Blog - Sharing Expertise, Experience & Tips

Sony FX30 Camera - Part 1

In late October 2022 Sony announced the FX30 as part of its so called 'cinema line'. I had intended buying a Sony FX6 - to upgrade my FS5 - but instead I pre-ordered the FX30. It arrived a month later - in fact I think I was one of the very first in the UK to have one. Now in August 2023, after owning it for quite some time, did I make the right decision in buying it? Read more to find out… Read More…

Apple 16 inch M1 MAX 64GB RAM MacBookPro Arrives - Finally!

I recently took delivery of my latest Mac, a 16-inch M1 MAX 64GB RAM MacBookPro in (essentially, apart from SSD capacity) the very top spec available. Here's why I splashed the cash…
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2022 & We're Still in Business!

Well, here we are in 2022. This marks the 14th year I've been running Shooting Image Ltd. Sure, the last two years have been tough for all of us but we're still in business and new work is coming in all the time. Read More…

SWIT S-8U63 Batteries with Sony PXW-FS5 & PMW-300: UPDATED

Recently, I became aware of reports from Alister Chapman of certain pre-2020 manufactured third-party BP-U type batteries completely bricking Sony cameras. I knew nothing of this before so I wrote to SWIT about my two SWIT S-8U63 aftermarket batteries, bought in 2017. This is what I found out. Read More…

Video Production During COVID & Post Lockdown Plans

Well, I made it! Despite being a small Limited Company with little government support I've managed to keep producing a trickle of filming jobs over the last 12 months during the three Lockdowns. Albeit they were mostly small 'editing only' jobs. But the future's looking good and a number of new and postponed but now re-confirmed projects are in the pipeline for when Lockdown 3 eases this Spring. Read More…

Rycote Invision Video Mini Review

I bought this brand new design of on-camera shotgun microphone support after 2 successive failures of my Rode NT-SM3 shock mounts (the plastic becomes brittle on the Rode’s and then fractures around the tightening screw). Not good in front of a paying client as I found out - twice!
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Rycote S Series 330 Mini Review

I bought this Rycote S Series 300 (mine’s the 330 variant to accommodate the length of my Rode NTG-3) just after it’s launch.
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Fostex FR2-LE Mini Review

Overall this is a great bit of kit for anyone who is serious about capturing good sound.
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Canon C100

At the end of August 2012 Canon announced the C100. Below is my reasoning of why, within 24hrs of this announcement, I had put in a pre-order for the Canon C100.
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Sony PMW300 Mini Review

In June 2013 Sony announced the PMW-300, the upgraded replacement for one of the main tools that I’ve been using the previous five and a half years, the PMW-EX3. In January 2014 I bought one for use in my corporate video business here in the Cambridge UK area. If you want to know why read on!
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Sony FS5 With Letus Helix Junior Gimbal

When Sony launched the PXW-FS5 on 11th September 2015 at IBC it looked like a Canon C100 MkII killer to me! So I pre-ordered one straight away, along with a Metabones MkIV EF to NEX adapter. Whilst I awaited it’s arrival, I also imported a new Letus Helix Jr. direct from the USA too.
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Helping You Create Professional Videos Safely

A new very keenly priced video editing offer for Spring/Summer 2020. Now, more than ever before, video is necessary to allow you to reach potential clients effectively. This video editing service will enable you to produce good looking content.
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12 Things I've Learnt in 12 Years of Business

This year marks my 12th year of running Shooting Image Ltd. Glad to say I'm still here doing something I love. Here are 12 valuable tips that I've picked up during those years.
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How to Use Video Effectively for Business

The massive increase in using video for business promotional uses on the web continues. Here are some insights into how to do it effectively.
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Creating Short Video Extracts For Social Media

Clients wanting business videos for their website increasingly want short, stand alone, video extracts specifically for use on their social media too.
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Tips on Creating Business Videos

First tip - Make sure it's good! No seriously, if you want people to devote some of their valuable time watching and hearing your message then respect that in return you'll need to come across really (and I mean really) well. Second tip…
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A Waste of a Video!

Over the last 12 years I've filmed in a huge variety of factory, lab, industrial and business environments - but this recent project really did involve a lot of waste. Intrigued?
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Marketing Video - Huge Growth Continues

Recent figures suggest the huge growth in the use and consumption of web video for business marketing continues. Read of for the reasons and more information…

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Helicopter Action

Recently, I was asked to film the launch day of the new Magpas Air Ambulance (a AW169 Chopper) from the retiring MD902 - air to air shots as well as action on the ground - in RAF Wyton, then in Cambridge & then Bedford. Here are a few shots of me in action that morning, thanks to photographer Rob Holding.
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Ely Hero Awards 2019 Video Goes Live

And here it is, the 2019 Ely Hero Awards Video…plus a few Out-Takes at the end!
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Shooting Image Helps Ely Heroes

We've once again decided to help the Ely Hero Awards with our video expertise. Want to know why, read on?
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FCPX - First Commercial Project

In last months blog I mentioned that I was trying out FCPX and really liked some aspects of it over the Adobe CC suite I use all the time. Things have moved on a bit so this month I cut my first client project on it. Read on if you want to see how I got on.
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FCPX - It's Growing On Me

I've had FCPX installed on my main editing 8-Core Twin D700 'Trashcan' Mac Pro (and a rMBP) for several years now - but rarely used it compared to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. That might be about to change…
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Moving to HTTPS

As many know, 'http' websites are now frowned upon by Google Chrome. Although no sensitive/financial/personal traceable data is used on this website (aside from the ubiquitous Google Analytics), I've decided to move the website to 'https'. The s stands for secure. This will happen as and when client work allows in the next few weeks - so watch this space!
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Our 750th Film!

Our 750th film has just gone live! Great fun to do too!
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Canon C100 Still In Use

I have a habit of never getting rid of good gear. I bought a C100 when it was launched and it was a good workhorse for a while - but it has rarely seen any activity since I got the Sony FS5.

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Using Video on Social Media

Many of you have seen the explosion in video use on social media occur over the last few years to increase customer engagement. Here's a few insights into a couple of recent campaigns I've produced video content for.
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Repeat Client Business

I've been running Shooting Image Ltd for 10 years now, producing business video content for a huge range of clients - and many of them keep coming back for more!
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HDR - It's Coming! BSC Expo 2018 Seminar

I recently attended the British Society for Cinemaphotography Expo in London (BSC Expo 2018) and, amongst many things, sat in on an excellent seminar about HDR. Here's my take on if (and when) I need to offer HDR to my corporate clients around Cambridge, UK.
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Another G-Tech RAID5 Unit Arrives

We've bought yet another G-Tech G-Speed Studio R Thunderbolt2 four disc RAID5 array for our new Mac Pro editing bay. Here's why!
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Canon 24mm F2.8 IS Lens Arrives

Saw a mint condition Canon 24mm F2.8 IS on eBay and decided to bid for it - Find out why.
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Letus Helix Jr Charger Dies - After 18 Months Light Use

Unfortunately, my original Letus Helix Jr's. "Juicebox" (i.e. Battery) Charger died just before an important shoot about 10 days ago.
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Tips Before We Film You

Answers to some frequently asked questions to help you maximise your filming day.
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Best Duration Time for Short Videos?

One of the questions I often get asked by clients is - "What's the best time or length for the video?"  Like a lot of questions the answer is - "It depends!" And in this post I touch on why.
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Film Work Supporting Magpas Air Ambulance

The film work Shooting Image Ltd has done supporting the Magpas Air Ambulance as their official Video Sponsor over the last 4 years.
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Mac Pro Sierra OS Update - A Nightmare with a Happy Ending!

New Mac Pros SSD failure in the middle of a Sierra OS update proves that having back-ups is vital!
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New Year, New Gear! Tokina 14-20mm F2.0 & More

The Tokina 14-20mm F2.0 Ultra-Wide Angle arrives!
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Some Compliments!

Client feedback!
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Being Successful at Producing Corporate Videos

Reasons for Shooting Image Ltd's success in producing corporate video.
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Sony FS5 4K Raw & XDCAM Firmware Updates

Sony FS5 Raw and XDCAM Firmware Updates.
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BBQ Sauce Anyone?

A recent out take!
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Client asks advice on buying a £600 stills camera

Recommendations for a £600 Stills Camera.
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Metabones Speedbooster Ultra T Arrives

FS5 & Metabones Speedbooster Ultra T.
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Sony FS5 4K - Testing Canon 35mm F2 IS

Sony FS5 and Canon 35mm F2 IS Test.
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Canon Error Code 01 - Lens Fault

Canon Wide Angle Lens Fault.
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Sony FS5 Test Film - Vortex Picture Profile and 4K 'End-to-End' Workflow

Sony FS5 4K Workflow & Vortex FS5 Pro Picture Profile Test.
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Sony FS5 Picture Profile Testing - Plus 4K 50p Raw Firmware Option Announced

Sony FS5 Picture Profile testing.
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The Sony FS5 firmware upgrade and BVE 2016

Sony FS5 gets new firmware.
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Welcome to our new web site!

Our new website goes live!
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