Our Most Popular Filmmaking Videos

Many years ago, when Stray Angel Films was run by just two guys in a single office, our YouTube channel was created. Even though resources were much more limited then, Josh & Suren both realized that YouTube was a great opportunity to connect with other filmmakers and wanted to utilize it. They began shooting demos of our gear and also film school-esque videos, like teaching depth of field.

We have been able to connect with hundreds of thousands of filmmakers we may have otherwise never gotten the chance to. We’ve interviewed companies like Panasonic and DJI about new products, as well as tested out new cameras to see how they compare against others. Sometimes we’ve even been able to lend clients gear to do awesome projects like shoot in desert at night using only moonlight for exposure!

Today, we have almost 5,000 subscribers and over 700,000 views! It has been so much fun to watch our channel grow and also rewarding to give a little back to the filmmaking community.

In case you don’t keep up with our YouTube channel, we wanted to create a post showcasing our most popular videos.

10. Canon C300 vs Sony FS7

9. How To Wrap A BNC Audio Cable

8. Sony FS7 vs ARRI AMIRA vs URSA vs C300 Mark II Dynamic Range

7. Meet The ARRI ALEXA XT

6. How To Shoot With & Balance The MoVI M10

5. Canon C100 vs Canon C300

4. Basic Cinematography: How To Light An Interview

3. Sony FS700 Slow Motion Test

2. Cine Style Lenses vs Still Photography Lenses

1. How To Shoot A Fight Scene

If you enjoyed watching any of these filmmaking videos, please subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss a new one. If there’s a gear demo or filmmaking tutorial you’d like to see, please let us know! We always take requests.

July 12, 2016 / 1
ARRI Skypanel Lights are great for people who hate gelling lights.

Hate Gelling Lights? Then You’ll Love ARRI Sky Panels!

If you hate gelling light, then ARRI’s Sky Panel LED lights may just be perfect for you.

The Sky Panel’s recently got a firmware update that lets them to something really awesome. With just the turn of a dial, you can scroll through the library of gels (over 277 from manufacturers like Lee & Roscoe) to choose the exact one you need. That could be a serious time saver on set!

Check out the other updates the Skypanel has received in this ARRI video:

April 23, 2016 / 
New DJI Phantom 4 Drone Offers Impressive New Technology

New DJI Phantom 4 Drone Offers Impressive New Technology

DJI is back at it again with their new Phantom 4 drone. The new Phantom has a few impressive new features, all thanks to the new advanced computer vision and onboard sonar.

The DJI Phantom 4 is equipped with four cameras (in addition to the main 4K cam) that serve as the drone’s advanced computer vision. This allows the drone to see the world around it and help make sure it doesn’t crash. If you get too close to an object or wall, the Phantom 4 will actually stop itself from running into it. Early testers of the drone have said that this feature works incredibly well.

There is another new feature, “TapFly”, that is aimed at beginner pilots. When TapFly mode is engaged, it eliminates the need to use the stick controller. You can use the app and simply tap a waypoint on the screen. The Phantom 4 will then fly itself there, using the best path and avoiding in obstacles in it’s way.

Probably the most exciting new feature of the Phantom 4 for filmmakers is the “ActiveTrack” mode. This setting allows you to pick a moving object (such as an actor) and then the drone will track and follow it, keeping it in frame.

How much will the DJI Phantom 4 cost? Only $1400, which considering all it can do is really not that bad. Phantom 4 drones will start shipping at the end of this month (March 2016). You can currently pre-order the Phantom 4 on B&H.

March 6, 2016 / 

Panasonic Announces New 4K “Mini” VariCam LT

The Panasonic VariCam 35 will be getting a little brother soon, the Varicam LT. The LT VariCam model packs many of the same specs and features as the VariCam 35, but at half the price and in a body half it’s size.

Panasonic has said that the Varicam LT is “the ideal camera for handheld, SteadiCam, job, crane, drone, gimbal, and overall cinema vérité work” and that the camera is “tailor-made for owner/operators, independent filmmakers, documentary makers  and corporate production creators.”

Panasonic VariCam LT Specs:

  • Same sensor as the VariCam 35
  • Removable Canon EF or PL Mount
  • 14+ Stops of Dynamic Range
  • 4K 10bit (AVC Intra) up to 30fps (422) / up to 60fps (LT)
  • 2K 12bit up to 30fps (444) / up to 60fps (LT)
  • 2K crop up to 240fps
  • Dual Native ISO: 800 / ISO 5000
  • P2 card media / SD slot for proxies
  • Weight: 6 lbs
  • Timecode Genlock
  • Integrated ND filters (CLEAR, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8)
  • 3 simultaneous SDI outputs (including EVF)

The Panasonic VariCam LT will cosy $18,000 for the camera body, or $24,000 for the camera and a AU-VCVF10G Viewfinder. Cameras are anticipated to start shipping next month, March 2016.

February 13, 2016 / 
Stray Angel Films Rental House Moving Sale

SAF Moving Special!

We’re moving! To help celebrate and help things run smoothly, we are having a special on gear.

If you pick up gear this Thursday, (01/28/2016), or Friday, (01/29/2016) you can keep it until Tuesday, (02/02/2016), for a one day rental with an added 20% discount.
***This applies to in-house rentals only. Subrented items do not apply.***
***Pickup at the old address (2236 S Barrington Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064) and return at the new address (11318 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025) ***

If you’d like to book an order please e-mail [email protected].

 

January 25, 2016 / 
Noturnes. Shooting at night under moonlight with the Sony A7s

Want To Know How To Shoot With The Sony A7s At Night?

When director Alec Ernest approached us seeking help with a low-light project, we were eager to hear about it. He was going to shoot a short documentary about Eric Merrell, an LA artist who paints in the desert under moonlight. We all knew this would be a great opportunity for the Sony A7s to shine.

If you’re not familiar, the Sony A7s maxes out at ISO 409,600. But how far can you push the ISO and still have your image not be too grainy? Far enough to get a decent exposure using moonlight? Alec did a number of camera tests with the A7s trying to find out exactly that. You can see more details in the BTS video below, but he and his crew felt that around ISO 24,000 – 32,000 was the sweet spot.

In the behind the scenes video they shot for us, Alec goes over several tips for shooting with A7s at night. He also talks a little about their post process, including color grading and noise reduction.

Tips For Shooting With The Sony A7s At Night:

  1. Plan around a full moon
  2. Record at the highest bit depth possible
  3. Don’t have on-camera subjects wear black
  4. Don’t whip pan/don’t move the camera too fast
  5. Don’t go overboard with noise reduction

Watch the full Nocturnes Behind The Scenes video:

Watch ‘Nocturnes’:

January 20, 2016 / 
Do You Need To Register Your Drone?

Do You Need To Register Your Drone?

In 2016, new regulations for drones will affect most owners in the US. Registration officially began on December 21st (2015) and costs $5, though that fee is waived if you register before before January 30th (2016). Wondering if you need to register your drone? Most likely, check out the FAA guidelines below.

FAA Drone Registration Guidelines:

  1. Drones between .55 and 55 lbs must be registered.
  2. Registration is mandatory in the U.S.
  3. If you already own a drone, you have until February 19th, 2016 to register it.
  4. If your drone was bought after December 21st, 2016 you must register it before it’s first flight.

Failure to register an aircraft can result in civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties for failure to register can include fines of up to $250,000 under 18 U.S.C. 3571 and/or imprisonment up to three years.

How To Register Your Drone:

  1. Be at least 13 years old.
  2. Head to the FAA’s registry page.
  3. Register with your email address, physical address, and credit/debit card to verify.

Once you’ve registered your drone, you must mark it with it’s new unique registration number somewhere that does not require a tool to get to. Many owners have decided to put the number inside the battery compartment. The registration will be good for three years.

January 3, 2016 / 1 Comment / 
Where Is Camera Gear Stolen The Most?

Where Is Camera Gear Stolen The Most?

Every equipment owner and shooter has at times been worried that their gear could be stolen. Thieves are very saavy and know that a small bag with a camera and a few lenses could potentially be worth several thousand dollars.

Lenstag is an anti-theft gear registry that helps people recovered stolen gear. They ran data for all of 2015 on the theft that was reported about gear and their registry and broke down exactly where camera camera is stolen the most.

Where Is Camera Gear Stolen The Most?

It’s no real surprise that the number one place camera equipment is stolen is a car. Lenstag said that rental cars in particular are singled out by thieves, so be extra vigilant when you are traveling.

Other interesting tidbits from the Lenstag stolen gear data includes countries with the most reported theft (USA, UK, Italy) and the most stolen gear (5D Mark III, 5D Mark II, Canon 24-70mf/2.8L).

Where Camera Gear Is Most Stolen

December 29, 2015 / 
RED Scarlet-W Camera Specs

RED Announces New SCARLET-W Camera

RED is once again updating their arsenal of cameras with the new SCARLET-W camera. The SCARLET-W body will start at $9950, which will put it in the middle of the RED camera line, between RAVEN ($5950) and WEAPON ($29,000).

RED SCARLET-W offers shooters 5K up to 60fps at 2.40:1, 5K up to 48fps using the entire frame, 4K 2.40:1 up to 150fps, and RAW + 2K Scaled ProRes HQ up to 60fps.

With SCARLET-W, you will have the ability to change mounts. It also has an interchangable Optical Lowpass Filter, which helps improve image quality, especially at hight ISOs.

RED will also be releasing a monochrome version of the SCARLET-W for the same price.

Here are the specs for the RED SCARLET-W (via NoFilmSchool)

  • 5120 x 2700, 13.8 Megapixel RED DRAGON Sensor
  • Sensor Size: 25.6mm (h) x 13.5mm (v) x 28.9mm (d)
  • Interchangeable Mounts & OLPFs
  • MINI-MAG Media Bay, Record RAW & ProRes Simultaneously
  • Dynamic Range: Same as Other DRAGON Sensors (Listed at 16.5+)
  • Range of Aspect Ratios Including 2:1, 2.40:1, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 2X Anamorphic and 1.3X Anamorphic
  • 48 fps at 5K Full Frame (5120 x 2700) and 8:1 REDCODE
  • 60 fps at 5K 2.4:1 (5120 x 2160) and 8:1 REDCODE
  • 100 fps at 4.5K Full Frame (4608 x 2412) and 14:1 REDCODE
  • 120 fps at 4.5K 2.4:1 (4608 x 1944) and 13:1 REDCODE
  • 120 fps at 4K Full Frame (4096 x 2160) and 13:1 REDCODE
  • 150 fps at 4K 2.4:1 (4096 x 1728) and 13:1 REDCODE
  • 160 fps at 3K Full Frame (3072 x 1620) and 10:1 REDCODE
  • 200 fps at 3K 2.4:1 (3072 x 1296) and 10:1 REDCODE
  • 240 fps at 2K Full Frame (2048 x 1080) and 7:1 REDCODE
  • 300 fps at 2K 2.4:1 (2048 x 864) and 7:1 REDCODE
  • Minimum REDCODE Compression: 5K/24fps/4:1, 5K/48fps/8:1, 4K/24fps/3:1, 4K/60fps/7:1
  • ProRes 2K (2048×1080): 422 HQ, 422, or LT up to 60 fps (Not cropped — this uses the entire frame of a given resolution)
  • 17x17x17 3D LUTs
  • Audio: Integrated Dual Channel Stereo Microphones (Uncompressed, 24-bit 48 kHz
  • Remote control via Wireless, Ethernet, RS232, GPI Trigger with Expander Module
  • Auto Black Calibration
  • Compatibility with All DSMC² Modules
  • Body type: Alluminum Alloy
  • Weight: 3.5 lbs. Brain with Media Bay
  • Price New: $9950 Body Only for SCARLET-W and SCARLET-W Monochrome, Packages starting at $14,500
  • Price for SCARLET DRAGON Owners: $9950 Body Only, Packages Starting at Only $12,000

The RED SCARLET-W is slated to begin shipping February 2016.

We plan on renting the RED SCARLET-W as soon as it is available. In the meantime, check out our other RED camera rentals.

 

December 13, 2015 / 
DJI Ronin vs Ronin M

DJI Ronin vs Ronin M

The DJI Ronin and Ronin M are two of our most popular gimbal stabilizer rentals. The two stabilizers are very similar, so we wanted to make a video highlighting the differences between the two.

As Josh states in the video, the main differences between the Ronin and Ronin M is size and carrying capacity. The Ronin M rig weighs only about 5 lbs, while the Ronin weighs 9 lbs. Those few pounds can make a world of difference to your operators shoulders and arms. The tradeoff is that the Ronin M can only carry a camera package that weighs less than 8 lbs, while the original Ronin can hold up to 16 lbs. This means the Ronin M is suitable for small DSLR packages and cameras like the A7S and GH4. If you want to fly something like a RED or C300, the Ronin is going to be the way to go.

Please check out our website if you would like to rent the DJI Ronin or rent the DJI Ronin M.

December 6, 2015 /