Author Archives: Jon Fauer
The Life of Trevor
Trevor Steele passed away in Paris on Dec 20, 2023 He was a beloved, influential, innovative pillar of the cinema industry. Trevor was the center of attention, an optical centering, the life of the party wherever he went. He could explain technical details, and almost anything else, with great clarity, charm and wit.
Andrew and Ben Steele sent a call out to friends and colleagues for WWW—When did you first meet Trevor, Why did you meet him, and What happened. The response was amazing, really a who’s who of the industry remembering a beloved colleague. read more…
Tags: EMIT, The Life of Trevor, Trevor Steele
DJI Ronin 4D Flex
DJI Senior Product Line Manager Paul Pan suggested trying the Ronin 4D Flex as one of the world’s smallest Full Frame 6K camera remote heads. And so Lucas, Prince of Darkness, rides again—so named for its 1992 vintage electrical system, “Darkness by Lucas,” (a gentleman does not go motoring about at night.) read more…
Tags: DJI Ronin 4D Flex
RED V-RAPTOR [X] & V-RAPTOR XL [X] Global Shutter
RED DIGITAL CINEMA announced new V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV and V-RAPTOR XL [X] 8K VV cameras. Both models now have Full Frame VV global shutter sensors.
RED introduced global shutter in October 2020 on the KOMODO which has a Super35 global shutter. With a global shutter, all the photosites of the sensor are exposed simultaneously. A global shutter is good when you’re filming fast movement or explosions, fire, flashes, strobes, stunt sequences and even handheld work. With a rolling shutter, you might get artifacts from flashes, skewing and bending of objects. read more…
Preston All-Points Lens Mapping
Geographers and map-makers in the Dutch Golden Age worked at an intersection of art, science, commerce, engraving and publishing. They were in great demand.
These vintage maps, like vintage lenses today, required careful updates as new routes were discovered and new waypoints found.
Another industry flourished in the Netherlands of the 17th century— optics, grinding optical elements and manufacturing lenses.
Although vintage cine lenses are decidedly not four centuries old, the two disciplines of lenses and mapping converge today, as Howard Preston explains Preston Cinema Systems’ new All-Points Lens Mapping.
Sony FX3 and Wooden Camera Accessories
Once upon a time, FDTimes wrote, “The Sony FX3 camera’s cage-free design begs you to mount it anywhere—in all kinds of places where a single mounting point wouldn’t dare to thread. FX3 is free to range almost everywhere because it is small, light and ergonomic. I should have expected that calling it “cage-free” implied you don’t need a cage, and that is like asking a child not to jump in the nearest puddle. Of course there would be a cage and clever accessories—and they are now here from Wooden Camera.
Tags: Sony FX3, Wooden Camera
SmallHD Ultra 7 Monitor
The new SmallHD Ultra 7 Monitor has buttons to summon up shortcuts. Weatherproof for bad weather. Rubber bumpers to endure mayhem. Joystick for when sticky craft-service donut-encrusted fingers don’t want to touch the touchscreen.
Ultra 7 has a 1920×1200 Quantum Dot LED Edge-Lit LCD Display that is extremely bright (2300 nits). It has 6G SDI and HDMI 2.0 in and out, up to 4K 60p. It can be powered by Gold or V-Mount batteries, or external power. read more…
ARRI 360 EVO Stabilized Remote Head
ARRI has launched the 360 EVO, the third iteration of their 3-axis stabilized remote heads. It has 360-degree rotation of the roll axis (and the pan axis), heavier duty construction (payloads up to 30 kg), and more remote control possibilities. It has a new, logical graphical user interface (GUI). Many accessories can be shared with the ARRI TRINITY 2. read more…
ARRI TRINITY Live
TRINITY Live is an upgrade for ARRI’s original 3-axis vest-mounted camera stabilizer. It includes new hardware, wiring, and connections intended mainly for live, multi-camera and broadcast productions. read more…
C. Kim Miles ASC CSC on THE BROTHERS SUN
Going into The Brothers Sun, you might have imagined the studio pitch that sold it: “Michelle Yeoh is the star—it’s Sons of Crouching Tiger meet Everything Everywhere and Crazy Rich Triads.” The opening sequence of this Netflix gangster series quickly dispels any preconceptions. But we’re here to discuss cinematography, not spoilers, with C. Kim Miles, ASC. read more…
Farewell Trevor Steele
Trevor Steele passed away in Paris on Dec 20, 2023 He was a beloved, influential, innovative pillar of the cinema industry. Trevor was the center of attention, an optical centering, the life of the party wherever he went. He could explain technical details, and almost anything else, with great clarity, charm and wit. Trevor will be missed by so many of us. read more…
Tags: EMIT, Trevor Steele
Daniel Band named President of Band Pro
This article about succession was initiated by Dominique Rouchon, Deputy Managing Director, Angénieux International Sales-Marketing & Communication. Passing the mic Amid the celebration, partying, demos and gathering at the annual Band Pro Open House 2023, there was an important announcement. Amnon Band took the stage and said, “I joined this industry in 1981. I opened Band Pro in 1984. Band Pro… read more…
Nobu Takahashi on Sony BURANO
Interview with Nobutatsu (Nobu) Takahashi, General Manager of Professional Imaging Technology Business Unit, Sony Corporation (Sony Cinema Line), about the new BURANO Camera. read more…
Leica Cine 1 Projector
Far-off adventures and family trips were inevitably followed by a slide show at home. It was a ritual. Adman Mad Man Dad would set up his latest Leica Pradovit slide projector, unfurl a large retractable Da-Lite screen, dim the lights and let the show begin. Leitz/Leica Pradovit projectors were familiar fixtures for many years. It was a given that Leitz Elmarit lenses were major contributors to the luminous images sliding in the dark. read more…
Tags: Leica Cine Projector
Leitz ELSIE 125mm T2.1
Leitz ELSIE lenses cover Full Frame +, from 15mm to 150mm, all T2.1. Designed and produced at Leitz Park in Wetzlar, Germany, ELSIE primes have the familiar Leitz and Leica warmth, resolution, look and smooth skin tones. ELSIE primes come in LPL mount. As with HUGO primes, ELSIE’s LPL 44mm flange depth enabled an advanced design and high performance at a reasonable price. read more…
Tags: ELSIE Leitz Cine Lenses, Leitz, prime
Ovide Octo 22″ & Koko 10″ Video Assist
Ovide Smart Assist Octo can record and monitor up to 8 HD camera outputs or 2 4K signals.
It has 24× SDI outputs. Ovide KOKO is a video assist recorder/monitor with a 10″ super bright (1000 nits) and true color HD (1920×1080) HDR DCI-P3 Touchscreen, 12G-SDI in/out, and it can record 4× 1080p60 cameras or 1× 4K in ProRes onto a removable SSD. read more…
DJI Inspire 3
DJI Inspire 3 is like a hovercraft camera, a flying dolly, magic carpet, tripod in the sky. 8K Full Frame with a DJI 18mm prime. “Munn Point” on YouTube and Vimeo: read more…
Tags: DJI Inspire 3
Van Zuylen and Erkens buy Camalot
Camalot is a cine equipment rental company in Amsterdam. It was founded in 1997 by Philippe Vié and Bernd Lesscher. They had a habit of being the first in line to buy the latest new equipment. That legacy continues today. Since January 2023, Sebastiaan van Zuylen (above right) and Yke Erkens (above left) are the new Managing Directors and owners of Camalot, with Philippe and Bernd exiting the company. Camalot provides high-end cameras, lenses and accessories to the European market for feature films, streaming series, television dramas, commercials and documentaries. read more…
Tags: Camalot, Sebastiaan van Zuylen, Yke Erkens
Tilta Nucleus Nano II
Tilta’s new Nucleus Nano II is an ultra compact wireless lens (focus, iris, zoom) control system. It is especially nimble on hybrid still/video mirrorless cameras, gimbals, cars, drones and rigs. The Nucleus Nano II hand wheel has been significantly improved from its predecessor in both ergonomics and display. One compact hand unit lets you control two lens motors. The knob can follow focus and the rocker can adjust iris or zoom. read more…
Tags: Tilta Nucleus Nano II
Tiffen Rear Filters for Signature Primes
Multi camera DPs said they want the ability to change filters quickly. On these pages, the DP may want the ability to bake in a look with filters to which you commit. When the director on a big budget feature asks whether you can have more halation around the highlight, you could insist (in vain), “But sir, this is the look we agreed upon during prep and scouting.” read more…
Canon CN-R RF Mount Cine Lenses
Canon Inc. introduced their first RF-mount Cinema Prime Lenses. The new lenses combine high optical performance, familiar cinema-style 0.8M gears and ergonomics, and RF mount communication. Canon says, “The first set of seven RF Mount Cinema Prime Lenses is only the beginning. Canon plans to swiftly expand the lineup of RF Mount production equipment to meet the needs of professional content for movies, TV, and commercials.” read more…
Tags: Canon CN-R Lenses, cine lens, RF mount
