What every cameraman and assistant should know or Guidelines for Camera Gear check procedures:
The camera term gear check refers to the procedure of checking the equipment rented from a hire company in advance to avoid embarrassing and costly delays on set.
There are variations in the process depending on the type of production:
When checking the equipment for a HD feature for example the production company will allocate a day or more for the gear check.This is usually done by the first camera assistant.The DOP will also be involved if a specific menu driven look is created for the production.
On smaller productions where budget allows,time will be allocated for a gear check.This could be anything from 30min to 5 hours.
One of the most common type of shoots is where the production company allows no time for a gear check.A runner or driver picks up the equipment.This is one situation where the client relies on the rentals house to ensure that the equipment is 100% checked and ready.
The scenario I would like to elaborate on is where there is a certain amount of time for a gear check.The following guidelines are there to assist the camera assistant or even runner to make sure the kit is complete.
make sure you arrive at the equipment rentals company with an equipment list as requested by the production company from the rentals company.
Try and allow a minimum of 1 hour to check a standard camera kit.
The golden rule of gear checks: build the kit you are taking. In other words check the components with each other of the kit you are taking. Do not use convenient rentals’ equipment in the test bay.
Do not put the camera on a test tripod ie use the tripod you are taking with.By just doing this you are already checking the following:
if the VCT U14 or base plate is included in the kit.
If the base plate locks properly on to the camera
If the right wedge is on the base plate to go on to the tripod
If the tripod is working.
If the camera can be balanced properly on the tripod.
Plug camera in to the monitor you are taking with not the monitor in the test bay at the rentals’ company. Line up the monitor to colour bars generated by the camera you are taking. Gaffer tape the monitor control buttons closed once you have set it. This allows you the assurance that people on set will adjust the settings without having to remove the tape:
Enough BNC cables in the kit with additional cable drums if need be.
BNC to RCA adaptors.
BNC to BNC adaptors.
A spare kettle plug to power the monitor.
A ray shade to view the picture without flare or reflections off the screen.
Remove the lens from the camera and check:
The back element for fingerprints on nets left there by the previous crew.Notify the rentals’ company of any permanent marks or damage.
The front element .Make sure you have a UV filter protecting the lens. Notify the rentals’ company of any permanent marks or damage.
If you are not taking a Matte Box ensure that a circular polariser is included.
Check all varaibles on the lens : zoom, focus and iris control. Check both the manual and servo zoom and iris functions.
Check the back focus on the lens using the following method:
Line up the camera 9ft away from the focus rose or lens test chart.(Tip:if you do not have one the fine print of a magazine article will suffice)
A good rentals’ company will include a back focus chart with the camera kit.
Make sure the lens is the same height as the test chart and make sure the camera’s focal plane is perpendicular to the test chart.
Adjust the lighting or filtration untill the lens’s iris is wide open.
Zoom in on the test chart and focus till sharp.
Zoom out and check if the focus chart stays sharp.
If the chart stays sharp back focus is in.
If the chart goes soft as you zoom out the back focus needs to be adjusted.
The back focus is adjusted on the back of the lens by releasing a focus adjustment ring and refocusing the chart whilst the lens is zoomed out totally.
Once you have refocused the lens tighten the back focus adjustment ring and zoom in again.
Refocus the lens and zoom out to check focus on the wide of the lens.
All should be sharp now.
Matte box:
Check the physical condition of the Matte box.
Ensure that all lock off’s on Matte box locks off correctly, ie the lock off for the elephant ear/ french flag, the lock off for the adjustment of the french flag, the lock off that moves the Matte box back and forth and the lock offs that lock the Matte box to the support bars.
Check that the pair of support bars are of equal length and correct diameter and that it locks into the Matte box shoe securely.
Filters:
Check each individual filter seperately
On a piece of paper (preferably white) draw the outline of the actual filter, check the filter for any scratches, dings or any other defects. If any defects are found, indicate these defects on the paper drawing of filter.
Once all filters are checked make the rental’s company sign your pages with the filter drawings.
Lighting kit:
Set up all the lights on it’s stands
Make sure that each stand locks off properly at it’s various stages.
Check that the light properly locks off on its stand.
The barn doors ring should be able to rotate freely on it’s light
Check that the actual barn door has enough tension to stay in a position when adjusted.
Check that the “SPOT” and “FLOOD” functions of the light work properly.
Check that the light switch is in working order and that the cable and switch is free of any shorts.
If spare bubbles are not included with the kit, request for them.
Your standard gells would be CTO, CTB and Diffusion. With the barn doors opened, check that the gells are big enough to cover them.
Audio kit:
All audio should be thoroughly checked with the equipment it is going to be used with, example, camera, mixer, dat machine etc.
Check that the headphones as well as all audio cables supplied are not intermittent.
Check each individual mic for any faults. In the case of rifle mics, make sure that the mic locks off on it’s boom pole properly. Also make sure that the boom pole securely locks off at it’s various stages.
In the case of the ECM 77b lapel mic check that it has a pop-shield as well as a clip. Check that the actual lapel mic’s capsule is tightened an that it is free from cracks.
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