Thank you! I was late to publish this one as I didn't think I had enough interesting material. Two weeks of work, but everyday was pretty much the same.
I just got the Mini 3 Pro as an upgrade from the Mini 2. I really just wanted the new remote with built-in screen as well as the 10bit log profile. Great unit!
It is most impressiv that you are on your own most of the time. So much of this look like a second pair of hands would make everything so much more easy. Oh and love the hat we saw in the DJI display reflection.
Thank you for again a great video. A little over a month ago I spoke to a broadcast sales rep because I want to replace my Sony PDW680 for a more modern ENG-camera. I too was thinking about the URSA Broadcast G2 but the sales rep gave me a warning: In his professional opinion the G2 is not suitable for ENG-work. The grids in the top is basically an opening where all the dust and rain can fall into, directly on the motherboard. He had sold a few of them to other ENG-cameramen, but everyone of them had bought two bodies: One to shoot with, and one as backup in the truck because they WILL fail. I thought you should know this. Good luck and keep on making your videos! Greetings from The Netherlands
BMD just released a cover plate for the top recently. It's called URSA Broadcast ENG kit or something like that. However, owning one of these cameras. I'd think twice if the rolling shutter is an issue. Also the software isn't as reliable as Sony's. I have experienced a few bugs here and there, which of some have been fixed and some not. But you are right. Mechanically the camera is not very well protected from the environment and it can cause issues. Even the top plate won't save you from, say water. Most of those Sony's are somewhat waterproof even without a cover but the URSA body is definitely not. There are some rubber seals but those are more decorative than functional. On the other hand, it's so cheap that you can fill your van with URSAs for the price of a single Sony 😂
Thanks for the notes on the G2. One of the ops at the event, Ryan, maybe he'll comment here, said something along "it's an ok image but a disposable camera." I ran the P6k on a gimbal for 3 years, I was not gentle, no issues with that model. Sony PXW 400, probably best all around for freelance news, 3 chip but max 1080. The 450 shoots UHD but is single chip. 750, 3 chip and UHD but I can't justify the cost with the current volume of ENG work. All three models are a few years old, limited used availability and expensive vs FX line.
@@CrankyCameraman Thank you so much for your message. I guess we both have to look for another camera, the URSA Broadcast G2 just isn't the camera for the (ENG-)job. I find it hard. After 20yrs filming current affairs and news reports and 35yrs in the business I'm sooooooo used to my B4 lens, I have issues getting used to a cinezoom lens or even prime lenses - with those lenses I miss the B4 zoom range and the ability to quickly adjust the frame for easy and quick editing. Good luck with replacing your camera!
URSA G2 is a fine studio camera but an awful ENG camera. It weights a ton, it is very very very very power hungry, only 2ch of audio, no microphone slot. I don't know who really designed tha camera, what was he/she thinking. Terrible design choices. Image quality is ok but has some quirks here and there.
@@SportFlow but hey, they have been promising to add two more channels since the original URSA Mini 4K; every manual since then has included this "coming soon" promise 😁 I think it's not so heavy compared to most other ENG-style cameras. It's just that the body is much smaller and the weight distribution is suboptimal. The shoulder mount is installed to the very front even in their own promo material, which actually makes it impossible to use some bigger lenses. The ENG kit kinda fixes that "missing slot" issue. Just not as conveniently as every other ENG body since the 80s or so.
I've wanted to ask you what you thought about the Rock n Roller carts for transporting gear but 0:29 partially answered my question. I was thinking of getting a R12 Stealth with a shelf as a small Magliner kind of setup. Have you tried the R12 or the shelves? Or do you have other suggestions for transporting gear and having a small work area on set for swapping lenses and stuff like that?
love the boots in the back of the van. You need some big bull horns mounted somewhere for these gigs, heh! What is your background on how you got that type of work? I feel like you have talked about it before. Hope all is well Dave!
Texas footwear... Two years covering the southern border in the brush with snakes and fire ants I'm a believer. First job for the PBR was working as a Gaffer on a sponser ad. I think it's been about 10 years.
thanks. Have you looked at the IDX A-MWR plate? It goes into the Vlock, made for mounting wireless Receivers, etc on back end of camera. Used it on an HDX900 and FS7, helps get things away from the handle area, On your HS shots with the Arri, what's your usual success rate with such shallow DOF? Thanks
Did not know about the A-MWR, looks great, but I need gold mount. In my next video I look at a few plates for Lectro and Teradek. Since I have a TIG welder, I think I'm going to make my own. Aluminum and 3D printed.
HS on the Alexa. Over 4 nights, I missed two rides, both times because I failed to cycle into prerecord in advance. Fortunately for me both rides were short and did not rank. But as far as focus, the pressure is on to nail it 100% of the time. A full bull ride is 8 seconds, many are shorter. I wish I shot this style event every 4 to 8 weeks, so I suck less for finals. My parents had a neighbor that was a PGA Golf cam operator, scissor lift, box telephoto lens, ECU ball follow from the tee. Same gig every week in season, without the consistency it's a lost skill. He preferred a manual demand for zoom and focus, B&W EVF set to negative image.
I shoot rodeos but have just started shooting video hand held. My A1 over heats pretty fast. How is the FX3? Love droning rodeos only if they run it fast.
FX3 with the 28-135mm worked well. I like the ability to zoom in slowly, but wish the servo had a smooth start. I've only clocked one Rodeo night with the FX3 as primary. FX3 so far no overheating issues in the Texas heat, but I power up and down a lot.
Great post David, what an interesting assignment. I know you've done this one for years so it's cool to see how you navigate the gear and logistical challenges.
@@CrankyCameraman I may have missed but why did you shoot this on your Arri versus the FX9? Client preference or was there a function or feature the Arri had that your FX9s don't?
@@danbrockettDOP All the cam ops on this gig were crying about the weight and quantity of batteries required to shoot Arri. But the boss is also the editor and he said, "every time I pull up a Arri shot, it just looks better, so we shoot Arri." And I fully agree.
Parking is something I always worry about. I will show up an hour early, just to get the best spot possible. I don't even have a high roof, but still run into issues.
This is where I miss my Transit Connect. Park front of building, visitor and compact spaces. Pre-loaded cart down the ramp and through the lobby, fast and stealth before mgt or security catch on.
@@CrankyCameraman I can still get away with that from time to time. One of the many reasons I do not have branding on the van. I hate when the ask you to go to loading dock. Then the dock is 4' high and the ramp zig zags 10 times in 10'.
25 years of arriving early, striving to minimize drama, anticipate needs, stay in my lane, price for long term relationships vs maximising profitability. At year end review my revenue is 90% repeat and referrals and approx 10% leads from marketing, social, advertising, of which I do very little. I have found the philosophy is similar for everyone that has stayed in one specific role long term. Keep yourself busy, if you are idle, go shoot something. Momentum feeds momentum.
For handheld a ergo rig is worth looking into. I shoot reality and the camera on my shoulder for hours a day Ergo rig has saved me. Got mine 8/2020 didn’t want to spend $2k (especially back then) but its worth it.
I second this, I worked on a Discovery cooking show shot on 14 FX9s, most of the cameras wearing big, heavy, long lenses like the Fuji 25-300 or Canon 17-120 and dual V-Mounts. Most of these rigs ended up weighing 25-35lbs and the show was all handheld with a one camera on a jib and one on gimbal. Most of the ops had the Ergorigs and a Hipshot and swear by them. I didn't buy one yet but if I land another handheld gig for long periods of time, I will buy an Ergorig. Takes that weight off of your shoulder and puts it onto your hips.
Ergo rig is excellent. I try to stay away from the all day HH gigs due to hip, spine and shoulder medical issues. I've been waiting for the right job to justify the investment, however... Clocked a few years messing around with Steadicam (EFP and MK-V), gave it up due to arthritis in my SI joints. The vest compressing my hips would cause flares that knocked me out of work for 5-10 consecutive days, so I had to hang it up.
@@CrankyCameraman I always saw those illustrations of the long term affects heavy shoulder mounted cams and Steadicam rigs have on the human body. It seems you did a lot of that, too bad you are paying the physical price.
@@danbrockettDOP Yup... when I was in a LA I fielded a lot of offers to shoot 12 and 14 hour days on reality. Massive respect to the operators that stay fit and manage the load.
Yes. Always held off as most of the time I’m running the 17-120 servo zoom which has its own grip. Actually regret not bringing it to the Corpus Christi assignment.
I used to suffer from hip and back pain from my gear and sitting wrong courtside. I did the stretching and chirorpractor thing for a long time. I got tired of the routine and starting taking Krill oil and Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements and my pain went away. It took about a week and then it was gone. Any brand will work. I buy from Amazon and the local pharmacy.
Appreciate the details, happy you found a solution. I’m on krill oil and glucosamine as well as a prescribed biologic for an inflammatory disease. The combination is effective but I still experience flares a few times annually.
Hi, does anybody leave Sony cameras in their cases while sleeping next to them? The manual says they need to be stored in a ventilated place that isn't damp or dusty, so no dry cabinets and cases, but humans lose about 2 liters of water a day, mostly when sleeping, so wouldn't you need a strong dehumidifier with the capacity of removing at least 2 liters of humidity per night?
My cameras stay in the truck in hot and humid south Texas. Prior to Texas in coastal California, I did experience some corrosion in CA but not a performance issue over the lifespan of the equipment.
@@CrankyCameraman Same thing here, some screws started to corrode after 9 years in the same climate of Texas (Sorocaba/Brazil), but the service center couldn't find anything wrong with the camera itself. I'll probably leave the dehumidifier for later, thanks for answering.
Another entertaining video David, those massage chairs look great for some quick relief. Capybara is South American, we have wombats but they’re much bigger. One of my first news stories on the rodeo coming to regional oz: ruclips.net/video/eovvTudAHzU/видео.html on Xdcam510 in 2009
@@CrankyCameraman 🤓 Thankyou, it was about 6 months into my news career! Located about 5 hours west of Sydney in the country music capital of Australia, so the rodeo fits in well.
Apologies for the crap audio. Purchased a vlogging mic for iphone and it sucks! Too much gain and it doesn't work in the wind.
This is very neat to see. Thank you for allowing us to follow along as to what a cameraman does. Sounds awesome!
WOW! Simply great stuff you are sharing with your subscribers.
Thank you! I was late to publish this one as I didn't think I had enough interesting material. Two weeks of work, but everyday was pretty much the same.
I just got the Mini 3 Pro as an upgrade from the Mini 2. I really just wanted the new remote with built-in screen as well as the 10bit log profile. Great unit!
Good info, thanks.
It is most impressiv that you are on your own most of the time. So much of this look like a second pair of hands would make everything so much more easy. Oh and love the hat we saw in the DJI display reflection.
Thanks. I had a producer with me week 1 in Corpus. Week 2 I was part of a bigger unit, but we were mostly independent working our assignments.
Thank you for again a great video.
A little over a month ago I spoke to a broadcast sales rep because I want to replace my Sony PDW680 for a more modern ENG-camera. I too was thinking about the URSA Broadcast G2 but the sales rep gave me a warning: In his professional opinion the G2 is not suitable for ENG-work. The grids in the top is basically an opening where all the dust and rain can fall into, directly on the motherboard. He had sold a few of them to other ENG-cameramen, but everyone of them had bought two bodies: One to shoot with, and one as backup in the truck because they WILL fail.
I thought you should know this.
Good luck and keep on making your videos!
Greetings from The Netherlands
BMD just released a cover plate for the top recently. It's called URSA Broadcast ENG kit or something like that.
However, owning one of these cameras. I'd think twice if the rolling shutter is an issue. Also the software isn't as reliable as Sony's. I have experienced a few bugs here and there, which of some have been fixed and some not.
But you are right. Mechanically the camera is not very well protected from the environment and it can cause issues. Even the top plate won't save you from, say water. Most of those Sony's are somewhat waterproof even without a cover but the URSA body is definitely not. There are some rubber seals but those are more decorative than functional.
On the other hand, it's so cheap that you can fill your van with URSAs for the price of a single Sony 😂
Thanks for the notes on the G2. One of the ops at the event, Ryan, maybe he'll comment here, said something along "it's an ok image but a disposable camera." I ran the P6k on a gimbal for 3 years, I was not gentle, no issues with that model.
Sony PXW 400, probably best all around for freelance news, 3 chip but max 1080. The 450 shoots UHD but is single chip. 750, 3 chip and UHD but I can't justify the cost with the current volume of ENG work. All three models are a few years old, limited used availability and expensive vs FX line.
@@CrankyCameraman Thank you so much for your message.
I guess we both have to look for another camera, the URSA Broadcast G2 just isn't the camera for the (ENG-)job.
I find it hard. After 20yrs filming current affairs and news reports and 35yrs in the business I'm sooooooo used to my B4 lens, I have issues getting used to a cinezoom lens or even prime lenses - with those lenses I miss the B4 zoom range and the ability to quickly adjust the frame for easy and quick editing.
Good luck with replacing your camera!
URSA G2 is a fine studio camera but an awful ENG camera. It weights a ton, it is very very very very power hungry, only 2ch of audio, no microphone slot. I don't know who really designed tha camera, what was he/she thinking. Terrible design choices. Image quality is ok but has some quirks here and there.
@@SportFlow but hey, they have been promising to add two more channels since the original URSA Mini 4K; every manual since then has included this "coming soon" promise 😁
I think it's not so heavy compared to most other ENG-style cameras. It's just that the body is much smaller and the weight distribution is suboptimal. The shoulder mount is installed to the very front even in their own promo material, which actually makes it impossible to use some bigger lenses. The ENG kit kinda fixes that "missing slot" issue. Just not as conveniently as every other ENG body since the 80s or so.
Thank you for sharing your workflow with us. At 6:30, what did you mean about getting "ISO shots of each person"? Thank you!
Isolated, alone in locker room, alone backstage, preparing for event.
I've wanted to ask you what you thought about the Rock n Roller carts for transporting gear but 0:29 partially answered my question. I was thinking of getting a R12 Stealth with a shelf as a small Magliner kind of setup. Have you tried the R12 or the shelves? Or do you have other suggestions for transporting gear and having a small work area on set for swapping lenses and stuff like that?
Onstage cart is superior to the R12. Better wheels and folding design vs R12 cable system. If you can find a shelf solution.
love the boots in the back of the van. You need some big bull horns mounted somewhere for these gigs, heh! What is your background on how you got that type of work? I feel like you have talked about it before. Hope all is well Dave!
Texas footwear... Two years covering the southern border in the brush with snakes and fire ants I'm a believer. First job for the PBR was working as a Gaffer on a sponser ad. I think it's been about 10 years.
Yeah the black magic g2 6k broadcast has dual ISO is solid
Pretty cool the way you roll. Sucks being injured though. Weren't you selling those Arri's?
Thanks, enjoying the travel time, but in moderation. Sold one Arri, second one for sale. I know as soon as it goes I'll get calls for it.
thanks. Have you looked at the IDX A-MWR plate? It goes into the Vlock, made for mounting wireless Receivers, etc on back end of camera. Used it on an HDX900 and FS7, helps get things away from the handle area,
On your HS shots with the Arri, what's your usual success rate with such shallow DOF? Thanks
Did not know about the A-MWR, looks great, but I need gold mount. In my next video I look at a few plates for Lectro and Teradek. Since I have a TIG welder, I think I'm going to make my own. Aluminum and 3D printed.
HS on the Alexa. Over 4 nights, I missed two rides, both times because I failed to cycle into prerecord in advance. Fortunately for me both rides were short and did not rank. But as far as focus, the pressure is on to nail it 100% of the time. A full bull ride is 8 seconds, many are shorter. I wish I shot this style event every 4 to 8 weeks, so I suck less for finals.
My parents had a neighbor that was a PGA Golf cam operator, scissor lift, box telephoto lens, ECU ball follow from the tee. Same gig every week in season, without the consistency it's a lost skill. He preferred a manual demand for zoom and focus, B&W EVF set to negative image.
I shoot rodeos but have just started shooting video hand held. My A1 over heats pretty fast. How is the FX3? Love droning rodeos only if they run it fast.
FX3 with the 28-135mm worked well. I like the ability to zoom in slowly, but wish the servo had a smooth start. I've only clocked one Rodeo night with the FX3 as primary. FX3 so far no overheating issues in the Texas heat, but I power up and down a lot.
Does your friend sell the 3D printed rig for fx3 / TC cable / Tentacles ?
Unfortunately no, he said too much hassle shipping when constantly working on the road.
@@CrankyCameraman fair enough , Come on small rig then :)
Good video David. I'm running the same Osee monitor. Pretty decent especially for the price.
It is fantastic. Now I'm considering another as a director / client monitor with a 3D printed adapter plate for gold mount.
Great post David, what an interesting assignment. I know you've done this one for years so it's cool to see how you navigate the gear and logistical challenges.
Thanks. This one I look forward to every year.
@@CrankyCameraman I may have missed but why did you shoot this on your Arri versus the FX9? Client preference or was there a function or feature the Arri had that your FX9s don't?
@@danbrockettDOP All the cam ops on this gig were crying about the weight and quantity of batteries required to shoot Arri. But the boss is also the editor and he said, "every time I pull up a Arri shot, it just looks better, so we shoot Arri." And I fully agree.
@@CrankyCameraman makes sense, the ALEV sensor makes the best looking images I’ve ever seen short of film stock.
@@danbrockettDOP If low light is not a concern.
Wait.....where was the update on the hydromassage chair?! Again if you're ever back in OC would love to PA or shadow you!
Hydro chair is wonderful, now part of my routine! Not sure when I'll be back in OC, hopefully soon.
There's a story behind hiding backstage for the pyro.... Care to share?
I've had a few close calls over the years on different shows, if I don't need to be there for it, I'm good with that.
Parking is something I always worry about. I will show up an hour early, just to get the best spot possible. I don't even have a high roof, but still run into issues.
This is where I miss my Transit Connect. Park front of building, visitor and compact spaces. Pre-loaded cart down the ramp and through the lobby, fast and stealth before mgt or security catch on.
@@CrankyCameraman I can still get away with that from time to time. One of the many reasons I do not have branding on the van. I hate when the ask you to go to loading dock. Then the dock is 4' high and the ramp zig zags 10 times in 10'.
How do you get yourself “out there”? I’ve pretty much saturated everyone that I already know but wondering how to get new clients.
25 years of arriving early, striving to minimize drama, anticipate needs, stay in my lane, price for long term relationships vs maximising profitability. At year end review my revenue is 90% repeat and referrals and approx 10% leads from marketing, social, advertising, of which I do very little. I have found the philosophy is similar for everyone that has stayed in one specific role long term.
Keep yourself busy, if you are idle, go shoot something. Momentum feeds momentum.
@@CrankyCameraman Thanks for the advice and my numbers roughly match up with that. Always shooting something is definitely fun are words or wisdom.
For handheld a ergo rig is worth looking into. I shoot reality and the camera on my shoulder for hours a day Ergo rig has saved me. Got mine 8/2020 didn’t want to spend $2k (especially back then) but its worth it.
I second this, I worked on a Discovery cooking show shot on 14 FX9s, most of the cameras wearing big, heavy, long lenses like the Fuji 25-300 or Canon 17-120 and dual V-Mounts. Most of these rigs ended up weighing 25-35lbs and the show was all handheld with a one camera on a jib and one on gimbal. Most of the ops had the Ergorigs and a Hipshot and swear by them. I didn't buy one yet but if I land another handheld gig for long periods of time, I will buy an Ergorig. Takes that weight off of your shoulder and puts it onto your hips.
Ergo rig is excellent. I try to stay away from the all day HH gigs due to hip, spine and shoulder medical issues. I've been waiting for the right job to justify the investment, however... Clocked a few years messing around with Steadicam (EFP and MK-V), gave it up due to arthritis in my SI joints. The vest compressing my hips would cause flares that knocked me out of work for 5-10 consecutive days, so I had to hang it up.
@@CrankyCameraman I always saw those illustrations of the long term affects heavy shoulder mounted cams and Steadicam rigs have on the human body. It seems you did a lot of that, too bad you are paying the physical price.
@@danbrockettDOP Yup... when I was in a LA I fielded a lot of offers to shoot 12 and 14 hour days on reality. Massive respect to the operators that stay fit and manage the load.
Was wondering how long it would take to get the shape arm since shoulder work is so common for you 😂
Yes. Always held off as most of the time I’m running the 17-120 servo zoom which has its own grip. Actually regret not bringing it to the Corpus Christi assignment.
I used to suffer from hip and back pain from my gear and sitting wrong courtside. I did the stretching and chirorpractor thing for a long time. I got tired of the routine and starting taking Krill oil and Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements and my pain went away. It took about a week and then it was gone. Any brand will work. I buy from Amazon and the local pharmacy.
Appreciate the details, happy you found a solution. I’m on krill oil and glucosamine as well as a prescribed biologic for an inflammatory disease. The combination is effective but I still experience flares a few times annually.
8:56 For the love of God and all that is Holy, vertical video?
Hi, does anybody leave Sony cameras in their cases while sleeping next to them? The manual says they need to be stored in a ventilated place that isn't damp or dusty, so no dry cabinets and cases, but humans lose about 2 liters of water a day, mostly when sleeping, so wouldn't you need a strong dehumidifier with the capacity of removing at least 2 liters of humidity per night?
My cameras stay in the truck in hot and humid south Texas. Prior to Texas in coastal California, I did experience some corrosion in CA but not a performance issue over the lifespan of the equipment.
@@CrankyCameraman
Same thing here, some screws started to corrode after 9 years in the same climate of Texas (Sorocaba/Brazil), but the service center couldn't find anything wrong with the camera itself. I'll probably leave the dehumidifier for later, thanks for answering.
2:55 my man has never seen a porcupine before :D
Haha, evidently so!
Another entertaining video David, those massage chairs look great for some quick relief.
Capybara is South American, we have wombats but they’re much bigger. One of my first news stories on the rodeo coming to regional oz: ruclips.net/video/eovvTudAHzU/видео.html on Xdcam510 in 2009
Of course, all the animals are bigger in Oz! Thanks for the correction. Nice PBR package!
@@CrankyCameraman 🤓 Thankyou, it was about 6 months into my news career! Located about 5 hours west of Sydney in the country music capital of Australia, so the rodeo fits in well.