Question about panasonic camera monitor

Ryan Skeete · December 17th, 2007, 11:49 AM

Hi Jeff,

I'd like to visit the Aquarium sometime to check out some of your finished work shot on the HPX. Can you give me some more details?

Feel free to email me directly if you like...

TingSern Wong · December 17th, 2007, 08:06 PM

Why not try putting a Century Optics 2X teleconvertor in front of the lens and you get 2X magnification for the same distance? That means the DOF is now 1cm or less :-).

And just wondering - how do you prevent those sea creatures from moving around ... your camera can be on tripod ... but, sea cucumbers, star fishes, etc ... these fellows do move. And with DOF of 2cm ... I mean you can't tell them to hold still, right? :-).

Jeff Heywood · December 17th, 2007, 10:42 PM

Actually we did shoot some stuff with the 2x on the lens. The sea cukes and the sea stars don't really move that fast. When they're moving in a straight line it's pretty excellent because you just let them move through the focus point and leave the camera be.

There were some really nice shots of one sea cucumber close-up with a beautifully out of focus cucumber moving through the background. So much fun and the colours look amazing.

To top it off we took the footage up to the 24 foot theatre screen and man oh man did it look amazing. The footage held up extremely well.

Sergio Perez · December 19th, 2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TingSern Wong

Sergio,

Just wondering how you mount the LH80 on the HVX? Care to share your method? I was thinking about mounting it on HVX202 - but, I have doubts the handle can cope with the weight for extended periods of time.

TS

Sorry for the late response, Tingsern Wong... Didn't see that the thread was moved. Well, basically what I did is I found an adapter screw to a small tripod head that fixes on the screw on the back of the HVX handle. I tried different heads and found one that actually fixes pretty well on the screw area (it has a small elevation on the middle of the handle were the screw is, which causes some unstable mounting in some small tripod heads), The one I got works flawlessly, it is indeed a movable head (flexibe, allowing different angles for the LCD- inverted it really needs this ability, due to the poor angle of view.)

I can post a picture, but don't know how to. Just know how to type, or post fotos on hi5 on the net...

Anyway, on a tripod, or handheld, with the monitor near the back and the brevis on the front, it all feels, strangely enough, balanced, but there's a problem:

As a Glidecam Smooth Shooter flyer, I can honestly say it is close to impossible to use an HVX+Brevis+GC4000+smooth shooter+BTLH for shooting. The weight is over the arm's capacity....

But on a tripod or handheld with an asssistant, it works great.

Cheers,

Sergio

TingSern Wong · December 19th, 2007, 01:17 PM

Hi Sergio,

You can indeed post JPEGs on this website. When you reply to thread, there is a box that is below the reply box - "Attach Files". Click on "Manage Attachments" button. A window will open up where you can attach pictures and post your pictures there.

Agree that it is impossible to handhold the HVX+Brevis+LH80+whatever.

Only on tripod this is possible. Anyway, I only intend to use LH80 and HVX together on tripod and not handheld.

Don't you think the HVX handle looks a bit thin to hold the LH80+AB battery for long periods of time? It is because of that consideration that I decided to use the Petrol bag. Let me see your picture first - then I shall decide whether I will do likewise as you.

Thanks,
TS

Sergio Perez · December 20th, 2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TingSern Wong

Hi Sergio,

You can indeed post JPEGs on this website. When you reply to thread, there is a box that is below the reply box - "Attach Files". Click on "Manage Attachments" button. A window will open up where you can attach pictures and post your pictures there.

Agree that it is impossible to handhold the HVX+Brevis+LH80+whatever.

Only on tripod this is possible. Anyway, I only intend to use LH80 and HVX together on tripod and not handheld.

Don't you think the HVX handle looks a bit thin to hold the LH80+AB battery for long periods of time? It is because of that consideration that I decided to use the Petrol bag. Let me see your picture first - then I shall decide whether I will do likewise as you.

Thanks,
TS

The thing is I have a belt where I put the AB battery. The power is connected trough the 4 pin connector. Ok, pictures coming later today ;)

Sergio Perez · December 21st, 2007, 11:48 AM

Here is a try on posting pictures of my setup.
EDIT- IT seems it worked!

TingSern Wong · December 21st, 2007, 12:22 PM

Sergio,

Thank you for the informative pictures. I didn't think the HVX202 handle could bear the weight of the monitor + AB battery. Apparently, your picture showed me otherwise.

Where did you get that Cullman's ballhead from? I have only seen one side with a hole and the other side a bolt. Yours is both sides having a bolt. Is the ballhead strong enough to hold the monitor without it twisting or swaying from side to side?

Sergio Perez · December 21st, 2007, 01:29 PM

TingSern, basically the cullman has a bolt only on top. The bottom, if you look closely to the picture where I'm holding it, has a screw with 2 heads inserted. So one goes into the cullman, and the other stays for mounting on the HVX200. Cheap and effective solution.

The top screw is large, due to a small to large screw adapter (that's why its gold colored). This solution is cheap, solid as a rock, lightweight, and the Cullman head can securelly hold the monitor+ battery no problem. The trick is on the screw with two heads. the base of the screw and its length is just perfect for the hvx's screw hole. So the whole setup is steady and doesn't shake or is unstable to the sides, due to the small " bump" surrounding the HVX hole. The handle in my view can handle the monitor, but having the battery on it is pushing it...So the belt option for the battery seems like a safer bet.

It can even be handheldable, if you have strong hands, there is... On a glidecam 4000 with smooth shooter, however, its over limit, so I have to find either an assistant to hold the monitor while I fly with the brevis, or its a no go...

TingSern Wong · December 21st, 2007, 08:47 PM

Sergio, where did you find that "large screw adaptor" from? I have lots of panball heads (mostly based on Acra Swiss design). I can easily adopt one of them for my HVX - provided I can figure out your "large screw adaptor". Thanks.

Sergio Perez · December 21st, 2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TingSern Wong

Sergio, where did you find that "large screw adaptor" from? I have lots of panball heads (mostly based on Acra Swiss design). I can easily adopt one of them for my HVX - provided I can figure out your "large screw adaptor". Thanks.

The large screw adaptor is a 20 HK dollar iron screw cap that screws on the small screw of your head. You can get this in any electric store or (don't know how to say this in english!) those stores were they have screws, tools for bricolage, etc. How about taking your head with your HVX and the Monitor and see how they figure out a screw on solution? Maybe you print out my pictures, and show to them, they will definetly find a solution for you.

I basically did this and went to one of the oldest Photography shops in town who has lots and lots of support gear. The owner was very helpful and we found out this solution and tried many others...

TingSern Wong · December 21st, 2007, 10:42 PM

Thanks ... I will go and hunt for it in Singapore then.

TingSern Wong · December 22nd, 2007, 08:12 AM

I went down to hunt for the male to male "connector" - asked 5 photographic shops - no luck (never heard of such a thing). I then went to my favorite photo supply shop ... says Manfrotto has it - but they don't have stocks right now. At least I don't have do an overseas order (or worse, ask you to get one for me and post it to me). Not even sure when it will come in. Have to wait. Meanwhile, I carry LH80 around in its Petrol bag + a small light tripod to hold the monitor.

TingSern Wong · December 22nd, 2007, 10:44 AM

Hi Sergio,

I found the solution .... simply remove one of my spare Gitzo tripod's screw (that comes with 1/4" and 3/8" together), screw the 1/4" all the way into my Acra Swiss style ballhead, mount the plastic plate in reverse and bolt it down with the nut. Now, the 3/8" thread is protruding from the bottom of the ballhead - I simply screw the 3/8" side into the handle of the HVX202. The wide round plastic plate acts as a stabliser and spreads the weight away from the hole itself.

If you are interested in seeing how it looks like, I can post the photo.

TS

Sergio Perez · December 22nd, 2007, 11:36 AM

Sure, Tingsern. The best thing on my setup is that it feels solid and its not putting pressure on the hvx screw hole. Everything is stabillized by the iron "circle" that separates the two screw heads- as you can see from the picture.

Anyway, glad you did it! Its a lot better to have it in camera, imho.

Now I'm looking for a monitor "hood" to cover sunlight...

December 21st, 2007, 11:48 AM	#22
Sergio Perez Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 331	Here is a try on posting pictures of my setup. EDIT- IT seems it worked! Attached Thumbnails __________________ If you don't believe in your film, no one else will.

December 21st, 2007, 01:29 PM	#24
Sergio Perez Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 331	TingSern, basically the cullman has a bolt only on top. The bottom, if you look closely to the picture where I'm holding it, has a screw with 2 heads inserted. So one goes into the cullman, and the other stays for mounting on the HVX200. Cheap and effective solution. The top screw is large, due to a small to large screw adapter (that's why its gold colored). This solution is cheap, solid as a rock, lightweight, and the Cullman head can securelly hold the monitor+ battery no problem. The trick is on the screw with two heads. the base of the screw and its length is just perfect for the hvx's screw hole. So the whole setup is steady and doesn't shake or is unstable to the sides, due to the small " bump" surrounding the HVX hole. The handle in my view can handle the monitor, but having the battery on it is pushing it...So the belt option for the battery seems like a safer bet. It can even be handheldable, if you have strong hands, there is... On a glidecam 4000 with smooth shooter, however, its over limit, so I have to find either an assistant to hold the monitor while I fly with the brevis, or its a no go... __________________ If you don't believe in your film, no one else will. Last edited by Sergio Perez; December 21st, 2007 at 02:11 PM.

December 22nd, 2007, 11:36 AM	#30
Sergio Perez Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 331	Sure, Tingsern. The best thing on my setup is that it feels solid and its not putting pressure on the hvx screw hole. Everything is stabillized by the iron "circle" that separates the two screw heads- as you can see from the picture. Anyway, glad you did it! Its a lot better to have it in camera, imho. Now I'm looking for a monitor "hood" to cover sunlight... __________________ If you don't believe in your film, no one else will.

December 17th, 2007, 11:49 AM	#16
Ryan Skeete New Boot Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 6	Hi Jeff, I'd like to visit the Aquarium sometime to check out some of your finished work shot on the HPX. Can you give me some more details? Feel free to email me directly if you like...

December 17th, 2007, 08:06 PM	#17
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	Why not try putting a Century Optics 2X teleconvertor in front of the lens and you get 2X magnification for the same distance? That means the DOF is now 1cm or less :-). And just wondering - how do you prevent those sea creatures from moving around ... your camera can be on tripod ... but, sea cucumbers, star fishes, etc ... these fellows do move. And with DOF of 2cm ... I mean you can't tell them to hold still, right? :-).

December 17th, 2007, 10:42 PM	#18
Jeff Heywood Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 41	Actually we did shoot some stuff with the 2x on the lens. The sea cukes and the sea stars don't really move that fast. When they're moving in a straight line it's pretty excellent because you just let them move through the focus point and leave the camera be. There were some really nice shots of one sea cucumber close-up with a beautifully out of focus cucumber moving through the background. So much fun and the colours look amazing. To top it off we took the footage up to the 24 foot theatre screen and man oh man did it look amazing. The footage held up extremely well.

December 19th, 2007, 01:17 PM	#20
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	Hi Sergio, You can indeed post JPEGs on this website. When you reply to thread, there is a box that is below the reply box - "Attach Files". Click on "Manage Attachments" button. A window will open up where you can attach pictures and post your pictures there. Agree that it is impossible to handhold the HVX+Brevis+LH80+whatever. Only on tripod this is possible. Anyway, I only intend to use LH80 and HVX together on tripod and not handheld. Don't you think the HVX handle looks a bit thin to hold the LH80+AB battery for long periods of time? It is because of that consideration that I decided to use the Petrol bag. Let me see your picture first - then I shall decide whether I will do likewise as you. Thanks, TS

December 21st, 2007, 12:22 PM	#23
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	Sergio, Thank you for the informative pictures. I didn't think the HVX202 handle could bear the weight of the monitor + AB battery. Apparently, your picture showed me otherwise. Where did you get that Cullman's ballhead from? I have only seen one side with a hole and the other side a bolt. Yours is both sides having a bolt. Is the ballhead strong enough to hold the monitor without it twisting or swaying from side to side?

December 21st, 2007, 08:47 PM	#25
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	Sergio, where did you find that "large screw adaptor" from? I have lots of panball heads (mostly based on Acra Swiss design). I can easily adopt one of them for my HVX - provided I can figure out your "large screw adaptor". Thanks.

December 21st, 2007, 10:42 PM	#27
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	Thanks ... I will go and hunt for it in Singapore then.

December 22nd, 2007, 08:12 AM	#28
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	I went down to hunt for the male to male "connector" - asked 5 photographic shops - no luck (never heard of such a thing). I then went to my favorite photo supply shop ... says Manfrotto has it - but they don't have stocks right now. At least I don't have do an overseas order (or worse, ask you to get one for me and post it to me). Not even sure when it will come in. Have to wait. Meanwhile, I carry LH80 around in its Petrol bag + a small light tripod to hold the monitor.

December 22nd, 2007, 10:44 AM	#29
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	Hi Sergio, I found the solution .... simply remove one of my spare Gitzo tripod's screw (that comes with 1/4" and 3/8" together), screw the 1/4" all the way into my Acra Swiss style ballhead, mount the plastic plate in reverse and bolt it down with the nut. Now, the 3/8" thread is protruding from the bottom of the ballhead - I simply screw the 3/8" side into the handle of the HVX202. The wide round plastic plate acts as a stabliser and spreads the weight away from the hole itself. If you are interested in seeing how it looks like, I can post the photo. TS