Tag: News

  • Tech News: The GH5… The New Face of Change?

    Tech News: The GH5… The New Face of Change?

    Canon and Nikon have been the big boys in the consumer and semi-pro market for like, ever. Most people will kind of remember the moment when Canon released their game-changing Canon EOS 5D Mk II. Though apparently an afterthought by Canon – I don’t think that this is an overstatement: the video capabilities of the updated 5D shifted everything in the world of videography. Ev.’ry.thing.

    That was in 2008 though. 4K video becoming something of an expectation in 2016. So, with the release of the 5D Mk IV earlier this year, Canon (despite the MkII and III being mainstays in many a videographers kit) still seemed to be taking the whole DSLR video thing as an afterthought. Though cynical, perhaps it was to be expected. After all, Canon already has  an extensive cinema and large sensor product line dedicated towards meeting the needs of pro-video and cinema users, right?

    The thing is that while Canon has slept at the wheel since accidentally reinventing how we make videos, tech has continued to move on, advancements have continued, and new players have captured hearts and minds. The current king of the hill would have to be Sony, wooing videographers of all persuasions with the a7S and a7S II. But the proverbial apple cart looks set to be shaken once again, with Panasonic announcing the release of the GH5 in  2017.

    The GH4 has been almost as popular as the Sony a7S – but there are a few little tricks that the latest model is bringing to the game that will arguably push them into first place in the race for mirrorless camera supremacy. For example, you will be able to shoot 10-bit, 60fps 4K footage. Yes!

    We all need to watch this space as full specs and reviews begin to come in. Until then, perhaps you will let Panasonic begin wooing you with this heartwarming prologue.

  • News: Kenyan Film Made on Mobile (BBC)

    It is really easy to think that we need to have the latest and greatest kit to make movies and videos. And I mean really easy (#firstworldproblems). But I read a wonderful story today that was a timely reminder.

    While there are DJI Osmo‘s out there, or Lily, or the BMPCC – or whatever else takes your budgeted fancy – these are all just tools in a filmmakers/videographers arsenal. And much like a toolbox, sometimes you just need to pull out something that can get the job done… like a mobile phone.

    When was the last time you tried to make something videographic without all of the bells and whistles we are used to? Maybe this story will inspire you to think outside of your box this week.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35075188

  • Product Preview: Light L16 Camera

    Many moons before I began playing in the world of videos, I was a fairly avid amateur photographer. As a kid my grandfather introduced me to the world of photography, and I was hooked. While it has felt like a natural transition from photography to videography, those humble origins still lead me to check out fantastic new developments (pun intended!) that are happening in the world of still-life technology.

    Today I happened on a new video that is promoting a completely new kind of stills camera (that also has 4K video capacity it must be said): the Light L16. All I will say about the whole thing is, well…. giggity.

    https://vimeo.com/141273968

  • Demo: Lily Camera Drone

    Continuing my series of resource links, today I want to share two different clips: the first is the promo video for a new drone camera that is getting set to hit the market soon (pre-order sales are already available) – the Lily. The second is little bit of a hands-on (as it were) demo of the machine.

    The tech specs on this little piece of kit are certainly interesting enough to warrant a further look. Even though the chances are that the first gen of Lily won’t be as great as it could potentially be (when are they ever?), there are always going to be subsequent releases with updated mods (amiright?). In fact I can already imagine version 2 will incorporate an object awareness sensor that is currently MIA from version 1. So, with its intuitive hands-off approach to shooting, I still think that it would still be fun to have one of these to play around with.

    Anyway, that is enough from me. Here is the hands on demo from the team at Resource Magazine for you to check out.

  • New Toy: The Phantom 3 is Coming!

    Continuing my series of resource links, today I wanted to share the latest drool-inducing toy to come out of the DJI camp: the upgrade to their popular Phantom quad-copter, the Phantom 3!

    The Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter boasts a breath-taking array of new in-built features: and a 4K camera on a 3-axis gimbal that also happens to take 12 mega-pixel stills is just the tip of the very tall iceberg. A 2km (2000 metres) tall iceberg that will beam a 720p HD view of anything and everything that your kick-ass camera can see. Seriously, there is so much that can be said about this beast of a release… but I will save that for the professionals. Check out the official video below – and then we can make a collective drool-puddle together.

  • News: Blackmagic Design Show Off at NAB (13-mins)

    Continuing with my new series of resource links – from video essays, to cinematographer interviews, how-to tips and the like – I needed to get this additional post out today as it was too good not to share immediately. Anyone involved – and/or interested – in video production will have already heard the news out of NAB (come one, why wouldn’t you keep abreast of the NAB happenings?) that once again Blackmagic Design has shifted the world of camera production with the announcement of their new 4.6K and 15-stop URSA Mini which is due for release later this year.

    If, like me, you are kind of itching to get a look under the hood of this new toy – then you will be pleased to check out this interview with the BMD Director of Sales Simon Westland as he takes us through some of the new camera’s functionality. Enjoy!

  • News: Exciting Adobe Premiere Pro CC Update

    Continuing with my new series of resource links – from video essays, to cinematographer interviews, how-to tips and the like – today I want to share with you a news update that was released yesterday by the Adobe team regarding the latest updates to Premiere Pro. As a CC user myself, I have no doubt that I will find the additional functionality of great use – but for the sake of brevity, I will share just one of the updates that have been made – and that is the inclusion of a Lumetri Color workspace! If you want to see a larger view of what Adobe has in store, then check out the official release for details.