With a diverse range of locations and climates to consider, Gareth and the TIDE team expect their kit to deliver high quality images, yet be durable. The team deploys Sony FX3 cameras, finding the combination of full-frame sensor and wide dynamic range ideal for capturing content on the go. Paired with the Atomos Ninja Ultra, Gareth takes full advantage of the monitor-recorder’s high definition display to review footage and check image focus. “Quality, portability and size of the monitor are all practical wins but being able to see the bigger picture makes me feel more confident in my job, securing the best shots for clients,” he adds.
Simultaneously capturing wide and vertical shots often poses a challenge for Gareth, who recognises the importance of using both to his clients. The Ninja’s built-in monitoring features, such as frame guides and zoom control, allow quick changes at the touch of a button. “We often need to capture content in different aspect ratios, so we’ll film in 16:9 but use the on-screen 9:16 overlay to frame and crop shots. This feature is a big one for us as it takes a lot of guesswork out of the shoot,” he adds.
The additional storage option that Ninja brings is a welcome addition for Gareth, especially when shooting on location. “At boat shows we can shoot hundreds of boats each year, generating hours of content, so being able to record onto SSD is a massive benefit. We now shoot and edit from the same SSD – it’s another way we’ve removed the offloading process to speed up what we do,” he said.
