Monthly Archives: January 2012

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Starting at 6:00am this morning, there will be Amazon lightning deals in the Camera, Photo, and Video department. Lightning deals are special discount offers that run for a short time and new deals are thrown up just about every hour. Upcoming in the list are hard cases, backpacks, and bags, if anyone needs such. The most interesting item when browsing through the upcoming list of items, is the Rokinon 35mm F/1.4 Prime lens for Olympus, Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Pentax will soon receive a discounted price. A fast sharp lens that will work on both cropped and full frame Canon cameras, normally a a lens that runs about $450-500 dollars, will be on sale today (click here).

Rokinon 35mm F/1.4
find-price-button Rokinon 35mm F/1.4 Manual Prime Lens - Lightning Deals

[Update] Deal is on right now and they dropped the price by $125 dollars. Huge discount for this lens we won't see again anytime soon. Choose the version you want, and then look to the right side to see if it still qualifies for the lightning deal price (click here)

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Let's face it, most guys won't ever use a Follow Focus system that requires rails to mount, and lens gears to shift around. There's plenty of people who are already happy with something as simple as a Silicone Jar Opener to help move that lens gear around. Especially for some of those Panasonic lenses that seem to rotate forever. Check out the video from Vimeo member Tony Carretti a while back (below).

There's been plenty of DIY ideas based around a little handle around the lens gear, some that mount on the lens ring using zip tie straps, some methods using pipe clamps and bolts. All very effective methods for the filmmaker on a budget. Now if you like the idea, but are concerned about the aesthetics of your gear (maybe to impress your clients), check out the adjustable focus / zoom lever from Sunwayfoto.

sunwayfoto-zoom-handle
The Focusing lever is precision machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum with an Anodized finish, solid and durable. To maintain a slim profile, they come in about 4 different sizes from small to large depending on the diameter of the lenses you're trying to mount these to. More information on these things following the link (click here).
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find-price-button Adjustable Focus / Zoom Lever SunwayFoto - via eBay

Also available via Amazon (click here)
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find-price-button Sunwayfoto Focus Lens Zoom Lever Handle - via Amazon

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alesis-two-track-frontalesis-two-track-right-sideAlesis-Two-Trackalesis-two-track-side

The Alesis TwoTrack portable digital audio recorder sees a small price drop. Yup, looks like a Zoom H1 with X/Y stereo mics, 3.5mm Mic Input, headphone monitoring, adjustable Gain, and built in Auto levels if you're lazy. A steel threaded insert for tripod mount, and no web articles about battery drain issues. Audio can be recorded as 16-bit, 44.1 stereo wav file, or an MP3 at up to 192kbps, and stores them on the 128MB of internal memory, or to widely-available SD/SDHC (not microSD) cards with capacities up to 8GB. Operates on a single AA battery. Don't be fooled by the TwoTrack name, it just means Left/Right Channel from the stereo mics. Audio as good as the Zoom H1? Hmm..maybe not.

alesis-two-track-sale
find-price-button Alesis TwoTrack Stereo Handheld Audio Recorder

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A new Stereo VideoMic Pro, and the VideoMic HD - worlds first 'Digital Recorder Microphone'. Say what?? Yes, Rode actually has a built in Digital Recorder inside their latest VideoMic HD that saves to MicroSD. Cray right? From the looks of it, I'm guessing this will save a copy of high quality audio to it's built in Digital Recorder, and spit out a signal via 3.5mm for the DSLR to record. I think i'll just let the Rode Press Release speak for the new products - below.

RØDE ANNOUNCES NEW STEREO VIDEOMIC PRO

ON-CAMERA Microphone
Tuesday January 17th 2012, Sydney Australia - RØDE Microphones is proud to announce the release of its latest on-camera microphone, the Stereo VideoMic Pro.

VMPS_oncamera_backVMPS_back_left

Building on the success of the VideoMic Pro, which launched in early 2011 and quickly became the defacto standard for DSLR on-camera audio, and RØDE’s original Stereo VideoMic, the new Stereo VideoMic Pro provides a high quality stereo option for videographers, and is ideal for recording music, and the atmospheric ambience essential in building a realistic audio scene.
Based around a matched pair of high sensitivity ½”cardioid condenser capsules in a coincident XY pair, the Stereo VideoMic Pro provides a wide stereo image with natural depth.

rode-videomic-stereo-polar-pattern

The Stereo VideoMic Pro builds on the feature set of the VideoMic Pro, with an ergonomic form factor perfectly suited to DSLR, consumer camcorders and large-sensor video cameras. The integrated shock mounting system provides superior isolation from vibration and mechanical noise that can otherwise degrade the recording quality. Additionally the lightweight yet robust multi-strand cable provides excellent acoustic decoupling from the camera and offers significantly lower noise transference than traditional audio cable.

VideoMic-Stereo

The user friendly designed rear of the microphone body features the power and equalisation controls, including a high pass filter at 75Hz which is designed to cut out the noise generated by air conditioning, traffic and other undesirable low frequency interference.

A -10dB PAD allows the user to reduce the sensitivity of the microphone, making it suitable for recording loud sound sources such as live music or at sporting events.

Like the VideoMic Pro, the Stereo VideoMic Pro features a +20dB level boost specifically designed to provide a higher quality signal with DSLR cameras. When activated, the typically low quality camera preamp level can be reduced, resulting in a lower noise floor and much clearer recording.

“The release of the Stereo VideoMic Pro reaffirms RØDE’s category ownership of the on-camera microphone, and gives yet another tool to filmmakers, content creators and musicians” commented Damien Wilson, RØDE Microphones’ Global Sales & Marketing Director. “The audio quality of this microphone really is outstanding, and I can’t wait to hear some of the great content our customers will create with it.“

The RØDE Stereo VideoMic Pro is shipping now. For more information please visit rodemic.com/svmp

THE WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL RECORDER VIDEO MICROPHONE
Tuesday January 17th 2012, Sydney Australia - RØDE Microphones is extremely proud to announce the VideoMic HD, a high-fidelity, precision RF bias shotgun microphone with integrated digital recording, designed for use with DSLR and large-sensor video cameras.

VideoMic HD FrontVideoMic HD Left

The VideoMic HD’s audio DNA is directly inherited from RØDE’s flagship NTG3 professional shotgun microphone. Incorporating the same capsule and sharing much of the electronic design of the NTG3, the VideoMic HD is a true condenser super-cardioid shotgun microphone with RF bias technology. This makes it virtually immune to RF interference and condensation that can cause other condenser microphones to fail.

Continuing its history of innovation and ‘industry-firsts’ RØDE has incorporated a high quality digital recorder into the body of the VideoMic HD. This completely removes the requirement for a separate audio recorder, while still also providing throughput of the audio signal to the camera for a superior reference audio track.

File storage is via microSD card and a microUSB port is supplied for convenient file access and possible firmware updates.

VideoMic-HD-Digital-Recorder

An integrated headphone jack with level control allows users to monitor their recording in real-time, while a high contrast LCD display on the rear of the microphone provides visual metering as well as basic recording control.

Audio capture and output can be configured in a number of ways thanks to the microphone’s innovative output selection. In its default mode the VideoMic HD’s audio is recorded and outputted as a dual mono signal. When in ‘safety recording’ mode, the microphone captures and outputs the standard audio signal on the right channel and a -20dB attenuated signal on the left channel. In case of unexpected boosts in the audio the user has a safety backup channel of audio that can be referenced. A third output setting allows for dual mono audio capture and a balanced signal output using the optional RØDE VXLR 3.5mm to XLR adaptor.

rode-videomic-hd-digital-recorder

The VideoMic HD offers a 3.5mm mono line in that supports ‘plug in’ power, allowing for the connection of a secondary microphone such a lavalier or headset. The microphone’s fourth output mode allows the tracking of the line-in to one of the stereo channels, both on the on-board recorder and through the 3.5mm output jack.

The microphone body is constructed from rugged, lightweight die-cast aluminium and features a quick release cam lever for simple and secure mounting in any universally sized camera shoe mount.

Drawing on the design architecture of the award winning RØDE Blimp, the VideoMic HD features a unique windshield and suspension structure. The capsule and line tube are completely suspended inside the microphone, providing superior shock mounting and isolation from physical sound sources through the microphone body, and the outer geodesic structure provides strength while offering superior wind protection to foam windshields. A DeadCat VMHD furry windshield is supplied with the microphone to provide protection in high wind environments.

For more information and to register your interest to be notified when the microphone begins shipping, please visit rodemic.com/vmhd.

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canon-c300-EOS-order-cameraCanon-C300-PL

The Canon C300 needs no introduction. Initially the $20K number came up somewhere during it's announcement, and it appeared Canon failed to bring a solid camera to market at a decent price point. Now product pages are showing the number is officially just under $16K (body only). [Thanks Omar].

Sure it's not a 4K camera, but hard working fellows can throw a camera like this in to their current workflow and get projects done without fuss. Compared to all the equipment you'll require to get started with a basic RED Scarlet package, that price is a little easier on the eyes. Surprisingly it's the same price whether you choose the EF or PL mount C300. B&HPhotovideo.com is already taking pre-orders following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Canon EOS C300 Body EF or PL Mount

BTW, there's also two Canon CN-E Lenses available in both EF and PL mounts. A 14.5-60mm and 30-300mm lens that will set you back over $42,000 dollars (each). Here's the good news though, if you opt in for that EF mount, it might just work on your Canon T2i too..(joking guys...joking)


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find-price-button Canon CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S Cinema Zoom Lens


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find-price-button Canon CN-E 14.5-60mm T2.6 L S Cinema Zoom Lens

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Canon-Powershot-G1X-Camera

More specs available for view about Canon's latest G1X camera. With a sensor almost as large as the Canon 7D and ISO noise rumored to be better using the latest High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5 Image Processor (up to 128oo ISO), this will be an interesting camera when you don't want to carry an interchangeable lens camera or something as stripped down as a pocketable point and shoot.

Canon G1X Lens Adapter Filter Speedlite Underwater Housing

58mm filter thread available on the lens, optional lens extensions can be mounted (i.e. wide angle), hot shoe to accept external Canon Speedlites, and a waterproof housing will be available also for some underwater action. I was pretty impressed with the video quality on the pocketable S100 with Digic 5 processor, but the S100 does not have an imaging sensor as large as the G1X. I can't wait to start seeing some samples. You can check out the long list of features on the recently available Amazon pre-order page (click here).

Canon-G1X-LCDCanon G1X Electronic Dial
find-price-button Pre-Order Canon G1 X 14.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera Image Stabilized 1080p

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Finally got around to playing with the Jag35 Wireless Follow Focus V2 prototype. First time getting it working (somewhat). There's a procedure you need to do before throwing on something like this on your camera, so i'll need to run through the manual and get things ironed out.

Each motor has a certain amount of rotation, so you have to line up your focus and zoom rings to have enough movement either direction. There's also adjustments that can be made for how much travel will be achieved when spinning the knob for focus or moving the slider for zoom. Not enough time tonight....

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GoProHD Hero 2 Dive Housing Flat Lens Fix Blur Underwater Cheesycam Blog
(above) Possible GoPro Flat Lens Housing - Winter 2012

For years people have known that the stock GoPro Hero curved lens housing caused soft images underwater. We did a test not long ago showing how different a flat lens is compared to the stock GoPro (click here).

Several different companies addressed the problem with aftermarket flat lens kits, but where was GoPro's answer all this time? Well earlier today, Michael wrote in and shared some information about a GoPro Hero 'Dive Housing'. He's including some images from the GoPro product manual. States it would be available in Winter of 2012, compatible with HD Hero and HD Hero 2 cameras, for an MSRP of $49.99. I couldn't find any more information on the internet about this so far, looks like some exclusive stuff, spread the word. [Thanks Michael].

From the Manual

Dive Housing
Available Winter 2012

The Flat Lens Housing provides maximum photo and video sharpness underwater in all resolutions.

The HD HERO's standard housing features a curved lens to maximize a wider field of view above water while keeping the lens as small as possible. While brilliant for above water use, the curved lens reduces the sharpness of photos and videos when used underwater. The Flat Lens Housing features a large, flat, lens that capture sharp photos and video above and underwater in any resolution setting. Waterproof to 197ft/60m, the Flat Lens Housing is ideal for diving, snorkeling, and any underwater filming scenario.

The Flat Lens Housing is compatible with the HD HERO, HD HERO2, and all GoPro Mounts and Accessories.

GoPro HD Hero Flat Lens Dive Housing
Click image for Larger View of Product Manual

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Adobe's new Lightroom 4 will have the ability to make minor edits to your video files. The edits are mostly around white balance, color saturation, and exposure type settings. While most professionals might not find this handy, some corrections like pulling a blue color cast away from underwater footage might be easier through Lightroom 4. I think we'll see quite a few videos being color corrected this way. Currently in Beta, you could download it (here).