Ninja V or V+ with current promotional pricing for A1 Video

[EdwardWestonNYC]

Hey Everyone,

The Ninja V is on sale for $399 and V+ $599 (down from $1500/$1000). I'm wondering if with the promotional pricing its worth going for the V+ since its just a $200 upgrade? Currently using the A1 (mostly stills but starting to do more video - need a decent monitor and have a Angelbird X SSD already). Shoot mostly 60P but will also do some 120 work perhaps (not a deal breaker to record that internally).

I shoot mostly 4K (but A1 is first 8K camera I've used - have plenty of computer power for processing Mac Studio Ultra) but storage is more of the determining factor since I'll be archiving footage (not just one off and dump)

I'd be shooting ProRes 422 mostly based on previous shooting but I'm newer to video so still playing around a bit.

 

[Oswego]

I got the V+ when it was at 999 so at 500 it is a steal.

 

[MILC man]

i was attracted to those ninja boxes in order to shoot in 8k mode on the a1 and record better 4k on the ninja, per gerald, but since the a1 can't do 8kp60 i decided against it.

not sure what advantages the ninja plus brings, i don't see where we need the h.265 they are promoting with it since the a1 already has h.265, but if the monitor works better in daylight it would be worth it.

i would imagine that record on/off on the ninja is controlled by the record button on the camera? i had problems with that functionality on video cameras many years ago.

 

[EdwardWestonNYC]

i was attracted to those ninja boxes in order to shoot in 8k mode on the a1 and record better 4k on the ninja, per gerald, but since the a1 can't do 8kp60 i decided against it.

not sure what advantages the ninja plus brings, i don't see where we need the h.265 they are promoting with it since the a1 already has h.265, but if the monitor works better in daylight it would be worth it.

i would imagine that record on/off on the ninja is controlled by the record button on the camera? i had problems with that functionality on video cameras many years ago.

I second the issue with triggering the rec on the Ninja vs previous cameras. Had a GFX 100 and I think the same with using the Canon R5 (first firmware). Always had to trigger the rec on the Ninja V separately even using proper cables and having the HDMI rec trigger enabled.

I was reading that the Ninja V+ Only supports 8K in 4.2.0 (not a deal breaker) but only in 8-bit ;-( but this was just answered by someone who asked the question on the product page at BH.

Browsing Atomos website on the Sony A1 page - they don't have the Ninja V+ under recommended monitors / products to use with this camera. They do however the Ninja V (non-plus)

Guess, I wonder all being said, if its worth the extra $200 for future proofing with other gear? I gather it would a different conversation if it was $550 vs $1000. But at $399 vs $599 given the life of the product might not be so bad. Haha, at the same time its easy to talk ones self into that logic but money is money (only so much of it)

 

[MILC man]

i think that these ninja boxes are cheap because they have been around for awhile, something new is coming down the pike but we'll pay dearly for it.

being able to record 4kp60 in prores(?) is interesting, it'll drop right into a timeline and probably be easier to edit than 4:2:2 h.265, for those who don't have editing hardware that supports that.

tough call, if the monitor looked good in daylight and the on/off record capability works right it's tempting for some people.

i thought that dpr reviewed the ninja?

 

[EdwardWestonNYC]

I will note in follow up - both the FX3 (A7s and I gather most Sony's) including the A1 will trigger the Ninja V to record to the SDD pressing the assigned Movie record button or buttons but - You have to enable a bunch of feature in the output menu on the cameras.

This being said, with the current promotions the Ninja V being $399 is great. Being able to record Pro Res Raw, Proress HQ, Pro Res 4222 or LT is legit.

The Ninja V has H265 as a paid upgrade (currently for $100 additional - paid to Atomos after purchase. The Ninja V+ includes this already.

Given that Adorama also includes the Atomos accessories kit, which includes unhood (GREAT), 2 batteries and charger (solo - Sony batteries are cheap used, or third party) But the Ninja V+ has a newer processor and 8K support down the line +++++ the $250 value kit - its like ah man - the Ninja V+ looks like a pretty sweet deal.

Got the Ninja V for use with a FX-3 which changed things from the A1(which still to date does not support 8K anything to the Ninja) I ended up going originally for the Ninja V but having the H.265 codec + the $250 value kit + Sunhood alone might be worth the price difference in the long run. Hahah - at the same time its totally the example of an upscale - Spend $100-200 now and SUPERSIZE!!! hahah. (most likely will stay with the V vs the V+ since it meets alll current needs. If I was using video commercially and not just has extra - no question. Otherwise - keep cost low?) haha.

 

[MILC man]

thx for the follow-up info! i want one!