- Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K
- Sony FX6
- Sony F EC 16-35mm T3.1 G Zoom
- Remote Production Using AJA Products
- Canon Sumire Primes — Episode 2
- Larry Thorpe on Sumire Primes
- Leica SL2-S
- Leitz Henri
- Panasonic DC-BGH1
- BGH1 on DJI Ronin RS 2
- SIGMA fp on DJI Ronin RSC 2
- Otto Nemenz“
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Jon Fauer’s Film and Digital Times is published on paper, online and on iPad roughly every two months. Depending on events, introductions and technological breakthroughs, we sometimes combine issues into larger editions. Join us for the adventure and subscribe online. We talk about products and procedures in practical production—here’s the job at hand: how do we use tools and techniques to get the results we want?
Film and Digital Times is an inside-the-industry look at the nuts and bolts of high-end prodcution: how-to and how not to, technique and technology, style and strategies, tips and trends for Cinematographers, Directors, Producers, Rental Houses, Manufacturers, Camera Assistants, Camera Operators, Photographers, Videographers, Gaffers, Grips, Students, and Faculty.
About Jon Fauer
Jon Fauer, ASC is an award-winning cinematographer and director who has written 12 bestselling books, famous for their user-friendly way of explaining things as if you’re right there on location with him.
Cannes 2016
Over 120,000 of his books on cameras, cinematography, film and digital video have been printed. Think of this bimonthly Journal as Fauer’s next book — arriving a year early, with up-to-the minute information brought to you in episodic format.- FDTimes Jan 2021 in the MailThe Film and Digital Times January 2021 Print Edition, Issue 106, is now in the mail. The latest text update v.01.03.21 is online. Still free for all as a 150 PDF. And, the high rez 300 dpi PDF is ready for online subscribers to read or print. read more...
- Steven Manios Sr. 1938-2021
Steven Manios Sr., industry legend, optical wizard and former owner and president of Century Precision Optics, passed away on January 3, 2021 from complications of COVID-19. Steve's fifty-year career in Hollywood was the stuff of legends. He was part of an esteemed group referred to as Hollywood Royalty. Steve innovated and developed many lenses and optical devices. Among these were wide-angle lenses and adapters, swing-tilt and telephoto lenses, extenders, macro attachments and more. Most of these became essential ingredients of camera and lens packages on film and TV productions. read more...
- Larry Thorpe on Canon Sumire Primes
This the one and a half year anniversary of our first discussion about Canon Sumire Prime lenses. Since their introduction in April 2019, Sumire Primes have distinguished themselves on features, TV, series, spots, docs, reality and many productions. They are unique at Canon in that products are usually not given names, like Sumire, but rather letters and numbers, like C70, R5, CN-E and K-35. Consider this as the second episode of our Sumire Saga. Larry Thorpe, distinguished Senior Fellow at Canon, discusses Sumire Prime Lenses, scotches rumors about K-35 and vintages, and eloquently explains lenses for formats from S16 to S35 to Full Frame and Resolutions 2K to 12K. read more...
- Motion Impossible and AbelCine
AGITO is an exciting, stabilized, modular, remote camera dolly system. Robb Drewett, CEO, and Andy Nancollis, CDO, are the co-founders of Motion Impossible and creators of AGITO. Pete Abel is CEO of AbelCine, with locations in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Jeff Lee is Director of Education at AbelCine. read more...
- Band Pro is Angenieux Distributor in Americas
Inevitably there is breaking news at the annual Band Pro One World Open House. This year it was virtual--at 4pm PST on December 10. Severine Serrano, Managing Director, Angénieux International Sales & Marketing, announced that effective December 10, 2020, Band Pro will be exclusive distributor of the Angenieux brand of products in the US, Canada and Latin America. read more...
- Grading Ford v Ferrari with Skip Kimball
In last month’s FDTimes, Nicol Verheem (Founder & CEO of Teradek and CEO of Creative Solutions) said, “One of my recent favorite memories was watching Ford v Ferrari with my 12-year- old son. I can remember walking out and he said, ‘First off, that was a really good movie. And second, when can we come back and see it again?’” I saw it again as well and was delighted to get in touch with Company 3’s Senior Colorist Skip Kimball about the film’s impressive grading.Ford v Ferrari was directed by James Mangold. Cinematography was by Phedon Papamichael ASC, GSC. It’s based on the true story of Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and Ken Miles (Christian Bale) as they work to win the 24 hour race at Le Mans in 1966. read more...
- The Business of the Business: CVP
Fitzrovia, London. January 28, 2020. Jon Fry, Darren Simpson, Yevgeny Subbotin, Aaron George and I met in the nicely appointed club at CVP Creative Space on Charlotte Street. As often happens in our world of moveable feasts, we soon adjourned to continue the discussion at Berners Tavern. In a large elegant room festooned floor to ceiling with paintings, the menu included traditional British pork pie prepared tableside with showmanship, chargrilled Buccleuch Estate Scottish beef with triple cooked chips, battered Cornish haddock with crushed peas. As anyone familiar with this CVP and FDT cast of characters, the drinks and wine flowed copiously. read more...
- Les Zellan Exits Cooke
Les Zellan is exiting Cooke. Announced today, Cooke Chairman, Les Zellan, will be stepping down from the company, and its CEO, Robert Howard, will be retiring, both effective from 31 October 2020. Tim Pugh will take over as CEO, while Kees van Oostrum, currently a Cooke Optics board member, becomes Non-Executive Chairman. read more...
- FDTimes Textware Update v. 2.10
Film and Digital Times November 2020 Issue 105 has been updated with new Sony a7S III Recording Mode Charts on pages 78-79. These cover Regular as well as Slow & Quick Internal Recording Details. Since we are all familiar with Firmware and Software updates, why not Textware? Two updated versions: Subscriber printable high rez PDF download Issue 105 v. 2.10. Free Access download Issue 105 v. 2.10. read more...
- Cooke Tour 2020
This was my 4th tour of Cooke Optics in Leicester, England. The factory has come a long way since previous visits in 2006, 2009 and 2013. It is now a state-of-the-art, modern facility with clean rooms, the latest machines, and many more technicians. As Les Zellan described it, “The glass manufacturing area is cleaner and neater and there are many... read more...
- ZEISS Supreme Primes Special Report
FDTimes Factory Tour and Special Report about the new ZEISS Supreme Prime lenses. Download 44-page 11MB (high rez) PDF. ZEISS Supreme Primes cover a FULL FORMAT image area up to 46.3 mm diagonal. They are incredibly small, lightweight and fast. The focus barrel has a unique, advanced square helical thread that is as smooth as cams and even more rugged. There are 13 lenses planned so far. read more...
News
Factory Tours
- FUJINON Premista 19-45 mm T2.9Jan 14. FUJINON officially launches their new Premista 19-45 mm T2.9 Full Frame zoom lens. This third member of the Premista zoom family was first announced as being in development on Sept 2, 2020. Now it is here and will be released on January 28, 2021 with an online presentation that day (details to follow.) The three FUJINON Premistas cover from 19 mm to 250 mm: 19-45 mm T2.9. 28-100mm T2.9. 80-250mm T2.9-3.5. read more...
- Vocas Accessories for RED KOMODO
Vocas has a range of compact and handy accessories for the RED KOMODO. With the side cage as the starting point, you can add components to build a complete cage with different top handles, handles, lens motors, microphone holder, additional 15 mm rods for mounting focus motors and shoulder supports. read more...
- TILTA Kits for KOMODO
The TILTA Full Camera Cage for RED KOMODO protects the camera and provides 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 mounting threads for accessories. Handgrips attach to industry-standard Hirth-Tooth Rosettes in front and at the back of each side. A cold shoe on top accepts carrying handles. There are numerous configurations. The base of the cage has mounting threads to attach your camera to gimbals, drones and other places where balance is important. Several baseplates attach to the bottom of the cage for lens rods, Arca Swiss and Manfrotto as well as other quick release plates, and underslung battery plates. read more...
- Teradek Bolt 4K LT
I have been singing the praises of 4K and HDR wireless video on set and location. But there was a concurrent chorus of users who wanted a more affordable alternative. Now Teradek adds their new Bolt 4K LT Transmitter and Receiver to their Bolt 4K line-up. “Bolt 4K LT represents the culmination of a massive effort at Teradek,” said Nicol Verheem, Creative Solutions CEO. “We’ve added considerable technology upgrades without raising the price to the end-user.” What’s this? Same price as previous Bolt 2K models? Why would I want to upgrade? And at half the price of the current Bolt 4K systems, what’s missing? Yes, Bolt 4K LT is the same price as earlier 2K models. You want to upgrade because the image quality and signal range is greatly improved compared to your older 2K Bolts. But you don’t have to ditch them. For example, you can use them for B camera or second unit. read more...
- Cinematography Electronics /i Lens Display
Larry Barton, President of Cinematography Electronics, was on the other end of a Zoom chat in high resolution, with dramatic lighting and Full Frame shallow depth of field. It was time to learn about the Cinematography Electronics /i Lens Display. Larry said: “What we’ve done with our /i Lens Display was to take the iris, focus, focal length and other metadata from the lens—combined with information from the CINETAPE 2—and make the information more user-friendly for focus pullers and lens technicians at rental houses." read more...
- Panasonic LUMIX DC-S5
The new LUMIX DC-S5 joins Panasonic’s growing line of Full Frame L-Mount hybrid mirrorless cameras that shoot stills and video. A quick review. The LUMIX DC-S1H is still the flagship for hybrid video, with a crisp 5.76 million dot OLED EVF and numerous video choices that include C4K Full Frame 4096x2160 All-I 4:2:2 10-bit 400 Mbps MOV H.265 files internal recording up to 30 fps. The LUMIX S1H has a 24.2 MP sensor. LUMIX DC-S1R has a high resolution 47.3 MP sensor. Both have 5.76 million dot finders. Now, if you want a lighter, smaller, cheaper companion to the S1H, the new LUMIX S5 beckons. It uses the same 24.2 Megapixel Full Frame sensor as the S1H. read more...
- Leitz Henri Directors Finder
Rainer Hercher, Managing Director of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH (Leitz Cine), said, “The initial concept of Henri was to implement the Leica SL2-S for lens testing. And so, we decided to make our own system as a Director’s Viewfinder for the cine world, especially because the SL2-Sb camera, in my opinion, has the one of the best viewfinders in the business. It’s very good and very sharp. The colors and contrast are excellent. read more...
- Leica SL2-S for Stills and Cine
The new Leica SL2-S launches today, December 10. Think of the “S” after the “SL2-” as “Special” or maybe “Sinematographer” with an “S.” That is because the SL2-S will be specially suited for cinematographers and anyone shooting stills and cine. The SL2-S has a 24.6 Megapixel sensor inside. (Its sister SL2 has a 47 MP sensor). What is it about 24 MP sensors that puts them inside the Panasonic S1H and S5, as well as the SIGMA fp? Are these members of the L-Mount Alliance conspiring? What do they know that we should know? read more...
- Canon EOS C70 4K Super35 Cine Camera
This is the first Canon Cinema EOS Camera with an RF Mount. It has a Super 35mm Sensor. If you’re familiar with the C300 Mark III, you’ll be at home with many of the C70 capabilities. Why would you want a new EOS C70 4K Digital Cinema Camera then? Because it is smaller than the C300 Mark III, is half the cost, has a versatile RF mount, can record H.265 video. Canon explained, "One request that Canon consistently heard was to put an RF mount on a Cinema EOS camera so that future lens performance could capitalize on the short flange depth. Those wishes have come true with the new C70 camera." read more...
- Sony FX6 Full Frame 4K Cine Camera
Download our FDTimes 22-page Report on the Sony FX6. The Sony ILME-FX6 launches officially on November 17 at 10 am EST. Like Fellini’s “Asa, Nisi, Masa,” mantra in "8 1/2," the camera beat thrums: “Lighter, smaller, faster, cheaper.” The word “cheaper” is not the right one, but it thrums more melodically than “more affordable,” which is what the FX6 is. Lighter. The FX6 body weighs a mere 1 lb 15 oz. Smaller. FX6 is the smallest member of the Cinema Line, at 6 1/8" long x 4 5/8" high x 41/4"wide. In fact, the new FX6 is smaller and lighter than the Super35 FS7 II. FX6 is also smaller than the small S35 FS5. Faster. FX6 records up to 120 fps in QFHD (4K UHD) and 240 fps in FHD. More Affordable. FX6 will be US $5,999.99 when it ships in December. read more...
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Updated Jan 3, 2021
January 2021: Issue 106
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