Raven documentary setup!!!

[Alejandro Marin]

A lot of cinematographers out there would never consider using RED to film documentaries because of the power and weight demands due to the power needs, but I just wrapped up filming the Women's March in DC with my Raven and I beg to differ. I found a very streamlined way to carry the Raven in hand along with two lenses, spare media, and 6 x 98Wh batteries. All without the use of any backpacks. Instead I opted for an old photo vest which was wasting away in my closet for more than 5 years. RED's battery belt clip is the soul of the setup allowing me to take the weight of the battery off of the brain and move it to my waist. The battery belt in conjunction with this hot-swappable v-mount plate (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=email&A=details&Q=&sku=359201&is=REG) allowed me to keep the Raven powered on for up to 9hrs with the 6 x 98Wh. I actually only kept the RED on for about 6 hours cause I had walked all over DC for about 4 miles with this rig and I was beat. Had to stop for some burp and slurp, then catch a 10 hour bus ride home.

The hot-swappable plate, when attached to the RED battery clip, will not communicate the remaining battery time to the Raven but I use the LED screen on the Switronix Hyper Core Vmounts to check the remaining time for each battery. I opted to not use the 4.6" LCD Touch that I own and relied on the DSMC2 Side kick to control the camera. I preferred using the SmallHD sidefinder since it can switch from EVF to onboard LCD in seconds. I did not record audio for this event which is why you don't see an onboard shotgun mic in the photo. I shot everything MOS, overcranking from 60-120fps @4.5K resolution.

I've attached a photo of the setup while in action. Would love everyone's feedback on this setup. Always excited to exchange ideas on this forum with other RED users.

Here's a list of all the gear used for your edification:

Domke photo vest
RED Raven body
DSMC2 Side-kick
2x 240 RED mini-mag
GDU Cowboy handle - https://globaldynamicsunited.com/products/gdu-cowboy-handle
WC Easy Top - http://woodencamera.com/Easy-Top-Weapon-Scarlet-W-Raven.html
WC Nato Handle Kit - http://woodencamera.com/NATO-Handle-Kit-Plus-70mm.html
WC UVF Mount - http://woodencamera.com/UVF-Mount-No-Clamp.html
Small HD Sidefinder kit - http://store.smallhd.com/store/502-sidefinders/sidefinder-502-starter-kit - tabs
1x 3' BNC SDI cable
DSMC Battery Belt clip - http://www.red.com/store/products/battery-belt-clip-dsmc
Core Vmount Hot swap adapter - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=email&A=details&Q=&sku=359201&is=REG
6x Switronix HyperCore RED 98wh batteries - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1182998-REG/switronix_hc_98red_hypercore_red_98wh_14_8v.html
Canon EF-S 17-55 2.8 USM
Canon EF 70-200L IS II (carried in Canon lens belt pouch)

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Very cool! Look forward to checking out some of the footage. I take similar approach with R1 when I need to go light and hand held. Battery belt clip makes it possible.

 

[Drew Thomas]

How are you connecting the battery belt clip's power to the brain?

 

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I use a domke photo vest and after many years of use am looking at a replacement. However, after long hours in the field with the vest filled up, the neck hurts.

 

[Stacey Spears]

Nice! Like you, I believe the Red makes a wonderful doc camera. You are shooting your doc on a Raven and I am shooting my doc on a VV.

 

[Reto Scherrer]

What do you do about ND Filters on the fly?

 

[Stacey Spears]

For myself, I have been using screw-on NDs, but now I am switching to the Misfit Atom and 4x5.65 filters.

 

[Kevin D'Haeze]

How are you liking the 17-55mm with the Raven?

 

[Trent Watts]

Hey Alejandro, thanks for sharing!

I'm guessing you were just going for images, and not trying to capture any nat sound. It really ads a lot when an editor can bring in quality nat sound to the video. Coming from the Canon C300's, I'm trying to figure out a lightweight onboard audio configuration that could take my lightweight Rode VideoMic with 1/8" connector, but also 1 or 2 external xlr inputs for when I'm working with an audio person. The Wooden Camera A-Box seems great, except it doesn't have a 1/8" input option. Anyone got a solution?

 

[Richard Williams]

Hey Alejandro, thanks for sharing!

I'm guessing you were just going for images, and not trying to capture any nat sound. It really ads a lot when an editor can bring in quality nat sound to the video. Coming from the Canon C300's, I'm trying to figure out a lightweight onboard audio configuration that could take my lightweight Rode VideoMic with 1/8" connector, but also 1 or 2 external xlr inputs for when I'm working with an audio person. The Wooden Camera A-Box seems great, except it doesn't have a 1/8" input option. Anyone got a solution?

If you had the A-box, you could plug an XLR to 1/8" adaptor into the A-box to use the light weight Rode on camera and have one XLR available for the audio person. I have a Rode wireless kit that came with that adaptor so you should be able to buy one from Rode.

 

[Tony Ditata]

Interesting setup. I have been doing a good amount of doc work with my Raven as well and really enjoying it. I have been using screw on ND's or a variable if it's really run n gun.
The hot swappable v mount plate I think would really help in not missing key moments. I have been thinking of picking that up.
How did you do with just the 2 cards? Shooting high speed especially those can go fast.

 

[Elsie N]

Hey Alejandro, thanks for sharing!

I'm guessing you were just going for images, and not trying to capture any nat sound. It really ads a lot when an editor can bring in quality nat sound to the video. Coming from the Canon C300's, I'm trying to figure out a lightweight onboard audio configuration that could take my lightweight Rode VideoMic with 1/8" connector, but also 1 or 2 external xlr inputs for when I'm working with an audio person. The Wooden Camera A-Box seems great, except it doesn't have a 1/8" input option. Anyone got a solution?

I recently worked on some footage I took with my RAVEN over the Thanksgiving holidays. I was very surprised when I opened the footage in Premiere and boosted the sound some 20+ decibels. The sound was clean as a whistle. First time I had used on camera sound exclusively. Not afraid of that anymore when shooting fun stuff.