4 NEW GRADE 1280x720 http://aerialsfilm.com/bloom/buddhism%20sd.mp4 F350 Short 700 x 400 __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 8th, 2007, 05:03 PM	#93
Oleg Kalyan Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MOSCOW Posts: 860	How would you compare Nikon 50 mm F1.4 to Zeiss 50mm F1.4 Wonder if you ever tried Zeiss 85mm 1.4? Regards.

December 8th, 2007, 05:27 PM	#95
Oleg Kalyan Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MOSCOW Posts: 860	Is it true that Zeiss has more color contrast, in 50 mm? In regards to 85mm I meant if you ever compared it to Nikon 85 mm 1.4

December 8th, 2007, 05:34 PM	#97
Oleg Kalyan Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MOSCOW Posts: 860	Thanks a lot, look forward to get 85mm and 50 mm Zeiss lens, just ordered Letus adapter. Was it your idea to do homeless people stories? I was inspired by that, when I have some time want to do similar in Moscow, we also have lots of homeless dogs.

December 8th, 2007, 05:53 PM	#98
Sulev Sepp New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 20	Hi Phil, Please tell me how big is in Megabaits ( or GB-s) Your Piccadilly Furs clip which runs on Your website? I like it very much! Thanks for sharing! Have a nice weekend! Sulev

December 8th, 2007, 06:29 PM	#101
Sulev Sepp New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 20	Thank You, Phil! For 3 minutes and 35 Mb looks very nice! And format is? QT, WMV or FLV? Sulev

December 8th, 2007, 06:35 PM	#102
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	It is .mp4 compressed in h.264 about 1300 kbits a sec. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

December 9th, 2007, 01:19 AM	#104
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Phil, What are the swing tilt lenses you're using and how do you like them?

December 9th, 2007, 03:08 AM	#105
Oleg Kalyan Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MOSCOW Posts: 860	Phil, the Buddhist family story looks amazing, except two shots: one, with bicycle in the shot, another one with a yellow warning sign, (some blown highlights there), love the colors, was the lens wide open? It's probably the best stuff I've seen from 350. Makes me think of buying it instead of waiting for the Red One. The protestant family has more problems with dynamic range, I could definetly notice more lost details in white, less dynamic range, less color, etc. Great stories. Thanks again. Could you post one image of Ex1 with letus in full res?