7 ways to improve the already amazing Z Cam E2!
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- Опубліковано 1 лют 2020
- Z Cam E2 is a great little cinema camera but like any camera it's not perfect. Here are 7 things that can be easily improved to make this an amazing filmmaking tool. ⬇️More INFO below⬇️
0:13 Monitor
1:19 Camera Settings
2:01 Low Light Performance
2:48 M43 Image Sensor
3:42 Memory Card Door
4:20 Form Factor
4:47 Auto Focus
Gear I show in this video:
➡ZCam E2
B&H bhpho.to/2TfYT2A
Adorama adorama.rfvk.net/Xj7My
Amazon amzn.to/37ZC4V0
Amazon UK amzn.to/2uGJE8C
➡Portkeys BM5 Touch Screen Monitor
B&H bhpho.to/2tQEGph
Amazon amzn.to/2FUg8yF
Amazon UK amzn.to/2FITARc
Amazon Germany amzn.to/35KihXZ
Adorama adorama.rfvk.net/QLkPP
eBay ebay.to/2FKaE9y
➡Metabones T Speed Booster XL 0.64x Adapter
B&H bhpho.to/2Ceh5j0
Amazon amzn.to/2NKUD6x
Amazon UK amzn.to/2Nz1D7F
Amazon Germany amzn.to/30fBZJS
Adorama adorama.rfvk.net/DG7jj
eBay ebay.to/35F6rOU
➡Small Rig Cage for ZCam E2
Amazon amzn.to/2NdpIR9
Amazon Germany amzn.to/2sfRwNl
Amazon UK amzn.to/2Rm3EFl
B&H bhpho.to/3a15NP9
eBay ebay.to/2Njq8FL
➡SmallRig Side Handle with SSD Mount
Amazon amzn.to/2LSxCR1
Amazon UK amzn.to/2SK1aR8
Amazon France amzn.to/2YbzB9z
B&H bhpho.to/2KbggLE
Adorama adorama.rfvk.net/5G5q9
eBay ebay.to/2Yoa8oj
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Remember, in filmmaking there's no problems, just a lack of solutions!
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My name is Tom Antos. I am a film director and cinematographer with over 20 years experience in VFX & animation.
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DISCLAIMERS:
Some of my links have an affiliate code, allowing me to make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks!
The opinions expressed in this video were not influenced by or paid for by any outside individual or company. I use and test lots of products that are sent to me or that I buy myself. In the end, I only talk about the products that I find interesting.
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Thanks Tom for your video - very well done. Here's how I use mine:
I was able to find an iphone 7 that was locked and bought it for $50. I have this permanently attached to the camera as my display via the USB port. I can control all the features from the touch screen and works great. I do not use external SSD drives since I have many CFAST cards. For this price point, there is no other camera out there that comes close for 4k 120fps (or 160fps @ 3840×1620) which I use all the time for wildlife cinematography. The M4/3 crop factor also works to my advantage with wildlife when I can't move closer to my subject. Love this camera!
Auto focus: "Stop complaining." LOL! I've been saying that for years. :)
People just want to use the camera in many different applications, say you get a solo event shoot and you want to shoot on a gimbal, autofocus becomes a must. It's hard to buy the E2 and then always have to rent another camera like the A7iii for those types of shoots. That seems to be my dilemma with the E2 and the BMPCC. I love the image quality over something like the A7iii but lack of autofocus for someone that lands lots of different types of shoots makes the decision difficult. Any info around this subject would be helpful. I guess I could buy both but not happy about the idea of different mounts...
@@JeseeWalker i am in exact same shoes. and this is what stopping me to pick which one to upgrade from sony 6500.
@@maximilianyuen maybe wait for the new A7S but we could be waiting for years LOL
Thanks Tom, great video!
Just checking, did you have USB debugging selected in the settings and airplane mode on for your android device? At that distance, the lag should not be happening. You can also connect an IOS device through the ethernet jack.
Amazing footage. Thank you.
Dear Tom, thank for all of your works for the tuto. I would like to know which one is the better to get the sharpest quality image with my canon L series lenses between Sigma FP, Bmpcc 6k and zcam E2 ? which one do you suggest to buy as I have only my 5dsr now ?
I have the budget version, the E2C. It is really great value for the price. Some tips: With a dummy battery you can attach a Sony FP battery plate. The Sony FP voltage seems to match the Canon battery slot. In case you're using Sony FP also for your mobile LED panels, you only need one (inexpensive) battery type. If you want to use this camera mainly for streaming via ethernet, watch out for an inexpensive gigabit PoE switch. You will get one for not much more money than a power supply.
The E2C also has a waveform or RGB parade display. So when you're happy with this, you don't need to buy an expensive external monitor, a cheap one will do.
I'm currently experimenting with the remote control via ethernet possibilities. I think I will write a little piece of software that allows to automate stuff. You can also control the camera via its web interface with any decent browser.
If you want to buy a camera and you want to do a lot of handheld shooting, maybe get another one. I use a GH5 for handheld etc. - the E2C is a good B cam.
Sure, people are talking Arri and Red all the time. But seriously - on which level is your work? Doing blockbusters or doing local bands and small business stuff?
More Z cam content is always good 👍👍
Tom, can you tell me if it can use the Portkeys BM5 with camera control while also having SSD as recording media?
hi! I don't know if I should choose between z cam e2 and the ursa mini 4.6k as a main camera. What would you suggest?
cheers!
Great review and sharing some tips for camera usage. I am checking on the battery system to use with the camera, any suggestion?
Very useful video, thank you!
Nice video Tom. Always like the way you go about creating your videos. A true pro dude.
Thanks!
Hi Tom, you are technical "guru" . Your videos still for me inspirative. thx , greting from central EU-SK
Hi there! I am looking for an answer regarding this Z Cam E2C. Do you know if, while the camera is sending video via ethernet connection, does also send video through the HDMI port for monitoring in the same time?
Thx for all the tips !!!! Would get a zcam E2 M4 in 2023 ??? Or something else ?
Thank you Tom for all your videos on the E2, it really helped me to make a decision. I have it for 10 days now, I like it a lot ! I'm using it just as you suggest with the Metabones 0.64x and all my stabilized Canon L lenses. I found the h.265/300mbps codec impressive for the variable frame-rate, there is not really any competition if you need 4k120 uncropped.
I confirm it works with no lag or freeze on the iPhone as a monitor, but still a nicer frame-rate when using the cable instead of the WiFi. In the end I use it with my Ninja V, it's a much better solution if you don't mind the fan noise (I heard they are working with Atomos to update the controls through the monitor like the BM5).
Also nobody mention the dual internal microphones in their reviews, I didn't know they were there and I was shocked with the very decent sound quality when I first watched my test footage.
I was working with 2 EOS R (+Ninja V) and a bmpcc4k, all in ProRes. I'm going to sell the pocket 4k and one EOS R, the E2 is better than my pocket 4k (for my needs) besides Braw that I'm not using for my corporate/commercial work. I will buy a pocket 6k later in February if Canon does not confirm anything about the rumored EOS R5 at CP+, but I have a very good feeling about that :)
Do you think the IS lenses, cage and handle make the E2 suitable for shooting handheld and getting some gimbal type shots?
@@JeseeWalker Shooting handheld for sure, gimbal like no. I'm using almost exclusively IS lenses with a Metabones 0.64x : Canon 16-35f4-IS (80% of the time, must have for video), Canon 70-200f4-IS, Tamron SP primes with VC. They all work well for me, the Canons have a better IS though. Don't expect anything like you would get with a GH5 ibis + OIS lens that can look like a gimbal if you have a good handling technique.
Now if I have to move (make more than one step, walk, or run), I definitely put it on a gimbal or it just doesn't look professional.
Also the E2 is heavier than it looks which helps a lot, I was surprised by that when unboxing it. Then the rig adds a lot of weight with the cage, one handle and a monitor. I like to use one battery for the E2 and one battery for the monitor instead of having cables all around, so even more weight if you go with the big NPF-960s. I don't use a V-mount battery, imo it is totally overkill for this camera, the NPF lasts forever and makes it easier to change the rig configuration or flying it on the Ronin S quickly (nato handle and quick detach on the monitor).
@@freddumartin7878 Thanks!
I honestly need help setting up the Portkey BM5.
The monitor settings aren’t the same as what the camera sees. I can get proper exposure using peaking tools, but setting white balance just sucks.
Anyone have tips for the Portkey BM5?
I am still confused if the camera is 10 or 12 bit and about the stops of dynamic range. I am seeing too many different things. I have the bmpcc 4k and wanted to upgrade to the ursa mini g2 , but I see the z cam is has great quality and was thinking about the smaller z cam e2 f6 or s6(for cheap anamorphic) but not sure the benefit if I'm dialing back to 10 bit from the 12 bit I have now.
You gotta use this cam with the Ninja V to get Prores Raw recording on SSD's. The Ninja V also has the ability now to control the camera settings.
With all the accessories etc this will cost you over 2.5k GBP in the UK. Is the super slow motion good indoors ? Does it need a lot of light ?
Hey Tom, Love your videos.
Quick question Is there a reason why I would ever want a E2 over the BMPCC 4k?
High frame rates or anamorphic mode
@@TomAntos Hi Tom, can you explain more about why the E2 has better anamorphic support? Also, what ND filters are you using with that Vazen?
Thanks, Tom.
You are welcome
You know what would be interesting? I see you doing lots of handheld E2+Vazen40mm and the footage looks damn good. I understand why you would do this due to the crazy weight balance of this combo. I'd be interested to get some tips on doing usable handheld without too much microjitter or shake. Also, what kind of specific shots in a piece steers you towards handheld vs sticks or gimbal?
3:03 is that the same red channel problem everyone was complaining about on the pocket 4k?
00:27 is the latency that bad?! I was thinking for such a robust little build, they would have had a better processor for delivering a real time feed, or is this inherent with HDMI outputs??
Would like to know this as well.
It should be WAY better than that. Everything else i have seen has showed extremely good latency, and if you wire an iphone to it through the usb-c port, you get even faster latency than with an hdmi monitor
Might be worth noting that even with that speedbooster you still get an effective crop around 1,3, so not entirely full frame equivalent
Sir plzz one video on z cam f8
Thanks, Tom. 😀
You are welcome! Glad you liked it
@@TomAntos I did like it, indeed. I am currently saving up to buy an E2, so I find this information very useful.
do you recomend it over the GH5s?
I have the Gh5s, and my work is very variable, I'm filming a lot of sports and documentaries, and also a lot of music videos with a little bit of acting scenes, everyday can be different and so I really love my gh5s, it's very reliable camera, good for low light and slow motion, got 10bit and when I need stills photos it does the job (stills actually not important, it's just for me and for promotion in facebook/Ig ect but it's not my "job") - but it lack of 10bit 50fps in 4k (which can be good when Im shooting sport) - having Prores and 10bit with hfr/vfr can be really good for what Im doing, but in the other hand I need "all in one" camera, and when it come to the Zcam it seems like the perfect camera, but I still afraid it's not reliable enough and "easy going" like the gh5s.. any suggestions?
*I'm editing in premiere pro and doing colors in davinci, I need the workflow also to be easy and to be able to do super fast / low budget work from time to time*
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and also, I cant comment without mention that i really love your content and your videos, really great and beneficial!
For an all around camera the gh5s will be better than the zcam. Zcam is great for cinema style workflow
@@TomAntos cool! Ill keep that in mind, thank you.
Hi Tom, you've been making great content over the years and can't thank you enough for it. Saw the Pocket 6k reviews and was really confused about whether to go for the Lumix S1H as it's Netflix certified, unlike the Pocket 6k. I don't have budget constraints and was searching for your review about that camera. Will you be coming up w a review for the S1H?
No plans on reviewing the Lumix S1H right now. Would love to and maybe will in the future but there's just too many cameras too review and too little time. I only do UA-cam in my free time between projects I work on.
@@TomAntos There are very few UA-camrs I can trust when it comes to the professional world. You are one of them. Please if you could manage one with S1H & BMPC 6K comparison I'd really appreciate and respect your time. If not we still love you!
I hope you make video about zcam E2C. Maybe this is best price 4k camera with 10 bit & prores & zraw for 799$
Surely you have a Super35 effective sensor size, a extra stop and a speed booster doesn't take a m43 sensor to a full frame. It will bump it up to somewhere around APSH/C
My Z Cam stopped working. I cant turn it on. I don't know what to do. I've went in all the forums (reddit and facebook) and no one saw something similar. Does anyone had the same problem?
Hello sir
May I shoot a movie with micro 4 / 3 senser size for theaters release
I have lumix g7
I am from India
Please reply
Yes you can even shoot it on a phone and be very successful. There have been films shot on various cheap cameras.
@@TomAntos thanks sir
External storage option (I think it will work with BMPCC4K as well): you can record on 2.5'' SDD using $100 CCFast to 2.5'' adapter
Thanks for sharing!
Why doesn't anyone say in their reviews which monitor to use for slow motion?? How do you do in case you need to focus at 160fps? Help please I'm watching several videos but incredibly none mention this point
The monitor will make no difference if you are filming 24 or 60 or 160 frames per second. Because when you are recording regardless of the frame rate you will be viewing the action in real time. So you would focus the same as if you were filming in regular speed
@@TomAntos My question was in the sense that the ninja v only supports 120p signal. So how is it possible for the monitor to reproduce the 160fps image in 4k. Does the ninja v have the ability to play 160fps in 4k? I think it's a sensible question considering that many TVs only have a 60hz frequency and can't output 120fps.
Just a few comments on this video....
1. Cinema cameras don't come with monitors. Ever. This isn't a "Z Cam E2 problem"
2. It's well known that turning your android device to airplane mode and then connecting via Wi-Fi solves lagging issues with Z Cam app
3. ISO 3200 isn't a Native ISO. If you want a proper ISO test, then use ISO 500 or 2500. Also, the E2 ISO values are inflated. Just because it doesn't match BMPCC4k numbers, doesn't mean that it performs lesser in low light. I've had great results at ISO 10,000 even.
4. It's pretty much a given that you'll have to rig out a cinema camera and that it won't have autofocus.
Seems as though a lot of these are avoidable just by doing some proper research in the E2 Facebook group.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
1. There a lot of cinema cameras that have a built in screen or come with one that attaches. Pocket 4K / 6K, URSA Mini or C200 etc
2. I tried this with 3 of my phones in airplane mode on and off. Only with 1 camera it made a difference and it was the iPhone. Also had to find out about this "fix" through a forum post so not sure how well know it is.
3. This video was not a "proper ISO test" it's just some quick shots of my personal tests I showed in the full review of this camera that I only show here while I quickly mention the low light capabilities. I know what the native 2 ISOs are. Please listen to what I actually say in the video about the low light performance.
4. Yes, most people choose to rig out their cameras although not all cameras need to be rigged out to start working with them right out of the box. Pocket 4K or C200 are prime examples. I own them and I still choose to add some accessories to these cameras even though it's not a necessity.
Thanks for watching!
Incorrectly implies that the only way to get a reliable smartphone/tablet connection is via USB-C using iOS. Not true. Works on Android.
I didn't say its there only way
@@TomAntos That was constructive criticism (i.e., helping). Couldn't be clearer that you (1) declare a problem with connection latency and reliability, then (2) specifically say that the problem is substantially resolved by using an iOS device -- yet we all know that Android is a factor (and the world's dominant mobile OS by a gigantic margin) whose omission here obviously communicates incompatibility.
Your mistake traces to the time when iOS devices were the only kind compatible with direct USB-C connection. But that changed months ago. Better just to admit the mistake.
This camera sounds like a nightmare.
Really? How come?
@@TomAntos compared to a BMPCC4K that gets you going with a battery, SD card and lens along with excellent software the ZCam just seems to be for someone that really wants that high frame rate.
@@oceantransistor yup that is correct. Although I wouldn't call it a nightmare. Just maybe unnecessary if you dont care about the higher frame rates
@@oceantransistor The Z Cam just needs an old iPhone to use it as a monitor, a NP-F battery which lasts for hours, a cfast 2.0 card and a lens along with DaVinci Resolve. For the bmpcc4k I needed to rig it up as well because I don't always want to hold it in front of my face to see the screen which makes the screen useless for me.
Fix all problem with ZCam by buying Fuji X-T3 or BM Pocket 6K
I can't see this camera being much of a threat to the Packet 4k or 6k!
It's not, they only have a good looking body and better framerates at the cost of having h.265 codecs and unusable zraw for now
Sorry, Tom, I appreciate you giving tips, but this camera just isn’t worth it especially if you need these fixes/additional hardware. Granted it’s extremely affordable, but the color science and moire I’ve experienced is just awful. The Pocket 4K is leaps and bounds better despite my dislike for MFT sensors. I personally avoid negativity in the comments, but I need to politely disagree when you say it’s a “great camera”. My colorist found it extremely limiting even when shooting ProRes HQ in Z log.
I will have to also respectfully disagree. He did a similar video with the Pocket. Every camera has things that can be improved. Many of the issues in this video weren't even serious issues and there was only 7 to begin with.
The Pocket is not leaps and bounds better. In fact, I had to can the Pocket on one of my sets that was using it as a B Cam because we ran into issues. We replaced it with an E2. I think the E2 is overall a more well rounded camera than the Pocket. Both give a great image (it's the same sensor after all), but the E2 edges out the Pocket in most categories for me.
If your colorist was having issues with the footage, I'd be happy to work with him to create a workflow. If the operator was shooting ZLog2 correctly, there should be no issues. It most likely had something to do with his settings in whatever NLE he was using or the workflow that he's used to.
All I can say is that prores is not as great as people think. Just shoot regular 4k
To each his own, but the camera operator runs everything from Arri, Red, to tiny mirrorless (plus it was his E2). Also, the colorist has a strong reputation in the industry. Both very capable. Granted I’ve only had one experience but the quality was significantly less than the Ursa and Pocket 6K we were using. Also, I’m not a BM fanboy or have any affiliation. Just my experience. Hey if you’re getting a nice image than that’s great.
JTEK glad to hear it’s working well for you.
Forrest Gibson just commenting on the color science. Completely agree BM cameras have their issues. I struggle with many of them. However just not my cup of tea. Glad it’s working for you.