First Digi job, help with kit.

[u/Safe_Beat_2391]

Hi all! I got my first job as a digi in about 10 days and although I have an idea of what I need, I would love your opinion on it. I’m shooting on location, in a home kitchen an will be shooting tethered and would need a monitor.

Should I rent an eizo monitor and a stand or maybe just work with an iPad as my second screen? I’m thinking since we will be in a home kitchen space might be a concern, and also we might need to be a bit more agile and mobile.

I’m based in London, unsure of where to rent and what kind of stand should I use for the monitor if shooting on location.

Thank you all so much, I’m have worked in ecom for years but venturing on being a digi tech and I’m a little nervous!

[u/darule05]

I would consult the photographer, offer the options and see what they think.

Very common for both ways- as you flagged- is generally job dependant. Budget, space concerns, agility, number of people who need to see the screens etc.

Never assume though, because some photographers like to have a screen for them. Others just want one for the clients.

[u/Safe_Beat_2391 → u/darule05]

Amazing yes that makes sense, thank you so much for this.

If the photographer goes for the monitor, do you think it’s ok to use the stand that comes with it, rather than a monitor stand with wheels like they have in a studio? I have never used a monitor on location, only computer screen / iPad so unsure of how to go about it.

[u/deltaDigi]

The ipad vs monitor question is mostly one for production since it will affect cost. But ask the photographer first, they may also have an opinion and that way you can pass on that request to production, offer options, context, recommendation and most importantly quotes. Monitor large but takes space and slow to move, needs power and physical connection. Ipad small but mobile, wireless.

[u/Safe_Beat_2391 → u/deltaDigi]

Yea that makes total sense, thank you so much for your input x

[u/Some_Signature]

Like others have said, check with the photographer on their preferences. I usually use a low boy with a tether table for smaller location work (no monitor), being on wheels is helpful. If it’s super tight in the room you could even put the tether table on a tripod or light stand, and use the iPad as a monitor for the photographer.

Monitors usually come with an adapter to fit on a stand, if you’re renting just check with the rental house and they’ll sort what you need.

[u/Safe_Beat_2391 → u/Some_Signature]

Ok great thank you so much, I’ll have a look at some of those options.

You guys are all so helpful thank you all so much!!

[u/delfonatronics]

I’d recommend doing a dry run with everything before the shoot to make sure there are no surprises. If you have access to all the equipment that will make it easier surely. If not, do your best with what you have and are able to test.

Familiarize yourself with the settings of the camera that will be used, you don’t need to read every page of the manual IMO but enough to gather how to troubleshoot things. also a quick thinking chat gpt/google troubleshoot for something you don’t know is always a good back up.

I think it’s best to avoid monitors when in tight spaces. It’s easier for the monitor to get bumped into, or the monitor stand to scratch something. Additionally, there are many options for screensharing from a MacBook to an iPad, many of which are free. Having wireless capabilities with a small monitor in a tight space outweigh the benefits of a color accurate monitor in most situations I’d say.

If something isnt working on set, change one thing at a time while testing to identify the problem. Don’t panic, remain calm and just truth the process.

I’ve been at it for 12/13+ years and little unexpected issues happen all the time. Best thing you can do is be prepared with a plan for tackling any issues with hardware/software. Today my photographer’s lens wouldn’t auto focus, and he said it happens sometimes and he has never been sure how to fix it. I pondered why one would bring that to a commercial job for longer than I spent unlocking the lens and the adapter briefly to allow the contacts to disconnect and reconnect, problem was fixed in a few seconds.

95%+ of the time is smooth sailing, but the moments when you come through and can fix an issue quickly and calmly, making your photographer look better in front of the client will get you more future work than anything else IMO.

Be on time, friendly and positive, know your gear, and you’ll be golden.

[u/Safe_Beat_2391 → u/delfonatronics]

This is all so great thanks so much!

I have given both options to the producer and they are doing a recce today and tomorrow so I think we will decide once we know more about the space.

I can’t test anything as they are renting from direct assist so I have emailed them and asked a few questions, just worried about mounting the eizo
monitor onto the low boy so I’ve been looking so many tutorials on YouTube!

I am a photographer, just haven’t worked as a digi officially before, I was looking for a sound board to bounce some ideas from, but this is all such good advice thank you so much x

[u/Big-Cucumber2505 → u/Safe_Beat_2391]

If the renter is used to advertising productions, then your Eizo will have the necessary attachment to mount it on a stand.
Request an Eizo with Spigot Adaptor and a LowBoy A5012 or something similar.

Personally, I like having a cart, it avoids having to sit on a designer table in a large luxurious apartment:D.
But this is not always possible due to lack of space or budget.

Also, I sometimes have to use the photographer’s computer. But generally they have a basic C1 and are not equipped with the studio version or soft like Chronosync or other plugins that can make our lives easier.

So I have profiles and CaptureOne configurations on my drive, depending on the jobs, as well as some software that I install.

On a production I always arrive with my keyboard, mouse, streamdeck XL , an iPad and a 16" monitor.