Galin McMahon
editor
Maybe more for an AC but know what gamma you shot in. And no, 4k is not a gamma.
How does the low pass cutoff work? The (terrible) manual clearly shows a switch but the mic and every picture I've seen has no switch, just a hole. Is it automatic? Will it capture what it deems to be "wanted" audio under the filter level or...?
I am torn about which Blackmagic pocket to get. The extra resolution in the 6k is nice for reframing but 99.9% of the time I'll export 4k.
The 4k is the right price. But to use a Sigma 18-35 you pretty much have to spend 700 for a metabones. That makes gimbal use harder plus it adds a piece of glass. The extra stop is nice but you don't really want to shoot wide open because of sharpness. That, to me, negates the speed benefit. The multiplication factor is great but you can just zoom out. So essentially you're paying 700 bucks more because Sigma doesn't want to make this in a mft.
A 6k that doesn't need a speed booster costs the same as a 4k plus a speed booster so that seems like a no brainer. The only thing is (and I'm not sure this hasn't been fixed) is that you can't shoot 4k braw. 4k pro res on the full 6k sensor is great if that's your flavor. For me its all braw. If 4k braw is available then the choice is clear here.
But wait. Now you have to buy a set of nd filters. A hundred bucks give or take. And you have to pay (in time and effort) to put them on and off. So then the pro with its internal nds. Plus whatever benefit you gain from having a flip monitor. I can see it helping a bit, particularly in high or low angle setups when you insist on using that screen. And there is an extra xlr for some reason. Do people put audio through their cam? So to me the $400 from 6k to pro is just for the convenience of those internal nds. With the small plus of the flip screen, that might seal the deal.
Here's my list:
Get at least 6' between the actor and the screen. Light them separately. Use the green screener app ($10) to check that your lighting is even...works much better than the best light meters. Make sure your screen has no wrinkles and doesn't move if you're using fans. Obviously don't have anything light green in the shot and remove glasses if possible.
Just when I thought I knew something about timecode. This would be great material for an educational video because much of it went right over my head. Not that that's hard to do :) Syncing with a lock is amazing though, I know that much for sure.
Heck, look at the VFX rates. They're basically editors on steroids yet they get paid even less. I thought I was under charging for my 'one man band' company but apparently I'm charging almost double?! And the still shooter seems way off. We hired one for just headshots - $2,000 for about 15 snaps and a group shot. I guess it all comes down to charging what you feel you're worth and letting others decide whether they agree.