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Nikon Blimp?
Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 2:11 AM on 04.28.05 |
->> I've searched but I can't find the blimp for digital. Does anyone know where I can get the leather one from?
Debbie |
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Jeffrey Haderthauer, Photographer
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Stanley Leary, Photographer
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Roswell | GA | USA | Posted: 7:27 AM on 04.28.05 |
->> I have shot with the Nikon Blimp and the Muzzle. Sam Cranston's invention "Muzzle Soft Blimp Camera Noise Reducer" is better than the Nikon Blimp, but this still isn't what the standard for shooting on film sets is.
Here is the gold standard for shooting on TV and Film sets while they are rolling http://www.soundblimp.com/Default.htm
Also, consider shooting with the Nikon Coolpix cameras. For the little less money you can shoot with a coolpix.
Dave Black used the CoolPix to shoot on the backswing of the PGA tour, behind the golfer. Not a sound.
Hope this helps. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 9:54 AM on 04.28.05 |
->> THANKS Jeffrey & Stanley..
that's what I am looking for
Debbie |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 10:44 AM on 04.28.05 |
->> Having used all types of sound blimps for both courtroom shoots and shoots on the sets of tv/movie productions the only real sound proof blimp is the "hard blimp" from Jacobson.
I actually own the "Camera Muzzle" mentioned above and to be quite honest, it does not reduce significantly the tremendous noise that a digital camera camera makes when firing.
The advantage of the "soft blimp" is that the camera is easily accessible and they are relatively inexpensive. The disadvantage is that you can still hear the camera. (Big problem.)
The advantage of the "hard blimp" is it nearly eliminates the noise of the camera but the disadvantages are the camera is difficult to handle and it is *very* expensive (around $1,200 with two lens tubes).
You did not say what you are using this for, but if the camera has to be nearly silent then the "hard blimp" is the best option.
Mahalo!
Robert Hanashiro |
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Michael McNamara, Photo Editor, Photographer
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St Louis | MO | USA | Posted: 11:15 AM on 04.28.05 |
->> If you're in the mood to tinker a little bit, ss.com member Tony Donaldson built his own blimp out of a Pelican case. He talked a little bit about it on this thread: http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=1707
The links to the photos of it don't work anymore, but he might be a good person to talk to if you need complete silence out of your camera, but don't feel like dropping a few car payments on a blimp. |
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Tony Donaldson, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 12:48 PM on 04.28.05 |
| ->> I've used the Jacobsen ones, they're good. Built my own for one film production I worked on, the sound guys were amazed that mine was better than the Jacobsen, and easier to use. You can do it yourself. |
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James Rulison, Photographer
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Chino Hills | CA | USA | Posted: 2:17 PM on 04.28.05 |
->> Tony I would be interested in seeing the photos again if you wouldn't mind.
Best,
James |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 11:04 PM on 04.28.05 |
->> Robert,
I need the blimp for use in some of the law firms I shoot lectures for. Too many participants have been complaining. Also, I have shot several jazz musicians lately and the same thing is happening. My Nikons are very loud, and the last thing I want to do is bother a paying customer, or the musician performing so I was thinking it is time to buy a blimp.
Debbie |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 11:41 PM on 04.28.05 |
->> Jacobsen is what you'll have to buy or rent.
The "soft" blimps will not suppress the sound of the camera enough. There is a bit of a "learning curve" to using the Jacobsen, but once you've had a bit of experience handling it, you will be ok.
These blimps are specificlly designed and built for this kind of work, so you'll be paying for it, but it is worth it. Where you are located, I am sure there are several places you can rent the Jacobsen blimp and lens tubes. |
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Tony Donaldson, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 12:21 AM on 04.29.05 |
| ->> For those of you interested, email me and I'll send info on the one I built. |
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C.D. McGonigal, Photographer
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Leesburg | FL | USA | Posted: 12:39 AM on 04.29.05 |
| ->> Nikon hasn't made a new blimp in many many years. I use the leather one (CS-13?) in court all the time, it doesn't really stop the sound that much, because, its designed to mainly stop the sound of film advance. But that doesn't do much for digital, since all of the sound is coming from the shutter, lens mount area, which isn't really covered at all. But, as long as I have it and the bailiff sees it, I'm ok. |
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Stanley Leary, Photographer
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Roswell | GA | USA | Posted: 9:59 AM on 04.29.05 |
->> Debra:
For what you are using it for I think the muzzle will work just great. If you are standing right next to it you hear it, but a few feet away it is pretty quite.
Read Rob Galbraith write up. http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-4540-4593
This is the advertising page, but a link to the article is there. |
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Randy Janoski, Photographer
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Chapel Hill | TN | USA | Posted: 10:30 AM on 04.29.05 |
->> Debra,
As Stanley has posted http://www.soundblimp.com/Default.htm JPI is an excellent company. I have 2 sound blimps and lens tubes...for sound control there is just nothing better! |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 12:03 PM on 04.29.05 |
->> Debra ---
I have the muzzle as I said. For what you are doing, it is not nearly enough sound-suppression.
As someone noted above, what makes the Jacobsen different from the rest is the camera AND lens are completely encased. The muzzle just wraps around the camera body and there is a large hole where the lens sticks out. The lens tubes the Jacobsen blimp utilizes covers the entire lens.
I know several photographers who thought that using a soft blimp would provide enough sound suppression to shoot a golfer during their swing with a fairly long lens. All found eventually it was a BAD idea.
Really, if you have doubts, just go to one of the many rental houses in NY, NY and check them out. Best to see (and hear) what you're getting yourself into first than have a client (or jazz player) upset because of the sound of your cameras.
'Nuff Said!
Robert Hanashiro |
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Tony Donaldson, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 5:49 PM on 04.29.05 |
->> Wow, thanks for all the emails! To those of you building, send me photos of how yours turns out and any cool features you add. For those less handy but still in need, and wanting a better and less expensive product than the commercially available one, let me know, I might make a couple extra.
-TD |
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Patrick Tower, Photographer
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Vernon Hills | IL | USA | Posted: 1:52 AM on 07.03.05 |
->> Does anyone have an update on whether the newer Camera Muzzle, which appears to cover the lens, does a better job of reducing sound? I recall hearing in the last couple of months that it was being redesigned, but the only information I can find is the photo on the Penn Camera site:
http://www.penncamera.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=6466
I'd like something less expensive, but more importantly having more camera control, than the Sound Blimp.
Alternatively, I may be looking into building something from a Pelican case. Since it seems that soundproofing the front is the key for digital (hence the concern that even the redesigned Muzzle might not do he trick), what would I use for the front? I've seen mention of cine filters. Are these designed to be transparent to light but not to sound?
Any help or advice is welcome.
-Patrick |
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Tony Donaldson, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 12:28 PM on 07.03.05 |
| ->> After all the flood of email I've received, maybe I should write something as an article for SportsShooter, a how-to on the blimp I built. Dunno if they'd care to publish it, but maybe if it were requested... |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 2:07 PM on 07.03.05 |
->> a photographer friend made a blimp out o fthe pelican case as well. All I can say is WOW! It was/is amazing. however, for the technically challenged such as myself, I will have to hire someone to make it for me!
Debbie |
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Tony Donaldson, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 2:18 PM on 07.03.05 |
->> Deb,
They're easy to make, I could make one for you (assuming I have any free time) or send sample photos of mine.
-TD |
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Scott Gardner, Photographer
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Albany | OH | USA | Posted: 2:55 PM on 07.03.05 |
->> Tony,
I'm not in any position with the Sportsshooter management team to make a request for you to write an article, but as a Sportsshooter member I would be interested in reading and seeing your steps on converting a Pelican case into a blimp. Just to get a head start, which Pelican case should I get for constructing one? I figure that posting it on this message board would decrease your email barrage.... |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 10:41 PM on 07.03.05 |
| ->> Tony, that is an article I would like to see as well, I do like to read the rants,raves and techniques they spotlight as well but a few articles along this line would be nice. |
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Chris Halper, Photographer
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Toronto | On | Canada | Posted: 11:23 PM on 07.03.05 |
->> I have wanted to try shooting production stills for movies. BUT HOLY CRAP!!! I can't beleive how much those sound blimps cost.
I would definately try to make one first. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 11:51 PM on 07.03.05 |
->> Tony,
WOW..If you had the time, please do let mw know and I will gladly hire you. The one I saw here in NYC was good for any lens which made it extra special.
Debbie |
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Chris Large, Photographer
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Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 11:57 PM on 07.03.05 |
->> I shoot movies full time...perhaps the only SS member that does......and I would show up with a homemade pelican blimp at about the same time that I would use a camera/phone to shoot the production shots. There is a standard and its there for a good reason. If you need to shoot quiet then invest the money in the proper blimp. Most production companies would laugh you right off set if you went the cheap route. Read through all the posts...especially from the one and only Robert H.........he knows of what he speaks
Chris |
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Tony Donaldson, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 1:40 PM on 07.04.05 |
->> Chris,
I was applauded by the sound crew for making one that works as well or better than the Jacobsens. I don't shoot movies regularly, though, and respect that perception is important on movie sets. Almost all of the people who have contacted me aren't needing it for movie stills, but for other places (dance halls, etc.) where silence is helpful. As for your last sentence, he's not the last word on everything. |
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David Honl, Photographer
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Istanbul | TU | Turkey | Posted: 2:39 PM on 07.04.05 |
->> I have been shooting for 20 years (lots of TV and movies in Los Angeles) and use both the Jacobsen blimp as well as blimps that I have fabricated myself- both perform equally well. I'll shoot a couple pictures and post them when I get a chance. I make my own custom sizes using 1/4" black plexi and 2 different foams.
It's hard to tell the difference between mine and Jacobsen and the sound men can't tell the difference either.
Cheers,
Dave
http://www.DavidHonlPhoto.com |
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Chris Large, Photographer
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Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 6:32 PM on 07.04.05 |
->> hey Tony
You hit the nail on the head about perception......and unfortunatly movies are very perception driven.(Can you say shallow?)
For other types of work were you need to be quiet I'm sure yours works like a charm. The most important part of it is the lens tube since alot of the noise comes right off the front elelment of the lens.
And my last line was tongue in cheek....no one here has the last word on anything except my wife.
Chris |
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David Honl, Photographer
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Istanbul | . | Turkey | Posted: 3:38 PM on 07.10.05 |
->> Hi all,
A few people have e-mailed me asking about the sound blimp I built so I've posted a gallery of my self-built sound blimp:
http://www.sportsshooter.com/honlphoto/blimp/
Although I have been using this blimp on sets for about 10 years, I also own 2 Jacobsen blimps and would highly recommend buying one of theirs (http://www.soundblimp.com). For the simple reason that building your own could be frustrating if you are not experienced cutting, glueing, and sourcing the proper materials. However, mine has operated flawlessly and I always receive kudos from the sound and camera men, and on more than one occasion have been asked to build one for sale (I decline as I'd rather be shooting!)
The blimp pictured is 8-1/4" high x 7-3/4" wide x 4-3/8" deep
Most of the materials- the 1/4" acrylic, plastic tube, glue is best bought from a plastics shop and most of them will also cut the material and give advice on glueing. The filter, hood, and remote cord for your camera can obviously be found at a camera store or online. You can also check a marine supply for appropriate hinges and D-rings for the strap.
When it's all finished, a few coats of black spray paint (specifically for use on plastic) from Home Depot will finish it off.
If you are truly interested in builing your own, I hope this gives you a good startng point. If you have specific questions, I'd be happy to help when my time allows.
Good luck!
Dave
______________
David Honl
photojournalist
http://www.DavidHonlPhoto.com |
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Tony Donaldson, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 11:43 PM on 01.16.06 |
| ->> To the hundreds of people who have emailed me re: the blimp. Thanks for your interest! Perhaps if I have time and the staff of SS is interested, I'll put together a how-to on this. Sorry I don't have time to respond to all your emails individually! |
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Tony Donaldson, Photographer
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Ray Anderson, Photographer
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San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 3:51 AM on 10.16.09 |
| ->> another option is to shoot film and use the TLR 2 1/4x 2 1/4 rolliflex you cannot hear the shutter |
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Curtis Clegg, Photographer
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Sycamore | IL | USA | Posted: 4:58 PM on 12.02.09 |
->> Here is a cool idea from a user in another forum for controlling a Nikon DSLR remotely while it's inside a blimp, homemade or other:
http://www.tinyurl.com/nikon-blimp
Here is the iPhone app to which that user refers... the app works with many Canons too (it looks like Canon users can even use live preview on the iPhone screen):
http://tinyurl.com/mlemne |
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