2009Cameras (Film/Video/HD) forum
Practical experience using the Silicon Imaging SI-2K camera on steadicam rigs
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- The camera's monitor output is HDMI, requiring a converter to composite or other standards when used on a steadicam sled.
- The camera body is compact and lightweight without its battery, though some operators added weight for better steadicam performance.
- The camera features built-in mounts for 15mm video-style rods, allowing quick attachment of focus rods.
- The camera supports multiple mounting options including Arri dovetail, Panavision dovetail, and direct plate mounting.
- The SI-2K can output three simultaneous LUTs, allowing independent adjustment of sled monitor display without affecting recorded footage or onboard monitor.
- Each lens change requires a black level calibration, which is time-consuming during production.
- The camera can produce noisy images in low light conditions.
- Raw recording format requires significant post-production processing time.
- The camera performed well with anamorphic adaptor lenses mounted on standard lenses without requiring special setup.
- One operator successfully balanced the camera on a steadicam rig while supporting a weighted plate approximately 2 feet in front of the lens for a specialty shot.
Depends on
- Experience comes from limited shoots, including one interior night shoot and one challenging restaurant shot with special rigging.
- Conflicting reports exist about power consumption and overall impressiveness of the camera.
- One operator required a smaller LCD monitor for camera control alongside external video output.
- Converter quality from rental houses varied, affecting monitor output resolution and usability.