Great Overview of Phantom HD Gold Operation

The Phantom HD GOLD High Speed Digital Cinema Camera from Tom Guilmette on Vimeo.

Tom Guilmette has created this nice video walkthrough of Phantom HD Gold operation with the on-camera controls. Usually when I use the camera, I'm at my cart tethered to it with the laptop because it's less intrusive on the camera department for me to interface remotely. Sometimes though this is impractical and you've got to get your hands on it. I've found usually if I'm having problems with the black reference when interfacing remotely, doing it from the side of the camera instead will fix the issue. That's the thing about the Phantom, it's a little buggy no matter how you work with it and at some point, I'd like to create a list of consistent problems I've identified and their work throughs. Save that for another day.

He also has this useful blog post accompanying the video available here:

http://www.tomguilmette.com/wp/my-blog/archives/3403

It's content like this that's most valuable to video users of all skill levels the world over. Once you've landed your first Phantom gig, it's nice that now there's a great resource available to walk you through its basic operation. I wish something like this had been available when I did my first shoot. 

Random Gotcha - 08/28/10

Random Gotcha - 08/28/10

Weisscam HS-2

Ride the gain! If you're seeing noise in the blacks or seeing fine, faint black lines all over the image, drop the gain until it's minimized. You'll lose some stop but the camera is already pretty fast. This is the number one complaint I've heard about the camera and if you know how to deal with this problem when it arises, you can shoot consistently clean images.

Phantom Flex is now shipping. I have some days booked with it next month and can't wait to start working with it. It's a shame the Weiss hasn't managed to snatch more of the high speed market because it's such a great system. Phantom is already synonomous with high speed videography and the Weiss has been a tough sell to producers who are already well versed in Phantom workflow. Flex being so "flex"ible may really seal the Phantom deal. We'll see what happens but I'll still be gunning for the Weisscam.

I have two main interests at this point - high speed video and stereoscopic 3D. High speed 3D? Go see the truly terrible Step Up 3D to see some otherwise incredible images.

Good article on the Phantom

Good article on the Phantom

http://www.definitionmagazine.com/journal/2010/5/11/using-the-phantom-hd-camera.html

I don't completely agree with every point in this article but it's a good take on the Phantom's operation and workflow nonetheless. Regarding "hard and fast rules", in my opinion the one i've found to be most useful is that every technical challenge requires an open approach.

SOURCE: Definition Magazine

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