Movcam Cages & Baseplates

A couple of weeks ago I was at Band Pro for a special Sony FS700 thingy and got a chance to try different baseplate solutions from a variety of manufacturers and this is the one that caught my eye.

Movcam is part of 16x9 and what I liked about this above the others is you can mount a quick release directly to the bottom of the baseplate without having to go to an Arri or other proprietary dovetail.

I don't know about the whole cage (you don't need the side piece as the top handle bolts directly to the camera) but I definitely think I'll get the baseplate.

I'm just waiting for Movcam to stock the Arri to Sony rosettes for the grip extension.  Now, should I get silver or black?

http://16x9inc.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1007

BlackMagic Cinema Camera MFT

BlackMagic is adding a Micro Four-Thirds model of it's Cinema Camera.  Besides the mount the camera is identical to the "old" EF version, renamed the BlackMagic Cinema Camera EF or BCCEF.

The MFT model is aimed at Micro Four Thirds, Nikon and PL lens users.  MFT as a flange  focal depth of 19.25mm compared to Canon's EF depth of 44mm.  The short flange depth is almost a neural mount since everybody makes lens adapters.

The new MTF mount is "dumb", that is purely mechanical and has no electronics which means no auto iris or auto focus.  That actually sounds pretty smart to me...

http://www.fdtimes.com/2012/09/08/blackmagic-mft/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/09/blackmagic-micro-four-thirds-cinema-camera/

http://news.doddleme.com/equipment/blackmagic-announces-micro-four-thirds-cinema-camera/?utm_source=Daily+News+Template+version+09%2F10%2F12&utm_campaign=9%2F1012+us&utm_medium=email

Sony Action Cam

Sony joins the GoPro market with the Action Cam with a 16MP sensor, ultrawide Calrl Zeiss Lens, built-in stereo mic and HDMI output.  How you plug a HDMI through the waterproof case is beyond my paygrade.  And that case is an extra $40 bucks above the Action Cams $199 price point.

What really sets the Action Camera apart from the GoPro is the SteadyShot image stabilization, handy for hand held.  There is also a $269 Wi-Fi version available.

Thanks to Robin Banando for the link!

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreSearch?storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10551&in_dim_search=&Ntk=&Ntx=&Nrt=&Nrr=&Nrk=&Nrm=&keyword=Action+Cam

http://uncrate.com/stuff/sony-action-cam/

http://www.bananagrip.com/

Zylight F8 Fresnel

Zylight says it's giving the traditional fresnel a facelift with the Zylight F8 Fresnel.

The 8 stands for the 8" fresnel with a 16-70 degree beam spread and the output of a traditional 650 while only using 110w of power (8A @ 14V).  It runs on DC and the A/C power supply will take 120-240v.

The F8 comes in both daylight and tungsten versions, is DMX and has nine user selectable wireless channels built-in.  What really sets the F8 apart is it's basically weatherproof and it's made in the good ol' USA!

http://www.zylight.com/products/f8-fresnel/?utm_source=Copy+of+Email+Created+2012%2F07%2F09%2C+3%3A52+PM&utm_campaign=Zylight+Fall+2012&utm_medium=email

Canon C100

Canon has just added the C100 as the little brother to the C300 and C500.

Just so you can try to keep them straight, the top of the line C500 can output 12 bit, 4:4:4 MXF codec or full RAW to an external recorder for $30,000 while the C300 is a 2K 50mbps MXF 4:2:2 to internal CF cards, has EF and PL versions, and has both HDMI and SDI for $16,000.

The C100 is a 24mbps up to 30p AVCHD MPEG-4, 4:2:0, competing with the Sony FS700/Panasonic AF100.  It has the same sensor as the C300 but is 15% smaller, will only come with an EF mount and has no SDI out.

But it can output uncompressed digital HD to an external recorder (whatever than means) and only cost  $8000.  Street price will probably be $6700.

http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2012/08/29/canon-c100-leads-to-murky-future-for-mid-to-upper-range-video-hdslrs/

Kinotehnik LCDVFe

I was at EVS returning a dumb lens adapter and asked their advice on a EVF for my FS700.  Just like Band Pro they thought the Alphatron was tops but they just got a new Kinotehnik EVF in that day and inventor/CEO Tonis Liivamagi just happened to be there, along with his Cartoni distributor.

It's HDMI, not SDI.  Tonis explained this was for the DSLR people.  This loops thru but doesn't convert to SDI like the Alphatron.  Although it takes both A/C adapter and D-tap in, the other battery is a block of AA batteries instead of Canon or Sony batts.  Tonis thought this was best because AA were available everywhere in the world.

On the minus side, the Kinotehnik has one of the smallest LED monitors, doesn't have the great TV Logic screen or the clever closing eyepiece.  But it has three big advantages:  One, a very low power drain.  Two, you can see the entire image without looking around like you're sitting in the front row of a movie theater.  And three, and important to me as an operator, the ability to tilt the VF without loosening some arm.

I may have to go with the Kinotehnik...

http://www.kinotehnik.com/products/electronic-viewfinder/overview

Sony EA50 Camera

Sony announces yet another new camera, the NEX-EA50UH, with a large sensor built into a camera body with the ergonomics of the EX-3.  It comes with the a Power Zoom 18-200mm lens that features a motorized zoom, auto-iris, auto-focus and Steadi-Shot.  The bad news on this lens is the f stop is variable between f3.5-6.3 but because the EA50 has an E mount you can use an adapter to use EF lenses and other better lenses.

Is this the replacement for the EX-3?  Maybe.  Is this the DSLR killer, a large sensor camera you can put on your shoulder and only costs $4500 bucks?  Maybe.

I'm going thru the growing pains of building an ergonomic kit for my FS700 so I'm jealous of the controls on the side and you can throw it on your shoulder right out of the box.  But while you do get XLR's in you don't get SDI out, only HDMI.  And no ND filters!  After suffering with no ND filters on DSLR's that's probably a deal breaker for me...

http://www.prweb.com/releases/Sony/NEXEA50/prweb9805394.htm
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/indepth/sony/announcements/sonys-new-nex-ea50uh-camcorder-strange-and-beautiful-bird

And here's a video:  http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2012/08/22/video-interview-sony’s-nex-ea50-demonstrated/

Arri LED Lighting Comparison

Here's a youtube video testing color reproduction of the ARRI L7-C LED fresnel against a tungsten light and other LED competitors.  The test was shot on an Alexa in REC-709 (standard broadcast gamma) that had been white balanced to tungsten.

They also shot the ARRI against 4 other unidentified competitors which are various shades of orange, blue and green.

The interesting part comes at 3:40 where they demonstrate the L7-C's Tuneable White ability where you can make the color balance various shades of orange, blue and green... to match the other competitors.   Actually, in my personal experience, its easy to match LED's to daylight, it is matching to tungsten that's tough so this is a good test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2-k6RZF66U&feature=youtu.be

More Zacuto Camera Test Fallout

In case you've been living under a rock, Zacuto sponsored another camera shootout but this time allowed the individual DP's to change the lighting to make their camera look as good as possible.   Francis Ford Coppola and a majority of others picked the lowly Panasonic GH-2's image as the best over the Alexa, F-65 and RED.

Because it wasn't an Apples to Apples test some DP's are upset because now producers think you should be able to make the same images as an $80,000 Alexa (with 13 stops of latitude) with an $800 DSLR.  What those producers don't realize is the extra lighting and the extra grading in post it took to make the images similar (we learned about that in yesterday's blog).  And in the real world, that work would be tremendous.

Steve Weiss' reply to the criticisms are in this blog but two of his comments stand out:

1.  The test proves that DP's make great images not cameras.
2.  The conclusion was the FS-100 gave the biggest bang for the buck according to Gizmodo (who originally pushed the GH-2 angle of the story).

So, why all the pictures of the FS700, when it wasn't even in the test?  And if they liked the FS100 the best (even over the F3) they'd have loved the FS700!

Read all about it.  Here's an original BLOG with Weiss' response and more Fallout.

http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/aadams/story/cameras_why_zacutos_latest_camera_test_may_have_screwed_us_all/

http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/aadams/story/cameras_the_zacuto_fallout_continues/

iPhone Photography Using Apps & Photoshop

Here's an interesting BLOG about using apps and photoshop to make a great picture.  The moral of the story is that capturing an image is the quick and easy part: Only shoot at the right time of day,  jump out of the car, find the best angle, snap the shot and get the hell out.  All the real work is in post.

Above is the final image and below is the original iphone photo.  What a difference!

Note the dead grass, the lack of flowers, lack of definition in the stone work, no punch to the red door or "purple trees" and you can see the house next door.  The photographer used a series of apps including Photo Studio FX and Snapseed, layering the apps using elements of watercolor, drawing and serigraph.

Then the image above is taken into Photoshop to fix keystoning, rez up in size in Bicubic Shaper, add Bokeh with Gaussian Blur and soften the edges.  Put in flowers, trees and fix the grass and you have the final shot.

http://prophotocoalition.com/index.php/sfrances/story/real_estate_photography_with_the_iphone/

http://www.fxphotostudioapp.com/
http://www.snapseed.com/

A Camera That Sees Around Corners

Scientists are working on a camera that can see around corners.  Basically it bounces laser light off any surface further than what's blocking the image and measures the time it takes for the photons to bounce back.  Think radar only with light.

This isn't science fiction and theory.  They already have a working camera and there's a video showing it working at the first link.  I bet the military is interested in this...

http://web.media.mit.edu/~raskar//trillionfps/

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/19/opinion/raskar-camera-corners/index.html

HEVC H.265, QFHD and UHD

The Motion Picture Experts Group (that's the MPEG) has drafted the next compression spec we'll all be using, the High Efficiency Video Codec (HEVC) which has been dubbed H.265.

It basically gives the viewer the same image quality at half the bit rate and file size.  So how will you use it?  The big users will be mobile phone and cable companies, allowing them to stream twice the amount of video in the same limited bandwidth.  Stereography types can deliver 3D images in the same file size as a 2D image.

But where it will get interesting for us video types is QFHD and UHD.  QFHD is the 4K (3840x2160) we'll all be using by next  year.

8K Ultra High Definition (UHD) or Super Hi-Vision (SHV) TV makers are already looking forward to a 7680x4320 image size, although there will probably be a H.266 by then.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/monitors/display/20120816080104_MPEG_H_265_Video_Codec_to_Make_Ultra_High_Definition_Video_Possible.html
http://news.doddleme.com/equipment/new-h-265-video-compression-promises-twice-the-resolution-at-half-the-size/?utm_source=Daily+News+Template+version+08%2F17%2F12+++&utm_campaign=8%2F1712+us&utm_medium=email

Sony F3 Seminar At Sony

I got a special invite from the nice people at VTP to hear Nancy Schreiber speak about how to "create a vision".  I love that marketing claptrap.  Basically it's to hear and see how she works with the F3.  And "unleash your own creative vision".

It's Tuesday, August 21st, 12:30pm at the Sony Pictures Lot in Culver City.  Light food and refreshments will be served and they're giving away a Cybershot Camera.  You must RSVP before monday at noon.

http://www.myvtp.com/newsletters/SonyInvite/SonyInvite_081412-01.htm

BlackMagic Camera Footage

Here's a short film shot with no sound showing the capabilities of the BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera.

It has a smallish sensor so I'm wondering what focal length and f-stop they were working at to achieve this shallow DOF.  

But what is really impressive and can't be cheated is the latitude.  Here they're shooting in shadow yet still holding the sunlit highlights and the blue sky.  I know the footage has been heavily graded, especially with that baby blue sky, but still, with no lighting very nice...

http://filmmakeriq.com/2012/08/preview-of-a-short-film-shot-with-blackmagic-design-cinema-camera-footage/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/855879-REG/Blackmagic_Design_BMD_CINECAM26KEF_Cinema_Camera.html

Canon 6D

The rumor mill says that Canon will be announcing the full-frame sensor Canon 6D next month and it should be available in time for the Christmas season.

It was thought they were going to announce the 7DmkII but they decided to go with a the same full frame sensor that's in the 5DmkIII.  They could have come out with the 6D sooner but Canon sees the 6D as the replacement of the 5DmkII and sales of the 5DmkII have still been brisk.

The 6D is reported to be $1000 cheaper than the 5DmkIII.

http://news.doddleme.com/equipment/canons-full-frame-entry-a-6d-not-a-7/?utm_source=Daily+News+Template+version+08%2F13%2F12+++&utm_campaign=8%2F1312+us&utm_medium=email

Pro Tools 30 Day Free Trial

Did you know Avid offers a free 30 day trial of Pro Tools?  What's the catch?  Well, there's one...

You have to have an ilok USB key and account: https://www.ilok.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iLokManager.woa/10/wa/QuickStart

Here's the Pro Tools link: http://www.avid.com/Trial/ProTools

ATOMKRAFT For AE

Here's a bunch of tutorials about AtomKraft, other After Effects plug-ins and After Effects News.

It's way above my pay grade but maybe you understand what they're talking about...

http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/ryoung/story/after_effects_news_roundup1/?utm_source=WeeklyNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=070512

50 Things That Suck for Dolly Grips

At last, a website devoted to dolly grips.  This list isn't as funny and maybe because it's all true...

http://www.dollygrippery.net/2012/07/things-that-suck.html

50 Things That Suck For A/C's

The Black and Blue list the 50 things that really suck for an Assistant Camera person.  And then list 50 things that don't...

http://www.theblackandblue.com/2012/08/01/things-that-suck/

105 Adobe Premiere Questions Answered

Thinking of moving to Premiere?  So are a lot of other people.  From a recent webinar come 106 questions about Adobe Premiere CS6.  Some are basic, some not so much.

There's some nice images to explain the answers and is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in switching from FCP or just adding another NLE to your tool box.

http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/ssimmons/story/105_adobe_premiere_pro_cs6_questions_answered/?utm_source=WeeklyNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=070512

Wearable Display Prototype

Apple has applied for a patent for a heads up display built into seriously modern iWear.  iWear, I just made that up.

Now, Olympus has joined Apple and Google and even Epson in the race to come up with a wearable display.  Stylish.

They remind me of a pair of glasses I had back in the day with a tiny LED monitor built in.  Of course, it wasn't WiFi or Bluetooth, just a composite video connector.  But did I mention how tiny and how close the LCD monitor was to your eye?

You had to have really good close vision to see the LCD screen that close.  I wonder how the makers of all these glasses are solving that problem?   Maybe Google has the best idea which shines a projector right into your eyeball.

Not holding my breath to get a pair of these.  Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/05/olympus-yells-me-too-with-the-meg4-0-wearable-display-prototype/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

http://news.doddleme.com/equipment/apple-patents-iglass-is-a-wearable-mac-in-our-future/?utm_source=Daily+News+Template+version+7%2F6%2F12&utm_campaign=7%2F0612+us&utm_medium=email

http://news.doddleme.com/news-room/google-takes-wraps-off-web-based-digital-glasses-video/

Robotic DSLR Cameras at Olympics

Still guys have been using remotely triggered cameras at sporting events for years.  Now, they've gone even further by using robotic DSLR cameras to shoot from places they're can't be.

They can tilt, pan and zoom to follow the action and mount a variety of cameras with different lens combinations.  Wait until video producers figure out you can shoot HD with these...

http://www.petapixel.com/2012/07/05/reuters-to-use-robotic-dslr-cameras-for-olympic-coverage/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PetaPixel+%28PetaPixel%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

iENG: Electronic News Gathering App for the iPhone & iPad

iENG is an app for news professionals to be used on both the iPhone and iPad.  iENG allows the focus, exposure and white balance to be locked and the image can be mirrored for solo stand-ups.  Wired mics are supported.

Once recording is stopped a screen appears prompting you to send it in the appropriate fashion (FTP or email) back to the TV station servers for immediate use by the editors.  It can also send to social media sites but you have to choose a lower quality setting for transmission.

Makes you wonder how long microwave trucks will be around.  And news camera ops.  And even reporters.  Is the real beginning of Viewer Created Content on the news?  

Here's the website:  http://getodd.com/iENG/iENG.html
And the iTunes store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ieng/id528051358?mt=8

A Suitcase Full of Magic for $2900 Bucks?

Lensbaby has put just about everything they make into a Pelican case and dubbed it the "MovieMaker Kit".

It comes with Composer Pro PL, Composer Pro EF, Muse PL, and 7 optic swaps including Double Glass, Fisheye, Pinhole, Plastic, Single Glass, Soft Focus and Sweet 35, plus more.

This kit will keep your A/C busier than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!

Check out how to use all of this with instructional videos on the Lensbaby site:  http://lensbaby.com/videos-instructional
And a video about the MovieMaker kit: http://hdslrshooter.com/hdslrshooteradmin/?p=3755

ISO & GAIN: How to compare them

Here's a link for this interesting blog on ISO, ASA, EI and Gain sent to me by Lighting Cameraman extraordinaire Ted Baker.

I'll cut to the chase:  Basically 6db of gain amplifies a signal twice as much or equal to doubling the ISO.  So, if you figure the basic ISO of your Canon 5D is 100 then when you set the gain to 204800 ISO you're basically putting in +48db of gain.  Yikes!

There is also an interesting test with the 7D showing that ISO noise in these cameras may not be linear and why.

http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/dv/feature/dv101-iso-ei-asa-and-you-understanding-and-interpreting-iso-ratings/59739

Zacuto Great Camera Winner: The Panasonic GH2

According to results of the Zacuto's "Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012" the lowly $700 Panasonic GH2 is the Best Camera in the world.  Twice as good as an Alexa.  Yeah, right.

Why am I suspicious of these results?  Well the third place camera (Sony F3) and the last place camera (Sony FS100) have the same exact chip.  You'd think the scores would be a wee bit closer.  And that the iPhone was there at all... I wouldn't use my iPhone to shoot my kid's birthday party.

What it does prove is with enough work you can light any camera to look good.  I don't think I'll bother to watch the video...

http://news.doddleme.com/equipment/the-winner-of-the-revenge-of-the-great-zacuto-shootout-will-shock-you/?utm_source=Daily+News+Template+version+7%2F17%2F12&utm_campaign=7%2F1712+us&utm_medium=email