UWOL # 16 - Mat Thompson - Highland Journeys

Steve Phillipps · June 7th, 2010, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thane Silliker

Am I the only one to see the error message in the Vimeo window? It says there was a problem converting this video.

Same here, but I viewed it with the mp4 link.
Great stuff Mat, was that around Ardnamurchan? Think I recognised a few places as I lived there for 10 years!

Per, Sea Eagle at the end, they're just starting to become a feature in the Highlands again after nearly 100 years' absence.

As for camera, I seem to remember you've got a JVC Mat?

Keep up the good work.

Steve

Mat Thompson · June 7th, 2010, 05:39 AM

Hi everyone and thanks forthe comment and critique.

RE- Camera black setup. Yes I am in the process of setting up a different recipe for shooting blacks in more of a flat way when needed.

Mike - I think you are talking about the Pine Marten. - Lots more footage of her to come :-)

Per - Indislider - A great piece of kit but very heavy and combersome. Maybe good for 1km away from vehicle with other kit on a day shoot.

Steve - Certainly is the Ardnamurchan area and what a gobsmackingly beautiful place it is, where did you live exactly. I've actually just got back from a second week up there hence why I haven't been around. Yes its shot with the JVC HD 110. 25p and 50p for the sand martins. If it just had 720/50p, a cache mode + hdmi out (for nanoflash) it would be perfect I think! - But hey for now it does the job. Many people put down the Fuji x16 lens it comes with but if you shoot within its constraints I think its vey good.

Cheers
Mat

Steve Phillipps · June 7th, 2010, 07:20 AM

Yes, Mat, no issues with the Fujinon in this clip. What telephoto are you using - not all with the Fujinon presumably?
I lived in Achnaha and Kilchoan at the far West of the Peninsula for many years, still get back there fairly regularly. I know you like your macro and insects, Ariundle woods is a hotspot for the Chequered Skipper as you're probably aware - their flight period must be around now is it?
Think I asked this before, but have you considered the HM700? Would probably tick all the boxes on you wish list.
Steve

Mat Thompson · June 8th, 2010, 03:21 AM

Steve - Yep one of the targets this time was the Chequered Skipper, you'd never believe they were so rare. We had over 10 on one of the days. Also shot Marsh Frittilary a butterfly I've always wanted to see, what a stunner! Oh and to finish off the Lepidoptera nice shots of Bee Hawks!

I'm jealous what a fantastic place to live!

Yep I'd like the HM700. To be honest I'd rather it was tape based though. - I've been toying with a older HD201 then adding a nano down the line. It would tick all the boxes too but I don't know whether its just false economy on the whole.

Tele is a very cheap purchased Nikon 100-300 5.6. I find it sharp but colour rendition isn't great and abberations come through in some conditions. I have just bought an 80-400 (4.5-5.6) VR, this was a punt to be honest as I'm always sceptical about big zoom ranges but it seems great. Very sharp to 300mm, beyond which wind/heat shimmer and other things are all to bigger issues anyway, its colour is great and no abberations as yet seen. Oh also picked up a 300mm F4 ED....mind blowing images, but how usefull unless the subject is very 'set' I'm not sure.

Steve Phillipps · June 8th, 2010, 03:47 AM

All good points. And regarding tape, I think a lot of people, despite the obvious advantages, realise after using cards that the archiving is such a pain. There's a lot to be said for just whipping a tape out and sticking it on the shelf - this is why a lot of folks like the XDCam disc system, sort of best of both worlds.
I wonder if the industry will shift back to a tape a bit? Probably not, even the HDCam SR format looks like it'll steer to solid state soon (with the upgrade path for the Sony SRW9000 announced a while back).
Steve

ps, Ardnamurchan has it's downside though - it's called winter!

Mick Jenner · June 8th, 2010, 05:44 AM

Mat
Nicely done, enjoyed watching
Mick

Mat Thompson · June 8th, 2010, 04:50 PM

Hi guys

Well eventually I've fixed the vimeo link. I've also played with the contrast/gamma levels so you'll find a bit more detail in the blacks I think.

Cheers
Mat

Bob Safay · June 13th, 2010, 05:13 AM

Matt, I just watched your video. It was beautiful. The rolling hills and abundant wildlife in the area must make it a wonderful place to live. I think the music matched the mood of the video. Very well done and congradulations on winning. Bob

June 7th, 2010, 05:39 AM	#17
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Hi everyone and thanks forthe comment and critique. RE- Camera black setup. Yes I am in the process of setting up a different recipe for shooting blacks in more of a flat way when needed. Mike - I think you are talking about the Pine Marten. - Lots more footage of her to come :-) Per - Indislider - A great piece of kit but very heavy and combersome. Maybe good for 1km away from vehicle with other kit on a day shoot. Steve - Certainly is the Ardnamurchan area and what a gobsmackingly beautiful place it is, where did you live exactly. I've actually just got back from a second week up there hence why I haven't been around. Yes its shot with the JVC HD 110. 25p and 50p for the sand martins. If it just had 720/50p, a cache mode + hdmi out (for nanoflash) it would be perfect I think! - But hey for now it does the job. Many people put down the Fuji x16 lens it comes with but if you shoot within its constraints I think its vey good. Cheers Mat

June 7th, 2010, 07:20 AM	#18
Steve Phillipps Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 2,130	Yes, Mat, no issues with the Fujinon in this clip. What telephoto are you using - not all with the Fujinon presumably? I lived in Achnaha and Kilchoan at the far West of the Peninsula for many years, still get back there fairly regularly. I know you like your macro and insects, Ariundle woods is a hotspot for the Chequered Skipper as you're probably aware - their flight period must be around now is it? Think I asked this before, but have you considered the HM700? Would probably tick all the boxes on you wish list. Steve

June 8th, 2010, 03:21 AM	#19
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Steve - Yep one of the targets this time was the Chequered Skipper, you'd never believe they were so rare. We had over 10 on one of the days. Also shot Marsh Frittilary a butterfly I've always wanted to see, what a stunner! Oh and to finish off the Lepidoptera nice shots of Bee Hawks! I'm jealous what a fantastic place to live! Yep I'd like the HM700. To be honest I'd rather it was tape based though. - I've been toying with a older HD201 then adding a nano down the line. It would tick all the boxes too but I don't know whether its just false economy on the whole. Tele is a very cheap purchased Nikon 100-300 5.6. I find it sharp but colour rendition isn't great and abberations come through in some conditions. I have just bought an 80-400 (4.5-5.6) VR, this was a punt to be honest as I'm always sceptical about big zoom ranges but it seems great. Very sharp to 300mm, beyond which wind/heat shimmer and other things are all to bigger issues anyway, its colour is great and no abberations as yet seen. Oh also picked up a 300mm F4 ED....mind blowing images, but how usefull unless the subject is very 'set' I'm not sure.

June 8th, 2010, 03:47 AM	#20
Steve Phillipps Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 2,130	All good points. And regarding tape, I think a lot of people, despite the obvious advantages, realise after using cards that the archiving is such a pain. There's a lot to be said for just whipping a tape out and sticking it on the shelf - this is why a lot of folks like the XDCam disc system, sort of best of both worlds. I wonder if the industry will shift back to a tape a bit? Probably not, even the HDCam SR format looks like it'll steer to solid state soon (with the upgrade path for the Sony SRW9000 announced a while back). Steve ps, Ardnamurchan has it's downside though - it's called winter!

June 8th, 2010, 05:44 AM	#21
Mick Jenner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: West Sussex England Posts: 843	Mat Nicely done, enjoyed watching Mick

June 8th, 2010, 04:50 PM	#22
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Hi guys Well eventually I've fixed the vimeo link. I've also played with the contrast/gamma levels so you'll find a bit more detail in the blacks I think. Cheers Mat

June 13th, 2010, 05:13 AM	#23
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Matt, I just watched your video. It was beautiful. The rolling hills and abundant wildlife in the area must make it a wonderful place to live. I think the music matched the mood of the video. Very well done and congradulations on winning. Bob