For many years, I have used (and loved) my Arri 150 spotlight for lighting wedding receptions, but it does have some limitations. This year, I found the Kinotehnik Practilite 602 LED fresnel spotlight, and it has overcome all of the Arri’s shortcomings, while also adding features that make filming weddings easier. The Practilite 602 isn’t cheap, but I believe that its capabilities make it perfect for wedding filmmakers.
I’m required to state that I’m a part of affiliate programs for Amazon, B&H, SoundStripe, ArtList, Musicbed, and Adobe and that some of the links above are affiliate links.
The Tascam DR-10L audio recorder feels like it was made specifically for wedding filmmakers, and in my opinion, it is the best audio recorder a wedding videographer can buy. I own four of them. 🙂
I’ve been meaning to make this review for over a year, sorry it took so long!
😍 Become a channel member and signup for Wedding Film Reviews and Mattmojis here: http://geni.us/sponsormatt
Music licensing sites I recommend:
🎧 Sound Stripe – http://bit.ly/sound_stripe (use the coupon code “WHOISMATT” for 10% off a yearly or monthly subscription!)
🎷 ART LIST – http://geni.us/artlistmusic (free extra 2-months when you subscribe using this link!)
🎵 Musicbed – http://geni.us/musicbed (signup for Membership for unlimited downloads!)
🎤 Filmstro – http://bit.ly/filmstro (use the coupon code “WHOISMATT20_ANN” for 20% off all yearly licenses)
I’m required to state that I’m a part of affiliate programs for Amazon, B&H, SoundStripe, ArtList, Musicbed, and Adobe and that some of the links above are affiliate links.
❗The Crane 2 Giveaway is OVER, but you can still signup for my email newsletter here: http://go.whoismatt.com/
In my 2016 review of the Ronin-M, I concluded that I still preferred using a Glidecam HD4000 for stabilizing my camera when filming weddings. Here we are two years later and the gimbal landscape has changed dramatically, with single-handed gimbals growing both in popularity and weight capacity, leading many wedding filmmakers (myself included) to wonder if it is time to buy an electronic gimbal.
To help you answer that question, I bought a Crane 2 and have been using it for the past five months! In this review, I will be answering the following questions:
❓ How EASY is the Crane 2 to setup, balance, and use when filming a wedding?
❓ How does the Crane 2 compare to the Glidecam and Ronin-M?
Whether you are a beginning filmmaker that has never owned a gimbal before, or you already own a Glidecam or Ronin-M and have been considering buying a single-handed gimbal like the Crane 2, this video should help you make a decision about whether it will be a good investment for you.
Music licensing sites I recommend:
🎷 ART LIST – http://geni.us/artlistmusic (free extra 2-months when you subscribe using this link!)
🎧 Sound Stripe – http://bit.ly/sound_stripe (use the coupon code “WHOISMATT” for 10% off a yearly or monthly subscription!)
🎤 Filmstro – http://bit.ly/filmstro (use the coupon code “WHOISMATT20_ANN” for 20% off all yearly licenses)
I’m required to state that I’m a part of affiliate programs for Amazon, B&H, SoundStripe, ArtList, Musicbed, and Adobe and that some of the links above are affiliate links.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Signup here: http://go.whoismatt.com/crane2giveaway/
For a full list of giveaway rules and requirements, please click the “Terms & Conditions” in the widget link above, before placing your entry.
The giveaway is open to residents of the continental United States (excluding Rhode Island), and all entrants must be 18 years of age (or older) to participate. The contest ends at midnight May 1, 2018 (central time), and the winner will be announced and contacted via email within 48 hours. Each winner will have 48 hours to claim the prize, or I will redraw a new winner.
FTC Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored video, and neither YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram are sponsors nor party to the giveaway on my website.
💡 Download free GH5 video clips!
The Panasonic GH5 has amazing specs, but is it the best camera for wedding filmmaking? And how does the GH5 compare to the Sony A7Sii?
In this review video, I will answer those two questions! As well as tell you:
😲A feature of this camera that will make you throw away your monopod
💡How the camera handles lowlight, and how it compares to the A7Sii at higher ISOs.
📱Your new iPhone shoots 4K at 60fps, is it any better on the GH5?
👍An awesome GH5 capability that guarantees you’ll never deal with flickering or banding from cheap lights again.
🔟What is 10-bit color, and why is it so amazing on the GH5?
🤔I answer the question, “Will I switch from the A7Sii to the GH5?”
And you’ll also see tons of gorgeous wedding footage from the coast of Portugal!
ART LIST – (free extra 2-months when you subscribe using this link!)
Sound Stripe – (use the coupon code “WHOISMATT” for 10% off a yearly or monthly subscription!)
Filmstro – (use the coupon code “WHOISMATT20_ANN” for 20% off all yearly licenses)
I’m required to state that I’m a part of affiliate programs for Amazon, B&H, SoundStripe, ArtList, Musicbed, and Adobe and that some of the links above are affiliate links.
It’s no secret that I love drones. Ever since I flew my friend Taylor’s Phantom 2 back in early 2014 (back when DJI had no app and video was recorded with a GoPro), I knew that I would be buying a lot of these flying cameras in the years to come.
What started with a Phantom 2 of my own, recently expanded to a Mavic Pro, and now a Phantom 4 Pro. My wife says I may have a problem. I say I may have a fleet. Can I call it a fleet? I like how that sounds: Matt’s fleet of drones.
With the advent of the FAA releasing their Part 107 certification for commercial drone pilots last year, there are thousands of new licensed drone pilots taking the knowledge test and wondering which drone they should invest in. There are also thousands of reviews of the new DJI Mavic Pro out there, but none of them have answered the two primary questions I feel that professional filmmakers are asking: Is the Mavic Pro good enough for commercial filmmaking? And: If I already own a drone such as a Phantom or Inspire, should I invest in a Mavic Pro as well?
I love this drone. 🙂
In this review video, I will answer those two questions! As well as tell you:
The very best places to buy your Mavic Pro! and how to avoid having to use DJI’s sketchy repair service.
How the Mavic drone being tiny is actually an incredibly useful feature for filmmakers.
If the image quality of the Mavic Pro is good enough for commercial use (spoiler: yes, it definitely is).
5 ways to maximize the image quality of the Mavic Pro!
Incidentally, I took the FAA’s Part 107 test, passed, and made a video about how I studied, so if you are considering taking the test as well, I hope my video helps you.
Here’s my gear list with all the places to buy the Mavic + Accessories.
I am also now offering one-on-one personal filmmaker consulting! Wanna talk about cameras, lighting, or booking clients? Let’s do it!
As always, if you have any questions or comments about this review, please feel free to leave one below, or get in touch.
Way back in December of 2015 when I posted my review of the Sony A7Sii (and subsequently started vlogging about reviews, gear, etc.), I mentioned that I had ordered a revolutionary new lens adapter: the Vizelex ND Throttle. Many of you began asking for a my thoughts on this adapter, and I promised in my replies that I would post one “soon.” Well, soon ended up being over one year later, but I’m pleased to announce that my video review of the Vizelex ND Throttle Lens Adapter is finally here!
Over the past 9 years of creating videos, I have amassed quite a collection of lens adapters for my cameras. Since switching to Sony E-mount in 2012, this number has grown considerably. Because of the shallow flange distance of the Sony E-Mount camera system, it is incredibly exciting to see just how many lenses can be paired with my Sony camera bodies. Of my adapters, I have Nikon lenses to Canon cameras, Canon to Sony, Nikon to Sony, electronic adapters, manual adapters, Speed Boosters, and now: adapters with variable ND filters built right into the adapter itself. I love that we are continuously seeing the miniaturization of technology, and I hope to soon see even more nifty features crammed into lens adapters in the future.
SO MANY lens adapters…
In the video, I specifically review the Nikon lens to Sony E-Mount version of the ND Throttle, and give my thoughts on the construction, ND visual quality, color cast, sharpness, and vignetting. I also give all my reasons for why I prefer to use an ND filter when filming, as well as some recommendations for how to get the best performance from this adapter. I hope you enjoy me rambling for 20-ish minutes about the finer points of ND filtration. 🙂
Look how pretty it looks!
Note: Back in the Summer of 2016, Fotodiox released a Canon lens to E-Mount version of the adapter, but I haven’t had the chance to test it yet, so I have kept my review focused on the Nikon mount version. The build quality appears to be similar, so if you are considering purchasing one of the other lens mount adapter versions, this review should still be very helpful to you.
You can checkout the Vizelex ND Throttle Adapter at Amazon and B&H.
Ethics Statement: This is an entirely independent review. SKB did not pay me to create this video, I didn’t receive this case for free, or receive any other compensation. I’m a fan of this case and after six months of use I really wanted to make a review about it.
If you have any questions about the ND Throttle, or filmmaking questions in general, feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch. I’m now also offering one-on-one filmmaker consulting!
