FiveSix Productions Uses Protection
Don't be a fool, wrap your tools: great advice that we here at FiveSix Productions take seriously. We utilize a number of great products to store and transport our various tools and pieces of gear; from Cinebags for our cameras, to Pelican and SKB for our tripods, Dana Dolly, and DJI products. One of our favorites for custom designed cases is Jason Cases in Durham, North Carolina. Jason Cases utilizes only the best products, and while they have predesigned cases, they are the best at customizing any case to fit your exact needs. We are huge fans of this for our kits that have a lot of separate pieces that can get lost, or pieces that are fragile. Their quick turnaround time ensures even if you're a Las Vegas video production company like us, you'll have your order very quickly. So, next time you need a durable, custom case, reach out to Jason Cases, and they'll get you set up.
Nailed It!
Well, well. Look what we have here... As none of you will remember, a while back, I made a point that DJI should develop a dedicated device- a universal controller if you will, to take the place of your phone or iPad when using the Osmo and drone. Yet! Some people thought that was crazy talk. Some folks said that I needed to talk to ol' Siggy Freud about my "wild ideas". I simply asked "How are we going to holla' at all the shorties, when our phone is making smooth Hollywood moves with a gimbal device!?" Mocked, I was! Basically ran out of town on a rail.... Until now.
I give you: CRYSTAL SKY!!! The ultra fast, ultra bright, completely Inspire-dedicated, 4G LTE device is lightweight, sleek, and made just for the DJI Inspire 2. The CrystalSky, and I quote: "removes unnecessary Android apps and services and is resistant to viruses and junk software"- you don't want emails and texts from your hommies coming in, disrupting your dope pans and tilts. Further more: "Its embedded DJI GO app provides full access to all DJI GO features including aircraft parameter adjustment, camera control, footage management, and playback. Using offline maps, maps can be kept available even if going out of Wi-Fi reach." You need all the monthly data you can get, for left and right swiping.
All you drone videographers go check out the amazing CrystalSky and 58mph flying DJI Inspire 2! Once this takes off, I'm sure a cool device will come out for the Osmo. Good day to you all.
The Osmo Has Landed
The amazing, and totally righteous DJI Osmo handheld stabilization unit has arrived- and boy are we pumped! As I told you before, the Osmo takes handheld video production to a whole new level. With a 3-axis stabilization system for a 4K camera, you can be sure to get brilliant, smooth video, walking, running, driving on a bumpy road, wherever. While the DJI Ronin is useful and game-changing in it's own right, the Osmo gives you smoothness and stability in a much more compact and easy-to-use, easy to operate device that can fit inside your pocket (if you have big pockets).
The camera is the same camera that comes on the DJI Inspire drone, and it's been nothing but wonderful and has impressed us with each use. We can't wait to get it on set and continue to broaden our horizons. Hi ho Silver, away!
Quadcopter versus Octocopter
We here at FiveSix Productions happily employ the DJI Inspire 1 drone for out aerial needs. So far we have been very pleased and have captured some awesome footage. Recently we were perusing the DJI website to research the Osmo, and we came across their selection of octocopters, which got us wondering about the difference.
So far as we can tell from our research, the difference between a quadcopter, hexacopter (wasn't aware that existed), and a octocopter is concurrent with each step. With a quadcopter, obviously you get more power than with a helicopter, more stability, and greater payload potential. As you step up to the hexacopter, and then again to the octocopter, the same benefits are there, just in greater amounts. I'm not a mathematician, so I'm not sure if the speed and payload capacity increase exponentially, but that's neither here nor there, since we aren't attending MIT.
The cons of course would be increased size and price as you add more engines and propellers, but if you have an expensive camera on board, you're going to want more power. Here's an article from Dronebly, a website that's all about drones.
DJI: Out To Conquer the World (Part 2)
The DJI Osmo is an ingenious device that works in tandem with either the original Zenmuse X3 camera, or the new Zenmuse X5, and enables smooth, steadicam shots, in a handheld device. While it can't replace the DJI Ronin or Ronin-M for some situations, this could be just the thing to add that certain je ne sais quoi to your b-roll, or cut-away shot. Once the Ronin is up and running, it doesn't take much to start shooting; however, the time it takes to build the Ronin, or simply having a slightly bigger rig to bring around may be too much for your shoot. The Osmo is the perfect solution; it's compact, versatile, and fits in one hand, leaving your other hand free for an ice cream cone, or maybe a delicious sandwich.
To say the Osmo is multifaceted would be an understatement. Not only can it record multiple frame rates (24, 25, 30, 60, 120), it can shoot 4K, and 1080 and 720 progressive. The incredible stabilization is a result of a three-axis gimbal that truly brings steadicam quality to a handheld. There is a built in joystick for pans and tilts; and a trigger that enables various modes of operation, such as upright, under slung, flashlight, locked, and even selfie for those 'good hair days'. The Osmo is capable of performing panoramas up to 360 degrees, as well as time lapses and hyper-lapses (with a hyper-lapse, you can shoot videos that make you look like you can run at great speeds for great distances- impress the ladies!) OH! As if all this wasn't enough, the Osmo has onboard audio, and a standard 3.5mm port to plug in a mic and whip out some of your best Katy Perry.
There are a myriad of accessories that further expand the Osmo's range, as well as complete control of image settings within the DJI application. Your smart-device sits nicely in a holder that attaches to the Osmo, giving you a touch-screen monitor.
This all adds to the bouquet of new gear and technology that is revolutionizing the visual media world and enabling people of all skill levels, incomes, and walks of life to make art. Sure, not everyone is going to find professional success, and there are a lot of people creating art for the sake of art; but that's what makes today such a cool day. Everyone should be able to express themselves and their creativity in some manner.
DJI: Out To Conquer the World (Part 1)
Stop and take a moment to take it all in. We are at the forefront of what will probably be considered one of the most important periods in visual media history. I know that's a big statement to throw out there, but here is my evidence:
Amateur and student film makers (along with mom and dad), are able to create very nice looking, 4K videos from their iPhones/android devices like the Galaxy S6, allowing anyone to have access to pro-looking imagery. Before you haul me off to the guillotine, I of course understand not everyone knows lighting, framing, story telling, there's audio to consider, acting, etc., however, the imaging capabilities of smart-devices certainly can't be viewed as anything less than a benefit. As would be expected, many companies are creating added devices such as lens mounts, steady rigs, etc. to add to the arsenal of these aspiring amateurs to continue the education and practice of film making. All great things.
DJI has a similar modus operandi, giving amateur and professional film makers and videographers access to tools that enable shots that even five years ago, wouldn't be possible outside a Hollywood budget. DJI's line of drones and steady rigs are an "off-Broadway" dream, if I may. No longer do you need a huge, bulky steady cam and seasoned operator that you simply can't afford. No longer do you need a helicopter for aerials. Obviously, DJI is not the only drone companies out there, but that's who we went with, so that's who I'll reference. As previously mentioned, the X5 camera that goes with the Inspire now shoots 4K, and DJI recently released a new, hand held device that works with the X5 and acts as a steady cam. Enter the Osmo...
To be continued.
4K From the Clouds
We have upgraded our aerial photography capabilities and value by outfitting our DJI Inspire 1 with the latest in drone-mounted cameras. The Zenmuse X5 is a Micro 4/3, mirrorless camera that is capable of shooting up to 4K at frame rates of up to 30fps and 16MP still frames. The camera is equipped with the standard MFT interchangeable lens mount, which is great given the increasing number of lenses DJI is appearing to output. Finally, the camera's control functions, such as one-touch auto-focus, aperture, etc. are all wireless and controllable from your smart phone or tablet- or whatever you are using. Here's some spectacular specs.
All this is great, but I think that the key improvements are in the image quality, because, at the end of the day, that's what the end consumer is going to see. The X5 is capable of 12.8 stops of dynamic range, allowing for awesome clarity in a wide range of shadows and highlights. This increase in dynamic range is important for us here at FiveSix given the frequency in which we find ourselves shooting off and on throughout the day when the sun and ensuing shadows can really create a variety of headaches. The 4/3 sensor is eight times larger than that of the previous X3 which came standard on the Inspire 1 (compare to a GoPro), this provides extraordinary clarity, detail, and quality at ISOs from 100-25600 which is unmatched in the industry today. Check out the awesomeness right now with your eye balls!