So refreshing to see an actual filmmaker on UA-cam not plugging the latest shiny new gadgets. My personal recommendation to people looking at expensive gear is, buy secondhand. I've picked up drones, tripods, lights and gimbals from ebay and FB marketplace that's just one generation back from the brand new product, for a fraction of the cost.
Totally agree - even looking at cinema cameras like the Red Monstro VV, a $50,000 camera that shot Guardians of the Galaxay (and tons more) can be had for $6k now. Insane - and that's not even mentioning the FS7s, C300s of the world.
Instead of the penny, go to your local hardware store and buy a bag of washers the size of a quarter. Since they have a hole in the center, you can clip one onto every camera bag you own, and throw one on your key ring - you’ll never be stuck without one again. Bonus tip: if you’re also into hiking and backpacking, this hack works to open bear canisters.
@CurrenSheldon ive learned alot from your setting up lighting videos. I gotta say I learn better when I can see someone applying it and adapting to unique problems whilst explaining their decisions. I just sucks that I dont have any lighting equipment yet, nor a camera. Currently saving up for a cage for my phone so I can put an ND filter on it.
Great tripod option! I wasn't aware of the YC Onion. I'm sure the fluid head doesn't compare to an FSB 8, but for locked off interviews I'm sure it would be fine.
I am a very cheap person and film maker and really when i spend money on stuff i need/want it. to matter. when i went into film making i was very confused about what to buy and what matters, fortunately i bought camera accessories i stiff use mostly tell this day. but i appreciate you giving these alternatives. i think the story, the acting, the sound and the cinematography to an extent matter and people can get distracted by the gear even though i enjoy it most of the time...
Great video dude. I went freelance recently. I previously had a studio and all the gear I could need at my previous full-time job and now I'm starting from scratch. I think I'm going to get the YC onion. i'd love to splash out on the flowtech, which I have used a few times with its own fluid head which has a much better-balancing system similar to the YC onion. (probably better) but for that price you cant complain. Some things I can't live without now having to work without all the bells and whistles. - deffo invest in a good monitor. I'd highly recommend getting a small HD. I've rented the port keys a few times and they were nowhere near as good. I also have so much more faith in my focus with a decent-sized monitor even just a five inch. totally with you on all the other reccos. I think dimmers for bulbs is great shout as great as the aputure bulbs are dimmers have been industry standard since the dawn of filmmaking then finally I deffo think the timecode sync boxes are great but I've lived without them for years. as long as your organised in the way you shoot and working well wither solo or with a sound recordist then you shouldn't have to much to worry about, so many of the NLE's have great waveform ssync functions. it is easier with tentacle syncs.
I've tried a SmallHD twice and both were duds - dead pixels and entire line right through the middle of the screen. But I have rented them quite a bit and they have worked well there. So maybe I just got unlucky. I also really do not like the design direction they are going, with every new model twice as thick and twice as heavy as previous generations. Very odd.
About the Sachtler Flowtech vs YC Onion something 1. YC Onion's website has an image stating the max payload of the legs is 35kg/7.7lbs, B&H states max payload as 10kg/22lbs. Have you actually tested the tripod leg's load capacity? 2. How do the fluid heads mounted on either compare? How are their performance, smoothness, counter balance, etc?
Flowtech is ELITE! Honestly pay for what you get, all the cheaper ones break are shit, by the time you brought 3 of them you could have brought the Flowtech, work smarter not harder.
@@IanSnape I got the Sachtler some years before this YC onion something ever came out, and I was only commenting on this video because of the discrepancy of the specs on the product website and B&H. Sachtler tripods and video heads are great and work very well with my Sony FS7, before that I was using an Gitzo photo tripod with a Manfrotto 502 video head. At the studio we also have very heavy duty Cartoni, Vinten and Secced tripod kits. I still have my FS7 with the extension back, v-mount, third party monitor, etc. setup and the FSB 8 video head is wonderful, however I also have a FX6 and FX30, and sometimes I want a lightweight smaller tripod for travel. I have a $150ish cheap video tripod that I got for free from a local AV supplier who was giving them away with any purchase over $1000, it works well for a small lightweight camera when filming interviews or mounting a 2nd camera for a static shots (obviously doesn't compare to a $3000+ sachtler with the counterweight balancing and buttery smooth controls). I picked up an iFootage Cobra 3 pedal monopod from Amazon earlier this year, works well when I need move around a lot filming with the FX6 or FX3, I added a Manfrotto 504x video head on top of it.
I actually really like the drag, pan, and tilt. I've noticed with the tilt with some heavier rigs and pointing close to straight down, it has drifted a touch on a couple of shots. Might beed to tighten some bolts. Will investigate.
@@CurrenSheldon Thanks. I have a 75mm bowl carbon fiber one by ifootage, I think it is, but i find it can’t operate on it unless it’s hyper-finessed w/o mvt transferring. May give this a shot. Thanks!
Even the alternative cost an arm and a leg, just go to your local camera store and get a normal tripod for about $300 that's alternative anything about $400 is ridiculous
This alternative is specific for the one-latch rising mechanism that the Flowtech is known for. But yes, there are plenty of tripods that are very different in quality and functionality that are much cheaper - even $50. Just depends on your needs.
the video started good and just became worse and worse. It's not alternative anymore if you're not getting anything. The second half is just a tips and tricks video. For monitors the Osee lilmon 5 is a great alternative, even the shinobi is still decent(cheap option on the used market). Timecode can not be replaced with a clap because if your microphone setup is further than each other it can't sync because all the echo it catches makes it quite hard to do the job manually in post(unless you're only using 1 or 2 mics). Investing $30 for a multi tool kit isn't expensive to begin with. Some camera cages come with magnetic screws at the bottom which actually saves for the multi tools and you never forget them extra they give you lots of mounting points and protects your camera. They cost is close to nothing around $80 which is a worth while investment(it makes anyone look more professional which helps the business )
We've been looking into the YC Onion Pineta for a while. Based on the information we found on the internet, the legs are said to be really shaky and not sturdy. Have you experienced that with yours?
I have, so far, found it to be sturdy. I use it primarily with a C70, sometimes as a minimally sized rig and sometimes a bit larger, but it has done well so far.
You said with the Flowtech, you're constantly having to reach underneath.. that's because you have a manfrotto nitrotech head and not one of Sachtlers. Their quick releases for ease of leveling/detaching from their sticks are second to none. You shouldn't phrase it like that because novice tripod users will get confused, possibly mislead. Also that nitrotech head is aweful, I bought one and instantly regretted it. They belong in a trash can.
The CONTAX ZEISS vintage lens set. There are tons of them, ranging in price from $100-$300 (mostly) and then a few that are more expensive (28mm f2 and 85mm f1.4, mostly).
This is video REALLY dumb - you need a tripod with service warranty. - Not all led bulbs are dimmable. - tentacle sync IS the solution to clapping. Its not the other way around. Theres also a cheaper alternative of TC from deity. - gimbal IS the solution to holding a tripod. A monopod would even be better.
@ Oh, I agree - $800 is a lot for a tripod, even in good years. But way less than the Flowtech. I also really like iFootage tripods - very sturdy and easy to use for the price.
So refreshing to see an actual filmmaker on UA-cam not plugging the latest shiny new gadgets. My personal recommendation to people looking at expensive gear is, buy secondhand. I've picked up drones, tripods, lights and gimbals from ebay and FB marketplace that's just one generation back from the brand new product, for a fraction of the cost.
Totally agree - even looking at cinema cameras like the Red Monstro VV, a $50,000 camera that shot Guardians of the Galaxay (and tons more) can be had for $6k now. Insane - and that's not even mentioning the FS7s, C300s of the world.
Instead of the penny, go to your local hardware store and buy a bag of washers the size of a quarter.
Since they have a hole in the center, you can clip one onto every camera bag you own, and throw one on your key ring - you’ll never be stuck without one again.
Bonus tip: if you’re also into hiking and backpacking, this hack works to open bear canisters.
Brilliant!
Hmm, looking for the Amazon affiliate link to purchase the penny.
😄
hahaaa!
This video is so refreshing. Keep it up man!
Thanks! Will do.
@CurrenSheldon ive learned alot from your setting up lighting videos. I gotta say I learn better when I can see someone applying it and adapting to unique problems whilst explaining their decisions. I just sucks that I dont have any lighting equipment yet, nor a camera. Currently saving up for a cage for my phone so I can put an ND filter on it.
Great tripod option! I wasn't aware of the YC Onion. I'm sure the fluid head doesn't compare to an FSB 8, but for locked off interviews I'm sure it would be fine.
Yep it's not as big and robust as the Sachtlers, but it has done really well for medium-sized cinema cameras for me so far.
This is the difference between pros and amateurs! In daily work, you learn how to achieve goals with the tools you have in that moment!!
Appreciate that and thanks for watching!
I am a very cheap person and film maker and really when i spend money on stuff i need/want it. to matter. when i went into film making i was very confused about what to buy and what matters, fortunately i bought camera accessories i stiff use mostly tell this day. but i appreciate you giving these alternatives. i think the story, the acting, the sound and the cinematography to an extent matter and people can get distracted by the gear even though i enjoy it most of the time...
Agreed. Gear is fun and it's always a good time to try out new things, but it matters little compared to story and technique.
I ended up getting a small rig tripod that does something similar and it was on sale for 300 with a fluid head tripod that does the job as well
You're the hero this community needs but doesn't deserve.
You could say thank you.... but you'll never have to.
Great video dude. I went freelance recently. I previously had a studio and all the gear I could need at my previous full-time job and now I'm starting from scratch. I think I'm going to get the YC onion. i'd love to splash out on the flowtech, which I have used a few times with its own fluid head which has a much better-balancing system similar to the YC onion. (probably better) but for that price you cant complain.
Some things I can't live without now having to work without all the bells and whistles. - deffo invest in a good monitor. I'd highly recommend getting a small HD. I've rented the port keys a few times and they were nowhere near as good. I also have so much more faith in my focus with a decent-sized monitor even just a five inch. totally with you on all the other reccos. I think dimmers for bulbs is great shout as great as the aputure bulbs are dimmers have been industry standard since the dawn of filmmaking
then finally I deffo think the timecode sync boxes are great but I've lived without them for years. as long as your organised in the way you shoot and working well wither solo or with a sound recordist then you shouldn't have to much to worry about, so many of the NLE's have great waveform ssync functions. it is easier with tentacle syncs.
I've tried a SmallHD twice and both were duds - dead pixels and entire line right through the middle of the screen. But I have rented them quite a bit and they have worked well there. So maybe I just got unlucky. I also really do not like the design direction they are going, with every new model twice as thick and twice as heavy as previous generations. Very odd.
Very cool vid. Thanks for sharing those alternatives
Thanks for watching!
Bought the onion and love it
Definitely punches above its weight!
About the Sachtler Flowtech vs YC Onion something
1. YC Onion's website has an image stating the max payload of the legs is 35kg/7.7lbs, B&H states max payload as 10kg/22lbs. Have you actually tested the tripod leg's load capacity?
2. How do the fluid heads mounted on either compare? How are their performance, smoothness, counter balance, etc?
Flowtech is ELITE! Honestly pay for what you get, all the cheaper ones break are shit, by the time you brought 3 of them you could have brought the Flowtech, work smarter not harder.
@@IanSnape I own a Sachtler Flowtech.
@@ALwinDigital Yeah fair, i was more meaning to anyone in the position of contemplating the cheaper options, we have all been there right.
@@IanSnape I got the Sachtler some years before this YC onion something ever came out, and I was only commenting on this video because of the discrepancy of the specs on the product website and B&H. Sachtler tripods and video heads are great and work very well with my Sony FS7, before that I was using an Gitzo photo tripod with a Manfrotto 502 video head. At the studio we also have very heavy duty Cartoni, Vinten and Secced tripod kits.
I still have my FS7 with the extension back, v-mount, third party monitor, etc. setup and the FSB 8 video head is wonderful, however I also have a FX6 and FX30, and sometimes I want a lightweight smaller tripod for travel.
I have a $150ish cheap video tripod that I got for free from a local AV supplier who was giving them away with any purchase over $1000, it works well for a small lightweight camera when filming interviews or mounting a 2nd camera for a static shots (obviously doesn't compare to a $3000+ sachtler with the counterweight balancing and buttery smooth controls). I picked up an iFootage Cobra 3 pedal monopod from Amazon earlier this year, works well when I need move around a lot filming with the FX6 or FX3, I added a Manfrotto 504x video head on top of it.
About monitor I would go with the lilmon 5 it is for 160$ a really good deal with a lot of feature and 1000 nits...
I second this! I’ve had monitors from cheap to expensive and the lilmon is a solid buy for most
I also really like the Godox monitors - simple and intuitive. And Portkeys has some great, more affordable monitors as well.
Interesting re the Onion. My Miller is solid, however, with its 100mm bowl, too hefty at times. How’s the drag, pan and tilt on the Onion? Thanks!
I actually really like the drag, pan, and tilt. I've noticed with the tilt with some heavier rigs and pointing close to straight down, it has drifted a touch on a couple of shots. Might beed to tighten some bolts. Will investigate.
@@CurrenSheldon Thanks. I have a 75mm bowl carbon fiber one by ifootage, I think it is, but i find it can’t operate on it unless it’s hyper-finessed w/o mvt transferring. May give this a shot. Thanks!
tripod looks good.. line the claps up with waveform sync in davinci ;)
Even the alternative cost an arm and a leg, just go to your local camera store and get a normal tripod for about $300 that's alternative anything about $400 is ridiculous
This alternative is specific for the one-latch rising mechanism that the Flowtech is known for. But yes, there are plenty of tripods that are very different in quality and functionality that are much cheaper - even $50. Just depends on your needs.
Great video
is there a 50hz dimmer options? I am in PAL region
This is a very useful information 🫶🏽
Glad you think so!
the video started good and just became worse and worse. It's not alternative anymore if you're not getting anything. The second half is just a tips and tricks video.
For monitors the Osee lilmon 5 is a great alternative, even the shinobi is still decent(cheap option on the used market). Timecode can not be replaced with a clap because if your microphone setup is further than each other it can't sync because all the echo it catches makes it quite hard to do the job manually in post(unless you're only using 1 or 2 mics). Investing $30 for a multi tool kit isn't expensive to begin with. Some camera cages come with magnetic screws at the bottom which actually saves for the multi tools and you never forget them extra they give you lots of mounting points and protects your camera. They cost is close to nothing around $80 which is a worth while investment(it makes anyone look more professional which helps the business )
We've been looking into the YC Onion Pineta for a while. Based on the information we found on the internet, the legs are said to be really shaky and not sturdy. Have you experienced that with yours?
I have, so far, found it to be sturdy. I use it primarily with a C70, sometimes as a minimally sized rig and sometimes a bit larger, but it has done well so far.
@@CurrenSheldon Got it, We'll be using them with FX3s... How long have you been using it now? And it hasn't given you any hiccups at all?
You said with the Flowtech, you're constantly having to reach underneath.. that's because you have a manfrotto nitrotech head and not one of Sachtlers. Their quick releases for ease of leveling/detaching from their sticks are second to none. You shouldn't phrase it like that because novice tripod users will get confused, possibly mislead.
Also that nitrotech head is aweful, I bought one and instantly regretted it. They belong in a trash can.
I did have a note about how the actual Sachtler heads had a similar mechanism and is much easier, but makes it even more expensive.
Excellent!
Many thanks!
What was the $250 lens?
The CONTAX ZEISS vintage lens set. There are tons of them, ranging in price from $100-$300 (mostly) and then a few that are more expensive (28mm f2 and 85mm f1.4, mostly).
@@CurrenSheldon thank you
I clap
This is video REALLY dumb
- you need a tripod with service warranty.
- Not all led bulbs are dimmable.
- tentacle sync IS the solution to clapping. Its not the other way around. Theres also a cheaper alternative of TC from deity.
- gimbal IS the solution to holding a tripod. A monopod would even be better.
Only 800😅😅😅😅😅 😂😂😂😂😂😢😢😢😢😢😢 ok
CHEAP...... er
@@CurrenSheldon i now, i am just in a low year. :) Thanks for your efforts.
@ Oh, I agree - $800 is a lot for a tripod, even in good years. But way less than the Flowtech. I also really like iFootage tripods - very sturdy and easy to use for the price.