Why I want a Fake Camera
With all of the buzz and the hype around the pocket video camera revolution I still find my self wanting one of these ‘fake’ cameras. And before you ram me down with belittling comments about my lack of love for this cute little devices I’ll tell you why I call them fake.
I call a real camera a device with semi manual controls, I’m not asking for everything manual – but there is a level of control that is necessary for “real” camera operation. In Why The Flip – I really out lined where I’d love to see these camera go, and with the purchase of Pure Digital by networking giant Cisco – I’m sure they will make some adjustments, but most to its connectivity – not it’s control (I’m sure – but hope that I’m wrong). To save time – please take a look at “Why The Flip“. The two things that I’m looking for any camera to have is manual white balance and real audio inputs; this would be a minimum. I’d love to see manual exposure and audio levels and optical lens controls, but is that asking too much?
Even according to my criteria of what makes a real camera – I still see these devices having a place in the production pipeline; but hopefully not as your only camera. Most of us have done single camera production for far too long have neglected the role of the B (or secondary) camera. A locked off shot for cover or a funky cut-away can really save your production.
This Months Inc. Magazine took a look at four more of these pocket camera – and I’m really leaning toward Kodak’s latest release the Kodak Zx1 HD Pocket Video Camera. Main factors of me choosing that camera – form-factor, real memory card, replaceable (standard) batteries. I really wished that they kept the mirrored button on the front but w/ the new shooting modes and the size a bit smaller I’m sure that it’s going to be what I go with.
So, why do i want a fake camera?
Size, Cost, Cool Factor
1. Size
It’s necessary to have a camera that won’t take 10 minutes to get out of the bag, get set up properly (balance and check / set up audio) before you have to shoot. The draw for me to these devices is the simplicity of being able to turn on point and shoot! The other draw is to have a few of them so that you can have a few extra locked off shots that you can cut to – just because you have them. The other thing that I’m really dreaming up, and I’d buy this if someone made it – but a mini fig rig that had a double ring system – and the inside ring (where the camera mounted doubled as a ring light!) DM me on twitter if you want to bounce idea around – as I’m going to make my own, and if costs permit I’ll sell them as well!
2. Cost
Dude, $170 gets you HD in your pocket. I thought that I was in love when the HV30 came out at a sub $1,000 range. The ability to capture HD at this price point is unprecedented, therefore an absolute factor
3. Cool Factor
Come on, who doesn’t want to be “That Guy” who sees something going on and has the pocket cam on them or in their bag to be able to catch it and share it with the world! (Is that just me?) These devices have cool written all over them, and not that I’m ever one of the “cool kids” but these devices make me feel cool using them!
Next on Powered Production
Next I’m going to take a look at how these devices fit into the Production Pipeline, and how small business and non-profits can use these to deliver authentic and organic media within their organizations. Please stay tuned – and help shape the conversation by taking part with your comments!
Photos Used in Post:
That's what I have is the HV30! Wow,I feel special. Preach it,Camera Guy!B)
Awesome are you using a DOF adapter with?
I'm using it for video stuff at the moment, I haven't had a chance to play with the digital camera too much. So, DOF is and adapter for 35mm stuff?
No – I mean a Depth of Field adapter like the Redrock M2 or Letus – it allows you to mount 35mm lenses to your HDV camera and get more cinematic results from a very average camera. You can fake these looks (like the background being all out of focus in post – but it will never be the same as getting the look live in camera w/ true optics). I'm going to build my own small scale DOF adapter for the Kodak Zx1 (shoebox project on steroids w/ real front lens) – just to see if it can be done.
I'm also very serious about building my mini fig-rig w/ ring light for my pocket camera – so if anyone wants to join me in that project – please email me, or DM on twitter @big_b_rad
i want one of those…where and how much moula?
There are several on the market, so you'll have to do your home work and see what fits your style of production. Personally I think that the one that fits best for the small HDV camera would be the Letus Mini – because it uses a hard mount and doesn't require a rails system (unless you're going to use it with a follow focus as well).
You can find the Letus Mini at http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus35-mini.html they start around $1100 for the adapter, and then you'll need a lens kit – and this requires fast lenses f1.8 or lower!
The other major player in this arena is Redrock Micro found at http://redrockmicro.com
These are really better for much larger camera systems – but they have the best designed systems (DOF / Rails / Mattebox / Shoulder Rig) and they sell lenses too! The M2 Encore is going to set you back about $1900 for the adapter kit only – and a complete kit $4000 or $6000 if you want the Zeiss Lenses too)
Now that I'm going through and re-reading your comment – were you talking about the DOF adapter or the mini-fig that I'm dreaming up? /// I'm no longer going to comment when I first wake up ///
[...] Picking up right where we left off from the last post, today were going to take a look why non-profits and small profits should add these little devices in their production pipelines. First I want to stress that I’m not talking about using these as your only camera – there’s a real reason that I call these things devices and not cameras (please go back to read “Why I want a Fake Camera“) [...]