Thanks Steve, it is great to shoot with. Next video should be showing some test footage with it. In the mean time I shot this bit of footage at the start of this video, with the same lens and camera: ua-cam.com/video/W5MwcRI_tec/v-deo.htmlsi=r7c2fuSaPYQF5Bjp
It's not too heavy, maybe 10kg/22lbs once I put wireless on it. Feels super light on the shoulder because it's perfectly balanced, and the gel shoulder pad is a luxury. I am putting together a video showing footage I capture with it outside of my paid work. Which will have lots of clips showing what the setup is capable of. That video will be out in the next month or so 😊🤙
@@davidmorefield Zacuto don't make this exact model anymore, as it's about 10yrs old I think 😅 but their new model is nearly just as comfortable, but has a sliding function which mine doesn't have. Search for "Zacuto VCT Pro" for their more modern design. It's expencive, but I often see them for sale 2nd hand, and got my old one years ago 2nd hand for cheap. It's much more comfortable than a foam shoulder pad by a long way. The trade off is it is slightly heavier as gel (assuming silicone) is more dense than foam being mostly air.
Yeah the Fujinon HA(c) lens series is the equivalent to Canon HJ series. They are both model coding for 2/3" HD lens series for each manufacturer. Just like the Fujinon A series is equivalent to Canon J for the model coding of their SD 2/3" lens series.
Personally I prefer Canon lenses, so I haven't used the HAc's yet. I looked at them and I found they don't have a macro switch, where the Canon HJs do. That was the big thing that turned me off the HAc's. Additionally the Canon HJ just had more comfortable focus grips for my personal preference.
Hi James, forgive the layman's question but - can you explain why you pair your b4 lenses with sensors that are larger than m43? Isn't the image that is being projected onto the sensor just taking up as little space as it would on a smaller sensor? To me this seems like wasted sensor space. I'm sure there is a reason you and other pros do this, im just not sure what it is. Thanks!
Hey Aidan, it's a good question. The answer atleast for me is 3 part. 1) it is ideal to use a S16 sensor (rather than the larger M4/3. And the Sony FS7 has a S16 cropped scan mode at 1080p built in. It does mean the rest of the sensor goes un-used in that scan mode, however if I use B4 lenses with a swing away doubler, when the doubler is engaged I can cover 98% of the whole S35 4K sensor (at a loss of 2stops of light). So the larger sensor is still useful if I am filming in daylight and want the extra resolution. Having both scan modes gives me a lot of options for what lenses I can use on projects, can use B4 with my optical correcting adapter, S16 cine lenses, S35 lenses natively and I can also speedboost adapt full frame lenses. So flexibility was key. 2) there are no M4/3 cameras that are large body like an FS7 as far as I know. Closest is a JVC camera. Camera had to be a large body with full-size XLR audio and built in ND. The only other one I considered was the Ursa mini, as the Ursa 12k and FX9 didn't exist 5 years ago when I bought my FS7 2nd hand. 3) finally it's the camera I have, it does everything I need it to do. No sense in buying a different one if your current one is enough. I am looking to buy an old BM Micro cine cam though purely to play around with as the S16 sensor should play well with my B4.
@@jamesandcamera Thank you! I'm trying to decide what camera will pair best with my b4 lens. The Black Magic pocket cinema camera 4k seems like an obvious choice but some of the footage ive seen on youtube of b4 lenses with the BMPCC4k look.. crumby. I'm sure your optical adapter would help this.
@@AidanCasey-xz3xz yeah basically any camera will look bad unless you use an optical correcting adapter, B4 is not made for CMOS sensor cameras. The Pocket 4k is a good option for B4 lenses once corrected, if all you want to do is tripod work. Personally I would be bored to death if I had to shoot everything off a tripod. But your use case my vary. FS5 and FS7 are super cheap these days though, and are still industry standard workhorses at least in broadcast and verite.
@@jamesandcamera It's my understanding you only sell your optical adapters in packages with the lenses themselves. Any chance you could make an exception, or point me in the direction where I could get one for the lens I have? Also, would you have any recommend any smaller, more portable camera bodies that have good enough stabilization that a tripod wouldn't always be needed? And lastly, would you recommend using lens support for a J17eX7.7B4 with the tripod plate attached on the lens adapter? A truly heartfelt thank you for answering all my questions, I really really appreciate it!
@@AidanCasey-xz3xz @AidanCasey-xz3xz I was selling the adapter on its own as well as in kits when I had lenses to bundle. Currently doing an adapter redesign and more will be available in December. As for camera, an there is no image stabilisation in these lenses, they also won't trigger a cameras IBIS system either. They are really not designed for "compact" use. You get more stability with larger heavier cameras due to the effects of enertia. An FS5 is about as small as I would go for shoulder shooting. But if you had to have something compact a Black Magic Micro or pocket 4k would be fine if you could set up a handle at the systems centre of gravity. But honestly I would rather use a FS5 or FS7 so you can have internal ND filters
Hello! I'd love to get in contact with you regarding hiring this lens / rig for a shoot in Brisbane! If you're keen, I'd love to buy you a beer sometime! Not sure if you are on Instagram (had difficulty finding you, hence me reaching out here!)
Nice rig James. Well done.
Thanks David 😊🤙
Nice. setup. Look at urs brings back memories.
Thanks man 😊🤙
thank you for the breakdown, looks like the perfect run and gun for all scenarios! i would love a closer look on the adapter. :)
I am glad you liked it, I have a video specifically about the adapter here:
ua-cam.com/video/bxN0TT0W788/v-deo.htmlsi=6FL8CiVET-F9Bx5z
Looks like a nice setup. I look forward to seeing a bit of test footage from it :).
Thanks Steve, it is great to shoot with. Next video should be showing some test footage with it. In the mean time I shot this bit of footage at the start of this video, with the same lens and camera:
ua-cam.com/video/W5MwcRI_tec/v-deo.htmlsi=r7c2fuSaPYQF5Bjp
Awesome breakdown. Looks heavy!! Would love to see some more work you’ve shot with it.
they're a universal mount. thats why I love b4 glass.
It's not too heavy, maybe 10kg/22lbs once I put wireless on it. Feels super light on the shoulder because it's perfectly balanced, and the gel shoulder pad is a luxury.
I am putting together a video showing footage I capture with it outside of my paid work. Which will have lots of clips showing what the setup is capable of. That video will be out in the next month or so 😊🤙
@@jamesandcamera looking forward to it. Do you have a link to the gel shoulder pad
@@davidmorefield Zacuto don't make this exact model anymore, as it's about 10yrs old I think 😅 but their new model is nearly just as comfortable, but has a sliding function which mine doesn't have.
Search for "Zacuto VCT Pro" for their more modern design. It's expencive, but I often see them for sale 2nd hand, and got my old one years ago 2nd hand for cheap. It's much more comfortable than a foam shoulder pad by a long way. The trade off is it is slightly heavier as gel (assuming silicone) is more dense than foam being mostly air.
@@jamesandcamera ahh ok I’ve seen that one!
Hot damn thats a kit right there mate.
Thanks Chris, its a great camera setup to use. Gets me the shots I need without having to change lenses and interrupt my creative flow 😊🤙
I would love to see a video walk through of the servo functions
I can make one as part of the up-coming videos. I will cover a normal servo and the custom servo I make for this lens 😊🤙
@@jamesandcamera Nice, I look forward to it :)
have you ever tried the fujinon HAc lenses? seems like their version of the HJ.
Yeah the Fujinon HA(c) lens series is the equivalent to Canon HJ series. They are both model coding for 2/3" HD lens series for each manufacturer.
Just like the Fujinon A series is equivalent to Canon J for the model coding of their SD 2/3" lens series.
Personally I prefer Canon lenses, so I haven't used the HAc's yet. I looked at them and I found they don't have a macro switch, where the Canon HJs do. That was the big thing that turned me off the HAc's. Additionally the Canon HJ just had more comfortable focus grips for my personal preference.
Hi James, forgive the layman's question but - can you explain why you pair your b4 lenses with sensors that are larger than m43? Isn't the image that is being projected onto the sensor just taking up as little space as it would on a smaller sensor? To me this seems like wasted sensor space. I'm sure there is a reason you and other pros do this, im just not sure what it is. Thanks!
Hey Aidan, it's a good question. The answer atleast for me is 3 part.
1) it is ideal to use a S16 sensor (rather than the larger M4/3. And the Sony FS7 has a S16 cropped scan mode at 1080p built in. It does mean the rest of the sensor goes un-used in that scan mode, however if I use B4 lenses with a swing away doubler, when the doubler is engaged I can cover 98% of the whole S35 4K sensor (at a loss of 2stops of light).
So the larger sensor is still useful if I am filming in daylight and want the extra resolution. Having both scan modes gives me a lot of options for what lenses I can use on projects, can use B4 with my optical correcting adapter, S16 cine lenses, S35 lenses natively and I can also speedboost adapt full frame lenses. So flexibility was key.
2) there are no M4/3 cameras that are large body like an FS7 as far as I know. Closest is a JVC camera. Camera had to be a large body with full-size XLR audio and built in ND. The only other one I considered was the Ursa mini, as the Ursa 12k and FX9 didn't exist 5 years ago when I bought my FS7 2nd hand.
3) finally it's the camera I have, it does everything I need it to do. No sense in buying a different one if your current one is enough. I am looking to buy an old BM Micro cine cam though purely to play around with as the S16 sensor should play well with my B4.
@@jamesandcamera Thank you! I'm trying to decide what camera will pair best with my b4 lens. The Black Magic pocket cinema camera 4k seems like an obvious choice but some of the footage ive seen on youtube of b4 lenses with the BMPCC4k look.. crumby. I'm sure your optical adapter would help this.
@@AidanCasey-xz3xz yeah basically any camera will look bad unless you use an optical correcting adapter, B4 is not made for CMOS sensor cameras. The Pocket 4k is a good option for B4 lenses once corrected, if all you want to do is tripod work.
Personally I would be bored to death if I had to shoot everything off a tripod. But your use case my vary. FS5 and FS7 are super cheap these days though, and are still industry standard workhorses at least in broadcast and verite.
@@jamesandcamera It's my understanding you only sell your optical adapters in packages with the lenses themselves. Any chance you could make an exception, or point me in the direction where I could get one for the lens I have?
Also, would you have any recommend any smaller, more portable camera bodies that have good enough stabilization that a tripod wouldn't always be needed?
And lastly, would you recommend using lens support for a J17eX7.7B4 with the tripod plate attached on the lens adapter?
A truly heartfelt thank you for answering all my questions, I really really appreciate it!
@@AidanCasey-xz3xz @AidanCasey-xz3xz I was selling the adapter on its own as well as in kits when I had lenses to bundle. Currently doing an adapter redesign and more will be available in December.
As for camera, an there is no image stabilisation in these lenses, they also won't trigger a cameras IBIS system either. They are really not designed for "compact" use. You get more stability with larger heavier cameras due to the effects of enertia.
An FS5 is about as small as I would go for shoulder shooting. But if you had to have something compact a Black Magic Micro or pocket 4k would be fine if you could set up a handle at the systems centre of gravity. But honestly I would rather use a FS5 or FS7 so you can have internal ND filters
hi sir where i can buy the optical adapter for my sony fs7 camera i need to buy b4 to emount adapter
Hi, more available in December 2024. Get in contact on IG or email in channel about section 😊🤙
Hello! I'd love to get in contact with you regarding hiring this lens / rig for a shoot in Brisbane! If you're keen, I'd love to buy you a beer sometime! Not sure if you are on Instagram (had difficulty finding you, hence me reaching out here!)
Hi Callum, I will respond to you by email 😊🤙