Monthly Archives: July 2014
Denz Anamorphic Viewfinder
Here’s an anamorphic update on the venerable DENZ optical viewfinder. The OIC 35-A from Munich-based Denz is can switch back and forth between spherical and anamorphic viewing. The ground glass holder has been adapted from the OIC 35 and allows use of all previous Arriflex 435 ground glasses. The new OIC 35-A Anamorphic/Spherical Viewfinder has an adjustable eye-piece (+/-3 diopter), removable eyecup, and comes… read more…
Tags: Anamorphic, Denz
50 Years Ago Today: Ranger 7
50 years ago, on July 31, 1964, Ranger 7 took the first pictures at close range of the Moon. These pictures were made with Angenieux 25mm f: 0.95 M1 lenses. Ranger 7 was the first US space probe to successfully transmit close images of the lunar surface back to Earth. It was also the first completely successful flight of the Ranger program. Launched on July 28, 1964, Ranger 7 was designed to achieve a lunar impact trajectory and to transmit high-resolution photographs of the lunar surface during the final minutes of flight up to impact. Ranger 7 reached the Moon on July 31, 1964. read more…
Luc Besson’s “Lucy” Opens Today… Interview with Thierry Arbogast, AFC
“Lucy” opened in July. It was directed by Luc Besson–famous for “The Big Blue” (1988), “La Femme Nikita” (1990), “The Fifth Element” and Léon, the Professional. He built the Cité du Cinema stages and post facilities in Saint-Denis, and worked on more than 50 films as writer, director and producer. Luc Besson’s films are renowned for their highly visual style, edge-of-the-seat action, quirky characters, and delicious dialog (Léon: “And stop saying ‘okay’ all the time. Okay? Mathilda: ‘Okay.’ Léon: ‘Good.’)…
Tags: Luc Besson, Lucy, Scarlett Johansson, Thierry Arbogast
Blackmagic Camera Updates
Blackmagic Design announced a discount for their Pocket Cinema Camera, previously US $995, now $495. Limited time: sale ends August 31, 2014, subject to limited availability. Price reverts back to original rate, or (pure speculation–is a new model coming for IBC?) read more…
Tags: Blackmagic
Criterion Collection on British Airways
British Airways began showing some Criterion Collection in-flight movies this month. Criterion Collection has provided some of the highest quality DVD, Blu-Ray and streaming transfers of original films since 1984 — uncut and in the original aspect ratio. Hopefully they will be presented without the dreaded words “reformatted to fit this screen.”
Tags: Criterion
Photokina 2014
9/16/14 – 9/21/14
Photokina 2014: Cologne Photo Trade Fair
Tuesday, September 16th to Sunday, September 21st, 2014 For visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. For exhibitors daily from 09:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.
Cinec 2014
Dates: 21 – 23 September 2014 Venue: MOC Events Center, Hall 2 / 3, Lilienthalallee 40, 80939 Munich / Germany Exhibits Creation, Acquisition, Camera Technology, Camera Support/Grip, Lighting, Sound, Postproduction, Animation and Visual Effects, Stereo 3D, Archiving, Distribution, Projection, Equipment/Accessories, Services, Organisations Opening times Sunday, 21 September from 10 am – 6 pm Monday, 22 September from 10 am – 6 pm… read more…
IBC 2014
9/12/14 – 9/16/14
IBC 2014: Visit FDTimes in Transvideo's Booth 11.F31
IBC attracts more than 52,000 professionals from over 170 countries at the RAI convention center. 14 halls Conferences Registration
PhotoPlus Expo NYC
10/29/14 – 11/1/14
PhotoPlus NYC: Javits Convention Center
Show Hours October 30-November 1, 2014 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Thursday-Friday — 10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Saturday — 10:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. This year’s Expo has more than 225 manufacturers of photo and video gear, software and accessories. Registration for admission to the PPE exhibit hall is free through October 28 online and $70 on-site for non-Photo Group… read more…
Passport Expirations and Travel Woes
With the IBC-Photokina-Cinec trifeca rapidly approaching, check your passport. Does it expire in 6 months? Do you have at least 2-4 blank pages for stamps/visas? The tales of woe from many colleagues and the lack of clear guidance from the airlines means it’s wise to check. Many people we know were denied boarding when they checked in because the passport was due to expire within 6… read more…
Tags: Passport Expirations
Leica Cine Camera 1911
Leica Camera. Wetzlar, Gemany. We’re back at Leica’s new headquarters, investigating a mystery. Last month several jaws dropped at the sight of a 1911 hand-cranked 35mm cine camera, built by Oskar Barnack, on display in the lobby. Why did this camera not go into production? Instead, another Barnack project, the Liliput 35mm still camera, was developed and became the legendary Leica. Experts are weighing… read more…
Leica and CW Sonderoptic Report (PDF)
Special Report for Photokina 2014. Revised and updated through September 2014: all about Leica, CW Sonderoptic Leica Cine Lenses, Summilux-C, Summicron-C, Still Moving Pictures (stills shot by cinematographers with Leica cameras), Oskar Barnack’s motion picture camera, history, tour of the factory, and a look at the new Leica Headquarters in Wetzlar. 96 pages. Copyright 2014 Film and Digital Times. Text and photos not to be used without permission. Best viewed in Adobe Acrobat with View-Page Display set to Two Page View, and Show Cover Page in Two Page View. read more…
Tags: CW Sonderoptic, Leica, Summicron-C, Summilux-C
