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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Is the Side Handle worth it?

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Ryan Lalonde

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I'm trying to decide whether or not to get the side handle before the March 1st deadline. Every epic package I've used hasn't had one (due to backorders) and I haven't missed it. What do you guys thinks?

Also - would 2 redvolts be enough to cover an entire day of battery swaps? (only using the redvolt during the 1 min between switch Vlocks or blocks)

Thanks.

* I don't plan on shooting any stills or doing any autofocus work. I will already have the touch screen and redmote to control the camera.
 
Ryan Lalonde said:
I'm trying to decide whether or not to get the side handle before the March 1st deadline. Every epic package I've used hasn't had one (due to backorders) and I haven't missed it. What do you guys thinks?

Also - would 2 redvolts be enough to cover an entire day of battery swaps? (only using the redvolt during the 1 min between switch Vlocks or blocks)

Thanks.


* I don't plan on shooting any stills or doing any autofocus work. I will already have the touch screen and redmote to control the camera.
Click to expand...

Yes it's worth it but no, I have 8 volts and two travel chargers... You only get about 30 mins... Max per battery and they take over an hour to charge. Maybe you would be ok with a 4 pack. A big maybe...

PS ... all my glass is manuel.
 
Definitely get the SideHandle. If you aren't getting additional V-Lock battery systems, I'd suggest you to get at least 12 REDvolts, preferably 16 for a full day of shooting if you are unable to have an AC swapping out your batteries.

The small size of run-n-gun with just the SideHandle/REDvolt feels like a completely different camera than what you get when adding a few additional pounds of brick power and the mount.

Here, I worked on a 5 week feature (4 weeks in Spain, 1 week in CA) which we used 100% REDvolts. We used 12 REDvolts and 3 Travel Chargers. The key to its success was having a great 2nd AC "Montel" , and Tony Augustinack our DIT who were able to together maintain the charges throughout the day. In the end, it saved us time and made it easier to have a smaller rig to move around during the many "run-n-gun" situations.

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With this much being said, you will eventually want to have both power options on certain gigs.
 

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Ryan Lalonde said:
I'm trying to decide whether or not to get the side handle before the March 1st deadline. Every epic package I've used hasn't had one (due to backorders) and I haven't missed it. What do you guys thinks?

Also - would 2 redvolts be enough to cover an entire day of battery swaps? (only using the redvolt during the 1 min between switch Vlocks or blocks)

Thanks.

* I don't plan on shooting any stills or doing any autofocus work. I will already have the touch screen and redmote to control the camera.
Click to expand...

Everyone uses the cameras differently...

Me personally.. I work 2x quicker with the side handle than without it. I have my thump on the toggle and change things very quickly without taking my eye out of the BOMB...

You need at least 8 RED VOLT batteries to get you through a normal shoot day (we take 12)... 6 if you are literally charging them moment they go flat.
Buy your self 4 travel chargers, wire them in a one plug, You have just made your self a cheap QUAD charger. Its saved our arse so many times.

But like I said, Everyone sets there cameras up differently... I like simple, fast and easy mode.

My first grey hair.jpg
 
Mark Toia said:
Everyone uses the cameras differently...

Me personally.. I work 2x quicker with the side handle than without it. I have my thump on the toggle and change things very quickly without taking my eye out of the BOMB...

You need at least 8 RED VOLT batteries to get you through a normal shoot day (we take 12)... 6 if you are literally charging them moment they go flat.
Buy your self 4 travel chargers, wire them in a one plug, You have just made your self a cheap QUAD charger. Its saved our arse so many times.

But like I said, Everyone sets there cameras up differently... I like simple, fast and easy mode.

My first grey hair.jpg
Click to expand...

Mark how do you have bot the LCD and EVF running at the same time?
 
Ryan Hamblin said:
Mark how do you have bot the LCD and EVF running at the same time?
Click to expand...

Cant tell you, will have to kill you....

Kidding... I was dicking around in photoshop for fun to see if anyone noticed... :)

Thats one feature I can only dream of... having both EVF and touch screen working at the same time with no modules.
But we have all been told a several times now that is impossible.
 
Ryan Lalonde said:
Also - would 2 redvolts be enough to cover an entire day of battery swaps? (only using the redvolt during the 1 min between switch Vlocks or blocks)

Thanks.
Click to expand...


two revolts is perfect for that kind of use. I've gone a few days on a single revolt using it that way, so you'll have one revolt to use, and one for backup in case something unexpected happens.


BTW the ability to hot swap red bricks alone is worth the price of the side handle :)
 
I often shoot alone while traveling that's when the side handle and a bunch of Redvolts (I have 18) work great, along with a Canon mount and lenses. I also often use the camera with the side handle, outrigger on the opposite side and Canon lenses for a really light and balanced hand held camera.
 
Mark Toia said:
Cant tell you, will have to kill you....

Kidding... I was dicking around in photoshop for fun to see if anyone noticed... :)

Thats one feature I can only dream of... having both EVF and touch screen working at the same time with no modules.
But we have all been told a several times now that is impossible.
Click to expand...

Great job on the photoshop ha
 
Mark Toia said:
Cant tell you, will have to kill you....

Kidding... I was dicking around in photoshop for fun to see if anyone noticed... :)

Thats one feature I can only dream of... having both EVF and touch screen working at the same time with no modules.
But we have all been told a several times now that is impossible.
Click to expand...

I end up using the Bomb EVF in unison with the 5" TV Logic monitor... the one thing that would be nice is to be able to see the menu structure (updated live) on the TV Logic / via HD-SDI. This would make it possible to manipulate the menus either with the redmote or the side handle while watching an external hd-sdi monitor.
AFAIK this is not yet possible. Does anyone know if Red is working on this?
 
Last week I did a test with a redvolt in the handle and a red brick on the back. While recording i pulled the brick for a couple of minutes and then put the red brick back on (while still recording). There was no hick-up in the recording. Peace of mind for a grand, hard to beat.
 
Jake Bastian said:
two revolts is perfect for that kind of use. I've gone a few days on a single revolt using it that way, so you'll have one revolt to use, and one for backup in case something unexpected happens.


BTW the ability to hot swap red bricks alone is worth the price of the side handle :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Jake - seems you actually read my post ;)
Think I'm going to go ahead and grab it!
 
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