Hands-On Video Review: Manfrotto BeFree Live Tripod

A specialized version of the company’s BeFree tripod line, the BeFree Live includes a special dedicated video tripod head

David Schloss

The Manfrotto BeFree Live is a specialized version of the company’s BeFree tripod line, and it includes a special dedicated video tripod head. We like to take the BeFree Live with us on photo and video shoots because of the unique locking collar, which is only found on the BeFree Live model. With a simple twist of a dial, the head goes from completely... Read more

DIY High-Power Video Or Still Light For Under $200

We made our own 11,200 lumen LED lighting solution that’s lightweight and durable. Check out the how-to video.

David Schloss

We’re always looking for ways to save time and money in the studio, so we set out to see if we could create a low-budget but powerful lighting solution for photography and videography. After wandering the aisles of the local hardware store, we found materials that allowed us to create our very own studio lighting hack—an 11,200 lumen light that... Read more

Fujifilm FUJINON MK Series Cine Lenses

FUJINON presents the MK Series to Hollywood at the ASC Clubhouse, discussing the design and challenges of the new line

By David Alexander Willis

The Fujifilm Fujinon MK18-55mm T2.9 and MK50-135mm T2.9 Super 35 zooms for E-mount cameras Attended by cinematographers Nancy Schreiber, ASC (see our interview with Nancy Schreiber, ASC, on her historic legacy in film and television production here), Bill Bennett, ASC, Eric Longden, Joe Slavin and Izzy Pollak, Fujinon Optical had a Hollywood premiere... Read more

SmartSound Sonicfire Pro 6

With infinite remixing at only $199, the Sonicfire Pro 6 software and massive royalty-free library of music tracks and sound effects may be the most capable soundtracking service yet available to indie productions

By David Alexander Willis

Available as a free trial for 21 days, SmartSound’s Sonicfire Pro 6 soundtracking and audio effects program includes a starter pack of 15 music tracks. While that may not seem like enough for most film and video productions, at only $199, the software also offers incredibly complex remixing capabilities as well as numerous song arrangements per each... Read more

Hands On With The Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera

From aerial photography to remote control operation, powerful and versatile features in a tiny and extremely capable dedicated video system

By David Alexander Willis

With RAW video capture, the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera is a dream solution for special-purpose video needs, like hiding in a scene or aerial photography. Incredibly compact at external dimensions of only 3.25 x 2.74 x 2.57 inches, the 11-ounce $995 Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera saw some POV usage on a fast-moving commercial for Mountain Dew recently... Read more

Live Multi-Camera Production Solutions

A variety of tools for multi-camera productions allows projection to a live audience for later playback from YouTube and Vimeo and for live streaming

By Noah Kadner

The NewTek TriCaster Mini offers the convenience of a built-in monitor; it’s a complete production switcher at the easily portable size of a cereal box. I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with my good friend and colleague Dave Cerf on researching options for live-streaming productions. A technical adviser for a popular series of live stage... Read more

Tenba Debuts Cineluxe Bags

The new Cineluxe Collection of video camera bags were designed in collaboration with working filmmakers to incorporate features they require

Staff

Tenba has introduced the new Cineluxe Collection of video camera bags, designed in collaboration with working filmmakers with the qualities they demand on set and on location. The bags are available in a range of sizes, with capacities that can hold professional camcorders, cinema cameras and ENG rigs from Sony, Canon, RED, Blackmagic and others (with... Read more

Transvideo And Aaton Digital To Showcase New Products At CABSAT 2017

Transvideo’s StarliteRF-a monitor-recorder and Aaton Digital’s CantarMini digital mixer-sound recorder will debut at the Dubai show, March 21-23

Staff

The front view of Aaton Digital’s new CantarMini 16-track digital mixer-sound recorder, with swivelling display open Sister companies Transvideo and Aaton Digital will debut new products at CABSAT 2017, March 21-23, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Transvideo will introduce the new StarliteRF-a monitor-recorder with wireless camera control of the... Read more

Canon EOS C700 GS PL Cinema Camera Set For July 2017 Release

Featuring a Super 35mm CMOS 4K sensor with a global shutter, the flagship camera is designed for a variety of shooting scenarios, from features to docs to episodic TV

Staff

Canon has announced a July 2017 release date for its flagship EOS C700 GS PL Cinema Camera, joining the EOS C700 EF and EOS C700 PL Digital Cinema cameras, which are available with a rolling shutter. Originally announced in September 2016, the EOS C700 GS PL features a Super 35mm CMOS 4K sensor with a global shutter for cinematographers who need quality... Read more

Virtual Reality: Cinematic First-Person Innovators

These breakthrough solutions let us step right into the shoes of a burnt-out detective in the year 2029 or become Harley Quinn in the Warner Bros. Suicide Squad VR experience

By Robert Powell

Over the past few years, filmmakers have been diving headfirst into creating and shaping the language of cinematic VR. No longer are large studios regarding VR as a gimmick or novelty that eventually will pass, instead validating it as a new medium by dedicating their effort, ingenuity and money into designing experiences that are unlike anything seen... Read more

Light & Motion Stella Pro LED Lights

The most complicated LED lights I’ve ever used. Is that a good thing? Definitely.

By David Alexander Willis

Light & Motion Stella and Stella Pro LED Lighting System Promising up to an incredible 12 hours of battery-powered illumination, the Stella family of high-powered LED lights from Light & Motion are bringing a fairly exciting new approach to LED technology. While most current LED systems for filmmaking and video are designed as simulacrums of... Read more

LockCircle Introduces Protective Gear For Fujifilm X-T2

The Cage Kinetics XT2 and LockPort XT2 Dual are designed to protect your investment in this powerful 4K camera

Staff

LockCircle continues to innovate, releasing two new products aimed at protecting the Fujifilm X-T2 during demanding shooting conditions. The Cage Kinetics X-T2 is built to “fit like a glove” around the Fujifilm X-T2, but its ergonomic design still makes the camera easy to hold and operate, even with attached accessories. The kit is designed and... Read more