26 May 2026

The adventure continues: from tropical seas to British skies

Cinematographer Charlotte Maguire first shared her experience with the Atomos Ninja TX while filming The Mystery of the Pirate King, a documentary produced by Wreckwatch TV founder Dr. Sean Kingsley and filmmaker Chris Atkins. Her early work took place in the Bahamas, where Ninja TX helped her navigate harsh sunlight, unpredictable weather, and the demands of shooting at sea. The monitor‑recorder’s 1500‑nit display, durable build, Camera to Cloud capabilities, and ProRes RAW recording proved essential as she documented the search for the long‑lost pirate ship Fancy.

Now, Charlotte has returned with an update – this time from a very different environment. The next stage of the documentary took her from tropical heat to a cold, wet English spring, bringing with it a new set of challenges.

By Atomos

The latest chapter of filming began in Plymouth, where “Rather than sunshine, we were met with relentless downpours and grey skies,” Charlotte explained. The crew travelled to meet archaeologist and TV consultant Mallory Haas, conducting interviews around Plymouth Harbour – a location steeped in maritime history and once familiar to Henry Avery himself.

The shift in environment required a change in exposure strategy. “Previously, I was focused on avoiding overexposure under intense sunlight. Here, my concern shifted to underexposure in flat, overcast conditions,” she said. Contributors often wore dark clothing, making exposure even more challenging. “Ninja TX’s false color feature allowed me to accurately monitor exposure levels and make precise adjustments before rolling.”

Despite the gloom, Ninja TX’s 1500‑nit brightness and 1920×1080 resolution display ensured clear visibility at all times. “Visibility remained strong throughout, with no issues from glare or poor lighting,” Charlotte noted. “It handled the transition from bright island environments to muted urban landscapes really well.”

Charlotte kept the same workflow she’d used over the summer, recording proxies onto Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress Type B cards, keeping her setup simple and efficient. One of the biggest advantages this time was the ability to take full advantage of ATOMOSphere, Atomos’ cloud platform. “Filming in the UK allowed us to upload footage in real time using indoor connections or personal hotspots,” she said. “Contributors could review footage almost immediately, providing feedback and notes before we had even finished packing up.” This removed the usual delays of manual offloading and made the whole production process smoother.

Filming in London introduced new concerns around kit safety, especially when navigating busy public spaces and the tube network. Charlotte’s combination of the Sony FX3 and Ninja TX proved ideal. “It created a compact and discreet setup, perfect for navigating public spaces without drawing unwanted attention,” she explained. The 5‑inch monitor maintained a low profile while still giving her the clarity needed to assess shots accurately.

“The Ninja TX has become my reliable companion for hopefully many more adventures to come.”

The UK weather brought its own unpredictability, from harbour‑side shoots in Plymouth to filming along the Thames, with sudden rain showers and even a brief hailstorm. “Throughout it all, the monitor held up reliably, performing without issue in unpredictable conditions,” she said. On a separate shoot, when the crew ran out of camera storage, Charlotte was able to lend Ninja TX to another operator. “They used it to record directly onto a CFexpress Type B card. While not ideal, it ultimately saved the shoot,” she said. “It consistently provides practical solutions when challenges arise.”

With The Mystery of the Pirate King now on pause as the team awaits the results of their findings, Charlotte’s journey with Atomos continues. “The more I work with the Ninja TX, the more I appreciate how intuitive and adaptable it is on set,” she said. Looking back on her experience, she added: “The Ninja TX has become my reliable companion for hopefully many more adventures to come.”

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