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Sony Announcements Tomorrow
Don't forget that Sony is expected to announce a bunch of things tomorrow. While most of them are more still camera oriented, all of the still cameras are expected to have pretty impressive video capabilities. The current list:
  • A77 & A65 "DSLR" -like cameras
  • NEX-7 and NEX-5N mirrorless cameras
  • External viewfinder for the NEX-5N
  • NEX-VG20 large chip consumer camcorder
  • 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM lens
  • Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 for E-mount
  • Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS for E-mount
  • Sony 55-210mm OSS for E-mount
Should be an interesting day!



Mako’s Marvelous Mini Cams | Mako Koiwai | Film & Digital Times
Photographer and DP Mako Koiwai offers some thoughts on mini-cams, encourages you to give them a try, and offers some tips:
The popular GoPros, even though they come with a underwater housing, do not deliver crisp underwater images with their Domed Ports. Those ports were OK for the Standard Def versions of these cameras, but the HD Hero versions require an aftermarket Flat Port to deliver professional results. Fortunately there are a number of aftermarket suppliers who can supply you with Flat Ports and other helpful accessories. The most comprehensive supplier is eyeofmine.com. Oculus (search on eBay) and Makospearguns (no relationship!) also supply inexpensive flat ports.


Lessons Learned from The Social Network | Danny Munso | movieScope
Interesting article looking at a number of lessons you can learn about writing from The Social Network:
When you are working with real-life characters and events, as Sorkin was here, it is important to decide for yourself what kind of story you want to write. Are you only going to write the facts, or will you take creative license with some of the material you are given to make improvements to the ‘story’ you are telling?


Shooting with the Basics | Matt Allard | DSLR News Shooter
Matt describes how he travels light:
I had a Canon 7D, Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, Canon 50mm f1.2 and a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro (non IS). The only other things I had were a mini light stand and a gorilla pod. I didn’t have a Z-finder, monitor, slider, audio, ND faders or anything else with me.

Happy Birthday to reader Paul Antico of Need Creative, who is getting old!


Cominatcha! -3-D TV is here! But do we really need to tune in? | Matthew Gilbert | Boston.com
Another in a long line of "do we really want 3D?" articles:
“It’s a technology that demos very well,’’ says David Katzmaier, senior editor of home theater at CNET. “But it’s not the kind of thing that HDTV was, or that people initially thought it would be… . Even the hardcore techies who’ve seen it don’t express much enthusiasm. It’s not listed high on their considerations when buying a new TV.’’ Steve Safran, Natick-based editor of the website Lost Remote, agrees: “I don’t see 3-D TV ever being a substantial part of our media diet.’’


Connected TVs stalled by replacement cycle | Advanced Television
Researcher STL thinks the replacement cycle will limit the adoption of connected TVs:
“While we expect internet connectivity to become a pretty standard feature with TV over the next couple of years we are sceptical about their active use for viewing video. The content offering is currently too limited. We would be surprised if within a couple of years, there are more than one million homes regularly using TVs to watch video over the internet,”


Do Docs Matter? Ask the Newly Freed West Memphis Three | Bryant Frazer
| Studio Daily
An update on the documentary Paradise Lost 3:
It’s almost certainly the year’s biggest story in documentaries — and one that pretty much guarantees a Best Oscar win next year for Paradise Lost directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky. Today, just as the filmmakers scramble to get Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory ready for festival screenings beginning next month in Toronto and New York, a surprise hearing in West Memphis, Arkansas, is seeing the release of the “West Memphis Three.”





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