
Filmmaker and Catch Magazine Founder Todd Moen captures the natural beauty of fly-fishing with the new Panasonic HC-X2 camcorder
Brie Clayton September 28, 2022
0 Comments
Created 13 years ago with a friend, documentary filmmaker and camera operator Todd Moen created Catch Magazine, an online fly-fishing journal that highlights the best fly-fishing photography and video shot by contributors all over the world. The centerpiece of the magazine is a fly-fishing production that Moen films, edits and produces himself. For issue No. 75, to be released Fall 2022, Moen created a fly-fishing film, Hopper Season: Fly Fishing for Trout on the Williamson River, shot on the historic Yamsi Ranch in Southern Oregon. For the short film, Moen captured fourth-generation ranch family member, Tom Hyde, as he pursued trout on the Williamson River's crystal clear, 45-degree spring-fed waters amid a grasshopper hatch. Shooting with the new Panasonic HC-X2 camcorder, Moen captured the wild south-central Oregon landscape, handheld close-ups of rainbow trout, fast action sets and hookups, and 120-fps slow motion footage of hungry fish rising to devour grasshoppers during a late-summer hopper hatch.
Moen has built his entire production career around camcorders and for the past 15 years, he has only shot with Panasonic camcorders, starting with the AG-HMC150 to his current AG-CX350. One of the things he loves about Panasonic cameras is their dependability in extreme conditions. With his CX350, he recently shot in the brutal flats of the NW Coast of Australia, which reached temperatures of 120-degrees with high humidity. Moen has also shot in subzero temperatures and brutal, coastal-wet conditions in British Columbia without fail. He prefers the form factor of a camcorder over a DSLR, or mirrorless camera. I just like the feel of them, he said. It feels more like a video camera. I think you must choose one or the other.
Some contents or functionalities here are not available due to your cookie preferences!
This happens because the functionality/content marked as Google Youtube uses cookies that you choosed to keep disabled. In order to view this content or use this functionality, please enable cookies: click here to open your cookie preferences.
At the time of his shoot, Yamsi Ranch was having a once-in-a-lifetime grasshopper invasion. According to Moen, if you don't have the insects, fish will not rise, and you won't capture their explosive action on the surface. It was one of those National Geographic type scenarios, revealed Moen. Grasshoppers were everywhere, with 20 to 30 flying right up in front of you with every step you took. To see how the fish were dialed into those insects hitting the water, it was a camera operator's dream come true.
Ideal for run-and-gun shooting, the Panasonic HC-X2 is a 1.0-type (inch) 4K 60p camcorder with the widest angle (24.5mm) view in its class, plus an Optical 20x zoom lens. To meet professional broadcast demands, the X2 contains SDI/HDMI Dual Output, XLR Input, Wired Remote, Triple Manual Ring, User Switch, and Live Streaming capability. For cinematographers and documentary filmmakers, the X2 offers proxy recording, as well as HLG/V-Log capture.
Moen felt the X2 was very similar to the CX350 with some new welcome features. When I first pulled the camera out of the box, the first thing I thought was, Wow, this camera is a lot like the CX350,' he explained. They've simplified the buttons on the side more, and the X2 has a larger menu dial, which makes controlling the menu system much easier. I really like what they've done with this camera. Moen felt the X2 fit perfectly with his run-and-gun shooting style because when shooting in the wild, he often needs to be seconds away from making his next move, and the X2's 20x zoom lens gave him plenty of options. I would be shooting antelope one second and then I'm shooting a tight shot using the lens' macro function, explained Moen. You never know what's going to happen with wildlife so being able to go back and forth within two or three seconds of each shot is essential. If I was trying to change lenses, I would have missed the antelope right in front of me.
For fly-fishing, Moen is typically shooting 50/50 between manual and autofocus. One feature Moen was impressed by was the X2's new Fast AF system. My target is a subject that normally you can't even see because it's underwater, revealed Moen. When a fish breaks the surface, I better have the shot. In those situations, I'm in full autofocus and the X2's autofocus system is spectacular.
Some contents or functionalities here are not available due to your cookie preferences!
This happens because the functionality/content marked as Google Youtube uses cookies that you choosed to keep disabled. In order to view this content or use this functionality, please enable cookies: click here to open your cookie preferences.
Although it's not new technology, the pre-record function is another essential camcorder tool that Moen depends heavily on. It's a complete game changer, said Moen. Back in the day, I'd have to roll tape for hours until something would happen right in front of me. It's a make-or-break feature and if a camera doesn't feature pre-record, I won't use it.
Compared with DSLRs, Moen was grateful for the X2's internal ND filter system, which he used to cut light, or to manipulate his exposure. For Moen, internal NDs are a huge time saver since he doesn't need to carry ND filters for each lens, nor does he need to clean each one. He always employs a circular polarizer to cut glare on water surfaces.
Moen shot the film in UHD in 10-bit 422 LongGOP (200Mbps). He always records 60p and works in a 30p timeline to have the option for slo-mo.
Acc
Most recent headlines
11/12/2025
Dalet, a leading provider of cloud-native, end-to-end media workflow solutions, ...
09/12/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has once again delayed implementation of sponsorship identification requirements for foreign...
09/12/2025
WASHINGTON #GALSNGEAR has announced two major leadership retreats in early 2026 that the group said are designed to equip women in media, entertainment, and tec...
09/12/2025
WASHINGTON With a Dec. 15 deadline looming for a new retransmission consent and carriage deal between Cox and Verizon, the two parties have started trading barb...
09/12/2025
SAN FRANCISCO Samba TV has announced that it has secured new financing from Horizon Technology Finance Corporation, an affiliate of Monroe Capital, with an init...
09/12/2025
Many cord-cutters looking to reduce their monthly cable or satellite bills are also cutting back on streaming costs, according to new research from All About Co...
09/12/2025
LAS VEGAS and NASHVILLE, Tenn. Shure technology played a critical role during the broadcast productions of the 59th Annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena i...
09/12/2025
Unveiling of new CV1, web-browser workflows and Milan roadmap for mission-critical AV environments
Nixer Pro Audio will return to Integrated Systems Europe (IS...
09/12/2025
An easier approach to recreate the powerful nerve-blocking molecule found in shellfish A Scripps Research-led study resolves the challenge of synthesizing saxit...
08/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 1By SVG Staff
Monday, December 8, 2025 - 6:56 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
The 2025...
08/12/2025
2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Bill Rasmussen, the Entrepreneur Who Drea...
08/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Live Production Innovation Workshop Goes Deep on ST 211...
08/12/2025
#GALSNGEAR Announces East, West Leadership Retreats for 2026By Ken Kerschbaumer
Monday, December 8, 2025 - 9:10 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story High...
08/12/2025
MediaKind Acquiring Harmonic's Video Business to Create New Streaming-Video ...
08/12/2025
Platinum White Paper: Sony HDR/SDR Camera Shading Techniques for Live Production...
08/12/2025
SVG Sit-Down: NESN's Kenny Elcock and Harmonic's Jean Macher Talk Next-G...
08/12/2025
Monsters Funday Football,' ESPN's Latest Live Animation Effort, Advances...
08/12/2025
SVG Sit-Down: ESPN Director Jeff Nelson on Calling the (Animated) Action on Mon...
08/12/2025
Monsters Funday Football': Louisiana Philharmonic Delivers Again With Orches...
08/12/2025
Always Was, Always Will Be Strength, Survival and Pride this January 26 on NITV,...
08/12/2025
Nielsen's robust data offering enables marketers to connect with their target audience more effectively and drive better results throughout Amazon's adv...
08/12/2025
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK Paramount has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery with an all-cash tender offer to acquire all of the outstandin...
08/12/2025
EMERYVILLE, Calif. Media and entertainment technology and services provider Advanced Systems Group has named Macky Beheshti as director, enterprise storage and ...
08/12/2025
DENVER MediaKind, a global provider of cloud-based video streaming technology announced today that it is acquiring the video business of Harmonic Inc. for appro...
08/12/2025
NEW YORK Nielsen has announced that its Audience Segments from Nielsen Marketing Cloud (NMC) are now available across the Amazon Ads marketplace, including the ...
08/12/2025
Marshall Electronics showcases the CV355-27X-ND3 Optical Zoom NDI (NDI HX2, NDI HX3) Camera at ISE 2026 (Booth 4N900). Designed for users seeking high-quality ...
08/12/2025
Cinnafilm today announced the immediate availability of IPx LIVE and Tachyon LIVE, delivering broadcast-grade, real-time IP video transcoding and motion-compens...
08/12/2025
Following a successful 45th anniversary year in 2024, Hiltron reports increasing demand for its wide range of satellite communication equipment manufacturing, p...
08/12/2025
Over 1.7 million people watched across the weekend
Another record-breaking year...
08/12/2025
When was the last time you updated your default playlist(s)? A default playlist keeps your station(s) on the air should your team ever miss a step in sending mu...
08/12/2025
08 Dec 2025
VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan Breaks Ground for Hyper Cloud Data Ce...
08/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix ISP Speed Index for November 2025
Product
08 December 2025
Global
Link copied to clipboard
This month marks 15 years of the Netfl...
08/12/2025
Back to All News
Another Exciting Chapter in Our Book-to-Screen Journey and What's to Come
Entertainment
08 December 2025
Global
Link copied to clipboa...
08/12/2025
Strategic and transformative transaction would sharpen Harmonic's focus on its core Broadband business and advance its growth initiatives
Ensures continued...
08/12/2025
Copenhagen's The Epicurus is a one-of-a-kind Jazz Gastropub that presents exclusive performances curated by Jazz Pianist and Producer Sir Niels Lan Doky. Fe...
08/12/2025
Arvato Systems Receives gematik-approval for TI-Messenger tim
Approval secured for TI Messenger tim - paving the way for secure and interoperable communicat...
08/12/2025
Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh is the first celebrity to be revealed for the s...
08/12/2025
Changing children's lives for good: A staggering 4.6 million raised in the 2025 appeal
The people of Ireland and people all over the world have once again...
08/12/2025
It's murder on the dancefloor as The Traitors Ireland legend Paudie Moloney ...
07/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix Takes Over the Oslo Skyline With Celebratory Troll 2 L...
06/12/2025
In a live broadcast from the Reagan National Defense Forum, L3Harris Chair and CEO Christopher Kubasik joined Morgan Brennan on CNBCs Closing Bell: Overtime. Ku...
06/12/2025
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. A new survey from Pixitmedia by Datacore revealed a major shift in the Media & Entertainment industry in media archiving, with 85% of resp...
06/12/2025
HACKENSACK, N.J. LiveU has announced that the national public broadcaster Czech Television has completed one of the largest LiveU live production deployments fo...
06/12/2025
NEW YORK The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) presented the Excellence in Production Technology Emmy Award to NASA+ and Dr. Tom Leight...
05/12/2025
2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Curt Gowdy Jr. - Master Storyteller, Nati...
05/12/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Veritone's Sean King on the Power of Mining Video, Audio DataThe company's Data Refinery offers users total control and governance over da...
05/12/2025
Platinum White Paper: Inside the Nashville Predators' Unified, Flexible, Sca...
05/12/2025
Netflix Reaches Agreement To Acquire Warner Bros. Following Planned WBD SplitThe deal does not include WBDs sports assets like TNT Sports (US, UK, LatAm), Euros...
05/12/2025
FOX Sports Returns to Indianapolis for Primetime Broadcast of Big Ten Championsh...
05/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Digital Engagement & Monetization Workshop Tackles the ...