Z5's use in production shows?

[Mark Goodsell]

Does anybody know any TV shows that have used, or continue to use the Z5? Is it for B-roll or reg production. Just curious.

[Don Bloom]

Not the Z5 but I believe it's cousin the Z7 is used by the crew of Deadliest Catch. I saw a behind the scenes and it looked like they stopped using the Z1 and moved up to 7s.

[Adam Gold]

I saw that episode recently and I think I saw a couple of quick shots where they had 20 or 30 Z5s staged in a back room; I couldn't be sure even after stopping the TiVo and going really slowly through the shots. It really annoys me that they focus on people rather than the gear in these shows ;-).

There were a couple of other shots with one shooter shooting another and it was pretty clearly a Z5, which is shaped slightly differently than the Z7. Why they can't just put a big Z5 sticker on the side to help us out is beyond me.

I actually don't know why Sony doesn't trumpet this more.

Here's a Case Study that mentions that they use the Z5, as well as other Z series, in Ice Road Truckers:

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-h...Truckers.shtml

[Michael Bray]

Just as Don mentioned...Deadliest Catch uses the Z7 but they also use Z5's. Ice Road Truckers also uses a combination of Z1's,Z5, and Z7 cameras. Another show that uses the Z5 and Z7 combo is stormchasers. Last but not least...I've seen a Z5 used for b-roll on Dirty Jobs. Sonys "Z" family of cameras is alive and well on many reality shows.

[David Johns]

Originally Posted by Mark Goodsell

Does anybody know any TV shows that have used, or continue to use the Z5?

Not sure if this is the kind of show you meant but a lot of local news in the UK, both BBC and ITV is shot on Z5s operated by one-person video-journalists (a craft camera accompanying a reporter is a rare treat for special occasions!)

As for the shows already mentioned, I'm curious to know if they're shooting in standard-def or HD(V) or using high-def add-ons like the Nanoflash? Just curious.

Cheers
Dave

[Don Bloom]

They must be shooting HiDef. I say this because the production values have gotten better every season. At least it looks like on my HDTV.
I don't believe they're using any add-ons. It looks like the only thing they've added is a wireless receiver not counting the plastic bags and dead cat of course. I've seen a couple of shots where the operator fashioned some sort of hood for the LCD although I think for Deadliest Catch it's more to try to keep water off the LCD than sunlight. They also use the GoPros as well as a number of fixed cams.
While it may be an exciting job, I'll keep my high seas adventures to boats that are 1000 fett long or longer. Think Freedom, Oasis and Allure of the Seas. Get to sleep when I want, eat what I want, go to the cigar bar and have a nice cigar and a brandy, spend some money in the casino, go swimming in the pool and most important...it's warm! Ahhhhhh can't wait for the next one.
O|O
\--/

[Leslie Wand]

i shoot for abc tv with a z5 ;-)

an awful lot of news is shot with it and other z's around the world - many broadcasters still demand tape.

but i can't see any 'serious' shows being shot with it, and if you read discovery channels specs you wouldn't be allowed more than (iirc) 10% hdv....

[Don Bloom]

Except in certain cases like Deadliest Catch, IRT, Dirty Jobs...reality shows like that, there would be no way to use a full size cam. Hell some of the cam ops on DC have a hard enough time with the small cams trying to frame focus shoot and stay on their feet and not go overboard. Hell of a way to make a living.