Notes On Video

Camera Comparisons Ron Risman at Cameratown took the NEX-VG10, a Canon 7D, 5D and VIXIA HG10 (camcorder) down to the beach and set them up side-by-side so that you can compare the NEX-VG10 with each of those cameras. Is it just me, or does the Canon 5D footage look much sharper? Cameratown : Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 Interchangeable Lens Camcorder Review Moire Tests A couple of moire tests have been posted by members of the Sony NEX-VG10 User Group . Christopher Mayer compares the NEX-VG10, Canon 5D Mark II, Canon T2i and the Panasonic HVX200 (video camera.) As you'll see, all the large chip cameras exhibit moire and aliasing. As I predicted, the t2i and NEX on a par with each other. The 5D moires just about the same, but handles better in different focal lenghts. HVX, a real video camera now 7 years old holds up best T2i in my miond is the worst of all of them. Not only moire but the blacks just crush (I had to double check if I had my settings right, and they were). moir...

We've all heard about the bad things about blogs; that in their haste to be topical they often serve to simply repeat and broadcast inaccurate information without proper fact checking. But a phenomenon that I don't think get's enough coverage is what I call "Blog Telephone:" how a story on one blog gets repeated on another, but subtly changed, adding unrelated information that gets weaved into the original story. That story then gets reinterpreted and retold, creating a whole new inaccuracy. Like this example: 1). Yesterday, at 8PM, AppleInsider published a note that Apple had sent out an email to some customers informing them that shipping charges will be refunded due to a possible 'delay.' It quotes the email: "Our records indicate that when you placed your order you paid for upgraded shipping," Apple wrote in the emails. " Due to a delay, we may have not been able to meet our delivery commitment ." It also notes that early pre-o...

If you have an ARRI Alexa or Phantom Cine camera, then Glue Tools has the plug-ins for you! They have just released updates to the following plug-ins for Final Cut Pro : ARRIRAW Toolkit for Final Cut Studio 1.5 This software allows MacOSX and Applications to work with ARRIRAW “.ari” image sequences which are shot with the ARRI Alexa and ARRIFLEX D-21 cameras. With this Toolkit, Finder is fully aware of these files, including support for Spotlight, Previews, and basic QuickTime Playback. Other applications that are QuickTime aware, will also work with ARRIRAW file format. This release: Initial support for Alexa ARRIRAW footage. Phantom Cine Toolkit for Final Cut Studio 2.5 This package lets the user open the raw Phantom Cine movies and choose from different debayer algorithms, color correction matrices, as well as white balance and gamma modes. A SMPTE Timecode track is created from the timestamps inside the Phantom Cine. As with any QuickTime component, the Operating system is ...

Ever see the James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever ? Jimmy Dean plays a reclusive billionaire ( see also : Howard Hughes) who is rescued by Bond. Watching Shane Hurlbut at the recent Canon Expo NY, I couldn't help but be reminded of the Jimmy Dean character. Loud, in your face, cracking jokes while dashing about the stage, if they decide to remake the movie they should definitely get Shane to play the billionaire role. But seriously, Cinematographer Shane Hurlbut ( Into the Blue , Terminsator Salvaltion ) talked at the Expo about film making with the Canon 5D Mk II. He had recently completed principle photography on Act of Valor - a film centered around the US Navy SEALs - where the Canon 5D was used extensively for action shots, low light and under-the-radar shooting. How He Got Started In January 2009 I went to an ASC function at Sammy’s Camera, and there were a lot of my peers around, checking this camera out, and I put this thing in my hand, and I saw the future. I saw t...

Mark Romanek wrote and directed the feature film One Hour Photo , a psychological drama starring Robin Williams as a lonely photo technician. His latest film is Never Let Me Go , based on a book by Kazuo Ishiguro, who also wrote The Remains of the Day . He was interviewed by Dave Davies on today's episode of Fresh Air's . There's several interesting parts to this interview, including why (and how) he came to use Robin Williams in One Hour Photo , and the making of the Hurt music video with Johnny Cash. You can listen to it on the web: Director Mark Romanek Tackles 'Never Let Me Go'

I'm a big fan of the British TV car show, Top Gear . Even if you're not a big gearhead, you should check it out (particularly the latter series; there's some pretty impressive cinematography and production work in the show.) The problem for those of us in the ex-colonies is that it doesn't play on any national U.S. TV network. It does play on the cable network BBC America , but even then, they play it weeks/months after release in the UK, and cut it up to put in commercials. Some of the seasons are available on iTunes - though not all of the past seasons - and the latest one's only appear after they are shown on BBC America . The Top Gear UK site even sometimes blocks their videos from US visitors. Which means that if you're a fan here, you might be tempted to go to other sources.... BBC America is about to start broadcasting the latest season, and to celebrate they will be showing all the past seasons over the coming weekend. Ironically, in it's ...

The Boston Final Cut Pro User Group will have a special Meetup as part of the FutureM Conference on the use of video on the iPad in Production/Post. The event takes place at Apple's Boston Boylston store. They will also be announcing details on, and taking registration for, the October 15-17th PHILIP BLOOM DSLR Workshops and Meetup . BOSFCPUG: BOSFCPUG "FutureM" Meetup: iPad in Production/Post

More on the Firmware update A post on SonyAlphaRumors notes that with the NEX firmware update that will support autofocus with A-mount lenses, there will also be a firmware update for the lens adapter itself. It's unclear how that update is made... NOTE, though, that you actually have to upgrade the firmware in the lens adapter, as well as in the camera itself. (We were surprised to learn that the A-mount to E-mount adapter actually has a chip in it, to translate data between the lens and the camera body. As part of the update process, then, you’ll need to attach your Sony A-mount adapter to the camera, so the camera can update the adapter’s firmware.) SonyAlphaRumors.com : Sone NEX firmware brings lots of improvements! And it goes underwater :) Video Test with ND Filter A nice video shot with a Neutral Density filter...looks like that's the first accessory you want to get for your camera! Lensbaby Lensbaby makes a line of inexpensive tilt/shift lenses. They have no...

Guillermo del Toro, director of Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy , will be interviewed on NPR's OnPointRadio today at 11am EST. [Stream it live at at wbur.org if you don't have a local NPR station, or listen to a replay over the web after 7pm tonight at OnPointRadio ]

Blockbuster files for Chapter 11 It's been expected for some time, but Blockbuster has filed for Chapter 11. It's suspected that 1/3 of their 3,000 stores will close. Apple TV orders being processed Apple has started charging the credit cards of people who placed an order for the new Apple TV. Expect them to ship at any moment. Microsoft doesn't like Blu-ray either Joining Apple's Steve Jobs, Microsoft's Stephen McGill, UK Xbox Boss, said in an interview that it's just not worth supporting Blu-ray on Xbox People have moved through from DVDs to digital downloads and digital streaming, so we offer full HD 1080p Blu-ray quality streaming instantly, no download, no delay. So, who needs Blu-ray? xbox360achievements: Interview - Stephen McGill, UK Xbox Boss Talks The Future, Halo, Rare & More The future for video is the web.

Jan Crittenden, Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems Product Manager, has confirmed on the dvxuser forum that the price of the Panasonic AF100 will be $4995. Start saving those pennies... If I was Canon, I'd be worrying not so much about what this camera might do to sales of DSLRs, but what it could do to sales of the HF300/305... dvxuser : AF-100 Confirmed List Price: $4,995 B & H : Panasonic AG-AF100 Micro Four Thirds Professional HD Camcorder

This is interesting; a Bluetooth microphone that plugs into the new accessory port of the Flip Ultra . The Scosche f reedomMIC . Sure, Blue has announced the Mikey for Flip , and if I had to guess, I would guess that the sound quality of the Mikey is going to be better than the f reedomMIC, but when using a camera, often the first, biggest problem to solve is the distance between your source and your mic. Moving the mic up to the source is - generally - going to make more of a difference than getting a better microphone that's further back. Of course, what you want is a really good mic, close enough. The freedomMIC features a condenser microphone with DSP noise cancellation and has a range of 100 feet, and powered by lithium ion batteries (in both transmitter and receiver) that gives 4 hours of operation. Users can wirelessly control record and stop functions remotely from the microphone/transmitter. The receiver features a pass-through tripod mount for securing the r...

I somehow missed it in the original release, but the NEX-VG10 will also get a firmware update to support auto-focus with A-Mount lenses. The update will be available in November. Sony : Sony showcases digital imaging solutions at Photokina

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 RULE | Boston Camera 395 Western Ave Boston, MA 02135 Kenton VanNatten - Fixing It In Post! We've all heard producers say "We'll fix it in Post!", join us at our next BAVUG meeting to see how Paint, Animatte and other Avid tools were used to clean up customer testimonial interviews to create a seamless marketing message for a corporate client, without b-roll. Kenton VanNatten has worked as a professional editor for over 12 years in corporate/educational video, independent documentary and cable/broadcast television and is also currently the Chairman/President of the Boston Avid Users Group. IMPORTANT Limited seating, be sure to register through Eventbrite registration to get your free ticket. More info : BAVUG

Adobe has announced Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 , and Adobe Premiere Elements 9 . This is the first time Premiere Elements has come to the Mac. Actually, even though Adobe Premiere Pro has come bak to the Mac, it's almost a bit of a surprise that they bought Premiere Elements to the Mac; given that they have to compete with Apple's free iMovie . Improved Organization and Sharing With Premiere Elements , it is easier than ever to upload and import from popular Flip Video camcorders and DSLR cameras. The Organizer allows users to tag and view photos and videos in one central place. The Auto-Analyzer helps users tag the best photos and videos and also identifies specific faces in photos. Users can quickly post photos and videos directly to Facebook, combine media together into dynamic interactive Online Albums, and create an online DVD-like viewing experience to share with friends and family. Users can customize flexible scrapbook and photo book layout designs, with drag-and...

As expected, Panasonic announced the GH2 at Photokina. Notably this update has the following video support: 1080/60i video mode, as well as 1080/24p at 24Mbps (the highest in AVCHD format) The HDMI output is also uncompressed The GH2 will be available in early December for $899.95 (body only). 3D Lens for Lumix cameras Panasonic also formerly "released" the world's "first interchangeable 3D lens," the H-FT012 (which had previously been announced in July.) The 3D lens LUMIX G 12.5mm / F12 (35 mm camera equivalent: 65 mm) features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses, to be processed with a 3D image processing system. The lens is compatible with the DMC-GH2 and DMC-G2 with the firmware ver.1.1. A 3D media player that supports the MP (Multi-Picture) format is required to view 3D images The price will be £249.95, ad it will be shipping in November. No U.S. price ava...

Cinematographer Steven Poster is the ex-President of the American Society of Cinematographers , current president of the Local 600 (the International Cinematographers Guild), a still photographer and DP of many films, including Rocky V, RocketMan, and Donnie Darko . He is possibly the only American Cinematographer ever to shoot a French movie for a French director in France. At the recent Canon New York Expo he was interviewed by Canon's Tim Smith and talked about still photography, making movies, and the move from film to digital. Do You Light For Motion? The thing about light, light becomes the entire subject for me. I was a student at Arts Center, and at the first lecture by a man named Charlie Potts, who was wonderful, I realized that everything that I did was about light, and light became the subject. So do I light for still? Do I light for motion? I light, and then I add the motion. The ability to light has nothing to do with knowing where to put the lights. It’s eve...

Sony has announced the E-mount lens roadmap: Wide fixed focal length CZ : available from 2011 Telephoto zoom : available from 2011 Macro : available from 2011 Portrait : available from 2011 High performance standard zoom G : available from 2012 Wide zoom : available from 2012 Mid-telephoto : available from 2012 I've been unable to find more details about the lenses (i.e. image stabilization?) Sony has also announced new A-mount lenses: Sony expands A-Mount lens line-up for Alpha DSLR cameras with three new lenses NEX-3/NEX-5 Firmware Update Sony has announced a firmware update for the NEX-3/5 that adds autofocus support when using A-mount SAM and SSM lenses with the LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor. A new custom function that allows assignment to buttons of frequently-used functions, and to record movies with setup aperture. The update will be available in October. [ UPDATE - the NEX-VG10 will also have a firmware update in November.] Sony : Sony showcases digital imaging s...

If you're interested in the NEX-VG10, there's been a bunch of video's posted over at the Vimeo NEX-VG10 User Group that are worth checking out. Mattia Santino Merli posted the following video which was shot with two cameras; the camera-car is a Lumix TS1 while the rest of the footage was shot with the NEX-VG10. The stock lens was used for all the track footage, but a Leica summicron 90mm and Yashica 50mm f1.4 were used for the pit footage ( which perhaps explains the greater depth of field present on some of those shots .) Note that color-correction was added to the video footage. Super Drift Professional Challenge Round 3 from Mattia Santino Merli on Vimeo . Maarten Heilbron posted this piece "Floral Bokeh" shot using the standard lens, which he describes: Shot in aperture priority at the minimum DOF end, manual gain (0) and manual focus, AWB and standard. In nearly all cases, I'm very close to the subject and at the maximum zoom (200mm on the ki...

It's not available for order yet, but B & H does list a price for Panasonic's upcoming consumer 3D camcorder ($1399.95) and an availability of "October." Amazon also lists it at $1399.95, but says it will be released on October 15th. You can pre-order at Amazon. B & H : Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D Camcorder Amazon : Panasonic HDC-SDT750K, World's First Consumer 3D Camcorder The 3D conversion lens

Zacuto HDSLR V-Mount Battery Pack POWERBASE-70 Zacuto offers a Lithium Ion Battery pack for use with Canon OEM batteries. The PowerBase 70 mounts under the camera doubling as a grip or attach to a HDSLR support via its 1/4-20 release plate or V-mount. Wired as a 14.8v battery pack it can provide extended power to up to two additional 12vdc devices, as well as other devices requiring lower voltage through an additional XP power regulation cable. The pack is also furnished with a 1/4-20 on either side to mount accessories. Zacuto : POWERBASE-70 Flip announces the ultraHD Flip has announced updates to their cameras, most notably increasing the frame-rate to 60fps (video is 720p) and adding image stabilization. The ultraHD also adds a FlipPort connector that can be used for attaching accessories (companies are evidently working on microphones and chargers for the camera.) The addition of image stabilization could almost make me want to carry this camera in addition to my iPhon...

On October 10, 2010 (10.10.10), across the planet, documentary filmmakers, students, and inspired citizens will record the human experience over a 24-hour period and contribute their voice to the largest participatory media event in history. Founded in 2008, ONE DAY ON EARTH is creating an online community, shared archive, and film. Together, we will showcase the amazing diversity, conflict, tragedy, and triumph that occur in one day. We invite you to join our international community of thousands of filmmakers, hundreds of schools, and dozens of non-profits, and contribute to this unique global mosaic. Through the One Day on Earth platform, we will establish a community that not only watches, but participates. One Day On Earth One Day on Earth Participant Trailer from One Day On Earth on Vimeo .

48 Hour Blowout Sale ikan, designer, manufacturer and distributor of video and film production support equipment is having a 48 Hour Blowout Sale on Wednesday, September 22. Every following Wednesday for the next three months, ikan will offer discounts from 40-80% on select ikan gear. ikan : ikancorp Affordable 3D Rig While they don't appear to be selling it yet, ikan also has an affordable 3D rig in development called the ELEMENTS Stereoscope . ...after you’ve scrounged through your couches for change to go buy your Canon XF105′s or XF100′s, you can then skip gleefully over to Ikan and badger us about the ELEMENTS Stereoscope, which will allow you to mount both camcorders to one rig for your optimal shooting pleasure. That way, when you’re done configuring all Canon’s built-in assist features for capturing 3D, you don’t have to worry about; 1: spending the rest of your budget on a wallet-burning camera rig, or 2: inventing a “rig” of your own consisting of two friends who ...