NightOwl Cat wrote:
We were stationed at SJAFB from 82-85. I don't recall grandstands there though. Make sure you don't have anything on their prohibited list of things not to bring. Bleacher seating, from that photo, looks like it's just that, bare seating, nothing special. Beer garden seating might be better?? Look at their map to see what's where.
I haven't mentioned my Ronin S much since it arrived, largely because it is a work in progress. Don't misunderstand, I am glad that I added it to my gear list because it has the potential to be a unique tool, but it isn't something that you pull out of the case and it immediately starts generating cash. Initially I was doing some serious head scratching because I pretty much thought I was going to have to go mirrorless to use it at all. That was a disappointing thought which turned a 900 buck outlay into more like six grand so I set it on the shelf in my equipment room and put it on the back burner. A few firmware updates and a couple of Youtube tutorials and the 1DXII balanced nicely with a 24-70 mounted up. Don't need a mirrorless, at least not one that is currently on the market, but a 16-35/2.8 is in the offing for wider perspectives. That's ok, I needed one anyway to replace the series I that I sold to Kevin Hong a couple of years ago.
Aftermarket manufacturers like "SmallRig" and others have been busy coming out with accessories to make the "S" more user friendly, as has DJI (what a surprise!). Absent a camera with a flip out back screen one really needs a monitor of some type to properly compose the video product. Here you see my "S" configured with a couple of aftermarket additions that are going to be a big help. A cheese plate collar allows one to attach a microphone and any number of smaller accessories including something like a SmallHD 5" monitor. The Additional handles are really a must because, well built as the "S" is, using it holding just the center column is really clumsy and draining. The new handles allow for more stability and flexibility as well as giving the operator a more solid spot to hang a monitor/external recorder like a smaller Atomos product.
What you see here, once I decide on a Mic and a monitor, is a Ronin that's ready to begin earning it's keep. The 1DXII is pretty cool for 4K capture at up to 120fps and the auto focus is excellent, it even allows you to program the speed of focus transition so you can touch the rear screen and the camera will "focus pull" giving a nice cinematic feel to the footage.
Once I get the configuration the way it needs to be I'm sure it will take some practice to become proficient with all of the functions, but so far I'm excited about the potential. I spoke with an aerial cinematographer in New York the other day who swears that the "S" works like a charm in the door of a helicopter, stabilizing perfectly in up to 80mph slip streams. I'm skeptical, but he sent me some work that supports what he told me.
Oh, DJI just came out with the little cube you see on the left hand side of the handle. Prior to this accessory all balance tests, calibrations and parameters had to be done via the app on a phone or tablet. This new accessory mates up with a connection on the handle and everything can now be done via a little lcd and a rocker switch, hugely more convenient!
Again, innocent people lost their lives because of lunatic terrorists.
What is happening!!
Playstation-style killing, while live broadcasting (Facebook, Twitter and Youtube), with whatever was written on the weapon (an assault rifle), attacking two peaceful worship places.
Jim, thanks for the update on the Ronin S. I came very close to ordering one, but when I took a closer look at all the extras I'd want/need I relaized the one-handed operation I was hoping for was not going to happen due to the added weight.
The world has become a much meaner place in the last few years.
alawadhi wrote:
Again, innocent people lost their lives because of lunatic terrorists.
What is happening!!
Playstation-style killing, while live broadcasting (Facebook, Twitter and Youtube), with whatever was written on the weapon (an assault rifle), attacking two peaceful worship places.
alawadhi wrote:
Again, innocent people lost their lives because of lunatic terrorists.
What is happening!!
Playstation-style killing, while live broadcasting (Facebook, Twitter and Youtube), with whatever was written on the weapon (an assault rifle), attacking two peaceful worship places.
Sometimes, a human becomes ...
Dear Anwar,
Horribly unthinkable for most, but there are a few cancer cells in the human race that have acts like this as goals and pure evil, no matter how one might try to wish it away, legislate it away, bargain it away, it will be amongst us until Christ returns to set it all straight. Every faith suffers persecution for some reason, "Believe what I believe or I'll kill you", "I don't believe anything, but I want to kill you because you believe in something", or just, "I am so miserable in my own existence I cannot stand to see someone who is not...". So sad, but then life very often is unfortunately.
Certainly it will be lost on the "press" in my country, but thank God for the man who was "carrying" in the second mosque, no calculating the lives he saved by courageously opening up on that evil scum. I just wish there had been more like him so the evil could have been snuffed out before it could inflict the pain it did.
Anyway, we can analyze it all day long but in the end I'm sorry for the loss of innocent life, sorry evil walks among us and I'll continue to pray and do what I am able to vanquish it wherever I recognize it.
ELinder wrote:
Jim, thanks for the update on the Ronin S. I came very close to ordering one, but when I took a closer look at all the extras I'd want/need I relaized the one-handed operation I was hoping for was not going to happen due to the added weight.
Erich
Hi Erich,
I shot a little bit with it last Thursday evening while we were serving our homeless friends. We have a "Serve Sunday" at the end of the month and I was asked to put something visual together to explain what our group does with the homeless. I had just gotten the accessories attached so I thought it might be a good opportunity to do a trial run. The stuff that I added really doesn't bump the weight noticeably, but it sure makes it easier to use. I left the "tripod" screwed to the bottom of the battery grip but kept it folded. I discovered that when you have it in that configuration it naturally kind of rests about waist level and takes quite a bit of the work out of it, very manageable. Going mirrorless would save you some bulk.The footage I shot was nice, 4K @29.97, but I will obviously refine my skills a bit going forward. I believe that a small monitor, monitor recorder is a necessity. I've ordered an Atomos Ninja V unit that is light, has a very daylight legible screen and will allow me to bypass the annoying time limit the 1DXII imposes.
I'll give you an update when I have everything working the way it should be. Cost wise, all in I'll be at about $1700 + -, which isn't too bad considering what I believe it will allow me to do. Should be able to amortize the whole thing on the first real assignment I'd think.
Horribly unthinkable for most, but there are a few cancer cells in the human race that have acts like this as goals and pure evil, no matter how one might try to wish it away, legislate it away, bargain it away, it will be amongst us until Christ returns to set it all straight. Every faith suffers persecution for some reason, "Believe what I believe or I'll kill you", "I don't believe anything, but I want to kill you because you believe in something", or just, "I am so miserable in my own existence I cannot stand to see someone who is not...". So sad, but then life very often is unfortunately.
Certainly it will be lost on the "press" in my country, but thank God for the man who was "carrying" in the second mosque, no calculating the lives he saved by courageously opening up on that evil scum. I just wish there had been more like him so the evil could have been snuffed out before it could inflict the pain it did.
Anyway, we can analyze it all day long but in the end I'm sorry for the loss of innocent life, sorry evil walks among us and I'll continue to pray and do what I am able to vanquish it wherever I recognize it.
Just a note, Jim, do you know that we (Muslims) believe that Jesus will return, as our Prophet Mohamed said, to rule the Earth with Justice and prosperity to all creatures (not only humans), and during that period of Jesus ruling, earth will prosper far beyond imagination!
You have a caring heart, Jim, words are not enough...
Words are woefully inadequate Anwar, you are so right. My Granddaughter Faith asks me every once in a while, "When do you think Jesus might descend on the cloud and gather his believers to him?" Of course if I had that level of insight I would have bought a lot of Amazon at a nickel a share , but Faith is very interested in that route to Heaven. Given a quick look at all the other routes, can't say that I blame her.
Our daughter, Mom of 5 of our 8 was hospitalized yesterday in critical condition. She is out of the woods today but very scary for a while. Never a dull moment around here, but once again I am grateful for and very cognizant of God's Grace and Providence.
I'm thinking it's time for a Cub flight, everything seems better from 500'.
Hi Anwar, Sorry your call kept dropping. The hospital seems to be a bad place for cell service. Sheila and I are still with Jennifer and she's taken a step backward this evening. I'll keep you posted when I can come up for air.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Our daughter, Mom of 5 of our 8 was hospitalized yesterday in critical condition. She is out of the woods today but very scary for a while. Never a dull moment around here, but once again I am grateful for and very cognizant of God's Grace and Providence.
I'm thinking it's time for a Cub flight, everything seems better from 500'.
Thinking of you guys hope that all goes well fast... keep us in the loop..
, but Faith is very interested in that route to Heaven. Given a quick look at all the other routes, can't say that I blame her.