Notes On Video

shooting abroad with the f3 and our modified shuttlepod | Christoph Tilley | _mxr blog Christoph Tiley has been blogging about his experiences with the Sony PMW-F3 at the blog _mxr blog . The latest entry is about a shot in Milan: My only concerns were the lack of the S-Log option when shooting in 720p50 (the shot with the slomo doves), and the lack of a viewing LUT when recording onto the KiPro Mini. Everything is so dull and grey until you move the footage into color correction. I hope that my Gemini 444 will arrive soon as this recorder is going to have a monitoring LUT option. In addition to uncompressed 444 recording Some tips for the video users…. | Frank Doorhof | Blog Frank writes about software plug-ins he finds indispensable with Adobe Premiere Pro , including Singular Software's Plural Eyes and Red Giant's Cosmo and Looks : Looks is not cheap, priced at $399.00 it’s more expensive than some canned “looks” that you can get on the net from other companies,...

Don't forget the SuperMeet is coming back to Boston on October 27. It's a busy month here in Boston! Where? - STUART STREET PLAYHOUSE Radisson Hotel Boston 200 Stuart Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116 When? - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - 3:30pm - 11pm (Doors open at 3:30pm for Vendor Showcase) How Much? - $10.00 General Admission and $7.00 for Students ($20.00 at door) Includes 2 raffle tickets per person. Who should attend? - Everyone who wants to learn more about the craft of editing, digital filmmaking and meet others who may know more than you do. NOTE : You want to buy your ticket beforehand incase it sells out!

More vendor info about this year's TEXPO 2011 at Rule Boston Camera on October 18th appears below the fold.

Sony NEX-FS100 Nikon & Sony 18-200mm Lens Comparison | DerranNL | Blog A comparison of the Sony E-Mount 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 [$799.99] - the standard lens for the NEX-FS100 - and the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II [$849.95]. Interestingly, both lenses have their uses (and don't forget the Sony is $100 cheaper if bought with the camera...): In short: I prefer working with the Nikon lens over the Sony lens, when there's more time to setup my shots. And I prefer the Sony lens over the Nikon lens when there's less shooting time (for Run and Gun work). Further more, I would have no problem editing shots of both lenses together in a single project. Actually, it would be rather difficult to tell them apart. Sony F3 on location for a new Olympics 2012 film | Robert Hollingworth | Blog Robert has been shooting with the Sony PMW-F3 and the new Hybrid Glidetrack , and likes them both: The F3 is superb; lovely image quality, low noise and incredible dyn...

Reviews Zacuto Z-Finder EVF Pro HDSLR Viewfinder Review | Mark Holder | VideoMaker A short review of the Zacuto Z-Finder EVF Pro (3.2") [$950] explaining the problem it solves for DSLR shooters, and evaluating it's features: In addition to the enhanced focusing ability inherent in the loupe's 2.5x magnification and light-excluding eyecup, several focus aids are included in the menu settings. Peaking over-sharpens hard edges as they come into focus and Pixel-to-Pixel (Zoom) zooms into the center of the frame for a 100% view and more precise focusing. Exposure assistance includes Zebras where two different levels of zebra stripes may be established. For example, one may be set to expose for skin tones and the other for pure white. Finally, each of the three navigation and selection buttons also pull double duty as assignable function buttons. Samsung HMX-Q10UN camcorder offers ambidextrous operation | Bryan Hastings | Macworld The Samsung HMX-Q10UN [$199] camcord...

Just in time for the Christmas shopping season, Roku will be rolling out a $49 version of their streaming video player in early November. The Roku LT supports 720p video and works with Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Pandora, EPIX, Crackle, Disney, and HBO GO. The Roku LT joins the existing Roku 2 models that were introduced in July; the 720p Roku 2 HD   ($59.99), and the 1080p Roku 2 XD   ($79.99) and Roku 2 XS   ($99.99). All feature Bluetooth and a microSD card slot while the Roku 2 XS model adds an enhanced gaming remote, Ethernet and USB ports, and a full edition of the Angry Birds game. Roku : Roku Introduces New $49 Streaming Player [PDF]

iOS 5 is now available for download [ I won't be able to install it until later today, hopefully the traffic to Apple's servers won't be as heavy then! ] An update for the Apple TV (the second generation model) is also available that adds wireless mirroring functionality over AirPlay . AppleInsider : Apple releases iOS 5 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch & Apple TV Several updates to Apples iOS apps ( Pages , Numbers , Keynote ) are also available that add several features, notably support for iCloud . There's also an update to iMovie , though Apple doesn't list any major changes in Version 1.2.2 in the iTunes description: This update addresses minor issues and expands support for videos imported from external cameras. MacRumors : Apple Updates iMovie and iWork for iOS, Remote Apps AppleTV Speaking of AppleTV , the current version only support 720p; could a 1080p version be just around the corner? A recent article on MacRumors hints at a possible 3rd g...

Canon sent out the following press release announcing a new office in Hollywood devoted to supporting their film industry clients. It seems that Canon is seriously getting into the film and video business; on November 4th Canon is expected to announce a couple of new large-sensor video cameras. Canon U.S.A., Inc.has announced the opening of the Canon Hollywood Professional Technology and Support Center to better serve its film and television production clients. The office, located on the historic Sunset Gower Studio lot at 6060 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, will provide a local site to foster support, research, service and training for Hollywood’s thriving entertainment industry. “We want to offer a one-stop shop where our clients can come to ask questions and explore our various products with the help of our highly qualified technical and engineering staff members. The Canon Hollywood Professional Technology and Support Center provides a well-equipped venue for working with pr...

Today, its years are numbered, but I will remain loyal to this analogue artform until the last lab closes. - Steven Spielberg [ The Guardian , " The Joy of Celluloid "] The Sony NEX-7 & Zeiss 24 has arrived! My 1st look and video! | Steve Huff | Blog Steve just got a production copy of the NEX-7 , and promises a review in a couple of weeks: When the guys opened up the box (which was NOT a finished box) they told me the camera is final, and the firmware is also final. They included the 18-55 kit zoom in black as well and I have to say it looks much cooler in black than the super shiny silver. But we all already know how the 18-55 is, so the real start of this set is the Zeiss 24 1.8 Lens. MacVoices #1189: Dan Berube and Michael Horton Talk Final Cut Pro X and the Upcoming FCP SuperMeet in Boston | MacVoices Organizers of The Final Cut Pro SuperMeet Daniel Berube and Michael Horton talk about Final Cut Pro X , and the upcoming Boston Supermeet, which will inclu...

I admit I'm a fan of the BBC TV series Top Gear , and I've bought several episodes through iTunes . The only downside - particularly if you buy the HD versions - is that they can quickly start filling up your Mac's hard drive! So I'm quite excited by one of the new capabilities of iTunes 10.5 and iCloud : When you buy a song, TV show, app, or book from the App Store or the iTunes Store, iCloud stores it in your purchase history. So you can download what you want, from any of your devices, to whichever devices you choose.[1] That's great, and will save me having to worry about archiving and backing up those files.... except , notice that little [1] . The small print reads in part: ...Previous purchases may be unavailable if they are no longer in the iTunes Store... That's really important, because what that means is that if the licensing deal between the BBC and Apple were to end, then the episodes will disappear, and you won't be able to download the f...

Noktor 12mm F1.6 Micro Four Thirds hands-on with GH2 | Andrew Reid | EOSHD This lens is expected to be released in December for $499, and Andrew has his impressions after playing with the lens, and a Q&A with SLR Magic: Build is good, all metal and just the right torsion on the focus and aperture ring. The aperture ring by the way is de-clicked out of the box which is ideal for video shooters. It is continuously variable and very smooth, and the iris has 12 blades so bokeh stays perfectly creamy and round when you stop down. (Just like a cinema lens, so it is perfect for the GH2 and AF100). The fully integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camera recorder, HDC-Z10000, showcased in Japan for the first time! | Panasonic | Blog Some pictures of the new 3D camcorder: It is AVCHD 3D/Progressive compatible, has a new lens with "nano surface coating," a new "crystal engine PRO II," and dual 3MOS sensors, which all enable you to shoot high image quality FULL HD 3D images. It...

Adobe's  50% off Adobe Creative Suite CS5.5 Production Premium [$849.50 instead of $1,699] or Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5 [$399.50 instead of $799] for  Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer Users is supposed to end October 31st [ originally September 30th, but they added a month! -Ed]. So if you're thinking about it, there's only a few more weeks to take advantage! Creative Suite 5.5 Production Premium - License [ Add the Full version to the cart, then in the cart, click on the "Click here to enter a promo code." text just below the details and enter "SWITCH" and the discount is applied ]

How FCPX Saved Avid | Shame Ross | Little Frog in High Def FCPX's failure with the professional community is good news for Avid. A friend of mine mentioned that at a user group meeting, an editor said, “Apple was literally on the verge of killing Avid and taking over the Post Production market. Instead they gave a tremendous lifeline to Avid and said ‘here’s a gift from us to you. We’re f'ing up our editing tool so folks will return to you.” Game Reset: The FCP X fallout has been a blessing in disguise | Eric Wise | MasteringFilm Short take: It's a blessing, because all the pros are going to switch to Avid and Adobe, and Avid and Adobe care more about pros than Apple does. Except I can't help wondering if it was the fact that Apple was in the space in the first place that Avid and Adobe started "caring" so much, and if Apple truly does leave the space to Avid and Adobe, whether in a couple of years, they'll go back to taking their customers for gr...

Last year it was noted that the tripod mount on the Sony NEX-VG10 was rather flimsy, and actually broke for a couple of people. Bill of Real Estate HDTV has posted a video on YouTube showing a fix he made to his:

The Adobe Press eBook Deal of the Week  this week is Adobe After Effects CS5 Classroom in a Book by the Adobe Creative Team, which currently sells for $37.79 on Amazon , or $34.01 as a Kindle book: Adobe After Effects CS5 Classroom in a Book NOTE: I wrote about the experience of buying an eBook deal of the week here: Adobe Press eBook's . Also, unlike the book I bought, it appears that you can download the electronic files (that are on the book's DVD) from Peachpit's website. Adobe Press : eBook Deal of the Week