Filming ProRes with the S9

[CharlesH]

The S9 has limited video formats, and the filming time is limited to 15 minutes per clip. But with external recorders these limits can go away. I have a Blackmagic Video Assist 5" 12G HDR monitor/recorder, and bought this to record BRAW with Panasonic cameras that support it. But I usually prefer ProRes, and this Blackmagic unit will also record ProRes and ProRes HQ from any camera with clean HDMI feed. The S9 does not (at least for now) support the RAW codecs, BRAW and ProRes RAW, but it does have a clean HDMI feed. So I rigged up the S9 and the recorder to see how well they worked together.

The advantages are:
A very nice 5 inch monitor that displays well in outdoor light
A more robust Codec than those in camera in the S9
No camera recording time limit
Can record to SD cards
Can record to SSD drives

The disadvantages are:
Extra size and weight
Recording ProRes eats up a SD card, a SSD is preferred
The monitor requires batteries
(Can use line power if available)
A relatively flimsy HDMI micro port

In my case I recorded with a 128GB SD card and a pair of 3500mAh batteries. This is good for a about a half hour; for longer recording I would use a SSD and larger batteries or line power. I got very clean ProRes video. All the normal in camera video functions work; video format, stabilization and lens corrections. I also used a cold shoe camera handle and mounted the monitor on that; it was well balanced and easy to handle. And I found a lightweight 4K HDMI cable that doesn't put much strain on the cameras Micro HDMI port. Here is a picture of the rig.

• Panasonic - DC-S5M2X
• 45mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary 019
• 45.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/60 sec
• Pattern
• Manual exposure
• ISO 400

​

 

[Oíche]

What's the point of S9 with this on it? I'm not being vicicious BTW, your S5iiX surely a better grip for using this huge attachment on it?

 

[CharlesH]

What's the point of S9 with this on it? I'm not being vicicious BTW, your S5iiX surely a better grip for using this huge attachment on it?

Pretty simple - much video is done with multi cameras. In this configuration the S9 can qualify to fit in multi camera filming. It would probably sit on a tripod so the rig size is less important.

 

[PJD]

Very interesting. Thanks for your report!

Because I am paranoid: I'd feel more comfortable mounting that amount of gear on a camera cage's cold shoe, instead of on any camera's built-in cold/hot shoe. Likewise, some cages have more than one 1/4-20 or 3/8 threaded hole on their underside/base, providing a more secure attachment point to a tripod instead of the single threaded hole found on the base of most cameras.

Is a cage available for the S9 yet?

 

[CharlesH]

Is a cage available for the S9 yet?

I'm not sure, I think there is. But I've used these hot/cold shoe handles in the past with simple rigs with no problems. Anything more than this I would probably use a cage. I also tried just mountng the monitor/recorder on the cold shoe but this didn't handle well at all.

 

[Oíche]

Pretty simple - much video is done with multi cameras. In this configuration the S9 can qualify to fit in multi camera filming. It would probably sit on a tripod so the rig size is less important.

Well that makes sense

 

[Oíche]

Very interesting. Thanks for your report!

Because I am paranoid: I'd feel more comfortable mounting that amount of gear on a camera cage's cold shoe, instead of on any camera's built-in cold/hot shoe. Likewise, some cages have more than one 1/4-20 or 3/8 threaded hole on their underside/base, providing a more secure attachment point to a tripod instead of the single threaded hole found on the base of most cameras.

Is a cage available for the S9 yet?

Smallrig making your small camera bigger

 

[Oíche]

I don't understand the purpose of a limited small camera if you are going to add bulk to it to make it useful and still without an EVF and mech shutter. Unless for dual use but I doubt this cage would be removed on a regular basis?

 

[PJD]

I don't understand the purpose of a limited small camera if you are going to add bulk to it to make it useful and still without an EVF and mech shutter. Unless for dual use but I doubt this cage would be removed on a regular basis?

Hopefully one will only add a cage to their camera if they actually have a use for it. Although some people think camera cages look cool and buy them solely for that reason.

The SmallRig cage adds 115 grams to the S9's 486 gram weight. For me, that added 115 grams isn't dead weight; instead it makes the camera more versatile. The cage includes a grip, plus many very-strong attachment points. Charles might not add a cage to his S9 (and that's cool!), but personally I would if I intended to use most any small camera for video use. I already own many related accessories (NPF batteries, etc.) which in certain situations I'd want the option to use with all my cameras if possible.

In Charles' example, he has both S9 & S5iiX cameras, capable of recording the same full-frame "look", both can use the same lenses & many other accessories, and he already has a Blackmagic Video Assist 5" 12G HDR monitor/recorder, etc. Makes perfect sense to me to configure a S9 to be capable of recording the higher-quality video format one prefers (in this case, ProRes) using that model Video Assist. It has a daylight-readable 5" 1920x1080 LCD. The screen on earlier-model V.A.s are half as bright and useless in bright environments.

If one already owns S5iiX cam(s) for multi-camera video shoots, adding a S9 (instead of another S5iiX) to get an additional camera angle can be less-expensive. And many of the buttons & menus on the cameras operate similarly. That saves time before & during production, and can minimize mistakes.

But it's personal preference, and it's all good. Cheers.

 

[Nevyn72]

Actually... I find it very useful. Thanks for the idea @CharlesH

I would than also probably buy the cage for it.

But I want to buy the videoassist in the future anyways, than this might be very useful as my b-cam, abd the S5 as c-cam

My videos takes are mostly short, and rhan the S9 would be enough, and for the longer shoots I could use the S5iiX as main cam, and the S9 as b-cam.

Can the videoassist also record H265?

 

[PJD]

Actually... I find it very useful. Thanks for the idea @CharlesH

I would than also probably buy the cage for it.

But I want to buy the videoassist in the future anyways, than this might be very useful as my b-cam, abd the S5 as c-cam

My videos takes are mostly short, and rhan the S9 would be enough, and for the longer shoots I could use the S5iiX as main cam, and the S9 as b-cam.

Can the videoassist also record H265?

FYI: If you're not in a hurry, the Blackmagic Video Assist product line is overdue for a redesign. There have been rumors for a while that new versions are coming "soon" which will be lighter in weight, thinner, have lower power consumption, more/different features/codecs/resolutions/framerates, etc.

Of course, "soon" is a mystical concept which may have no meaning.

Specs for the current model Video Assists are on Blackmagic's site. They can record several formats of ProRes & DNxHR, but not h265:

Blackmagic Video Assist – Tech Specs | Blackmagic Design

 

[Nevyn72]

FYI: If you're not in a hurry, the Blackmagic Video Assist product line is overdue for a redesign. There have been rumors for a while that new versions are coming "soon" which will be lighter in weight, thinner, have lower power consumption, more/different features/codecs/resolutions/framerates, etc.

Of course, "soon" is a mystical concept which may have no meaning.

Specs for the current model Video Assists are on Blackmagic's site. They can record several formats of ProRes & DNxHR, but not h265:

Blackmagic Video Assist – Tech Specs | Blackmagic Design

I'm not in a hurry, although the old one had a nice price drop.

Shame no H265, you don't always need the best quality.

Greetings from sunny Gdansk (we are on a roadtrip trough east Germany and Poland)

 

[Oíche]

Hopefully one will only add a cage to their camera if they actually have a use for it. Although some people think camera cages look cool and buy them solely for that reason.

Yeah, I'm not one if them. Like it said it's great for dual use... A small trendy FF that can be turned into a video production rig. I think before I meant buying it solely for this purpose would be perplexing.

SmallRig do an excellent job with these high quality products.

 

[CharlesH]

a Blackmagic Video Assist 5" 12G HDR monitor/recorder

The Atomos monitor/recorders can also be used to record video from clean HDMI output. Their claim to fame is recording 12 bit ProRes RAW, but they can also record other formats including the various Avid formats (comparable to ProRes), as well as H.265. I'm sure there are a lot more Atomos units sold than Blackmagic units. I've had a Ninja for some time, but I have gravitated more to the Blackmagic monitor/recorder. First it can record 12 bit BRAW from compatible Panasonic cameras (like my S5IIx), and BRAW can run directly in Blackmagic's DaVinci Resolve (which I use). It has a brighter display, which helps because much of what I do is in bright sunlight. And finally it has a much nicer user interface - it is very easy and intuitive to operate compared to the Ninja. So I recommend it.

 

[Nevyn72]

it can record 12 bit BRAW from compatible Panasonic cameras (like my S5IIx), and BRAW can run directly in Blackmagic's DaVinci Resolve (which I use).

Exact the reason why the Atomos is not an option for me...

 

[inspiredtimothy]

FYI: If you're not in a hurry, the Blackmagic Video Assist product line is overdue for a redesign. There have been rumors for a while that new versions are coming "soon" which will be lighter in weight, thinner, have lower power consumption, more/different features/codecs/resolutions/framerates, etc.

Of course, "soon" is a mystical concept which may have no meaning.

Specs for the current model Video Assists are on Blackmagic's site. They can record several formats of ProRes & DNxHR, but not h265:

Blackmagic Video Assist – Tech Specs | Blackmagic Design

Didn't they release some refreshes recently for IBC that were slimmer and lower cost? Or do the rumors refer to something else?

 

[PJD]

Didn't they release some refreshes recently for IBC that were slimmer and lower cost? Or do the rumors refer to something else?

IBC was Sept. of last year. No new V.A.s were announced at NAB this past April. Physical dimensions & weights for Video Assist line hasn't improved much in a long time. In fact, the newer 12G units with the high-bright screens can consume NPF battery power relatively quickly.

Completely new Video Assist units based on high-quality, THIN smartphone-style screens, with much lower power consumption, etc. have been rumored/expected for a long time. I mean, it's not as if the screen technology isn't readily available. Hopefully BMD gets around to actually making them a reality "soon".

 

[Nevyn72]

IBC was Sept. of last year. No new V.A.s were announced at NAB this past April. Physical dimensions & weights for Video Assist line hasn't improved much in a long time. In fact, the newer 12G units with the high-bright screens can consume NPF battery power relatively quickly.

Completely new Video Assist units based on high-quality, THIN smartphone-style screens, with much lower power consumption, etc. have been rumored/expected for a long time. I mean, it's not as if the screen technology isn't readily available. Hopefully BMD gets around to actually making them a reality "soon".

They DID drop the price significantly a month or such ago of the current version.