Canon EOS 5DMK3 Firmware & Atomos Ninja-2, a complete explanation

image

On May 8, 2013 the guys from Planet5D posted a video review from Stefan Czech.  Although the review is long it is well worth sitting through, Stefan is very thorough & there are a few surprises which to date I have not seen anywhere else.

Read on …

“On the new planet5D forums, we’ve had a lot of discussion about the new Canon EOS 5D Mark III firmware and HDMI and stuff (“here“)… but this video explanation of the firmware, HDMI, and the Atomos Ninja 2 from Stefan Czech is the most complete explanation of everything having to do with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III 1.2.1 firmware and the Atomos Ninja 2 that I’ve seen anywhere on the planet.

It is a bit long, but there’s a TON of info in this video — so we’ve done a transcript – or shall I say at least an ‘index’ of the main points in the video and when they occur – so you can skip around to find the main points!

One of the good points (among many that Stefan makes) is that you don’t have to use an SSD with the Ninja – less expensive 2.5″ laptop drives will work. That could save you some cash!

The other ‘trick’ not spoken about much yet is the fact you can “zoom” and still record! This gives you the ability to virtually ‘crop’ the 5D3 and to expand the range of your lenses. Of course, there’s a slight loss of quality the further you ‘zoom’, but it is something you can experiment with and use to your heart’s content if you would like. See the index below for “magnification tricks.”

image

Timeline

I felt that there was enough information in the video that it overwhelmed me – so I asked planetKeith to help me by making an “index” of what was covered — it will probably help you if you’re wanting to skip to a particular point of interest… so here’s what Keith did for me!

00:01:15 Feedback on Canon 5D Mark III

00:01:48 Introduction to Clean HDMI Out

00:02:05 Firmware (3 Focus)

00:02:16 Definition of Clean HDMI Out (Guidelines)

00:03:28 Introducing Atomos Ninja 2

00:03:59 Transmitting HDMI Signal and Timecode

00:04:30 Delivering Sound from HDMI Signal to External Recorder

00:06:05 What is Atomos Ninja 2? (How it records)

00:06:50 Two codecs of Ninja 2 and what works best for you

00:09:24 Storage explained

00:10:35 ProRes codec explained

00:11:46 Internal recording signal vs External recording signal

00:12:56 Ninja 2 as field monitor (Peaking)

00:13:50 Aperture Adjustment explained (Zebra)

00:14:38 False Color

00:15:00 Watch, edit and export recordings using Ninja 2

00:15:36 Difference between footage recorded on 4:2:0 and 4:2:2

00:16:40 Sample color enhancement

00:18:13 Menu selection and adjustments in 5D Mark III before attaching to HDMI device

00:20:15 Attaching Hard Drive to Ninja

00:21:02 Setting up Ninja 2 for the first time

00:25:32 How to record externally only on Ninja 2 (Magnification tricks)

00:27:49 Tips when recording longer footage using Ninja 2

00:28:49 Ports, Power source and Battery options of the Ninja 2

00:30:03 Using a wireless transmitter for the audio system (Audio recording explained)

00:31:20 Using Zacuto Pincher to secure camera

00:32:08 Using a Steadicam with the Ninja 2

00:34:22 Canon and Atomos working together to create Ninja

00:35:20 Product Price and content included with Ninja 2

00:36:56 Availability of Ninja 2 and special deal from Atomos

00:37:23 Hard Drive and HDMI Cable not included in the package

00:37:33 What HDMI cable to use”


The Atomos Ninja-2 is available to buy or hire at Urban Cine.

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Atomos Sales & Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Redrock ultraCage ‘Black’ Professional Deluxe Bundle for Blackmagic Cinema Camera

image

Get more out of your new Blackmagic Camera with the Redrock Micro Blackmagic Deluxe Bundle. This special bundle is a great starter configuration & can be expanded to more full-featured rigs.

Unparalleled Support

The ultraCage | blue for Blackmagic Cinema Camera is the ultimate cage for your new Blackmagic Cinema Camera. The ultraCage | blue delivers unparalleled support & stability so your Blackmagic Cinema Camera can be used as a professional-level cinema camera.

When Less is More

ultraCage BMCC’s design has smooth, form-fitting lines that add no width to the camera while delivering a full-featured cage.  Multiple mounting points & top & bottom rail options give you all the flexibility & options needed to build the perfect rig.

Two Cages in one 

The cage can be removed & the ultraPlate used standalone as a great top plate for adding accessories or a top handle to the camera. You can also remove the side arms on the cage & use the baseplate standalone, or with the ultraPlate. Ultimate flexibility.

Key Features:

  • Support plate delivers professional-level security and stability
  • Wrap-around cage is lightweight, offers multiple accessory mounting points
  • Adds no width to the camera, & very little size overall
  • Maintains complete access to camera buttons and ports.
  • Supports both top & bottom standard 15mm rails
  • Industry standards deliver compatibility with third party cinema accessories
  • Lift & lock knobs for easy tool-less adjustments
  • Compatible with Redrock’s family of ultraCage components and accessories
  • Machined aluminium construction
  • Made in the USA Lifetime warranty

The Deluxe Bundle includes the following for AUD$899 inc GST

  • ultraCage for Blackmagic
  • ultraCage for Blackmagic Top Handle
  • pair 9” 15mm carbon fibre rods for bottom rails
  • pair 4” 15mm carbon fibre rods for top rails
  • Shoe Clamp Kit (attaches top of camera to cage)
  • FREE ultraPlate

Note: The ultraPlate top accessory plate FREE (valued at $50) until 25th May, 2013

Order now & get a FREE ultraPlate!  Valid until May 25th, 2013!

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Redrock Micro Sales & Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Canon Australia + EOS 5D Mark III firmware + clean HDMI out

Sydney, Australia, 30 April 2013 – Canon Australia today announced that the new firmware upgrade for the EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera is now available for download, delivering considerable improvements to still-shooting and Full HD video. The new free-of-charge upgrade will allow users to boost the EOS 5D Mark III’s potential, opening the door to new imaging opportunities.

image

The upgrade, which was first announced in October 2012, enables the use of the HDMI output functionality for more efficient video editing and monitoring workflows by professionals in the fields of cinema and TV production. With HDMI output, users can record HD uncompressed video data (YCbCr 4:2:2, 8 bit) to an external recorder via the camera’s HDMI terminal, supporting minimal image degradation during video data editing for greater onsite efficiency during motion picture and video productions. Additionally, video can also be displayed on an external monitor while being captured, for real-time on-site monitoring for HD video during shoots.

To further improve functionality, the upgrade improves the AF system with centre AF point now enabled at f/8 supporting the needs of photographers to achieve more from their camera when using fast super-telephoto lenses with extenders. Drastically increasing the shooting range, version 1.2.1 now makes it possible to use an EF600 f/4 lens and two-times extender to achieve a massive 1200mm focal length with precise AF performance. This will benefit sport and nature photographers who shoot over long distances. This upgrade also increases the range of lens options with full AF capabilities, including the EF400mm f/5.6 and the EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS with 1.4x extenders, for zoom ranges up to 560mm.

“The EOS 5D Mark III, continues to lead the way in DSLR Full HD Movie making and with this new update Canon has responded to the needs of professional image makers by providing them with clean HDMI output, as well as boosted AF performance for telephoto shooting over an expanded range of focal lengths,” said Charles Montesin, Product Manager – Professional Imaging, Canon Australia. “We’re excited to be offering these features in direct response to requests from professionals working in the fields of cinema and TV production, and expect the firmware to enhance the user experience and workflow.”

The EOS 5D Mark III firmware update is available free of charge from Canon Australia.  Click here to download.

Canon USA have posted a full explanation of the update & outlined the procedure to active the clean HDMI signal.  Visit Canon USA.

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Atomos Ninja-2 Sales & Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Zacuto Panasonic GH3 Rigs

Recently Nikon announced the D600, Canon announced the Canon 6D & Sony announced three new cameras to their line-up, the NEX VG900, Alpha A77 & the Sony RX1, but the announcements don’t stop there! Panasonic made a big splash at Photokina in Cologne, Germany when they announced the new Panasonic Lumix GH3. The Panasonic GH3 is the big brother to the popular Lumix GH2, which was featured & surprised many in the Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012. Bruce Logan ASC & Philip Bloom got their hands on Panasonic GH3 early & made a film, Genesis, for Panasonic’s released. It was directed by Bruce Logan ASC & the DP’s were Bruce Logan ASC & Philip Bloom.

Check it out below.

image

With additional features & more advanced specs, the Panasonic GH3 is proving to be pretty impressive. Some exciting new features are; shooting 1080p at 60fps, allowing full 1080p slow motion, & recording a higher bit-rate (up to 70/mbs) as a .mov file. This makes viewing & editing a breeze. The Panasonic GH3 has a newer, bigger, & more rounded body than the Panasonic GH2 with a flip out screen, which is nice for shooting low mode. It also has touch-screen focus. No fear, it does include an HDMI out for a Zacuto EVF Electronic Viewfinder. Zacuto got an early prototype model so to help jumpstart designing GH3 accessories & rigs. Watch Steve Weiss & Jens Bogehegn, Zacuto product designers, discuss the Panasonic GH3 rigs & accessories!

image

Let’s check out a few accessories

image

The Cold Shoe Handle is the perfect way to add a top handle to your run & gun Panasonic GH3 kit or your camera. It secures to the camera’s hot shoe with a cold shoe mount. The Cold Shoe Handle mounts to the hot shoe based via Zacuto’s quick release Z-Rail system, allowing you to leave the base on the camera & remove the handle with the flip of a lever. The camera is so light that mounting a handle to the cold shoe is not a problem. Plus, you can add all kinds of accessories to the end of the Zacuto handle using Zacuto’s T-mount & Tri-mount as well as other Zacuto rail products.

image

The Panasonic GH3 Z-Finder: The Gold Standard DSLR accessory! The Z-Finder not only helps with viewing & focusing but it also helps with stability. If you already own a Z-Finder Pro or Jr, you can buy the GH3 Metal Mounting Frame Kit, which includes a Gorilla Plate V2 & a GH3 Z-Finder Frame to retrofit your existing Z-Finder to accommodate the Panasonic GH3.

image

Want all the professional features a focus assist monitor would give you? Check out the Zacuto Electronic Viewfinder. The EVF has a 3.2” screen & has many features including focus assist, zebras, false colour, frame line generators & much more. It connects to your Panasonic GH3 via HDMI.

image

Zacuto’s DSLR Target Shooter is their lightest kit. It has three points of contact by having one hand on the camera, the other hand on the lens & the gunstock in your shoulder. The entire kit is infinitely adjustable. Zacuto recommend using this with a Z-Finder which also adds a fourth point of contact. This combination is the perfect rig for the Panasonic GH3, light & compact! Run’n’gun. Philip Bloom’s favourite rig.

Note: The picture above shows the current Gorilla Plate. The actual product will ship with a Gorilla Plate V2 & will be available in Early May 2013.

image

The Fee-N-G is the ultimate ENG style rig compatible with all DSLR cameras. It is a compact, in-line rig ideal for run-&-gun and all types of handheld shooting. With the Fee N G, an EVF, electronic viewfinder, is required for viewing.

Of course, like always, these are Zacuto’s recommendations for Panasonic GH3 rigs. I recommend you build a rig that works for your style shooting!

image

image

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Zacuto Sales & Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

How to make the Lumix GH3 camera deliver proper, recordable 1080p over HDMI

Over at PVC (Pro Video Coalition) Allan Tépper has just written an article about changing settings within the Panasonic Lumix GH3 DSLR Camera to get a native 1080p frame rate over HDMI.

To read Allan’s article click here

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Atomos Ninja-2 Sales & Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Redrock Cobalt Cage & Deluxe Accessory Kit for GoPro HERO3

In February 2013 the Redrock Micro Cobalt Cage & Deluxe Accessory Kit for GoPro HERO & HERO2 Cameras was released.  Check it out here.

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Redrock Micro Sales & Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

INTRODUCING THE ATOMOS SAMURAI BLADE SUPERATOM IPS PANEL

INTRODUCING THE SAMURAI BLADE SUPERATOM IPS PANEL

Super Sharp, Super Bright, Super Blacks Right down to the last Atom! 

5” 325DPI 1280x720

At 325DPI & 1Million Pixels (1280x720 @ 5”) the SuperAtom IPS Panel is world-leading technology. Crystal clear sharp images are what we expect today, producing professional film & television is no different. This means you need the most advanced screen available today! The SuperAtom IPS Panel delivers amazing resolution, Super accurate colours, Super deep blacks with an image representation that oozes atmosphere – when you see this screen you will not believe your eyes. Forget OLED which feels lifeless & dull at normal brightness levels, this In Plane Switching technology that brings your images to life!

The capacitive touch panel gives lightning response times and gesture capability, controlling AtomOS 5.0 on Samurai Blade is silky smooth.

Fully adjustable gamma, brightness, contrast and a built in wave form monitor make this the must have video tool for professionals

MEDIA 

Atomos NAB 2013

The Atomos Samurai Blade is the world’s most advanced smart production recorder, monitor & playback deck. Every part of its physical & operational design has been carefully crafted to deliver the ultimate in simple operation, mission critical reliability & the converging of separate devices – Monitors, Capture Cards, Playback decks & cut edit suites – these are all in one & are affordable to boot!

It’s lightweight, tough and robust for in the field operation.

We record direct to edit codecs Apple ProRes & Avid DNxHD for free onto commodity 2.5” hard discs at the camera, saving you media cost, time for capturing & of course giving higher quality from any MPEG based camera.

YOUR CAMERA’S BEST FRIEND

The camera is the king & today’s sensors & lenses are quite spectacular, we harness large 5K+ sensors on professional video cameras to ensure you get the best from your camera - YES we support your make & model of Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic, JVC, RED & Arri.

To see & read more about the brilliant new Atomos Samurai Blade visit the official site CLICK HERE.  Alternately feel free to visit Urban Cine’s site for more details.

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Atomos Sales & Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Zacuto + NAB 2013

Every year, Zacuto packs up tons of gear & heads off to Las Vegas, Nevada for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).  This year, NAB 2013, will be no different!  Zacuto & Kessler Crane are teaming up again with the hope booth C8808 will be the “place to be” on the exhibit hall floor.  Lots of work goes into prepping for NAB & they have been hard at work since last NAB preparing for an even better show!

Zacuto’s New Products

NAB is Zacuto’s time to show off all the products they have been working on all year. This year they will have 15+ new products ranging from little widgets to full on rigs! Some of their show stoppers include the DSLR Enforcer Rig & DSLR Marauder Rig.

image

Above left to right: DSLR Marauder rig and DSLR Enforcer rig

These rigs are a totally new rod less design. They are adjustable with the flip of the lever & click into place.  They can be used with a Z-Finder, optical viewfinder or without.  They can also fold up for easy transport.

image

Half Cage - This is a great rock solid, small mounting solution for a number of things.  It can be positioned on the rods forward or behind the camera for perfect balance when adding a QR Top Handle.  It is height adjustable to work with all cameras.  It has lot of ¼ 20 tapped holes on the side & top for adding screw type accessories & built in rod clamps for mounting Zamerican Arms. The top rail mounts a whole host of Zacuto Z-Rail accessories including the new Dogbone EVF Mount, plus the wood side handle is a great way to hold your rig, “Hasselblad style”.

image

Dogbone EVF Mount - The most quickly adjustable, rock solid & intuitive EVF mounts on the market!  The Dogbone EVF Mount will work with any EVF with a ¼ 20 tap on the bottom or top of your EVF.  The two 4” Dogbone arms allow for placement of the EVF anywhere within an 11” radius.  It can be easily tilted like a traditional viewfinder, used in front of the camera to create a Recoil kit or stretched out in the back like an extender viewfinder.

image

C100 Z-Finder - This new Z-Finder will have a 1.8x magnification to accommodate the wider screen on the C100 LCD screen.  The frame, made specifically for the C100, will clip on to the LCD screen with a mount for the new C100 Z-Finder.

image

Z-Drive - Zacuto’s new direct drive adjustable follow focus has an estimated retail price at US$500!

image

Tornado - The Tornado is a remote mechanical follow focus that allows you to pull focus utilizing the handgrip!  Zacuto showed this at NAB 2012, but since then it has had a complete design change.

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Zacuto Sales & Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Alister Chapman + Sensitivity & Sensor Size

UK Cameraman & Educator Alister Chapman shares his thoughts on Sensitivity & Sensor Size.

Read on …. 

Sensor technology right now has not really changed for quite a few years. The materials in sensor pixels and photo-sites to convert photons of light into electrons are pretty efficient. Most manufacturers are using the same materials and are using similar tricks such as micro lenses to maximise the sensors performance. As a result low light performance largely comes down to the laws of physics and the size of the pixels on the sensor rather than who makes it. If you have cameras with the same numbers of pixels per sensor chip, but different sized sensors, the larger sensors will almost always be more sensitive and this is not something that’s likely to change in the near future. It hasn’t actually changed for quite a few years now.
Both on the sensor and after the sensor the camera manufacturers use various noise reduction methods to minimise and reduce noise. Noise reduction almost always has a negative affect on the image quality. Picture smear, posterisation, a smoothed plastic like look can all be symptoms of excessive noise reduction. There are probably more differences between the way different manufacturers implement noise reduction than there are differences between sensors.
The less noise there is from the sensor the less aggressive you need to be with the noise reduction and this is where you really start to see differences in camera performance. At low gain levels there may be little difference between a 1/3″ and 1/2″ camera as the NR circuits cope fairly well in both cases. But when you start boosting the sensitivity by adding gain the NR on the small sensor camera has to work much harder than on the larger sensor camera. This results in either more undesirable image artefacts or allowing more noise to be visible on the smaller sensor camera. So when faced with challenging low light situations, bigger will almost always be better when it comes to sensors. In addition dynamic range is linked to noise as picture noise limits how far the camera can see into the shadows, so generally speaking a bigger sensor will have better dynamic range. Overall camera real camera sensitivity has not changed greatly in recent years. Cameras made with one size of sensor made today are not really any more sensitive than similar ones made 5 years ago. Of course the current trend for large sensor cameras has meant that many more cameras now have bigger sensors with bigger pixels and these are more sensitive than smaller sensors, but like for like, there has been little change.

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Professional Camera Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Sony PMW-200 Scene Files from AbelCine

AbelCine’s Ian McCausland is at the bench again, this time looking at SceneFiles from AbelCine for the Sony PMW-200 XDCAM HD Camera.

Read on …

Creating custom scene files for cameras is an on-going tradition at Abel and there have been quite a few requests from users of the Sony PMW-200. I created some looks for the PMW-200 based on a few of the most popular ones that we created for other cameras in the past. The last profile included in the download has been left standard for when you want to shoot “clean.” Here is a short run down of the looks:

AB Norm

I used Hyper Gamma 1 for this profile. HG1 takes advantage of the 325% extended range of the sensor and brings it back to 100% for REC709, while the color saturation matches that of the other AB-NORM scene files. This picture profile can be thought of as providing a nice overall look. 

AB Range

For this scene file, I took advantage of the Hyper Gamma 1 setting in the PMW-200 to get extended gamma range out of the sensor and delivered in REC709. Colors will not be as saturated as in AB-NORM.

JR45 Video

I used the Hyper Gamma 3 setting to match the gamma profile of previous versions of this look. Here the gamma is rated with a white point of 109% and you will also notice that the level of the HG3 has been stretched as well.

JR45Cine

Here I took advantage of the PMW-200′s Hyper Gamma setting to match it closely to the JR45Cine look from previous cameras. 

JR45Cine 2

In this look, I took advantage of the extended Gamma range of HG3. Because of the extended range, I could maintain a cine gamma while being able to reach into shadows and pull out more detail.

To use these picture profiles, just download them directly to your computer and drag the SONY folder to an SxS card. Load the SxS card into your PMW-200, go to the OTHERS menu, navigate to CAMERA DATA and select RECALL. 

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Professional Camera Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Redrock Micro Cobalt Cage & Deluxe Accessory Kit for GoPro HERO & HERO2 Cameras

Use your GoPro the way it is meant to be used: extreme POV, risky camera setups & insane camera mounts.  Make it all happen while keeping your camera secure & your shots rock-solid.  Capture images like never before thanks to the reinforced high tensile design of the Cobalt Cage.  Unburden your GoPro from the plastic stock housing & its single point of contact, & expand your capabilities with twenty times the mounting points of the Cobalt Cage.

image

Features:

  • Reinforced Cage Fully Protects Camera
  • Accessory Kit Attaches GoPro w/o Housing
  • Cage is Impact- / Crash-/ & Crush-Proof
  • Accessory Kit Eliminates Fog
  • Twenty 1/4” Mounting & Accessory Threads
  • Lightweight
  • Leaves Media Card/Connections Accessible
  • Compatible with GoPro / GoPro2 

The Cobalt Cage is impact-proof, crash-proof, crush-proof, & bullet proof, all while weighing only 3oz more than the plastic GoPro Housing.  It is also compatible with the disposable Blast Shield Pack.  Let debris, shrapnel, & anything else the elements have to offer hit the blast shield, capturing those unique images, all while protecting the GoPro’s optics.  Simply replace the shield when it has become battle-worn instead of replacing the entire Housing.  Secure your GoPro inside the Cobalt Cage with the GoPro Housing without needing tools, or use the Deluxe Accessory Bundle to mount the GoPro camera naked within the cage.

image

Mount without fear.  The Cobalt Cage is made of precision-machined military-grade aluminium, & features integrated 1/4”-20 threads that surround the camera in 360 degrees.  Attach support rails & knuckles directly to the cage to create as many points of contact as necessary.  Now, have the ability to mount the GoPro using a true triangulation method, which minimizes vibrations & provides a more stable & secure mounting apparatus to your subject.

image

Expand your arsenal of mounting options with suction cups, Cardellini clamps, speed rail, or mafer clamps.  Under-sling or side-sling the GoPro to achieve perspectives that are otherwise impossible to capture with just the GoPro stock housing.  By giving you the option to bypass the GoPro Housing with the Cobalt Cage’s open-air design, you eliminate the fogging that can plague otherwise gorgeous shots, while still keeping the camera and it’s optics protected.

image

In April 2013 the Redrock Micro Cobalt Cage & Deluxe Accessory Kit for GoPro HERO3 Cameras was released.  Check it out here.

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Redrock Micro Sales + Adelaide, South Australia 

PMW-200 Quick Tip: Adjusting Back Focus

AbelCine’s Ian McCausland is at the bench again, this time looking at back focus on the Sony PMW-200 XDCAM HD Camera.

Read on …

image

“These days a camera is only as good as its last firmware update. Sony recently announced the release of v1.1 firmware for the PMW-200, and one of the most exciting new features is the addition of auto back focus adjustment to the camera. Flange Focal Distance – the distance from the back element of the lens to the sensor – needs to stay in tolerance so that the marks on the focus scale can be relied on to be accurate. Since the PMW-200′s lens is built into the body, adjusting the FFD must be done electronically. 

Though the FFD should generally stay in tolerance, if you travel a lot with your camera this tolerance may need occasional adjustment. You will know the FFD is out if you notice a focus shift while zooming from telephoto to wide angle. If things get fuzzy while zooming out, chances are you need to perform a back focus adjustment. A focus chart is included as part of the free firmware download from Sony, because the camera needs to see a high-contrast chart with lines in order to set back focus. The camera should be ten feet from the chart to perform this operation. 

Another new feature of the v1.1 firmware is the ability to use WiFi with the PMW-200. Once the firmware is installed, the CBK-WA01 WiFi adaptor can be installed on the camera in order to control it via WiFi. Additional updates in the v1.1 firmware include the ability to save all camera settings to a USB card, the ability to carry over settings from another PMW-200, Steady Shot available as an Assign Button, and the ability to set a 1kHz test signal.”  

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Professional Camera Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Source: blog.abelcine.com

Zacuto’s Top 12 Products of 2012

#1   Z-Finder Pros

image

There are 2 different Z-Finder models for DSLR users that come with different frame sizes depending on your DSLR camera. Does it have a 3” screen or 3.2” screen? The Z-Finders Pros are as follows: the Z-Finder 2.5x Pro for 3” screens, Z-Finder Pro 2.5x for 3.2” screens, Z-Finder 3x pro for 3” screens and Z-Finder 3x Pro for 3.2” screens. The Z-Finder Pro is an optical viewfinder that allows DSLR cameras to have the correct form factor for shooting video. It also shades out all the light & magnifies to aid in critical focus.

Some popular accessories for a Z-Finder include Adhesive Frames (an alternative way to attach your Z-Finder to your DSLR), Z-Finder Extender Frames, Mounting Frames for Tall DSLR bodies or DSLRs using Battery Grips, Dust Covers, & so many more.

#2   Standard HDMI Cable

image

This standard HDMI cable has two regular HDMI durable cable heads that can be set at right angles in all directions with any camera that has a standard HDMI output. This is the perfect cable for Zacuto EVF owners with cameras like the Sony F3, Panasonic AF100, Sony FS700, Nikon D300 & other cameras that have a standard size HDMI output. Most DSLRs require a Standard to Mini cable. Zacuto also offers an 18” Mini to Standard Cable & an 18” Right Angle Mini to Standard HDMI Cable.

#3   Z-Finder EVF PRO

image

Z-Finder EVF Pro is a 2011 DV Black Diamond Award Winner & remains in Zacuto’s Top 12 products of 2012. It is an electronic viewfinder with a 3.2” high resolution monitor that consists of the EVF Flip & a Z-Finder Pro that snaps onto the frame of the monitor & flips up 180 degrees. The EVF can be used with any Z-Finder model & is compatible with any camera that has an HDMI output.

It gives you many features such as peaking, false colour, frame line generators, exposure assist, scaling & many more. Not to mention, Zacuto released several FREE firmware updates in 2012. We are constantly enhancing the features. “Simply essential for so many cameras,” says Philip Bloom, Independent DP & Director.

#4   Gorilla Plate

image

The Gorilla Plate is used with some of Zacuto’s DSLR rigs like the Striker & Target Shooter kit. It attaches to your camera using the standard tripod screw hole. It also allows you to quickly go from handheld to a tripod simply by mounting your tripod plate underneath the Gorilla plate. This plate is also used to mount the Z-Finder Pros. When using this plate with the Z-Finder, take the Z-Finder frame & attach it to the Gorilla plate using two thumb screws.

#5   Zwiss Plate

image

The Zacuto Zwiss Plate is an accessory mounting plate that has many functions. This unique mounting plate allows users to mount a variety of accessories to a camera support system. Filled with oodles of ¼” 20 & 3/8” 16 holes, shooters can mount threaded articulating arms, converter boxes (including the AJA KiPro Mini) & batteries (either V-Mount or Anton Bauer 3-stud or gold mount style), & just about any accessories they can think of! The Zwiss Plate also has two 15mm holes to mount 15mm rods or Zacuto Articulating Arms.  Zacuto also has released a Horiztonal Zwiss Plate.

#6   Zipgear Universal

image

Zipgears are required with the use of a follow focus on most lenses. They are 13.5” strands of plastic that wrap around your lens & engage with your follow focus. Simply wrap the gear around the lens, cut it to size, press the gear locking housing onto the strand & tighten. Installation takes less than a minute. All Zipgears are a .8 pitch. 

#7   Scorpion

image

“The Zacuto Scorpion Rig is by far one of the most comfortable rigs I have ever used,” says Jared Abrams, Cinematographer of Wide Open Camera. The Scorpion has been a huge hit since the prototype came out at NAB 2011. After a year of tweaking & perfecting, its form-fitting shoulder pad helps make this the most comfortable shoulder mount rig at Zacuto! The shoulder pad’s gel padding conforms to any user’s body providing maximum comfort for long shooting days.

#8   Studio Baseplate for C100, C300 & C500

image

The unique Studio Baseplate with 12″ rods is made solely for Canon EOS C100-C300-C500 cameras. This baseplate has a low profile since these cameras are tall in nature. This baseplate provides the option to add accessories off the side like an EVF from the set of 15mm lightweight holes on each side of the baseplate. Using a Red Epic or Scarlet camera? Add the Rod Riser to this and you are all set!

#9   Pincher

image

The Zacuto Pincher is a product developed to help avoid damaging your HDMI cables or camera ports on DSLR cameras. The Pincher secures your HDMI cable to your DSLR camera, keeping it out of the way & protected from any potentially damaging obstacles in your surrounding environment. The Pincher also keeps your HDMI cable from coming unplugged & losing its signal on the EVF. It must be used in conjunction with the Gorilla Baseplate or DSLR Baseplate. Don’t believe me? Watch Rob from Spirit Juice Studios dangle his DSLR with the Pincher.

#10   DSLR Baseplate

image

The DSLR Baseplate is a lightweight baseplate for DSLR cameras of all shapes and sizes. With spaces for mounting 15mm rods on all four sides, this allows users to mount accessories for gorilla rigs, shoulder mounted rigs or tripod rigs. A DSLR camera mounts on the top plate, which is quick releasable & lifts straight up and off separating your DSLR from the rest of your rig. This is the perfect place to start when building your own DSLR rig!

#11   Universal Baseplate

image

The Universal Baseplate is the first product that Zacuto ever made and it is still popular 10 years later! It was designed originally around the Panasonic HVX200. It is used for mounting Matte-Boxes, Follow Focuses, Battery Plates, Hand Grips, Lens Supports, Monitors, Shoulder Pads, EVFs or any other accessories to a variety of different cameras. Zacuto’s Universal Baseplate is the basic building block for building your rig. It is used primarily for flat bottom video cameras like the Sony F3, Panasonic AF102, etc. Zacuto also has a Mini Baseplate.

#12   Grip Relocator for C100, C300 & C500

image

The Zacuto Grip Relocator puts all the important controls of your Canon C100-C300 or C500 camera right at your fingertips! It relocates the removable handgrip on the camera to your rig. The Grip Relocator joins together with any Zacuto Zgrip handle, so plug it in and use the on/off control, lens aperture control, & a programmable function button that can be set to a number of things including waveform, 1 to 1 zoom, zebras, my menu, & many more! Don’t want to lose that shot? Well now this grip relocator allows you to keep the camera on your shoulder while shooting.

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Zacuto Sales & Hire + Adelaide, South Australia

Source: zacuto.com

4k kills the photography business? The Canon EOS-1D C shooting stills!

Over at Planet5D planetMitch posted an interesting article looking at extracting a still image from a 4K video file, in this case Canon’s new EOS-1D C DSLR Camera was the focus.  If you have the time I recommend reading Australian Abraham Joffe’s post. 

Read on …

image

Does shooting 4k video kill the photography business or is it just another tool? Here, we have a guest post from Abraham Joffe showing how he shot stills with the Canon EOS-1D C – but by only shooting video and extracting the stills from the 4k video itself. It includes many comments from photographers and videographers like Philip Bloom, Sue Bryce, and others.

Of course 4k video won’t ‘kill’ photography, 4k is expensive and requires a lot of resources, but Abraham’s post leads to a lot of questions – and it isn’t a new concept either. We’ve seen Vincent Laforet talk about taking stills from a Red back in mid-2011 and it was of course done way before that as well. But are photographers willing to spend time searching thru thousands of frames of video to find perfect stills. Not to mention the massive file sizes we’re seeing with 4k video coming off the Canon EOS-1D C and Scarlets etc.

Another interesting aspect of Abraham’s video is his use of “vertical video” – I recently was blasted over on youtube because I posted a vertical video that was just an iPhone video of the problems I was having with my new iMac – but some people are aparently very rabid about not watching anything that is vertical – “TVs are designed horizontally” I was told – well duh. But that doesn’t mean you can’t explore new avenues of expression. In fact, we had several stories back in 2010

Read more http://blog.planet5d.com/2012/12/4k-kills-the-photography-business-the-canon-eos-1d-c-shooting-stills/

Cinematise. Customise. Visualise.

Pete Hall

image 

Urban Cine + Camera Accessory Hire & Sales + Adelaide, South Australia

Source: blog.planet5d.com

Top