Monthly Archives: April 2011

Sony Tour – Updated Reprint – April 2011 (PDF)

Sony invited us to tour their facilities in Japan to see their latest cameras and technology. Our 28 page report takes us from the Atsugi Tech Center south of Tokyo to Kumamoto on the south island of Kyushu, where Sony’s 20 Megapixel CMOS sensors for the new F65 cameras are made. We learn about the F65, SRMemory, Recorders, 3D, NXCAM… read more…

Volker Bahnemann NYU Awards

The first annual Volker Bahnemann Awards for Cinematography were presented yesterday evening at NYU Tisch School of the Arts Maurice Kanbar Institute. Two undergrad and three graduate cinematography students were nominated and received plaques; the winners were awarded grants. The award was funded by ARRI, CSC, friends and colleagues in  recognition of Volker Bahnemann’s half century of service to the… read more…

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Cooke Evening

More than 65 guests attended the annual Cooke Evening on April 13, 2011 to mingle and discuss the state of the motion picture industry. They converged on Del Frisco’s Steak House, where the wine and beverages flowed smoother than workflow, the steaks were Jurassic in size, and the conversation was better than most seminars. The evening quickly became a moveable feast… read more…

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Andy Romanoff at AbelCine

There was much ado at Abel at NAB. New name: AbelCine. A new face: Andy Romanoff — respected guru whose eclectic and distinguished resumé includes cinematographer, Louma crane pioneer, remote head company owner, and Panavision technical marketing. Andy has always been on the Film and Digital Times short list for information and explanations. How it all began…Once upon a time,… read more…

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Steadiseg

  Ulik Kahlert, the inventor of the Segway handsfree-steering system, and Steadicam operator and instructor, Chris Fawcett, showed their totally redesigned, 3rd generation camera stabilization Segway System around the Tiffen Booth at NAB. The new model sports wheel covers, improved ergonomics and safety features. The Steadiseg modification replaces conventional Segway handlebars with a control-stick module between the knees, freeing the rider’s… read more…

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Fujifilm – Fujinon Optics Tour

In March 2011, we visited the factory where Fujinon lenses are crafted. This 14-page report is an expanded update from our April 2011 NAB Edition. We learn about the company’s history, the breadth of product design and what goes into developement. Then we see what all cinematographers ask to see: lenses being ground, lens meisters measuring to incredibly fine tolerances,… read more…

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Sony 18-252 mm T3.8 Zoom

Some of the best surprises at NAB are under glass. This pre-prototype 18-252 mm T3.8 zoom is something we haven’t seen before: a small 35mm format cine zoom lens with built-in optical image stabilization and a short flange focal depth. It’s planned for Sony’s F3 camera, and uses the camera’s proprietary F3 mount. Previously, we reported that this lens might… read more…

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Interview with Martin Prillmann of ARRI

Martin Prillmann is Managing Director of ARRI. We talked at NAB about cameras, concepts, cinematography and ALEXA. Jon Fauer: Why you think the ALEXA is so successful? Why did it hit such a nerve? Martin Prillmann: A couple of things came together. When we introduced the ALEXA in 2009, there were several different approaches to digital cinematography. We, at ARRI,… read more…

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ARRI ALEXA M

One of the things we did not cover in our pre-NAB FDTimes was ALEXA M–an ALEXA whose sensor head is separated from body for more flexible permutations of 3D, 2D, Steadicam, remote and rig shots. On April 11, ARRI announced a cooperative partnership with the CAMERON – PACE Group (CPG) in development of the ALEXA M camera system. Above, left to right:… read more…

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Oli at NAB 2011

Sony’s theme was “Believe Beyond HD.” The Digital Cinema Society’s seminar was titled, “3D, 4K and beyond.” We saw plenoptic lenses selectively adjusting focus within a scene. We saw the GoPro 3D camera on a model helicopter. NAB 2011 was well beyond HD. Attendance was up, along with activity on the show floor.  It could be a reflection of a… read more…

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Believe Beyond 4K

NAB can be a weathervane, sometimes pointing where we’re headed. Sometimes taking us on detours. How many NABs proclaimed HD was coming, was here, was now? The big deal for me at NAB2011 was life beyond HD, beyond 2K. I think we’re heading into a 4K world faster than we expected. Of course, RED predicted this long ago. But, when… read more…

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NAB Wrap

It’s a wrap. NAB 2011 was the best in years: great attendance, interesting new equipment and exciting trends. If the barometer is 500 GB of photos from our four intrepid filmmaker-reporters, worn-out running shoes, water bottles emptied and granola bars consumed, this was the busiest ever. Comments and pictures follow–with credit to Oli Laperal, Jr, Dorian Weber, Mark Forman, Yousef… read more…

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John Bowring ACS

John Bowring ACS, passed away on his way home to Australia. John was one of a dozen speakers who presented brief overviews of the industry to an audience of 65 at the annual Cooke Optics NAB dinner on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. John said, “Our community really needs to get together to promote how good film really is. This is often… read more…

Band Pro to sell RED Epic with Leica Lenses

            The latest mystery is revealed. Band Pro and RED hosted a press conference at Band Pro’s booth this morning, on opening day of NAB. Band Pro–through their offices in Munich, Israel, New York and Burbank–will package a set of Leica Summilux-C Prime Lenses with a RED Epic camera. There will be 5 lenses in… read more…

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John Bowring ACS

  What a shock to hear that John Bowring ACS passed away enroute from NAB to Australia. John was owner of the LEMAC Film and Digital sales and rental companies in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. He was a superb cinematographer. He knew more about technology than any of us, and was able to present it in a user-friendly way. His SMPTE… read more…

RED and Band Pro 10:30 am Mon at Band Pro

New place, same time Monday. The joint RED and Band Pro press announcement will be held at the Band Pro Booth C10308 on Monday, April 11, at 10:30 am. It was previously reported to be at the RED booth–but this has changed.

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NAB 2011 Issue now Online

  All new Issue 41-42 Film and Digital Times NAB April issue is now live and ready to download at www.fdtimes.com: top left — click on the Kumamoto Castle cover for a free 64 page PDF report of all the exciting news and new things at NAB. Free Low Rez 9 MB edition. Medium and High Rez PDFs for Subscribers.

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16Digital Mag for 16SR-3

  P+S TECHNIK will show the pre-production version of its 16Digital Mag which turns Arriflex 16SR-3 film cameras into digital HD cameras with optical viewfinders. Baby Alexa? At NAB 2011 booth C9748. The offered pre-series units will record only HD-SDI and up to 30fps. The 16Digital Mag captures 1920 x 1080 10bit 4:2:2 and offers flicker-free HD video assist output… read more…

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Does insurance cover this?

Ouch. One fried Alexa.

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Leica Summilux-C PL Prime Lenses

Here’s a look at what production models of Leica’s Summilux-C PL Primes will look like when they’re shown at NAB. Restyled graphics, thinner focus and iris index marks, new anti-reflection coating. At Band Pro C10308 and elsewhere…

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