News From Here & There

The Great Camera Shootout 2011
One of the most interesting reviews of new technology was last year's "Great Camera Shootout" which compared the video shot with several DSLRs against some film footage. The DLSRs did amazingly well.

This year the test was repeated, though adding in some of the more expensive new big-chip cameras; the Arri Alexa, Sony F-35, PMW-F3, RED ONE M-X and others. The results were previewed both at NAB and at some private showings that took place around the world, and this Wednesday Zacuto will unveil a web documentary series about the project.

The documentary expands on the tests that were conducted under severe controlled conditions at the Mole-Richardson Co. stage and the Goathouse Loft. The tests were shot over four days and involved over sixty technicians.

The Great Camera Shootout of 2011 is not a contest to decide out who makes the “best” camera. Rather, it is a collection of tests aimed to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the industry’s newest cameras.

Zacuto: The Great Camera Shootout 2011



Final Cut Pro X Next Week?
The 21st? The 23rd? Who knows, but MacRumors reports that a Japanease blog reports.....
Macrumors: Final Cut Pro X and Third-Party Thunderbolt Peripherals Coming Next Week?



Sony NEX-FS100 News
Paul Anitco of NeedCreative warns that the Rainbow Imaging Nikon G to NEX adapter (Amazon) does not fit the NEX-FS100:

Warning do NOT buy and try the Nikon G to NEX adapter from Rainbow Imaging (amazon) - it doesn't fit #fs100 nearly scratched sensor trying

Sony NEX-FS100 In Stock
B & H currently lists the NEX-FS100U (body only) as In Stock: NEX-FS100U Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (Body Only)



Taking Apart a 3D Bloggie
iFixit takes apart a Sony 3D Bloggie, in video:
Sonystyle: iFixit CEO and SGNL Take Apart a 3D Bloggie® HD Camera (Video)



Camera Tests
Comparing the Panasonic AG-AF100 and GH2
Though completely different camera bodies, the electronics/sensor of these two cameras are similar. JJ Labritakis posts a video showing resolution and gamma tests done with the two cameras. Both shot on same lens 50mm @ F8 with ND and Sony FS100 @ 0db shutter 1/48 and Panasonic GH2 @ 800iso shutter 1/50.
Vimeo: AF100 vs GH2 Res/Gamma tests for +2 Armor


QuadLight Productions posts a Rolling Shutter test with the Sony NEX-FS100 and the Panasonic GH2. Vimeo: Sony Fs100 and Panasonic GH2 Rolling Shutter Test


NEX-FS100 uncompressed vs. AVCHD
Frank Glencairn posts video captured using uncompressed to a Blackmagic Decklink. 50i 1/50 shutter.

I expected way more difference. It takes some color correction and a 200% magnification until you start seeing the artifacts in the AVCHD version.

Vimeo: FS100 uncompressed vs. AVCHD



DSLRs Are Dead
My blog post on the death of DSLR cameras seems to have provoked some reaction - I hope you're all reading the whole thing, and not just stopping after the first paragraph.... -
FrugalFilmmakers adds their take:

Some of the main reasons why we like HDSLRS is: small size, Price, great lenses that don’t cost am arm and a leg, beautiful video, adaptability, image stabilization and of course they are a great still camera as well. They are also the cause of the greatest democratization of filmmaking ever created. Anybody with a good story can now tell that story without a lot of money. All of the video cameras are over 6000 dollars buy the time you buy what’s needed to shoot with just the camera.

FrugalFilmmakers: The Death of the HDSLR has been Exaggerated
NotesOnVideo: The death of DSLRs