For those still wondering about the HVR-Z1
 

An interview shot by the BBC at Sundance. I ended up being asked to repair the audio and color correct (can you imagine being a run n' gun without lighting?) and so I cut what they gave me into a stream for the Sony folks.
Jody Eldred is a very well known DP with credits longer than a football field. He used the Z1 on J.A.G. and is using it on other episodics as well. He owns an F900 among several other cams and rigs, plus a production company that just won an international Emmy. He was also recently named Best Cameraman by the DGA.
Anyway, you can hear/see what he has to say about the Z1.
http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/media/Jody.wmv

He talks that in his opinion, the matte box and focus control are a MUST to use the camera in HDV mode.

Does anyone have the product numbers and prices for these two pieces of equipment he states is a must to add on.

Thanks

Dave

It's expected that the combo will be in the $2500.00 range for mattebox, mount rails, standoff, brows, and follow focus. I think that BandPro will be doing a Chrosziel bundle.

Thanks Spot for posting this.. Very interesting and informative..

Mike m.

Lets us know when you see this bundle for sale.

Thanks

Dave

So, are these parts easy to put on? How, about take off?
I want to be able to use the camera on a tripod at times, and carry around Disneyland with my family at others.

With these parts on, what type of case would one put this in?

Thanks

Dave

Getting the matte box on/off is easy, same with rails. Getting the follow focus gear ring off is a little more challenging. But, you could easily leave the gear ring on, and it doesn't change the size/weight of the camera for any significant value.
The rail mount/standoff can accept a tripod sled or sled adaptor, so it will slide on/off your tripod in the same way you're used to it doing now.

at last, a thumbs up from someone who works in the biz and knows what he is talking about. thanks Jody.

If one left all this stuff on, any opinions on what they of case would one haul this around with?

Dave

Any normal case like a pelikan or something. The eyebrows/flags remove VERY easily, and they're just flat. The matte box isn't very big at all once those are off. And the follow focus rig doesn't really add any large space at all either. Just cut the foam to fit.

Who is making the matte box and the follow focus? I'd take the matte box for sure, follow focus I might buy later.

Bandpro is the reseller of these, I'm sure there are others. Both follow focus and mattebox are made by Chrosziel
http://www.bandprodigital.com/cgibin...alogno=AC-DVFF

http://www.bandprodigital.com/cgibin...ogno=AC-805-01

I was just about to post that interview link...glad a discussion is already happening. Now, I have to save up $2500 for the darn mattebox! Argh!

At least I'm investing in something that will retain its value for more than 3 minutes after I get it. This camera will definately be like a PD-150 or XL1...it'll be a good camera for 3 years minimum.

Cool interview too, I felt so vindicated for buying my HD10U afterwards. (Getting in on HDV early and learning it's strengths and pitfalls.) This "Pro" knows his stuff and he's telling everyone that the "Z1U shoots High Definition". What more can anyone ask? Let's send HDV bashers to that link.

Did you hear what he said about all his "Pro" friends who shoot with the F900? "They're all buying a Z1U because it's amazing can be used for many different applications". Damn, I'm sold. :)

Okay, for us non pro's, what will the mattebox gain me?

Thanks

dave

A mattebox does several things. First, it holds filters in front of the lens. The brows or flags attached help prevent reflection, giving the lens "true" image, reduce flare, and provide shading in bright overhead/side light or sunlight. They can mount to the camera in a number of ways, but cinerails or mount rails are the best/most reliable, plus they form a base/mount for a follow focus.
You'll almost always see matteboxes as part of any professional film rig regardless of what sort of camera it is.