DEFINITION April 2019

USER REVI EW | MAVO LF

FORM FACTOR “The form factor is very interesting, obviously you can shoot with the body, monitor and side grip, which is a really small and compact form factor for run-and-gun stuff. It’s easy and convenient to use, but you can then build it out however you want because the form factor is similar to Red, only more compact because the brain itself is tiny.” Ash bought the Mavo LF pro package from ProAV – the brain with the KineBACK modular back plate with the side grip and the monitor. “I’ve also got an EF and PL mount as we were originally going to get the Arri Ultras, but unfortunately they were a little bit out of our budget so I had to compromise and go with the Samyang Xeen lenses. I’ve worked with them quite a bit before and they are perfectly capable, but basically they’re not Arri.” CHOOSING THE LF Part of the reason Ash decided on the LF version of the Mavo was that Kinefinity wasn’t really well known compared to Blackmagic, Arri, Red and those brands. “I thought if I’m going to go for one of their cameras it needs to be their best one, their flagship product because the spec

sheet carries it when the name doesn’t. That was my logic, anyway. “You can buy an older Red and the name will carry it, even if it hasn’t got the new specs or is a DSMC2 product. It’s the same with Arri cameras – the name will carry it. But with Kinefinity, because it’s such an unheard of company at the moment, I thought if I’m going to buy one and going to put it forward to companies for use on productions, the spec sheet needs those buzzwords to attract producers. “Large format, 6K – both are those kind of buzzwords. So when I’m applying to productions and other work I can show the spec sheet and it helps because the name at the moment doesn’t carry much weight. “At one point, the Kinefinity cameras were only available to buy in China but that has changed now, and I’ve heard that they will soon have an office opening up in Burbank, Los Angeles, which will help with the American market. “Because of demand for the Terra 4K they had to open up a new factory to keep up with demand. I believe all three of the cameras have sold very well so far.” Up till now, Ash hasn’t encountered any problems with his

Mavo. “My three days on the short were very long and intensive, and I had absolutely no issues, it just worked and the image was great. So far I’ve been super-impressed with it; I’m not nervous at all about taking it on this feature as I know the image is fantastic, and I’ve had plenty of time to get used to the camera and the menus.”

BELOW Ash testing the Mavo LF for short films

LARGE FORMAT OPPORTUNITY

“THE SPECS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, THEY’RE INCREDIBLE CONSIDERING THE PRICE”

“You look at large format, full- frame, whatever you want to call it, compared to a Super 35 image

62 DEF I N I T ION | APR I L 20 1 9

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