Sebastian,
I realize the focus is much more on the electronics right now and it's a joy to follow the irc logs.
But on a practical shooting level, I wonder where backers would like to see the focus on the box the parts goes into:
-A cheaper body to get the job done pretty well in a lab context. For developers. so non-crucial filming only. See the comment above (so really a beta or prototype camera)
-More expensive body that can also withstand real life situations. It can get pretty hectic out there and you'd like it if the camera can take a hit. (So already a production camera on a hardware level)
Two things that annoy me quite often:
1) a lot of camera bodies only have one threaded hole in the bottom. One you attach a follow focus, it quite often becomes very difficult to get this to be rock solid. Having more holes for a 15mm bars attachment would solve this.
2) Outputs directly on main electronic board. It really doesn't take much of an impact to have a dead headphone output. For example. Too often, protruding elements are only thought of when designing the body itself, while the cable that goes in it should be considered part of the system. Some camera manufactures even go so far as touting mini-jack plugs as "professional connections" and move it forward as a design feature (yes, I'm referring to Blackmagic design).
In general, you buy a camera and then you buy a cage.
Personally, I am really fed up with this. But apparently it makes economic sense to sell cheap stuff that is horrible to use and you need to spend more cash on add-ons than the camera itself. Especially if they are not universal and only fit that specific model.
Wouldn't be possible to have the Beta built as a cage directly? With a lot of mounting points built in? For monitor arm, 15mm bars, heavy duty base plates etc.
When holding the Aja Cion at IBC lately, I really liked how they managed to make it feel like a camera. It was really well balanced because it's so low and didn't feel like plastic. No other camera in the sub 10k € comes close. Not even the Sony FS7, which despite the ergonomics still has the touch of a prosumer camera to me.
I'm not asking to go Monster Bomb Ape Shit Tank Army Stuff design either. Just something solid that we can build upon.
How do others think about this?
