SilverLight Photo & Video Co.

After losing both of my favorite cameras to Viltrox speedboosters (see the last episode) I'm going to switch to testing AUDIO until I decide which cameras to replace the old ones with. This episode tests the Takstar SGC-598 with one of my favorite (now rare) generic 1536 kbps audio recorders (actually, it says Yulass on the recorder). MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio

I'm now without a camera, except for my Panasonic FZ1000 and my old GH2. Why? Another problem with a speedbooster from Viltrox. You might have heard my story of how my Canon-mount EF-M2ii "killed" my Panasonic GX85 (and so I started recommending the all-manual, Nikon-mount version)...but now this Nikon version has "killed" my Panasonic G85, and I don't know what to do next.

Why would you use my LUTs if they don't do much? Well, the reason is they CAN be important, but now that I'm focused on perfecting my in-camera (SOOC) settings (so you don't need a LUT) my LUTs are far less important…and have become my “last resort”.

If full frame camera prices come down (to an "affordable" level) you might ask "Do we even NEED Micro Four Thirds any more?" In this episode I'll cover the reasons I think it's good to keep BOTH systems (if you have full frame already, the cost of adding Micro Four Thirds isn't a barrier, and if you have Micro Four Thirds, full frame is getting close!) P.S. I mentioned current pricing of the Sony A7rii, but said A7ii…but I DO NOT RECOMMEND the A7ii for video purposes (but the A7rii might be a possibility, as long as you're good with shooting in the cropped Super 35 mode, because the 4K is good in that mode, but not in full frame mode). Also, after some testing, I no longer recommend DSLRs (such as the Canon 6d which I mentioned) because they don't work well LIVE with HDMI switchers, such as the ATEM Mini, etc.

AI for AUDIO is here, and so far I don't like it. If you've ever taken pictures with a "smart" phone that uses AI to (automatically) processes the image, and you don't have any control over how much SHARPNESS, CONTRAST, COLOR it adds, then you can start to imagine how bad AI for AUDIO can be. SETTINGS: This podcast was recorded using a Rode VideoMicro + Comica Dual Lav going into a Zoom F2-BT, at the "CLOSE" proximity.

The way I'm using this mic is a bit different than it was designed. I'm plugging it into the Comica CVM-D03 Dual Lavalier booster pack (which was designed to provide plug-in power for 2 Comica lavalier mics) and it actually works to power AND boost the Rode VideoMicro, which improves the audio quality a lot compared to just plugging this mic into the Zoom F2. I did try that as well, and while it does sort of work (because you can raise the level of the 32-bit float file in post-production) it sounds way, way better when using the Comica CVM-D03 as an AUX. amplifier. MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio

It is really interesting how this mic works with the Zoom F2 32-bit float recorder, at this "CLOSE" proximity: It doesn't need much MIC. GAIN (a setting of "1") and what's amazing about this 32-bit float file (from the Zoom F2) is that it actually comes out pretty clean after boosting the level in post-production. I like doing this, because it means you're using very little of the mic's pre-amp (which tends to "color" the signal). This is very different from how you would have to work if using a non-32-bit float recorder. MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio

Wow...I'm really learning that you can't pre-judge any microphone-audio recorder combination (similar to how I learned that about lenses and sensors). For instance, when testing this mic on OTHER audio recorders, using the MIC. LOWCUT (either the 75Hz or 150Hz setting) sounded really bad (not natural at all). However, when using THIS MIC with both the FOAM + FURRY (included with it) using the MIC. LOWCUT setting of 150Hz sounds pretty good (it sounds accurate, natural and "REAL" as I like to say). My Custom Settings: Comica CVM-VM20 FOAM FURRY Zoom F1 CLOSE (silverlightphotoco.com) MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio

The most important discovery about this microphone-audio recorder combination (specific to this "CLOSE" proximity) is that it sounds much better with the audio recorder's LOW CUT filter ON (set to 160Hz)! This is one of those things I wouldn't have guessed, but at this ("CLOSE") proximity, there is way too much BASS (sounds "boomy") without these LOW CUT settings. I also tried using the MIC. LOWCUT (both of the settings) and they didn't sound good at all, but the 160Hz filter on the Zoom H1n audio recorder is making the audio sound pretty natural and "REAL" (which is my goal for the "starting point"). MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio

The first thing I always mention when giving settings recommendations for the Zoom H1, is the BEST REC. LEVEL you can be at is 37 (not less...36 sounds WAY worse). Then, if you need to go up from there, it sounds pretty good up to 50, and then the absolute highest I go is 63. There are a couple of other settings configurations that worked pretty well, but 37 really works the best on this audio recorder. So, with the REC. LEVEL of 37, the MIC. BOOST (gain dial) sounds good at 3.5. MORE CUSTOM SETTINGS: www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio

If you've tried my "Lens-sensor specific" CAMERA settings, you know how easy getting a good-looking cinematic image can be, yet getting good AUDIO has been a chore, until I recently created a database (along with a system I call my "5 Proximities") that has been making it so EASY to get good audio (most of the time, LOL!) The new AUDIO section on my website is here: https://www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This is an introduction to the kit I use for capturing "REAL" on-location "synchronous" audio for budget filmmaking (or YouTube, other low-budget video production). The new AUDIO section on my website is here: https://www.silverlightphotoco.com/audio --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I'm shifting my focus (from lens testing, pun intended) to working on a budget filmmaking audio method that includes both microphone-specific EQ files, plus settings which are based on my super easy "5 proximities" technique...see my website for more details (there's additional articles on my BLOG page as well). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I'm revisiting the question of how being organized can affect creativity, but this time I have a new solution: a portable, affordable and common kit list. (When I tried to get organized before, it failed...but this time it's working. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I think of all of the things I've learned about (budget) filmmaking production, my #1 tip is to shoot with multiple cameras (simultaneously). So, I'm going to go into detail about a few ways I currently do this. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

My lens-sensor specific camera settings are now available on my website (in addition to my LUTs). The goal of my settings is to create a more realistic (and cinematic) look from every lens-sensor combination I have (including the Panasonic GH4, G7, G85 and GX85) and a growing collection of lenses!!!

There aren't any shift (i.e. "perspective control") lenses available for Micro Four Thirds (at this time) but I've been using a shift ADAPTER (which means I can use almost any Nikon mount lens (including the Tokina 11-16 zoom lens) and I've been loving it! Here's a couple of options for either an affordable tilt/shift lens or a Micro Four Thirds adapter (affiliate links) TILT/SHIFT LENS (24mm) https://amzn.to/3n1lCgo TILT/SHIFT ADAPTER (Nikon) https://amzn.to/3tOtvcM --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Will having a camera capable of more dynamic range create an image with more dynamic range (with Ansel Adams like detail in the highlights and shadows)? Not if a lens delivers even greater contrast and/or sharpness than the sensor can handle! We start to talk about how I think a better solution is to simply match how light is delivered to a sensor (i.e. the contrast, etc.) and to keep it within the dynamic range it can handle. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

While there are a lot of good Canon EF lenses out there, I'm having second thoughts about recommending them for use with Micro Four Thirds (especially for "budget" filmmaking method). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The #1 thing to understand about all of my kit recommendations is that they're focused on helping the budget-conscious, but there are actually 5 things I make sure each item of my kit conforms to, and I call them "Q-P-A-C-E"... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

When I was growing up, I read a lot of lens reviews in photography magazines, and sharpness and contrast were always referred to as a positive. However, when I started testing all of my lenses to create "lens-sensor LUTs" (and camera settings recommendations) I've been finding that sometimes too much sharpness and too much contrast reduces the perceptive dynamic range (my new word). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Can one improve their small business workflow? It all begins with defining what you do, and who does it, but I'll also talk about the differences between physical and digital workflows, and give examples from my small (fake) filmmaking business. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I talk more about why, I think, every lens needs its own custom settings, and a few related issues. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

You wouldn't believe how easy recording natural sound on location can be (with this little hack); This not only makes it WAY easier to capture realistic location audio, but it can double as a backup mic for "talking head" and even as a podcast mic! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Budget filmmakers don't have money, but they still have an appetite for quality audio, so what are we to do? Often the gear we can afford doesn't live up to our expectations, but here's a valuable tip that can improve the audio quality dramatically! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

After selling my Viltrox EF-M2ii, I just bought another copy...and I think I've found workarounds for some of the issues I noted. I've updated my recommendation to include this adapter, but only in my "ADVANCED KIT" (as there are too many quirks to recommend it for my "BASIC KIT" plan, which is geared toward entry-level use). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I talk about two goals that I have, that seem to contradict each other: Test the most popular lenses, but only test budget lenses. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I create LUTs to make lenses look their best (specific to each camera I use) and include these "recommended" camera settings in the on my website as well. So, would it be possible to create a SIMILAR database of microphone-recorder-specific settings? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

RE-RELEASE: I took this episode down because it was too long, but I brought it back. In this episode, I discuss how that if your ideas differ from others' you may get criticized, but that this may be part of a YouTube "niche". You do have to learn to be patient however, and survive the comments until ideas are accepted. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Every been called a "fake filmmaker"? In this episode, I seek to inspire old and new filmmakers to see themselves a bit differently. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

When I think about my motivation for choosing camera settings, I often think of Ansel Adam's "Zone System". In today's (longer) episode we'll get into how I use contrast, sharpness, noise reduction and color controls IN-CAMERA to capture a more realistic-looking image. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

This update will cover a few of the reasons why I'm slowing down the "Filmmaker's Playbook" development (to make sure each play has been well tested and proven). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

Do a YouTube search for "Can a Messy Area Affect Creativity" and a wide variety of opinions can be found; from how a mess indicates creative abilities to studies on how it can detract from production...but after trying the "messy" approach for many years, I am doing a new experiment: I'm testing how creative I can be with a CLEAN work area. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

This episode goes into a few details of how adjusting the color settings of the camera in ADDITION to applying a lens-sensor LUT during post production can improve the image! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

Important update regarding the Zoom F2, plus why I plan to stop recommending the Zoom H1 as a wired lavalier body pack recorder (HINT: It is affected by radio frequency interference from newer smart phones). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

UPDATE: I found out the A/D converters in the F2 are not like the F6, but rather are optimized for capturing dialog, so a couple of the ideas I had in this recording won't work! I still think the Zoom F2 is going to be big though (even though it's really small). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

This is the second in a series where we look into what the best lens mount to select is (if you are wanting to be the most versatile). One thing I didn't mention was the prospect of using Canon EF mount lenses on the Blackmagic system (but maybe we'll discuss that in a future episode). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

I've noticed a lot of good YouTubers (and other people) getting rid of their 2nd camera, and I think this is not only dangerous (being without a backup) but also, I've experienced increased productivity (in production and post production) when I "always shoot with 2 cameras". --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

This episode presents a few reasons why I think IBIS (or In-Body Image Stabilization) is a super important technological advance in filmmaking. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

This episode focuses on how and why I'm creating "lens-sensor specific LUTs, and color settings"...(which is shot matching). It emphasizes the importance of shot matching, and how I go about doing it. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

This version is shorter (with the prelude with the audio recorder review moved to a separate recording). This episode is about how I bought a LUT and it didn't work. I thought about it (for a number of years) then came to the conclusion that LUTs need to be lens-sensor specific. I'll tell you why in this episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

I'm talking again about a concept I call "lens-sensor LUTs" and about how I'm learning that adjusting the CAMERA SETTINGS (of all things) is an important step to take while fine tuning an image (if you're not capturing in RAW). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

Have you ever felt the desire to copy the style of a big budget film (with a low budget)? I have too, but then I started asking "Why would I do that, when the audience doesn't care about the technical (unless it's bad)?" --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

In this episode, I'll be talking about how I've decided to start adding camera color settings to my LUT information on the LUTS page of my website (plus some un-planned comments about lens fungus). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

This episode includes qualifiers to my previous advice regarding the Panasonic G7 including recommendations about in-studio vs. on-location use. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

You may have noticed I took down a number of episodes, and one might ask "Why would you take down podcast episodes that were popular?" Well, because can't say much more than I did on those topics (of SEO, marketing, etc.) and don't want people to think I'm an authority in those areas. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

In this episode, we go over how I'm using LUTs to shot match cameras (using what I call a "Base LUT"). I am hoping to make these LUTs available on my website (as soon they are created, tested, approved, etc). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

Let's talk about how to build a box for the ATEM Mini, even if you're not very good at DIY. It's really easy, and I came up with options for both recording and live streaming (one uses an iPad or PC tablet to stream)! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

In this episode, we're focusing on photographers becoming filmmakers. Many say the transition is not even possible, but after making the switch myself, I started developing a system to help the much maligned "photographer" recover from the saying "Photographers Aren't Filmmakers". --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

This episode covers recommendations for affordable (but high quality) audio recorders included in a list I am calling the "Advanced Kit". --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support

This episode goes into detail about what audio recorders I recommend for budget filmmakers, and why I no longer recommend the Zoom H4n (or the H4n Pro?) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/silverlightphoto/support