HI, I record weddings mostly and I've always used SXS cards in my PMW-320 but was thinking of moving to a PXW-Z90 and was wondered what memory card you would recommend for the Z90.

I have a NFlash fixed to the back of my 320 and this is a great back-up device to have for recording weddings, can't have enough backups :) any ideas how I could go about having an external record for the Z90, I think the Z90 can duel record but I would prefer something external :)

Thanks.

Any SDXC Class 10 U3 card will suffice. I run San Disk Extreme without any issues.

With SDI and HDMI out, you have plenty of options for an external recorder.

Thanks Stephen, for external recording I don't need an all singing and dancing device, just something that will give me a backup recording.

Thanks again.

When outputting 4K externally, you lose the image on the EVF and LCD, so factor in using the external recorder as your monitor also.

When outputting 4K externally, you lose the image on the EVF and LCD, so factor in using the external recorder as your monitor also.

Thanks Mark, will do. I'm not going down the 4K route just yet,

Thank you.

If you just want HD recording, the Atomos Ninja Blade or Black Magic Video Assist devices offer nice screens with various tools (focus assist and such), and will record as 10-bit 4:2:2 video in the ProRes or DNxHD codecs, using the HDMI output of camera.

The Blade records to either an SSD or 2.5" hard drive, while the Video Assist records to SD cards.

Either of these solutions are under $500. There are other models that do support 4K recording, but of course the price goes up then.

Thanks

Thanks for that Jeff :)

When outputting 4K externally, you lose the image on the EVF and LCD, so factor in using the external recorder as your monitor also.

You don't just lose the EVF/LCD image. You also lose lock-on AF and face detection AF.

Thanks Bill.

Hi again, still thinking along the lines of a Z-90 if I should buy one.

I was talking to Hawk-woods and they would be able to alter one of their adaptors (VLM-DC6) and install a Hirose output so I could power the camera and my Nanoflash using a VL-M98 battery but how would this adaptor be fitted to a Z90?

VLM-DC6 | Mini V-Lok 15mm power adaptor - Hawk-Woods Ltd (http://www.hawkwoods.co.uk/Prods/Product/VLM-DC6)

Perhaps I'm going down the wrong path :)

Thanks in advance.

Yes, you are going down the wrong path and wasting your time trying to build a Frankenstein camera that you'll end up hating to use and not getting any benefit at all for all your trouble. All this just or a backup recording? Buy good memory cards and be done with it.

Hi Doug, thanks, I think your right, my biggest fear is having something go wrong with a memory card while recording a wedding.
That's why I use the NF as a backup. I just like the idea of external recording.
If it was something that could be recorded again, at a later date but as you know, you only get he one chance at a wedding :)

I've had an Pro SXS card doing funny things one time and got it replaced, the NF saved the day at that wedding.

Thanks as always Doug.

I use the X70, but Z90 should offer same option - using the dual SD card slots, record SAME program to both SD cards at once, therefore always having two copies - an instant backup solution. This record config is set up in menu of course, is not default.

And of course, don't skimp on SD card quality. I use Sony 64GB cards that meet specs and have never had any issue recording HD or UHD to them.

Thanks

Jeff

using the dual SD card slots, record SAME program to both SD cards at once, therefore always having two copies - an instant backup solution. This record config is set up in menu of course, is not default.

And of course, don't skimp on SD card quality. I use Sony 64GB cards that meet specs and have never had any issue recording HD or UHD to them.

Thanks

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, do you record the same event to both cards?
What size of memory card would you use?

Are you talking about something like these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Secure-Digital-Flash-Memory/dp/B00LP687H6/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1523466866&sr=8-17&keywords=SDXC+Class+10+U3

Stephen recommend these cards also.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Extreme-SDXC-Memory-Class/dp/B01J5RHD58/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1523466866&sr=8-2&keywords=SDXC+Class+10+U3

QUOTE=Stephen Robinson;1942503]Any SDXC Class 10 U3 card will suffice. I run San Disk Extreme without any issues.
QUOTE]

Thanks.

Agreed with all those saying to just use the two internal media slots. I use twin 256 GB SanDisk cards myself (they are now half the cost of when I bought them).

256 GB SanDisk B&H (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1276279-REG/sandisk_sdsdxxg_256g_ancin_extreme_pro_sdhc_256gb.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801/BI/2855/KBID/3801/BI/2855/KBID/3801)

Agreed with all those who agree about using the two internal cards. If you imagine all the different scenarios for failure with an external recorder vs. internal cards, my bet would be that the connectors and cable between the camera and the external recorder are the weakest links. I've never had a card failure that resulted in a loss of critical footage (even the time when an SD card fell in a mud puddle when ejecting - I was still able to recover everything). But I've had at least a dozen cables go bad - the connectors and cables are constantly exposed to abuse.

.

Thanks for the sound advice Ricky and Bill.

I don't have access to camera or cards at this moment, but the Sony you linked to looks like what I use. I have the 64GB cards. I actually do NOT use dual-recording, and have never lost any footage recording to one SD card.

As for card size to use, there are arguments for and against large cards. One can use 2 or 3 smaller cards throughout the day, maybe 1 for preps, 1 for ceremony, and 1 for reception, the idea being that IF a card goes bad, someone runs off with camera, or it falls in the lake or whatever...at least you have SOME footage on the other cards. Although you then have to make sure you don't misplace the little buggers!

If you use 1 large card for the entire day, and card gets corrupted, damaged, or lost, you have NOTHING. Unless of course you are dual recording. And camera is not lost/destroyed.

SD cards became the recording medium of choice for still photogs long before SD was common for video recording, and I guess based on how photogs I worked with were handling their media, I took a liking to the idea of changing SD cards throughout the day and hiding them, such as in the car or in a card wallet on your person. If you put all the SD cards in a camera bag and a thief runs off with it, camera gear is replaceable but the footage is not.

I don't have all the answers, as each person will have their own methods and preferences of securing data. There are now portable hard drive units that have an SD card slot, allowing user to remove card from camera and immediately copy to HD without needing a laptop. That's another backup/safety option.

While I enjoy using Atomos recorder units for stationary shooting (stage events using tripod), I would not want to run around hand-held with such a unit tied a small camera!

Thanks

Jeff

Hi Jeff, thanks for all that, if I bought the camera, I would be thinking along the lines of dual-recording and a 128GB card in the 2nd slot as backup and swap out a few 32GB cards until wedding recording was complete. I like you, don't want to have all the eggs in the one basket :)

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

How long does one battery last on the Z90?
I'm used to my vlock battery's.
One battery would last me most of the day on my PMW320.

Recording to two quality SDXC cards at once is reasonably reliable. The odds of one card going bad are somewhat slim but the odds of two cards going bad at the same time is very slim.

You are probably more likely to trip over the bride's dress and destroy your camera in the fall than losing two good cards on the same recording.

I have a fantastic app I found that will do a write and verify diagnostic for SD cards. This app will literally look for and identify any bad memory cells that your card could have. It takes about an hour to map and test one 64gig card but its worth it to see the cards health.

Im in the airport heading home from NAB so Ill post the testing app when I get home.

Hi Cliff, thanks goes to you too, well, if you don't mind that would be great, thanks.

Anthony.

I should clarify that I don't actually own the X70 - my buddy owns it, and I get to use it whenever needed, which is several times a year.

In regards to this comment - "dual-recording and a 128GB card in the 2nd slot as backup and swap out a few 32GB cards" - not sure it works that way. There are complex folder structures on the SD cards and files are written a certain way to them. Since dual recording writes the same info to both cards, not so sure you can do it the way you intend, rather you would use two same-size cards and swap them in pairs. I could be wrong, but makes sense to me. I really don't know for certain.

As for battery life, on the X70 the larger battery shows about 3 hours I believe? Not bad at all, I can make it through a wedding day on two batteries usually.

Thanks

Jeff

...rather you would use two same-size cards and swap them in pairs. I could be wrong, but makes sense to me. I really don't know for certain.


OK, you could be right there, that makes sense. and the battery life isn't too bad at all.

Thank you Jeff.

I will probably start an argument here with my comment! The ONLY PLACE I buy cards or batteries is B&H and I only buy the OEM brand. I have received counterfeits twice from Amazon. I have a counterfeit Sony FV100 battery sitting on my desk as I type. It failed last week. Amazon will take care of me but what if I had been shooting a wedding and it failed during the wedding vows. It takes a few seconds or longer to change a battery. Now, we will hear all the success stories about cheaper batteries and discount sellers. It is just not worth the gamble to save money. I have been sued. Luckily, I had insurance but It still cost me a lot of money and time. BTW, I always set my camera to record to both cards simultaneously.

I am the same; only name brand items and all my gear comes from B&H. Doesn't matter that one can pick up equipment for much less. I personally like piece of mind and knowing exactly what I'm getting.

That is a good point about B&H. It's important to purchase cards from known retailers because there a counterfeit cards out there that are not what the label says they are.