Sound Blimp with 5D MK2

[DRG1968]

Any tips for shooting with a sound blimp using a 5D MK2?

What lens would you suggest for low light situations? Any suggestions regarding camera settings, iso, lens choices etc. Auto vs Maunal focus. How his can I push the ISO and still get good 8x10s.

Who are the best rental houses in NY and LA for a sound blimp?

You probably have guessed I will be using a sound blimp for the first time. Trying to gather info before I get one to test with.

Appreciate the advice

 

[mickcivic]

Hi there!

Way late responding here, sorry I didn't see your post sooner!

Hopefully you stumble across my response--and you might have already been shooting with a blimp this whole time anyway.

At any rate, what helps me immensely is the Quick Control Menu so I can change my important settings (shutter, aperture, ISO, white balance, focus mode, drive) from the back panel without having to reach in and push buttons on the top panel. I can no longer imagine using my blimp without the Quick Control Menu!

As far as lenses go, many set photographers use primes in their blimps and zooms on their non-blimp bodies to grab shots between takes. I did this for a while, but for me, using a zoom in the blimp gives me flexibility that is way to important, so I gave up the primes. I have lost shots due to not being able to change lenses fast enough on my blimped camera. No longer the case with a zoom. I use a 24-70mm in my blimp, by the way.

Any way you slice it, using a blimp is a pain in the ass, but you get used to it. with time.

Any tips for shooting with a sound blimp using a 5D MK2?

What lens would you suggest for low light situations? Any suggestions regarding camera settings, iso, lens choices etc. Auto vs Maunal focus. How his can I push the ISO and still get good 8x10s.

Who are the best rental houses in NY and LA for a sound blimp?

You probably have guessed I will be using a sound blimp for the first time. Trying to gather info before I get one to test with.

Appreciate the advice

 

[mschafer]

The only way to go is a Jacobson blimp. Anything else is considered not professional. On set you're obviously second to the film camera and no one really reserves a spot for you (if you fit in at all on a location shoot). Therefore i love to shoot the 70-200, i got the Version II recently and it's probably the most amazing lens i ever shot (from 8x10 Schneider to Leica ASP lenses). Note the barrel is a bit larger and does not fit the older Jacobson tube for the 70-200.

As for settings, i do a custom white balance of each scene and read my meter along with the DP, set my camera on manual (around 800 ASA, f2.8-4 at 1/15-1/60 indoors, HMI) and shoot with AF on. I do select a focus point prior to closing the blimp and stick with it for the take (shooting the 1Ds III, better battery and the cut out in the blimp is for a larger camera.

Basically what you get is a very expensive and heavy point and shoot that lets you focus with one button and release the trigger with the other while you can zoom.

Now go and take some great shots with that and be quite (or the AD will kick you out)...

 

[mickcivic]

mark,

Your stuff is great! I love being introduced to new photographers here. I'm subscribing to your blog now, so I look forward to following you and your work.

This is off topic but are you IATSE 600?

The only way to go is a Jacobson blimp. Anything else is considered not professional. On set you're obviously second to the film camera and no one really reserves a spot for you (if you fit in at all on a location shoot). Therefore i love to shoot the 70-200, i got the Version II recently and it's probably the most amazing lens i ever shot (from 8x10 Schneider to Leica ASP lenses). Note the barrel is a bit larger and does not fit the older Jacobson tube for the 70-200.

As for settings, i do a custom white balance of each scene and read my meter along with the DP, set my camera on manual (around 800 ASA, f2.8-4 at 1/15-1/60 indoors, HMI) and shoot with AF on. I do select a focus point prior to closing the blimp and stick with it for the take (shooting the 1Ds III, better battery and the cut out in the blimp is for a larger camera.

Basically what you get is a very expensive and heavy point and shoot that lets you focus with one button and release the trigger with the other while you can zoom.

Now go and take some great shots with that and be quite (or the AD will kick you out)...

 

[beth c]

Hi, I am new to shooting with a blimp and I am trying to do a bit of research. You shoot at 1/15-1/60 with the 70-200 and a 3 pound blimp. Don't you have issues with camera shake? Do you use a tripod or monopod?

 

[tomasito68]

Hi, I am new to shooting with a blimp and I am trying to do a bit of research. You shoot at 1/15-1/60 with the 70-200 and a 3 pound blimp. Don't you have issues with camera shake? Do you use a tripod or monopod?

No tripod of any kind... you just won't have the time for set up, unless it is a lockup shot. Sometimes you can use monopod pending on your set up and time limit. For 70-200 lens I would recommend at least 1/60s but I would prefer shorter time like 1/125s or 1/250s ... again pending on your composition ...

good luck