Notes On Video

Dueling Reviews I was intrigued when the news of Sony's sensor/lens add-on for your smart phone, the DSC-QX10/B Smartphone Attachable 4.45-44.5mm Lens-Style Camera  ($248), first appeared. But, after thinking about it for a bit, I decided it would be something I'd carry around for a while, and then just leave at home. Then I got interested again; maybe it would be useful if it wasn't that expensive, and the pictures were better than I get with my iPhone camera. But now the reviews are coming in, and I'm not too sure what to think, as you can see from these two reviews that seem to come to different conclusions. Note that this is the review of the lower-end model. There is the DSC-QX100 Lens-style Camera  as well, but at $499, I'm not sure I'd be tempted to get that. I think I'll just continue to drag along the Sony NEX-5RK  when I need - much - better pictures. Sony Cyber-shot QX10 review: a WiFi 'lens camera' that mounts directly on your sm...

I was visiting friends, and I had the Sony ActionCam, the HDR-AS15  with me (currently $178 but now replaced by the HDR-AS30V , which is $298), and it was suggested that we try and fly it. The only problem was that the kite we had available was a dual line parafoil stunt kite, which is a fun kite to fly, but not really the kind of thing you want to fly for cinematic shots - it does best moving back and forth in the sky, especially when there's not a whole lot of wind. And secondly, we didn't have any sort of rig to attach the camera to the kite's rig. So we duct tapped it to the surface of the kite! I made a simple cardboard "stand" to help keep it vertical, and I also put some bubble wrap over the top of it to provide some added protection. And tapped it all down. And then we went and flew it. On the first attempt there wasn't enough wind and the kite spent most of the time hitting the ground. Also, we had the camera pointing forward; which mean...

Oh, this explains the Merlin 2 price drop ... I was wondering the other day why Steadicam had dropped the price on the Merlin 2 to $399, and here's a video from News Shooter.com at IBC on the answer: the Steadicam Solo which was previewed at NAB, and should be shipping in November for.....$499. Watch this interview Dan Chung of News Shooter has with  Robin Thwaites of Tiffen/Steadicam. This is interesting because: 1) You can see Dan is itching to ask some questions like " why is this is a lot cheaper than your usual gear? " and " are you worried about brushless gimbals? " (both questions he actually gets to.) 2) Some discussion of brushless gimbals vs Steadicam. Ignoring price (I don't think any brushless gimbal system other than home-built ones are close to $499) the issues that are highlighted are: Problems with up and down motion while walking (a problem that can also apply to Steadicam's if you don't have the vest and arm) Pr...

Black Betty  Wednesday 9/18 Learning Lab @ Rule Boston Camera Don't miss this Wed's 9/18 Learning Lab from 10am to 11am with Adam Van Voorhis and Mike Szegedi on the story behind Black Betty and how they built this DIY custom camera housing that combines a Silicon Imaging SI-2K Mini Camera Head and an Apple Mac Mini resulting in a cohesive, portable camera system! See more details on our website and RSVP to events@rule.com. This event is free. Documenting the Life of George Plimpton: Interview with Luke Poling and Tom Bean Part I | Michael Murie |  Filmmaker Magazine George Plimpton led an eclectic life as a journalist, writer, editor, sportsman and actor, though he was perhaps most widely known for his exploits as a participatory journalist. When filmmakers Luke Poling and Tom Bean set out to make their first documentary, Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself, they were faced with enough material to make several documentaries.  ONE MICROPHONE EVER...

News From IBC Taredek and News Shooter.com has been producing a live broadcast and reports from the show floor. You can catch up with most things through the Live Feed through September 18, and also at News Shooter . Here's some high-lights: SONY TALK 4K AND THE NEW FDR-AX1 AND PXW-Z100 – THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES | NewsShooter Interesting discussion about the new 4k cameras and where they fit into the mix. Also, talk of the new NEX-FS700 models, and a suggestion that they will be slightly cheaper than the current model. Two of the more interesting new cameras at IBC this year are the Sony FDR-AX1 and PXW-Z100, which both shoot 4K. On this episode of the Teradek/Newshooter.com live show Sony’s Bill Drummond tells us about the camera’s advantages, and also its limitations when compared to the company’s other handheld cameras like the PMW-200. ARRI’S STEPHAN SCHENK AND RODNEY CHARTERS TALK IN DETAIL ABOUT THE ARRI AMIRA | NewsShooter I know this camera is go...