ZCam E2-S6 Full Run and Gun Review

Instagram: @CamMacky - / cammacky
Can find all my parts here
ZCam E2-S6 - amzn.to/37wVFg4
SmallRig Cage - amzn.to/2zymjIW
SmallRig Handle - amzn.to/3d7alDM
PortKeys BM5 Monitor - amzn.to/30LeRVV
Sigma 18-35mm - amzn.to/2B7B6uA
Sony NPF Batteries - amzn.to/2YweTyo
HDMI Cable (right angle) -amzn.to/32hpkcJ
CFast 2.0 - amzn.to/3h37uhO
Sandisk SSD - amzn.to/2Bc42l2
Monitor Mount - amzn.to/2Zwy3pK

[@FilmConvert]

We've just released our new dedicated profile for the E2 S6 - would love to see a follow up video to hear about the grading potential of the footage from the camera

[@madmonomedia1955]

Would you say there’s a big difference upgrading from an xt3 to a Zcam e2 s6 ??

[@hossfilm7971]

Would love to see support for the E2-F6!

[@mickymack1230]

That is the cleanest, most compact professional Rig I have seen so far . It obviously comes from real life experience in using the camera in the field.Top review really appreciate it from a real working DP. Thanks for all the great Info.

[@stuartrouse7851]

this review is just great! as someone who is making the transition from 40 years of film still photography to digital cinema its great! I researched for months watching different reviews and stuff and bought a Z Cam E2S6 because I just want to get up and running quick and shoot footage!? And yeah, I have seen plenty of...."how sexy is my rig" but not a lot of actual useful advice so well done! I also had a ton of EF L lenses so wtf!

[@StevenDivish]

such a clean and awesome rig!

[@slobbersloth1480]

Thanks for such a great honest review. I was gonna buy the back magic, but now Z cam lol

[@cgereueu]

You are pretty spot on with everything, good and annoying about the camera. I agree here 100% after using it extensively. And yes, it has almost 14 stops, it's very close to Arri Alexa.

[@cammackey]

I do miss BM Highlight recovery button, it pulled back some good highlights. But the DR and highlight roll off is a thousand times better on this camera

[@cgereueu]

@@cammackey Yes, that BM Highlight recovery feature is actually pretty good. You are correct DR and highlight roll off on S6 is the best you get short of using Alexa or Amira which of course beats it. I worked with all camera systems including oldest and latest Alexa's and I can safely say that S6 for $2,500 is just ridiculously good. As a matter of fact their implementation of ProRes and the quality you get in all aspects is much better than what you get from using compressed codecs in much more expensive FX9, C500 Mark II or C300 Mark III. FX9's XAVC and Canon's XAVC falls into pieces in highlights way too easily which is unfortunate and I was quite surprised how weak they are. That said I'm spoiled with Arri's implementation of ProRes 422 and 4444, not to mention all the "magic", haha.

[@TedBorel]

48FPS on a 24FPS timeline: That’s my dawgggg! 👌🏼

[@wakeuptoryan]

Nice review, a few nitpicks. Most manufacturers list full technical stops when it comes to dynamic range. The BMPCC 6k advertises 13, but was found to have 11.9 true usable stops using BRAW. The Zcam E2 claimed 13 as well, but was found to have 10.8 stops using ProRes. The S6 produces a nice image, but I doubt it's producing 14 true stops in ProRes. Also, there are advantages to having the dynamic range shift with ISO (most notably being able to choose where you want the latitude based on the scene). Oh, and most if not all BM cameras do in fact have IR pass glass in front of the sensor - but aren't as strong as what is in the ZCAM. BM might actually have the weakest IR pass glass on the market, but it IS there.

[@KinsonLoo]

wakeuptoryan how did you come up with those dynamic range numbers?

[@cammackey]

Yeah idk, but all I know is the image im getting out of the ZCam packs more punch for my personal work. And I know they have a light IR filter but it might as well no existed cause I always had a 6stop ND on the baby lol

[@wakeuptoryan]

Kinson Loo I didn’t “come up” with anything, here’s a test for starters. www.cinema5d.com/z-cam-e2-cinema-camera-in-the-wild-a-hands-on-review/

[@NickVanHouse]

@@KinsonLoo lmao Kinson is quick to fight anybody that brings out the facts. Look version 1 of the e2 s6 is great but has a couple of flaws, simple things like freaking peaking not working with other frame rates. its fine. just make it better. don't fight it

[@WaveRiderMusic]

I have a P4K, as soon as you are using NDs you need to also add IR filtering. No big deal for me.

[@TexpatOTG]

I like where zCam is going ... software will mature and they will be a great value ... the people that already have bought are helping zCam improve ... nice show thanks

[@forthegloryproductions]

Good shit man! Love your thoughts and insights behind the S6 Z Cam. If I had seen this video before I purchased it I would have purchased it just by watching your video. I did buy it before this video came out though lol. I've had some 1 on 1 time with this camera and its a beauty man "I can't seem to put it down" in all honesty it amazes me every time I pick it up and film. We have identical setups from the body all the way to the tilta matte box. I do need to pick up an 18-35 Art lens. I currently have a 24mm and 35mm but would love that extra focal length. Hope to see more of your work down the line and yes I am in the FB "Z-cam" group its an awesome group and love the information I get from it.

[@adamgarceau]

Dude! My micro HDMI port on my XT3 broke as well! And now I am looking into this camera lol

[@RolandAyala]

Great, honest review. I found it really informative and answers a lot of questions that the typical gear reviews don't get into. Double thumbs up and a subscribe. Thanks!

[@johnkevin7992]

The colour shift with ISO change was fixed in a recent firmware update.

[@chuy3066]

thanks for all the details brutha! I'm doing my due diligence before I make the jump to this camera, and this really helps out. I'm a fan of your work, thanks again!

[@aarod2010]

I have one and all your points are valid. The battery issue is dependent on the type of battery you use, some of my batteries are easier to install then others.

[@TheRealSamBass]

The actual non-biased review I was looking for. Thank you very much man 🙏

[@FunnFoto]

Would love to see how using a MFT and speed booster would work.

[@PaulSprangersCityLimits]

Yo this is so super helpful. Thank you for posting this. Convinced me to order an F6 over a bmpcc 6k.

[@CarloTimothy]

miss BRAW at all? love working with it and was unsure about Zcam color science and customer service but it seems their FB page is popping and the CEO and engineers are actively participating

[@thomaspawlowski7513]

Z cam customer service is fantastic. The downside is having to ship your unit out overseas for major repairs (if you are state side). I actually like the color science more than BM or Panasonic, even Canon (at least for people of color).

[@StephenBell_video]

Epic review! Thx for re affirming my interest in this camera, and the rig setup you use is perfect! 1. Do you have any issues with loss of files if your batteries die on the E2? 2. How have you found the new track recording and drop of sound between track splitting?

[@e-lightmentary]

These are exactly the questions I have for this camera. Luckily I read the comments before asking. It would be nice to have an answer though.

[@hellozzh]

sold my red scarlet-w, and bought the s6, the red just got way too much problem to deal with. It seems Zcam can do pretty much the same thing and only cost as a red minimag. At first I was kind worry about products building quality and customer service from China, but since there are so many nice stuffs from China with quality and low price point in recentl years, like DJI, TILTA, SMALLRIG, GODOX, APUTURE, I guess Chinese stuffs is no longer cheap and bad now, Hopefully Red can learn how to practice on making good products instead of practicing on suck blood from customers. I use to love my Red so much. R.I,P

[@tiedtkeio]

Wow, the part where you mentioned that your mini HDMI on your XT3 broke, mine did just the other day too haha. Just bought a S6 too.

[@sompongviengvilai]

I agree with the small crew, my s6 is still back ordered. Sucks because I’m seeing your beautiful footage and I want it now! Thanks for beating up the z cam it makes me feel real good about its durability. I just sold my pocket 4k just because I hated grading the brownish reddish shadow it just adds another 2 min of post work per clip. Legit review you did without even trying lol

[@cammackey]

Yeah sometimes you couldn't grade it out, its all the IR pollution which could be fixed with an IR cut filter. They both look amazing but Im def favoring the Zcam colors more

[@sompongviengvilai]

cammackey yea thats another thing to carry, when I’m at my job I just want something internal. I also like how you pointed out the form factor. While I was filming with the pocket 4k I had people thinking it was a dslr photo camera. They would pose for a picture as if it was a camera to take pics not video. I’m like... damn... I guess people think my “cinema camera,” is a dslr because if it’s camera looking factor. I guess they won’t take me seriously.

[@JoshBenBernales]

camera is in stock at B&H right now!

[@doyenartists6850]

Great breakdown! Thanks for this! We're convinced!

[@mbrigo01]

Useful, thanks! Also, very funny!

[@HendrikusDeVaan]

great video. Nice to hear from someone that actually shoots with it daily.

[@gregorgraschitz]

Great video content man! Keen to see more of the S6/F6 :)

[@mmc5261]

i like how you roll bro, real review no gimmicks

[@bonyinc]

What about rolling shutter? You said 48fps is your preference but is 4k@120fps h265 good? Artefacts, moire, noise or any other problems?

[@TheParanormalUnknown]

Thank you so much for such an awesome review. I cant wait for everything to come in!

[@Willieswheels]

Agree with everything you said, love my S6. Same as losing peaking at variable frame rates have you noticed the hdmi out dropping resolution at particular resolutions/frame rates?

[@cammackey]

Yes I've noticed that too, thats not a huge issue for me tho compared to no focus peaking vs external monitor peaking. But I've been messing with H265 and loving it

[@aarod2010]

I hope they fix this issue, it drives me crazy!

[@DRONEYOURHOMELTD]

Enjoyed your review. Found it useful.

[@GustavssonAlex]

Happy to see someone else talking honest about stuff! Hope u find the Komodo good even though I think you would have loved the F6 ;) Keep it up!

[@AlreadyTiredOfYou]

Can we make the horse sounds standard?

[@punnu5997]

you were waiting for so long for the canon to release their stuff and then finally when they did, they are fan-less heating machines that just cannot go beyond 15 mins and not just the R5 but even the r6 is heating up. and has to be turned off to cool. (but they are all you-tubers with per-production gear) anyways this was a really cool video. thanks. I am just happy with my XT3 considering my client level and pay. so just gonna stick to that.

[@cpotv]

You do the best reviews on this camera. Keep up the a great work. 1 question is you only with in Davinci, how do you get it to work if it doesn’t support Pro Res?

[@cammackey]

Thank you! And Davinci does support ProRes, it doesn't support ProRes RAW tho.

[@CreativeCutsMedia22]

Great Video!! How difficult is it to go into menu and adjust ISO shutter speed etc? Shooting outside where lighting is always changing or if you change between different FPS and need to adjust.

[@tomguinandie2067]

Did u painted that cage ? Or sanded it ? I love the aspect !!! Great video, by the way, I keep my xt4 but I'm going to buy that cube !!!

[@DruMUSIC06]

I'm wondering if you already sold this cam of yours... If not, your z-cam vs your komodo in real world usage review would be lovely....

[@OrganizedGrimeFilms]

Great video, can you do a video on exposing your shot with this camera?

[@cammackey]

Yes will do!

[@samgoldwater]

Hey Cam, which lut did you mention? (Around the time you were discussing 'arri-like'). Could you link?

[@metropolitanpicturescienti1216]

Interesting information, especially regarding the s35 sensor and anamorphic lenses. Thank you for that. But your dog completely stole the show...

[@cammackey]

Lol you should see when I take her out around town....

[@M3films.]

Great stuff, thanks for the review and really digging your style. Question: how are you powering the monitor?

[@TheJayCubitt]

I would love to see you get your hands on the Irix Cine lenses. Especially the 15mm and the 45mm. I think they're incredible and would love to see what you could get out of them.

[@editboy23]

Great review, no BS! Thanks.

[@dimitrimoonlight]

Catalina OSX with final cut pro X is really sucks! I heard big surf with final cut pro is better.

[@PlaYBoI23237]

Nice! Hey what kind of filter is that you got on front of the sigma lens? You have a link

[@OmarKA]

I have a question: this camera offers 6k open gate up to 30p for the vazen lens. But which mode this camera offers for open gate in 60fps? Is there any good record mode for anamorphic up to 60p? Thanks

[@Martin1519]

Is this the guy from the secret window?

[@RideWithFocus]

This video just made me hit the subscribe button!!

[@tf2426]

Lets go! Nice Vid Cam. Killing it

[@simonwade7991]

How's the low light? Very interested in getting this one

[@TropicIslandMusic]

Good informative no BS vid dude

[@l4nternz]

The blue colour grading is showing up on your hat a lil bit, although still a rly good video!

[@williamhank4565]

thank you for the only honest truth

[@GTXRefael]

Omg same, my hdmi of my fuji xt3 broke, and now im thinking of buying this camera

[@cammackey]

I’ve been way harder on this camera and nothing has even come close to breaking

[@GTXRefael]

@@cammackey did you get the E ND yet? Or did you purchase it again?

[@QuayandChristine]

been enjoying your vids :)

[@cammackey]

Thank you!

[@FlyingJackalope]

Are you using the peaking in the app at all?

[@sapienstudio]

Hey brother! Following you since your Fuji day’s. Generally speaking how would you compare the sensor quality of the S6 to the XT3? Appreciate it in advance

[@DanielBasulto]

Love the Review. I Love my S6!

[@fostervf16]

I would have gone Atomos V. For the cost of that monitor and the cast card you could have actually saved money. What is the mount at the end of the lens that's covering the nd filter?

[@wolfmaxem2583]

Good!!!! Tell me more why you using Resolve exclusivly (by the way I do it the same way like you put it !)

[@daneshoemaker]

I am considering a purchase of the E2 M4 - is the build quality similar to the S6?

[@aarod2010]

Yes exact same body. Different sensor.

[@OmarKA]

And do you use this camera still till today?

[@ScottGoldbergMusic]

You look like Joe from Digital Bolex back in 2016!

[@Avalon6ix]

How is the memory space? B&H got it listed at 300mbps for 1080p-6K. I highly doubt that in 1080p it eats that much space.

[@geoffwebb1]

Loved the video, not a fan of the LUT you're using for the talking head shot though, grey splotches on your face and hat really took me out of it at times! Anyways, liked and subscribed, excited to hear from you more and see more of your stuff!

[@cammackey]

Geoff Webb lol did you see my subtitles in the beginning?! I was shooting it on my Sony a7r4 (I have the canon R5 now) but somehow my auto WB was on so it was shifting all of the place none stop so tried my best to keep it balanced in post lol

[@atze9417]

How did you mount that variable nd filter in front of the tilta mini mattebox?

[@cammackey]

I have a BPM filter under it

[@matcast81]

@@cammackey could you please explain? Thank you so much!!

[@Iknowvfx]

Gotta get you a Atomos Ninja V next.

[@cammackey]

Eh. I don't want to have to count on a monitor for recording, my gigs are pretty gritty so the less parts the better. Im happy with all the internal options on the ZCam too. And prores raw is a joke, its basically prores 12bit. Waiting for daivinci to give us ZRaw support

[@triggeredmediaco]

What matte box are you running? Do you just use your freewell vnd inside or do you have 4x4s you use?

[@louiscollin5109]

Have you used the SSD to record some stuff? I am mainly doing corporate work. Would you recommend the SSD for static shots and gimbal?

[@cammackey]

Get a cfast card. Makes life easier.

[@rdanalytics9197]

If Ned Flanders and Johnny Depp had a kid...

[@dna8269]

Great video brotha! Is there any real tangible selling point for the F6 over the S6 for a run and gun style shooter? Seems like the S6 covers pretty much everything for $1500 less

[@NathanRodger]

Apart from the main big difference with the S6 being S35 and F6 being full frame?

[@dna8269]

@@NathanRodger Yeah. The F6 still crops into S35 & further at certain frame rates so I'm wondering if the 1 stop of DR / low light sensitivity is actually tangible or is it more a spec sheet thing rather than noticeable in real life, or deserving of the price jump

[@cammackey]

I mean part of it was its cheaper and I wasn't sure if it was going to like it or not, and also that S35 sensors are more versatile. But I still want to test it out and see if the quality is a step up or not

[@fostervf16]

Which user group are you referring to? There are several z cam groups showing up.

[@readitoutloud]

What’s the highlight roll off like? I’m looking at how it compares to DSLR/mirror less. Is it noticeable or slight? Thanks.

[@joshdiditt]

Hey. Can you turn the Freewell Variable ND while the Tilta Matte box is on? Or do you have to take the matte box off?

[@FeranoWibisono]

How do you attach your freewell nd filter to that matte box? That’s a tilta 15 right?

[@samuelguce]

Hi Cam, I have been having a little bit of a hard time with my white balance on the S6 and I'm wondering if you have come to the same issues.. I have 5600k lights in studio but setting WB to 5600k is far too warm. 5600k lights sit at around 4800k on the zcam, even on auto however I wouldn't use auto as its often very wrong - Is the temperature thing normal? Could just be me missing something - Can you calibrate a camera's WB? Thanks for your time and great channel.

[@samuelguce]

Example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6OZoJWXma56g5I

[@OmniVisionElite]

Which VND did you order?

[@Canoneosmiami]

Johnny Depp is doing reviews now on KZbin,what the hell ?

[@PharoahsKingdom]

How was this cam when low light filming?

[@JoshuaHelms]

Great f-(horse sound)-ing video, bro.

[@cammackey]

Joshua Helms hahaha I got tired of trying not to curse

[@JoshuaHelms]

@@cammackey it's actually one of my favorite things about this video haha

[@carltontowns3548]

have you balanced on ak4500 with sigma?

[@axm2689]

What matte box is on this camera?

[@isaacbedford3644]

Which HDMI cable you using? Also what’s wrong with FCPX and Premiere?

[@cammackey]

I listed it in the description! And both programs always just had issues and hiccups, davinci has always just worked for me, zero crashed, zero things to mess with. Just works.

[@ADNZ5442]

Can it do 120fps 4k dci

[@lih4736]

awesome

[@BrownGuyMadeIT]

Here so early, it's only 360P

[@zoombapup]

Same, wondered why it was so blocky :)

[@salsabanskabystrica]

please, what kind of FILTER are you using on the Tilta Tilta Mini Matte Box and what size of filter? thanks

[@cammackey]

Its just a variable ND filter till I eventually get the mystical eND thats supposedly out there lol

[@salsabanskabystrica]

is a viariable filter Freewell with size 72? Because I have Freewel with size 82 and it doesn't fit me there. It's too big for a Tilta Mini Matte Box

[@RandomMotoThings]

What camera are you using to film this video?

[@JoshBenBernales]

@@salsabanskabystrica the Tilta mattebox fit a max 77mm filter.

[@DiamondVisuals]

🧠💡

[@zengze1]

None of those cameras give 14 stops, period. 12 healthy stops plus minus 1/3. 12 bit ADR just not capable of more. But if it makes an owner feel better, one can claim anything. Which the manufacturers do spreading those false numbers around.

[@cammackey]

I need proof. Prove me wrong. Please. Im all about what's true and accurate. But havent seen the evidence on that, so link me if you have!

[@zengze1]

@@cammackey sorry, but this was your claim. Would you be so kind to provide a DR test showing 14 stops? All I know is S6 got the same sensor as BMPCC 6K and GH5s. And those are known to have around 12 stops. Which is only right given 12 bit ADC. It's actually nothing wrong with 12 stops of DR. But those claims of 14-15 stops are really ridiculous. I myself just tested BMPCC6K against Alexa. Clearly at least 1.5 stops less. Alexa has 14 stops of DR indicated by Arri, and those are real, usable. Problem with all those claims is that while it's easy in the highlights, in the shadows some manufacturers take advantage of the uncertainty where the noise becomes just noise and where there's still "something" in it. Hence those claims. One can neglect all these things and simply shoot, but it's misleading if one is to base his purchasing decisions on such things. Let's put it this way - these low cost cameras (BMPCC 4K, 6K, Z-cam S6, F6, Nikon Z6, Panasonic S1, S1H have 12-12.5 stops of usable DR, and something beyond it which is of no value to the shooter :).

[@film336]

bro ytf you spend 280 on a cfast card... lol go to bestbuy and get the cheapest ssd. #nuff said