Large Sensor News

Canon T3i Review
Methods Blog has posted a review of the Canon T3i that includes sample video, and pictures comparing the T3i to the T2i.
I don't see much of an improvement between the T3i and the T2i.  If you can live without the swivel screen, I don't see a need to go and rent or buy the new T3i. 
methodikalge: Canon T3i Review
Amazon: Canon EOS Rebel T3i



Panasonic AG-AF100 Review
Dan Brockett reviews the Panasonic AG-AF100 for HD Video Pro. He was loaned a unit with the Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm F4.0-5.8 lens and he likes the fact that it basically combines video camera features with the shallow-depth of field capabilities of DSLRs.
The AVCHD codec is surprisingly good, better than expected, with clean greenscreen shots easy to obtain. Operationally, the AG-AF100 is a big step up from the HD DSLR. Panasonic seems to have tamed CMOS artifacts nicely, with very little rolling shutter and no moiré or aliasing visible in my footage
HDVideoPro: Bridging The Gap
B & H: Panasonic AG-AF100 Professional Memory Card Camcorder [in stock $4,795.00]
B & H: Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. [in stock $745.00]



Sony PMW-F3 footage
More people are posting test video from the PMW-F3 to Vimeo:



Sony PMW-F3 Firmware
Andy Shipsides at Abel Cine Tech's blog reports on the firmware update for the PMW-F3, and says it will cost $3,300 [$200 less than we first heard!] As he notes, this update - particularly the S-Log support - really opens up the true potential of this camera.

Pity that it effectively increases the price by a quarter.
CineTechnica: Sony’s New Firmware Upgrade for the PMW-F3



Sony's NXCAM semi-announcements
Following on from the initial details reported about Sony's forthcoming NXCAM cameras, David Williams of dv.com tells a bit more of the story of seeing these new cameras. You won't really learn any more than was in the Film and Digital Times report, but you get a bit more atmosphere.
dv.com: Sony’s Big (NAB Show) Reveal – Part I



Inexpensive Aerial Footage
Vincent Rozenberg put a Sony NEX-5 on a friends DIY-Hexacopter and they took it for a short test flight. It's not the most scenic shot, but what's interesting - to me - is the way he combined a second clip from a ground camera that was shooting the copter on top of the footage from the NEX-5, and uploaded the result as a vertical movie to Vimeo.
VincentRozenberg: Sony NEX-5 on a DIY Hexacopter
B & H: Sony Alpha NEX-5 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/16mm f/2.8 Lens (Black) [$649.99]



The Cheapest Redrock Rig
Chris & Zack at Production Junction show you how to build an inexpensive rig from Redrock parts that will cost $305.50, and can then be built out later as you get more money! They demonstrate how it can be used in a variety of configurations and discuss other options.
Vimeo: Redrock Micro Basics: Low Cost and Expandable DSLR Configuration



Setting Up A DSLR
Richard Harrington & Emmanual Etim demonstrate how to set up a DSLR correctly. They cover:
  • White balance
  • Picture Styles (color balance)
  • Recording Format
  • Focusing
Then they move on to tripods, rigs and assembling your video.
Vimeo: Setting up a Camera Correctly for DSLR Video

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