Monthly Archives: July 2020
INOVATIV AXIS Health Products for Safer Sets
You arrive on set. They check you in at a flimsy folding table. Where are the masks? Gloves? Protocols? Getting back to work and working safely in Coronavirus times can be helped by some common-sense practices and products. Now, INOVATIV introduces a new line of AXIS Health workstations to stay safe on set and on location as production reopens. Inovativ… read more…
Sony α7S III: Internal 4K 10-bit, External 4K 16-bit
Sony’s new α7S III continues to blur the boundaries between still and cine cameras. Not blurred, of course, are its images and the trajectory of thoughtful innovation inside. Some quick specifications of the new α7S III: 12 MP resolution, 4264 x 2814 3:2 (1.5:1) 36 x 24 mm sensor. ISO 80-102,400. (40-409,600 extended.) 15+ stop dynamic range in S-log3…. read more…
On-Set Social Distancing Using AJA Products
Sushi is not socially distant. Here is a photo of this article’s author, Andy Bellamy, in pre-pandemic days, providing bounce fill with his napkin at Yamazato in Amsterdam. We managed to avoid eviction from this and other fine sushi establishments whose chefs suffered our antics in tabletop lighting and camera tests between uni and ebi. But, this is not an article about sushi. It’s Andy’s article about AJA products that can help crews keep safely apart, watching the action on monitors far away from the cameras and connected by fiber optic cables and AJA devices. read more…
Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K
July 16, 2020. We zoom from Wetzlar to Melbourne. Today was a day when resolution seemed to matter. A few hours after Andreas Kaufmann announced the new 40 Megapixel Leica M10-R (R for resolution) still camera, Grant Petty introduced the latest Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K. He said that Blackmagic Design was aiming for the high end with this affordable camera. Did he say 12K? Yes. read more…
40 Megapixel Leica M10-R
July 16, 2020. Leica Camera introduced the latest in their long line of beloved M cameras. The new M10-R has a new, 40 Megapixel sensor. Image noise is reduced, dynamic range increased, time exposure now goes to 16 minutes for those night sky shots, and ISO ranges from 100 to 50,000. The shutter is quieter and causes less vibration…. read more…
ZEISS Virtual Cine Expo
This could be where trade shows are going for the near future and then continue for years to come. Thursday, July 16 is the third and final day of the ZEISS Virtual Cine Expo online. You enter a realistic, 3D rendered view of the ZEISS booth familiar from many real trade shows. Stroll around onscreen and watch detailed presentations. read more…
Tags: ZEISS Virtual Cine Expo
Canon EOS R5 — Full Frame 8K RAW Inside
This should catch your attention. Canon’s new EOS R5 is a 45 Megapixel Full-Frame RF-mount mirrorless hybrid still/video camera that shoots and records 8K DCI 12-bit RAW at 2600 Mbps to an internal CFexpress card. You may not wear socks from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but if you did, the R5 specs might just knock your socks off.
Full Frame (36 x24 mm approx) 45 megapixel (4.40 μm photosites) CMOS sensor
8K RAW internal video recording up to 29.97 fps
8K internal video recording up to 29.97 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265) / 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265).
4K internal video recording up to 119.88 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265) / 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265).
Full-width (no crop) 8K RAW and 8K/4K sensor modes. read more…
Shooting on Location without Flying There
During this pandemic, how do we shoot on location without flying there? While some of us think green screen backgrounds are about as much fun as having root canal work, what if you could use affordable, consumer electronics, large screen LED TVs and projectors to let the actors interact in real time with their backgrounds on set? You can, and Sam Nicholson ASC explains how. He and his company Stargate worked on the HBO’s new series “Run.” The story travels across the United States on a train, but production never left the studio in Toronto—except to shoot the background plates in advance. Equipment includes RED cameras, Panavision lenses, DaVinci Resolve, lots of Blackmagic Design equipment, ARRI SkyPanels, 82″ monitors and lots more. read more…
Tags: "Run" HBO Series, An Interview with Sam Nicholson ASC on real-time virtual backgrounds and production in the time of Coronavirus, ARRI SkyPanels, Blackmagic Design, DaVinci Resolve, Panavision, Panavision DXL, RED cameras, Red Monstro 8K VV, Sam Nicholson ASC, Shooting on Location without Flying There, Stargate Studios, ThruView, Virtual backgrounds
Gods of Focus: Olga Abramson
The lack of marks or rehearsals on Uncut Gems was a given from the start; it’s a part of the Safdie brothers’ directing style. Whether lining up a frenetic running shot or an over-the-shoulder close up, Cinematographer Darius Khondji ASC, AFC would suggest a 150mm lens and the brothers would revel in raising the stakes. Why not a 250mm? Or better yet, a 360mm? read more…
Gods of Focus: Chris Silano
Usually this episodic series about legendary Focus Pullers is called “The Gods of Focus.” This month’s story could be called “The Lion Tamers of Focus.” Read this article to see why. Chris Silano said, “They call Preston Cinema Systems’ Light Ranger 2 the Focus Puller’s friend. And while that’s true, it’s much more. It’s also the friend of the actor, director, editor and producer. Finally, the Light Ranger is the audience’s friend as they get a better movie, every time. read more…
