Best Gear for One-Man Crew?

[zeppo1]

hey all--

I've been trying to build a one-man crew rig with my Sony HXR-MC50U based on what Mike Figgis is using here


I've been recommended the Azden 330LT On-Camera Dual Bodypack System - but has since heard that Azden is poop.

My questions are:

1. If I go instead with two Sennheiser EW 100 lav mics - how do I mount the receivers to the camera?

2. Does anyone have any alternative ideas for one-man crew setups?

Thanks!

[brunerww]

zeppo - Here is how I mount two receivers and a recorder on my hot shoe plus a $9.50 Adorama C bracket:



A whole lot less expensive than a $278 Fig Rig or even an $85 Fig Rig knock off :-)

Cheers,

Bill

[zeppo1]

Thanks Bill--

What kind of mics are using there on the right camera?

[brunerww]

Hi zeppo - I use a couple of inexpensive VHF wireless mics for on camera narration and interviews. One is the Azden WMS-PRO and the other is the Audio Technica Pro88W.

I stay within a few feet of the camera, so I have had no issues with static or RFI. For example - I used the Azden for the first 1:49 of this video (the rest is the built-in mic on my backup camera): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHlJ2cPGO-U

Hope this is helpful,

Bill

[wheatgrinder]

what is that eyecup! How does it work on the GH2?

[brunerww]

Originally Posted by wheatgrinder

what is that eyecup! How does it work on the GH2?

It is the only thing from Zacuto that I can afford :-) Turns out that Zacuto's eyecup, included in the $11.40 Zacuto Z-Finder protective upgrade, fits the GH2 EVF quite well and will stay on until you pull it off. I love this eyecup - it really makes a difference on sunny days. Sadly, the preview button and the LCD are blocked when the eyecup is in use. Worth the hassle for less than $12, though.

Cheers,

Bill

[liambauckham]

hey thats a cool setup. do you find it gives more stability?

[Dreadylocks]

[brunerww]

Originally Posted by liambauckham

hey thats a cool setup. do you find it gives more stability?

Thanks, Liam. Holding the eyepiece firmly against my eye provides more stability for handheld work than anything else. I put the camera on a Flycam or a tripod if I want real stability

Cheers,

Bill

[liambauckham]

do you get video through that eyepiece? i thought it just displayed on the lcd

[brunerww]

Liam - Mirrorless camera like the GH2 don't have the "mirror lock up" problem that DSLRs have with blocking the light to the viewfinder in video mode. The GH2's viewfinder works just fine in video mode because it is a DSLM (where "M" is for mirrorless), not a DSLR.

When I had my T2i, I was absolutely shocked when the viewfinder went black when I switched to video.

Because Canon has sold so many "video" cameras with this malfunction, people think it's normal :-)

Cheers,

Bill

[liambauckham]

well i never.... just bought one of those brackets as well as an LCD eyepiece

[liambauckham]

LCD viewfinder just arrived. bought a ggs clip on screen protector for the viewfinder bracket to fit on.... in turn that fits nicely over the stick on screen protector i bought about a year ago.... should be bullet proof now

viewfinder is good tho

[liambauckham]

this is what i bought. http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEEWER-Magni...915969&sr=8-16

i'd deffo recommend it