Since the beginning of COVID lockdown, video conferenceing has become the main way to communicate with the outside World. Zoom and Facetime are the main apps that I use with Zoom being prefered for groups and Facetime for 1-1 calls.
My guess is that, even when COVID subsides, video confernecing is here to stay as a mainstream consumer activity. So, I set up a system which gives me much better quality than the basic camera on the PC or iPad and better sound than the integrated mic. Lighting is also important so I set up an LED light source.
I took guidance from Joe McNally’s set-up since it looked like it could be easily, and affordably copied. Here’s a picture:
The components are:
Nikon Z6 w/ 24-70mm f/4 lens mounted on a Benro travel tripod. External power source
Cam Link 4K attachment from HDMI on camera to USB on the iMAC
Mini HDMI to HDMI cable to connect the Z6 to the Cam Link 4K
Manfrotto Friction arm supporting the diffuser
Avenger super-clamp to attach the friction arm to a leg on the Benro tripod
Fotodiox LED panel on a small light stand
Settings:
Z6: 1/60 sec f/4. Movie mode, auto ISO, AF-F, Face detect ON (a4), WB = 5000K. 1080P 60Hz. Set to never auto-sleep
LED light, max power, Temp = 5000K
Update: Jun 27, 2020.
I replaced the Z6 with the SONY RX100 V since I never use that camera.
1. Used the same Camlink 4K
2. Connected to iMAC via Micro HDMI / Camlink 4K
3. Connected to USB power adapter so that the battery won’t drain and the camera will stay on indefinitely
4. AF-C, Face detect ON
5. Aperture priority, biggest aperture (f/2.2)
6. 1080P 24fps (or 60?)
7. WB - 5000K
8. HDMI - clean (find in HDMI settings menu)
9. Used internal mic with volume set high (~15)