Canon’s Prime AF Power

Canon to release a new EF 50MM F/1.8 STM lens

By Neil Matsumoto

Canon U.S.A. just announced the STM lens we’ve been waiting for – the 50mm f/1.8 STM standard lens. The prime features a maximum aperture of f/1.8, and is suited for portrait photography with shallow depth of field (it’s an 80mm when attached to a Canon APS-C sensor). The lens is also ideal for low-light photography and night scenes.... Read more

June 2015

Blackmagic Design’s new URSA Mini is small enough for handheld work, but offers professional features a film crew needs.

By The Editors

URSA’S LITTLE BROTHER Blackmagic Design‘s new URSA Mini is small enough for handheld work, but offers professional features a film crew needs. Although it doesn’t have all the features of the URSA, the Mini uses the same sensors, core processing, battery processing and dual CFast 2.0 recording slots. The URSA Mini features the... Read more

The Digital Film Camera

The 4K AJA CION offers a true cinematic experience in a simple package

By Neil Matsumoto

Founded in 1993 by engineer John Abt, AJA Video Systems, up until now, was known as the company with all of the converters, rackmount frames, I/O cards and, more recently, external recorders (Ki Pro series). Now they’re following in the footsteps of Blackmagic Design, who have had recent success in releasing a number of digital motion-picture... Read more

The Sony FS7 – Cinéma Vérité Style

Sony’s 4K PXW-FS7 delivers the goods for both non-fiction and narrative shooters

By Neil Matsumoto

Up until recently, most non-fiction content was primarily captured by shoulder-mount camcorders containing 2/3” type CCDs (Panasonic AJ-PX800, Sony PDWF800, etc.). Many run-and-gun documentarians or low-budget filmmakers gravitated to compact, fixed-lens camcorders like the Sony PXWX200 or the JVC GY-HM650U. Although all of these cameras deliver great... Read more

SmallHD’s New 5-inch Monitor

SmallHD, known for its excellent HD field monitors, announces the 502, the first offering in its new 500 Series of 5-inch Full HD on-camera monitors

By Neil Matsumoto

Often overlooked on the set, proper monitoring is one of the most important aspects of digital filmmaking. Since most cinematographers are creating the look of the film on set, you really need to know what you’re capturing, especially in terms of focus. SmallHD has quickly become one of the most innovative manufacturers of on-camera monitors for... Read more

Samsung NX1 – Easy 4K

With the NX1 and its efficient H.265 codec, Samsung delivers a 4K powerhouse

By Neil Matsumoto

While we’re still a long way off from viewing 4K television broadcasts, 4K capture has been a reality for several years, with cameras like the RED EPIC and Sony F55 for high-end features and the Panasonic GH4 and Canon EOS-1D C for indie productions. But with this explosion of cameras, the 4K indie workflow is a work in progress. Whether you’re... Read more

Cut The Cord – Wireless Audio Overview

Wireless microphones can add a new dimension to your production

By Bud Osborne

Wireless microphones are ubiquitous. They’re used by broadcasters, corporate video producers, large- and small-venue sound-system owners, filmmakers and just about anyone who has a need to communicate or record audio from a microphone without a cable getting in the way. In the last 60 years, they have changed the way we look at audio challenges... Read more

April 2015

For the 5DS R, Canon eliminated the low-pass filter, which will give you much sharper images.

By The Editors

THE NEW MEDIUM FORMAT Canon U.S.A., Inc., introduced not one, but two 5D DSLRs, the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R, which both feature 50.6-megapixel, full-frame CMOS image sensors and Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors. For the 5DS R, Canon eliminated the low-pass filter, which will give you much sharper images. Targeted more toward still photographers who are... Read more

Flare On

The new ARRI Master Anamorphic Flare Sets give your Master Anamorphic lenses more creativity and control on set

By Neil Matsumoto

It’s been a busy few weeks for ARRI, which is looking to make a huge splash at NAB 2015. With the announcement of the ALEXA Mini and ALEXA SXT, ARRI will also be showing their new ARRI Master Anamorphic Flare Sets for their Master Anamorphic lenses. As you probably know, anamorphic lenses – along with ARRI’s ALEXA Plus 4:3 Super 35... Read more

The New 4K ARRI ALEXA SXT

ARRI to release the ALEXA SXT, which offers in-camera 4K capture

By Neil Matsumoto

For years, one of the biggest criticisms of the ALEXA camera was that it did not offer 4K recording. Because it’s a professional digital camera system whose primary distribution is through broadcast and cinema, ARRI took their time in releasing a 4K camera since 1080 and 2K are still the dominant distribution channels. Although they were never... Read more

Chrosziel Supports The Sony FS7

You know a camera is good when nearly all of the best camera accessory manufacturers start to build specialty rigs and accessories specifically for the system. The Sony FS7 is one such camera and has been taking the documentary and indie film production world by storm. Schneider Optics just announced that Chrosziel – one of Read more…

By Neil Matsumoto

Get In Focus

Manfrotto expands their video accessories line with its first follow focus

By Neil Matsumoto

Achieving critical focus is one of the most difficult filmmaking skills to master and for professional camera assistants, a good follow focus is a must have tool. Manfrotto, a leading manufacturer of photo and video tools, just introduced its first follow focus, the MVA511FF. Created with precision and flexibility in mind, Manfrotto’s new follow... Read more