Introducing the Atomos NINJA V Series - Field Monitors Photographers Shouldn't Be Without

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Camera monitors, excellent though they are, are still fairly small and also have limited brightness levels, the latter becoming very relevant in full sunshine. Sometimes in the brightest ambient light, it can be difficult to see anything meaningful from the screen. There are also limitations as regards the speed of memory cards, although the latest varieties are reaching new levels that could barely have been dreamt of not so long ago.

Enter Atomos, with a range of brilliant field monitors that can be attached directly to the camera, plus for the monitor/recorder versions, the ability to feed the camera sensor output directly to a mini SSD drive. Add support for a huge range of codecs and even RAW formats and we have a seriously useful range of products that can enhance the shooting experience for Vloggers and videographers alike, from social media Vlogs to full-scale cinematic productions.

Introducing The NINJA V

A slim 25mm aluminium body houses this 5.2-inch monitor/recorder, weighing in at a modest 360g. Recording directly from the sensor to a mini SSD drive, a wide range of codecs is supported, including:

• Apple ProRes
• Apple ProRes RAW
• Avid DNx
• H.265 (HEVC) - requires additional online purchase

The HDR/SDR display delivers a brightness level of 1000 nits, absolutely bright enough to be clearly visible in full sunlight. Obviously if brought into darker areas this sort of level of brightness would be rather excessive, so at the touch of a switch, it can be turned down as required. There is an impressive 10+ stops of dynamic range.

Frame guides are available of 1:1, 4:5, 1:91:1 and 9:16 and even a wireless remote control is included. SSD up to 2TB is supported. The maximum recording time for the 2TB SSD drive is 150 minutes.

Using Atom OS10, the range of features is impressive. A field monitor of course gives a vastly improved ability to compose accurately and a far better idea of how the finished footage will look. There are regular free firmware upgrades. The most recent updates include 5.9K ProRes RAW with selected cameras.

A wide range of cameras is supported, including:

• Sony
• Panasonic
• Olympus
• Nikon
• Canon
• Leica
• Fujifilm
• Z Cam
• JVC

Apart from the video cameras listed, the marques more familiar to stills photographers include both DSLR and mirrorless ranges, so, for example, Nikon DSLR and Z series cameras are both fully compatible. The new Canon EOS R5C is ideally pitched for multicam setups using the new AtomX Cast.

Receive £80 cashback on all NINJA V purchases before the end of 30 April 2022 - visit the ATOMOS website for more information.

Need More? Take A Look At The NINJA V+ 

NINJA V+ extends the capabilities of NINJA V, using the new Atoml C3 chip and Atom OS 10 to enable 8K p30 and 4K p120 in AppleRes RAW.

The 5.2 inch 1000 nits brightness IPS monitor offers 10.5 stops HDR and, as before, enables proper viewing in full sunlight. This is not only invaluable for composition as we shoot, but also enables a readable display of waveforms, histograms and other relevant information.

4K p60 in 10-bit 4:2:2 is supported by a wide variety of cameras, including:

• Panasonic
• Nikon
• Olympus
• Leica
• Fujifilm
• Z Cam
• RED
• ARRI

Continuous free upgrades can be augmented by AtomX Modules that allow for upgrades, new connection features and expansion. The latest example of continuous development is the extensive work done with Canon that results in the Multicam possibilities with the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R5C mirrorless cameras.

Receive £175 cashback on all NINJA V purchases before end of 30 April 2022 - visit the ATOMOS website for more information.

Could SHINOBI Products Be For You?

If the recording facility is not needed, but the advantages of an external field monitor are, then the SHINOBI could be just the ticket. Weighing in at a very modest 196g, here we have the basics with a 1000 nits 5 inch 10-bit HDR or SDR display, running on a single “all day” battery. The battery is centrally placed to ensure proper balance with the camera. Compatibility extends to most cameras, smartphones and HDMI ready devices.

Any photographer who has tried to use the camera monitor in full sunlight will understand the futility of seeing anything accurately, if at all, so SHINOBI offers a solution to that with a display that is fully visible in the brightest light. In darker areas, it can of course be turned down.

Valuable analytics include the Multi-tool analysis view and histograms, waveforms and videoscopes. There is even a selfie Mirror Mode for the convenience of Vloggers.

At a relatively modest outlay, SHINOBI offers a vast array of features whilst leaving out the recording capabilities. For photographers, as opposed to videographers, this could be perfect.

Visit the ATOMOS website for more information on SHINOBI. 

We Chat To Wedding Videographer Jay Gilmour 

Samyang ambassador and dedicated NINJA V user Jay Gilmour works mainly as a videographer in the Carlisle area, and John Riley tracked him down via a Zoom call.

John started off by asking Jay just how he had become a Samyang Ambassador...

"I was already a keen Samyang user and then I won the AF 135mm f/1.8 in a competition. This resulted in me working more closely with Holdan, and I was offered the chance to become a Samyang Ambassador."

Entering a competition doesn't usually lead to an Ambassador role with Samyang but the ongoing conversation they had with Jay made them realise he was a passionate, enthusiastic photographer with an excellent track record of creating engaging content and that's exactly the type of person they want representing the brand.  

How did this lead to using Atomos NINJA?

"The Samyang distributor - Holdan - was terrific to work with and they also represent Atomos. It was a logical progression."

Jay is a great fan of Samyang lenses, especially the AF range which have brought the quality up to a point where the marque lenses are given a serious run for their money. Likewise, he uses the NINJA V monitor/recorder for his videography work, shooting weddings, real estate, Air B&B shoots and also running workshops.

What sort of photography do you cover?

"For my business, videography mainly, covering weddings, workshops, real estate and high-end Air B&B, the sort of properties that could be described as upmarket. For myself, I try to keep apart the stills photography, which I enjoy as a relaxation. I now understand why some photographers can happily camp out for hours waiting for the light."

Asked about his approach, he explained that he is a great believer in telling a story and his videography does just that; it tells a story that flows logically through the shoot.

Above: One of the many excellent videos Jay has shared over on his Youtube channel. 

What is your own videography kit?

"The Sony A7 III and A7 IV cameras, usually having one on a tripod and the other one moving freely using a gimbal for stability. I like lots of action and movement in my shoots. Lenses are by Samyang, offering high quality at a realistic price. The NINJA V is a constant part of this set-up."

Samyang certainly offers some great lenses, so what in general is your favourite, your "go-to" lens?

"The 50mm. It sees things the way the human eye does and I'll usually use that on the mobile camera, with perhaps a wider lens on the tripod-mounted one."

What's next on the shopping list?

"Looking at multi-camera techniques, probably the upcoming NINJA Cast with its portable live switching."

Jay Gilmour, thank you very much. 

Atomos Cashback On NINJA V & NINJA V+ - Save Up To £175

Those who purchase a NINJA V or NINJA V+ recording monitor from Atomos before the end of April 2022 can claim up to £175 cashback. 

Two cashback offers are available which are as follows:

• Receive £80 cashback on all NINJA V purchases
• Receive £175 cashback on all NINJA V+ purchases

To claim your cashback you need to purchase a NINJA V or NINJA V+ from a participating reseller, complete the online promotion form, upload your receipt and wait to receive your cashback return directly to your PayPal account.

This offer is available until 30 April 2022 and all claims must be submitted online by end of 21 May 2022. 

For more information, visit the Atomos website.