PANLIGHT Promis

What a great idea!  Can't wait to see it in action!

Event: ACM SFBAY Data Science Camp

Having a blast shooting the whole day event: Data Science Camp.  Session Schedule.

More Audio Recording Options

Today I will be looking again into my audio recording options.  Since I looked into it last time I've got some new equipment.  So here are the options:

1. Panasonic GH3 with Audio Technica ATR-3350 lavalier microphone.
2. Sony ICD-AX412 Stereo Digital Voice Recorder with Audio Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier microphone
3. Sony PCM-M10 recorder with built-in microphones
4. TASCAM DR-100mkII with built-in Uni Microphones
5. PC with Behringer Xenyx 1204USB mixer  with Rode NTG1 Condenser Shotgun Microphone

GH3 Audio Recording Levels for Internal and External Mics

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I used a source of pink noise (my iPhone with Ambiance app)  positioned within 2 feet from GH3 to normalize the recording levels for all the options.  Here are the settings leading to the same perceived recording levels:

Microphone Option	GH3 mic level
GH3 built-in	6
Takstar SG-598, +0dB	6
Takstar SG-598, +10dB	1

TIP: Apple Duckhead Power Adapter

Just a quick tip video.

Audio Recording Options

Here I evaluate my options for audio recording with my Canon Vixia HF G10 camcorder:

• built-in microphone
• Canon HF G10 with TAKSTAR SGC-598 microphone
• Sony PCM-M10 with
• its own built-in microphone
• Audio-Technica ATR-3350 lavalier microphone

Insightfull Marketing!

Today I ran into One Market Media and their wonderful blog. Here are some very impressive examples of their industry analysis.

...why DSLRs are Dead for Video

Great summary which I wholeheartedly agree with.
Nikon D5300 Review and why DSLRs are dead for video 
Shame to see DSLRs overall and Nikon specifically loosing it so fast.  Makes me feel better about my moving to GH3.

Live Video Streaming with Ustream and YouTube Live

I did use Ustream to broadcast this event.  Loved Ustream Producer software, possibility to integrate desktop streaming, ease of editing "shots" which allowed to mix multiple streams and create goodies such as on-screen logos.  A custom-built  PC with i5 CPU and two Blackmagicdesign DecLink Mini Recorders was used as a software switcher and encoder.
Now my customer wants to use YouTube Live and I am testing it!  It appears that both Ustream and YouTube use custom versions of Telecast Wirecast, thus all the mechanisms of creating the shots and actual streaming are the same!  Except not entirely.  Productization is a bit different.  Looks like you will need to pay more with YouTube to have possibility to edits shots.  Both however want $200 from you to not have their watermarks in your feed.

DIY: Video Clamp

This is one useful piece of equipment.  Really simple and cheap.  Has multiple uses.  I grew to rely on it for almost every shoot.  I have no idea what to call it, so I just call it video clamp.  Put together in one short session from parts found in my grip box.
You take eBay C-clamp ($9), remove the spigot and attach in its place a metal shelf bracket ($6) and add to its tip a small ball head ($6). Done.
I use it to mount audio or video recorder to the light stand.  The substantial length of the bracket ensures that the camcorder's flip out screen can be manipulated freely.  I also like the clamp's rubberized surfaces being gentle on my equipment.  Nice!

New Project Idea: A Day in the Life - Campbell

Inspiration: A Day in the Life: San Francisco 
Minus aerial shots.
Plus a female figure (camera following her, her face never seen) unifying all the experiences.
Sometimes others (a kid, her girlfriend) joining her.
About 3min total clip length.
Iconic locations, may not be in this order:

• water tower and the swingset
• Library and surroundings
• Ainsley house
• Farmer's market - live music
• Basketball field and the Los Gatos Creek trail

Retail:

• Whole foods
• Pruneyard - dining, live music
• Sports Basement

 Dining

• Orchard Valley
• Sonoma Chicken &

Businesses:

• eBay
• Barracuda
• On-Site

Shooting Video with GH3 - Impressions

BorrowLenses.com delivered!
GH3 and 35-100 2.8 lens fit and finish are nice.  I'd say similar to my D600.  Feels good in the hand.  Light.  Lens focuses fast and quietly.  Bad news is the flip out display is wobly.

Almost immediately I bumped into GH3 stopping recording unexpectedly.  Scared me! Actually it's just that about 10 seconds into the recording display changes.  Weird.  They say this is to avoid burn-in on the OLED display.  To pop display back all you need to do is to either press display button or to wave your hand in front of the eye piece.  Hmm...

Planning a GH3 Test

Delivering value to my customers is my highest priority.  And shallow depth of field screams value.  At least I think so.  Even for event video.  So now I consider replacing (at least one of) my camcorders with a larger sensor camera.  The D600 and lenses I own proved to be a poor choice for shooting event video.  On the other hand I love the way my Canon VIXIA HF G10 does face recognition and auto-focus.  I am comfortable with its image quality provided I keep AGC below 10dB.  Offcourse given the size of its sensor it is not surprising the depth of field is big.  Anyway.  A separate audio recorder takes care of audio so I have no pressing need to have a camera with XLR inputs.  Here is what I am looking for in a video camera....

Mike Monteiro - "Fuck you. Pay me!"

First 5 min are awesome.
The rest is just simple fun.
Just "Stop being bottom!"