So Rokinon had news a few weeks ago about releasing new 35mm, 24mm, and 14mm Cine style lenses. The 35mm Nikon mount version shows in stock status', and have already listed pre-order prices for the upcoming Rokinon 14mm T/3.1 and 24mm T/1.5.
These lenses already in exist in the Rokinon lineup, and the Cine versions are about $50 bucks more with a de-click aperture, relocated markings, and built in lens gear. Check out the new Cine lenses from Rokinon over at B&H following the link (Click Here).
Konova has just announced a new K2 version of their popular sliders. If you follow Konova products, previously they offered a K3 (mid size) and K5 (larger size) video camera slider. The new K2 version and more affordable at $100 dollars cheaper than the K3, yet still based on the same roller bearing design with the same adjustable legs / feet.
So while everyone is checking their mailboxes hoping their new Blackmagic Cinema Camera has shipped, at the end of the year the BMCC will release a new native MFT (micro four thirds) mount. There's so many options to mount various lenses to MFT cameras, this might end up being more popular than the first EF mount BMCC. So how many of you have already pre-ordered a BMCC?
Pricing will remain the same at $2995 and expected to ship end of December. Preorders already available over at B&H (Click Here).
It's nice to work in large spaces, but sometimes those large spaces will cause echo in your audio. Too much echo can be distracting to the viewer. Adding furniture like couches, or even inviting more people into a room will help to absorb sound, but that's not always possible. So in this space I setup Audimute sound blankets on Light Stands to help absorb some sound, block deflection, break up the emptiness, and basically just add texture to an open space.
I have dozens of these blankets, and can setup as many as required. These are the same blankets I used to line the walls in a DIY vocal booth (video and example seen here). It's not a perfect solution, but it makes a huge difference and it's easy to stow away for transport. You can try this with heavy moving blankets, and although that should help, I don't think they will perform as well as the more expensive Audimutes.
AudiMute Sound Absorption Sheets
I know the Audimute stuff is expensive, and only sold in packs of (4) or (5) count, so if you still need to look for sound absorption type blankets, there are a few on eBay (that look like heavy moving blankets) found here.
I literally just shot a few hundred photos of the new P&C Shoulder Rig ahem...some new product.., and now it's time to batch process these images. Unfortunately i'm sitting here with a new MacBook Pro without Adobe Lightroom installed. Feeling defeated, the next thing you know, I receive notification that the Adobe Lightroom 3 is on sale for under $30 bucks! (found here). Timing could not have been better.
Sure, Adobe Lightroom is on version 4 now, but after you step into Lightroom 3 at this price, you can always purchase the upgrade for just $69 bucks and it will still come out cheaper than purchasing the full version of Lightroom 4 on it's own. Check out the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Software on Sale via B&H (click here). Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3
Here's a couple of unusual lights for video. The first is this new CN-126B Flat LED Ring Light. The design allows you to mount over your shotgun microphone, or on the camera hotshoe with the included mount.
The next light is the Super Power T6A Video Light that uses 6 high powered LED Bulbs. Runs on Sony batteries, plastic diffuser, tungsten filter, dimmable, with battery status indicator. Quite a few of these were sold in the last month, but I can't seem to find any reviews just yet. Super Power T6A LED Video Light
This final most unusual light is this 250W Wireless Strobe (a.k.a flash) + LED Video light. Available in four different colors, comes in single or (2) piece kit that can be used as a continuous LED video light, or as a 250w flash for still photos, and tungsten or other creative color filters can be placed on the barn doors. Curious if the LED lights work simultaneously with the Strobe to work as modeling lights (for positioning your flashes). Place with an umbrella and you can fire the flash wirelessly with the included remotes. Comes with two flash head units, two wireless triggers, two Sony type batteries (AA battery adapter), and carrying case.
If you have a table dolly, you'll know the importance of using a smooth surface to get the best footage. It won't solve every odd surfaced situation, but for most common imperfect surfaces that small table / skater dollies require, here's the Pico Surface Mat.
The Pico Surface Mat offers a thick Neoprene material with a heavy rubberized backing that will allow dollies to track sideways, forward, or back (basically straight across the mat) and reduce tracking vibrations normally caused by floor tiles, concrete, and other slightly textured surfaces.
Measures 46" inches across and 8.5" wide, and can be rolled up during travel. Due to the weight of this item, it's only available to ship to lower 48 US States (FREE SHIPPING). Check out the new Pico Surface Mat over at PhotographyandCinema.com.
If you follow this blog, you've probably heard of those Tekkeon battery packs that are used to power our 600 & 900 LED video lights. Here's another helpful Tekkeon tip from Rod Guajardo who uses the Tekkeon Battery Packs as external power for the Canon 5D for super long run times [Thanks Rod]. This solution would work with any camera that uses LP-E6 such as the 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 7D, and 60D. In order to send the power to the camera, he's using the Canon LP-E6 DC adapter found below.
Canon DR-E6 DC Coupler Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 7D, 60D
He combines the LP-E6 dummy battery with his Tekkeon MP3450 for longer run times, but another good tip he didn't mention was that there is also an Extended Battery (seen here) that can be combined to double the capacity of that Tekkeon solution. There is an example of what that extra capacity battery looks like in one of my older videos (here).
Rokinon 35mm, 14mm & 24mm Cine Lenses
