Hands-On Review: Blackmagic Design’s URSA Mini Pro G2

The author puts the updated cinema camera to the test by using it in a real-world project

Daniel Brockett

Blackmagic Design introduced the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 in March of 2019, which was a significant update from the original URSA Mini Pro, which was announced two years earlier, in March 2017. Here’s a brief description of it from Blackmagic Design’s website: “The URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 is a next-generation digital film camera with... Read more

Pro Video Gear

Some of the tools introduced this year helped redefine what’s considered ‘the cutting edge’

Daniel Brockett

In 2019, we saw some intriguing developments in the new digital video tools from this season: 6K. Full-frame sensors. Mirrorless cameras and mirrorless disruptors. Internal vs. external RAW. New camera card media formats. Shooting to SSDs. Ultra-bright monitors. In many cases, these technologies and features weren’t available to most just a year or... Read more

Caging Your Camera For Handheld Shooting

Filmmakers are constructing cages to add weight, increase versatility and more

Daniel Brockett

Building a cage, like this SmallRig cage system, not only adds weight, but it can increase versatility. For instance, we can add an Atomos Ninja V recorder if we have a client who prefers us to shoot ProRes over the X-T3’s internal H/265 codecs. But if we have to shoot in a tight space, where there isn’t room for the Shinobi monitor, we can just... Read more

Review: Atomos Shinobi SDI

A versatile monitor for shooting on a tight budget

Daniel Brockett

The Atomos Shinobi SDI is plenty bright indoors, but I was interested to see how it would perform outside. Several years ago, when we moved to using the Canon Cinema EOS C200 as our main camera, we avoided investing in a new camera monitor. That’s because we simply used a Hoodman H400 sunshade with the C200’s touchscreen, a set-up that worked effectively... Read more

Review: Gitzo GHF2W Head And GT2543L Carbon Fiber Legs

Could this be the right support for your mirrorless camera?

Daniel Brockett

Many users are looking for the ideal high quality, light and affordable tripod package for their mirrorless camera, like this Fujifilm XT-3. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been searching for a certain tripod package for a long time. Since the beginning of the DSLR revolution, I’ve been on the lookout for a smaller, lighter-weight but still... Read more

Camera Trends In 2019

An overview of important camera trends and new ways of shooting

Daniel Brockett

It seems green-screen shooting has only grown in popularity in 2019. I spend probably an unhealthy amount of time reading production forums, discussion boards and social media group forums that focus on production and camera work. For me, it’s a useful way to get a sense of some of the current as well as coming trends. Below, I describe some of the... Read more

Review: Luxli Cello RGBAW LED Panel

Here's Daniel Brockett's quick take on a versatile RGBAW LED panel

By Staff

Contributing editor for HDVideoPro Daniel Brockett gives us a quick take on the Luxli Cello, a RGBAW 10-inch LED panel. As he notes in the video, the “AW” in the name stand for “amber white.” It also means that the “white LEDs in the panel are made up of two types of diodes…. combining the output of the two... Read more

How To Successfully Push The Limits Of A One-Man Band

If you’re going to go with a one-man band approach, follow these tips and suggestions

Text & Photography by Daniel Brockett

This shoot pushed the limits of how much gear I could set up and manage solo. An interesting and significant by-product of the digital revolution is that most of the gear used today to create television and film is now significantly lighter, smaller, less expensive and higher-quality than anyone could have imagined 15 or 20 years ago. Many of us are... Read more

Adventure-Ready Storage And Backup

Award-winning surf filmmaker Aaron Lieber offers insights for on-location workflow to ensure your images return safely home with you

Staff

As imaging technologies advance, you’re probably taking more images and video than ever before. The fast, continuous shooting capabilities of today’s digital cameras along with their ability to record incredible high-resolution video open up so many creative possibilities for visual storytelling. Whether you’re a working professional or an adventurous... Read more

Can A Downsized Panel Be A Good Thing?

Litepanels brings forth a 1x1 Gemini bi-color LED softpanel

Daniel Brockett

I evaluated the Gemini 2×1 last year, and I’m a big fan of the light. But relative size, weight (50 pounds, when you factor in the weight of its heavy-duty shipping case) and price ($3,200 each) held me back from buying it. But those factors aside, I’d be very happy owning the Gemini 2×1 as my primary key source. To recap, the Gemini 2×1... Read more

Our Mirrorless Quest

Is Fujifilm’s new X-T3 best in class?

Daniel Brockett

The Fujifilm X-T3 paired with the FUJINON XF16mmF1.4 WR lens. There have been specific mirrorless cameras that have become popular with DPs and cinematographers shooting on various projects, particularly films that have limited budgets. Sony’s a7R III and Panasonic’s Lumix GH5 and GH5S are among the most notable. But some, like me, have found that... Read more

The Prime Directive: Sigma’s Latest Cinema Lenses

Sigma’s new cine primes — a newcomer makes an impression

Text & Photography By Daniel Brockett

I recently picked up a small subset of Sigma’s new Cine Prime lens lineup to try out for a few weeks. I say “subset” because the full line up of Sigma’s new Cine Primes has recently expanded to include quite a few focal lengths. The entire lineup now includes 10—yes, count them—high-speed Cine Prime lenses, including 14mm T2.0 FF, 20mm T1.5... Read more