Tag Archives: cinema

Canon C700 FF and RED EPIC-W Dual ISO do High Frame Rates!

With NAB 2018 getting near, new announcements are starting to trickle in.  The two newest are the Canon EOS C700 FF Full-Frame Cinema Camera & the RED DIGITAL CINEMA EPIC-W BRAIN with Gemini 5K S35 Sensor.  These two are serious cinema cameras aimed at recording in high-end codec formats and supporting RAW codecs.  Both cameras support higher frame rates but do not offer extreme high speeds like dedicated slow-motion cameras.

In the case of the RED EPIC-W with Gemini S35 sensor, it is the first time RED has used a dual Native ISO sensor like the ones seen on the Panasonic EVA1 and GH5s which have two different native sensitivities to deliver extremely clean footage with the widest dynamic range. Witha claimed 16.5 stops of dynamic range in standard mode & a gain of approximately two stops of light, from 800 to 3200 ISO without increasing the image noise. DPs of all kinds will savor these advances to shoot in dark situations knowing the output will be dependable. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Canon M50 Will Have 120fps HD & 4k!

Canon M50

Has Canon finally woken up from the deep slumber that has crippled the progress in their camera line when it comes to video performance?  On paper, the Canon EOS M50 a mirrorless camera that seems to improve in almost every way to previous efforts by the company. We have 4k recording at 24/25 but where is 30P? 120fps slow Motion 720 HD Video in a lower cost body and their excellent Dual Pixel AF System which is one camera feature where the others are playing catch-up.

If the rumors are solid; which seem to be considering the images leaked and detailed information then Canon may finally be releasing cameras that will be worth your while and a clear path out of the EF mount into a mirrorless future.  We remain detached until we have image samples and slow-motion footage but its clear Canon and possibly Nikon will not remain still for much longer and let Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, and smartphones eat their installed user base little by little. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

ZENMUSE X7 By DJI has 3.9k 60p!

Zenmuse X7

DJI has announced the Zenmuse X7 camera for the Inspire 2 Professional Drone.  The camera shoots in Cinema DNG RAW which allows for the utmost quality for the demanding videographer with up to 60fps at 3.9k resolution. Interestingly it does not support 4k at that frame rate as probably there is a hardware limitation for that last few rows of pixels to be saved at that quality.

Of note is the 4k DCI spec up to 30p and ability to shoot and save in Apple ProRes in 4k and 2k with more option in H.264 and the newer H.265 codecs.  The biggest deal, however, is the ability to shoot 6k in DNG format at 6K: 6016×3200, 23.976/24/25/29.97/30p, 12-bit, full FOV.  This is a first for a drone camera of this size and should be the ideal format for ultra resolution seekers. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Is Slow Motion In Movies a Passing Fad?

Slow Motion In Movies

In a new column written by Dann Gire of the Daily Herald, Slow Motion is questioned as a passing moment in film history where it is overused and loses power and effect over time.  We agree that some movies rely so heavily in slow motion effects that it becomes a primary role in the movie.  Movies such as Sherlock Holmes and 300 1&2 take it above the regular mundane level and truly makes art out of the technique.

We feel that with the democratization of slow motion devices in consumer pockets with phones and now professional high-speed cameras are dropping in value while improving performance. We expect the slow motion trend of screen time will not diminish but increase for years to come as gear is now flooding the market with high frame rates. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

RED Hydrogen Phone for High Speed?

RED Hydrogen Phone

So we have gotten a lot of speculative emails regarding the RED Hydrogen phone teaser announcement.  There are no real specs listed, only pricing which for Aluminum  $1195 and Titanium $1595 USD is no bargain.  It will be an Android phone with a revolutionary Holographic display capable of doing 2D-3D and holographic multiview which will be a mixture of the two.

The phone will also be a possible monitoring device for RED camera owners which will be able to control the cameras from the device.  If you are a RED owner it makes sense to have this as your phone and we expect most RED camera owners to own the device or pre-order. After all the phone will be the same cost as a breakout module for the RED camera which costs up to 70k ready to shoot in the highest spec configurations. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

AXIOM Beta Camera Kit in Production!

AXIOM Beta

The Axiom Apertus camera project is progressing forward with the completion of 25 developer Beta kits to backers of the camera. It is a working model without a final case and with ongoing software development. The camera is functional and has a Sony E-Mount at the moment but with the ability to change the mount if needed. The camera color science is being coded by A1ex of magic lantern fame. It will be a possibility to use digital “Film Stocks” at the push of a button to be able to match certain looks.

The footage from the beta camera is quite good with excellent film like characteristics in a 10-13 stop range.  There is a cinema camera feel that is absent from other cheaper camera options in the ILC and DSLR Camps.  The closest look is that from Blackmagic Design’s Cinema camera options.  When it comes to frame rates the Beta camera does 60fps full HD out of the HDMI but not much else. → Continue Reading Full Post ←