@MartinD You need a proper filter to avoid damaging your sensor when shooting the sun. I am not an expert on this and don't have said filter, but did look into it awhile back. I would like to ask the forum experts what filter they would recommend for optimal quality of sunrises since I may well give the competition a go.

@Sangyw Same here I can't wait for it to release!!!

ETA on Apocalypse Now? The anticipation is killing me!

Crossfire Settings

Variation 1: VY Canis Majoris 'Skintone matrix' + Cluster Setting24p/HBR25p GOP1 Canis's 'Skin Tone matrix' meets Cluster v4 GOP3 720p/HBR modes.

Variation 2: VY Canis Majoris 'Green Screen matrix setting' + Cluster 24p/HBR 30p/25p GOP1 meets Cluster v4 GOP3 720p modes with adjusted I scaliing tables. Perfect looking buffers. Great setting. Recommend to use Standard profile and 320/160 ISO on flat lit Chroma Green screens or material.

Variation 3: VY Canis Majoris 'Night matrix setting' + Cluster 24p/HBR 30p/25p GOP1 meets Cluster v4 GOP12/15 720p modes with adjusted I scaliing tables. Perfect looking buffers. Another great crossbreed setting. Recommend to use Standard, Smooth or Vibrant picture profile.

More to be announced...

Cluster Settings

NOTE: CLUSTER V6 Settings are thoroughly tested to record hi-quality filmic detail even using Ai or iDYNAMIC Modes - a feat that a lot of other settings will be unable to do. Try it.

CLUSTER v6 'Nebular' - Sedna/Orion Optimised GOP 6 on PAL & NTSC Superb reliability setting on all REC MODES with great IQ. Cluster v6 6 GOP Variation 'Nebular'. Again, primed for a target Qp of 16. After another week's research and beta testing by my test team (with special kudos to @evanflys, @luxis, @Zaven13, @konjow, @onionbrain and @conscius please find attached Cluster v6 - the 6 GOP variation of the previously released 'DREWnet' setting at 12/15 GOP.

The two settings (DREWnet info below this one) share striking similarities in the matrix and the only real difference is the GOP, the 'GOP Related' weighting of bitrate to i, p and b frames, and bitrate to produce a rate control that increases overall bitrate by around 25%. HBR/1080i certainly looks even better. But let YOU be the judge.

• Achieves 80+ M bitrate at 24p resolving beautiful pictures and motion,

• Avg 40M+ on highest detail for HBR/1080i with reliability on all modes inc. iDynamic, iA, Etc...

• Avg 50M+ on highest detail for 720p resolving great looking IQ and motion. Again tested on iA and iDynamic High settings.

• Hi quality MJPEG 2k

• Superior audio from thepalalias at 'pasadenapulse.net'.

CLUSTER v6 'DREWnet' - Sedna/Orion Optimised classic GOP 12/15 PAL/NTSC Superb reliability setting on all REC MODES with great IQ. Best of the 12/15 GOP Clusters to date - by far. A lot of effort has gone into testing these settings many thanks goes out to the following personal view beta testers;- disastronaut, evanflys, feha, thepalalias, MatsWedin, luxis, konjow, onionbrain, Frame, conscius, pichidominguez, brant_moore, fil2, and jellybaby. Well done!

• Achieves 70+ M bitrate at 24p resolving beautiful pictures and motion,

• Avg 30M on highest detail for HBR/1080i with reliability on all modes inc. iDynamic, iA, Etc...

• Avg 40M+ on highest detail for 720p resolving great looking IQ and motion. Again tested on iA and iDynamic High settings.

• Hi quality MJPEG 2k

• Superior audio from thepalalias at 'pasadenapulse.net'.

Driftwood Cluster v6 'GalaXian' for the GX1 - Sedna/Orion Optimised classic GOP 12/15 PAL/NTSC AVCHD/MP4 modes

Here's the GX1 cluster variation entitled 'GalaXian' setting. Everything is souped up to Cluster v6 GH2 levels but set at 56M all round max, Q target is 18. You probably won't reach those dizzy heights. This features the Cluster v6 scaling matrix set on AVCHD modes. I don't think MP4 mode at level 66 baseline uses the scaling matrices as checked in ptools and Streameye Pro confirms this with matrices = n/a (not applicable) in the headers.

There is NO in-camera playback of MP4 modes at present but they look dramatically better than the stock recordings, AVCHD is unaffected and playsback.

Test it out and see how you get on. We may get the in-camera playback for mp4 modes sorted resolved?! For now continue testing...

'VY Canis Majoris' Settings

VY Canis Majoris are all Intra on 24p and HBR/1080i ... VY Canis Majoris explores luma and chrominance in the matrix further than ever before and each setting analyses approximate conditions required for certain times of the day where the natural light is weaker/stronger...

We start with Night, Day pm, and Skin Tone Soft variations of the classic Intra Driftwood setting.

*** NEW *** The much awaited Canis Majoris 'Day AM' released from the archives! (Released 21/12/2012)

The much asked for Canis Majoris Day AM (the missing piece in the Canis Majoris set) finally released after much nagging from those who know who they are. This setting's matrix concentrates itself on low to mid frequency luminance areas.

Expect:-

• 1080p24 at 150Mbps on H / 72Mbps on L - ALL INTRA
• 1080i/HBR at 98Mbps max FSH - ALL INTRA
• 720p at 72Mbps - GOP3/6 (PAL/NTSC)

The Initial Quantiser has been set at 16 with AQ1 on 1080 modes and AQ2 on 720. It is scaled but was never tested on 30p and 60p modes. 25p and 50p modes are fully tested looking back at my notes. Enjoy!