
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
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
10/06/2026
DAZN-owned digital-media company launches three fan-first series leaning into cr...
10/06/2026
Clear-Com has announced the appointment of Jason Dino as Southwest Regional Sales Manager USA, covering Southern California and the Southwest region. Dino joins...
10/06/2026
An 11% decrease in number of global broadcast deals reflects the organization...
10/06/2026
The Women Without Boundaries Awards recognize women whose work is advancing the future of media, broadcast, AV, workplace technology, digital experience, and re...
10/06/2026
Today is match day minus two for FIFA and HBS. On Thursday, there will be two ma...
10/06/2026
SES is supporting broadcast distribution of the world's biggest football tou...
10/06/2026
NDI has announced that BirdDog has become the first hardware manufacturer to achieve full NDI 6.3 compatibility across its complete lineup of cameras, encoders,...
10/06/2026
Vince Caputo and Scott Carter, winners of the 2026 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Post Produced Audio have been announced as presenters for the 2026 SVG Advanced A...
10/06/2026
FOX One today unveiled a slate of new product features and enhancements designed to elevate the viewing experience for fans on the official streaming platform o...
10/06/2026
Primary production partners Dome Productions and Raycom Sports once again played...
10/06/2026
The Women in Sports Filmmaking Experienceship is an immersive professional devel...
10/06/2026
The league has expanded its HSAN architecture for the NBA Finals to manage more ...
10/06/2026
The inaugural MoonPay X Games League (XGL) Winter Draft will take place Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at Cosm Los Angeles from 7-9 p.m. PT. The event will strea...
10/06/2026
The University of Oklahoma (OU) Athletics Department and Learfield have announce...
10/06/2026
The Video Services Forum (VSF) has released TR-06-4 Part 8, a new specification for RIST Satellite-Hybrid: Out-of-Band Method. The specification creates a mecha...
10/06/2026
Riedel Communications provided the communications infrastructure for the 14th World Live Neurovascular Conference (WLNC) in Lisbon, supporting live medical proc...
10/06/2026
A still from The Doom Generation by Gregg Araki (Courtesy of Sundance Institute)
By Lucy Spicer
Have you checked out our Sundance Film Festival 101 list yet...
10/06/2026
Get Hands-On with Interfaces & Mic Preamp Brands
If youre after a new interface or preamp, then GearExpo UK is the place to be! Well have a whole host of au...
10/06/2026
November 13-14 2026, The Midway, San Francisco
Following their recent rebranding, MONO Music Conference (formerly Music Expo) have officially announced thei...
10/06/2026
Debut instrument free for limited time
deFORM is the debut release from newly founded developer ebbandflow, and it's being offered as a free download fo...
10/06/2026
Alone Australia Season 4: Meet the Cast
10 June, 2026
Media releases
WATCH THE TRAILER
Smash-hit survival series Alone Australia drops its highly anticipa...
10/06/2026
DEADLY THEN, DEADLY NOW, DEADLY ALWAYS: SBS & NITV IGNITE NAIDOC WEEK 2026 WITH ...
10/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz and TRUMPF advance laser-based drone defense with THORIS LCS Rohde & Schwarz is showcasing THORIS at ILA 2026: A sovereign, end to end counter...
10/06/2026
MAHLE and Rohde & Schwarz develop application for sensor testing of modern drive...
10/06/2026
Production and Development Funding supports the creation of compelling, commercially viable, artistic and culturally relevant South African screen content. Deve...
10/06/2026
Media buyers and sellers can now compare YouTube reach from computer, mobile, an...
10/06/2026
Accedo, Humans not Robots, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have announced the launch of Ecoflow X. Formerly an IBC Accelerator project, ...
10/06/2026
Frequency, the engine powering the world's leading streaming television channels, today announced that James Smith has joined the company as General Manager...
10/06/2026
At the 14th World Live Neurovascular Conference (WLNC) in Lisbon, Riedel Communications provided the communications infrastructure for live medical procedures s...
10/06/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of broadcast, media, and entertainment managed services, today announced the launch of its Content Exchange platform powered by Or...
10/06/2026
Klvr will showcase how venues, integrators and production teams are rethinking disposable battery usage at InfoComm 2026 (Las Vegas, June 17-19, booth #N6311). ...
10/06/2026
The Video Services Forum (VSF) has further enhanced the Reliable Internet Streaming Transport (RIST) protocol by incorporating a new feature, RIST Satellite-Hyb...
10/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
10/06/2026
10 Jun 2026
VEON's Banglalink Brings Every World Cup 2026 Match to Football...
10/06/2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026
How to watch every ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match live on Sky Sports
Where is the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 availabl...
10/06/2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026
P RLA brings first-ever Beautifully Clean Oral Care'...
10/06/2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026
Sky reveals pulse-pounding first teaser trailer for upco...
10/06/2026
Wuppertal June 10, 2026
Riedel Artist at the Heart of the 14th World Live Neurovascular ConferenceAt the 14th World Live Neurovascular Conference (WLNC) in Li...
10/06/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Showcases New Mobile Experience, Collections and Games Vision in APAC
Product
10 June 2026
GlobalSouth KoreaJapan
Link copied to c...
10/06/2026
Back to All News
Ready to Join? The Netflix Fan Club Arrives at Cannes Lions
Business
10 June 2026
Global
Link copied to clipboard
Download all assets
N...
10/06/2026
Chemists snap together complex 3D molecules from highly reactive radicals-without losing their shape Scripps Research team develops stereoretentive radical-radi...
09/06/2026
Kiswe announces an expanded long-term partnership with ONE Championship (ONE), t...
09/06/2026
SiriusXM will broadcast FOX Sports' English-language commentary for all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches from June 11 through July 19, available to subscribe...
09/06/2026
EVS has announced it is changing its corporate name from EVS Broadcast Equipment to EVS, reflecting the company's expanded portfolio beyond broadcast equipm...
09/06/2026
Fox Corporation and the NFL have announced a multi-year agreement to bring NFL c...