Arri has announced a new line of digital cameras at IBC 2009. The A-EV, A-EV Plus, and A-OV Plus (EV stands for electronic viewfinder and OV stands for optical viewfinder). These cameras all share the same 3.5K ALEV III CMOS Sensor which is designed to provide 12.1 f-stops of dynamic range (tested with the new Arri Dynamic Range Test Chart), and support 1-60fps image capture. Unlike the Arri D-21, all of these cameras will have on-board HD recording, and the ‘plus’ models support uncompressed recording as well. The EV models will utilize Arri’s first electronic viewfinder, which has F-LCOS 1280×720 screen. Jon Fauer at Film & Digital Times has posted a great article on the new cameras – view it here: Arri Blue. Read more about the new cameras at Arridigital.com/Teaser

For the second part of the ENG Essentials – Camera Matching Series, I will be adjusting the gamma settings on the VariCam 3700 (HPX3700) to match the gamma curves on the EX3. The HPX3700 has more gamma adjustability, so I chose to set the EX3 to a setting I liked and then adjust the HPX3700 to match. Every manufacturer has different gamma curves, so my goal is to set the two gamma curves to match as closely as possible using a DSC Labs ChromaDuMonde chart and Leader scope.

…continue reading ENG Essentials: Gamma Matching

Geoff Haley (left), First Camera Assistant Gregory Irwin

Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema has just completed principal photography on The Fighter, after a seven week production schedule, using Aaton Penelope cameras configured for 2-perf.

Perhaps the highest profile 2-perf movie since Sergio Leone pointed a Techniscope camera at Clint Eastwood, The Fighter is directed by David O. Russell and stars Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale and Amy Adams. It is a drama about boxer “Irish” Micky Ward’s unlikely road to the world light-welterweight title and was shot on location in Lowell, Massachusetts.

…continue reading Penelope 2Perf Feature,The Fighter, Wraps

CamTec’s Kavon Elhami with Phantom HD Cameras.

CamTec, the Burbank based cine equipment rental house, recently took delivery of the 100th Phantom HD camera manufactured by Vision Research. The milestone 100th camera is a Phantom HD GOLD, the step-up model to the industry standard Phantom HD.

Founded in 1990, CamTec is a boutique rental house, specializing in “new generation” cine equipment. They pride themselves on their fleet of meticulously maintained, top-flight cameras. Kavon Elhami, owner of CamTec, noted that this is actually their second Phantom HD. CamTec made the decision to purchase another Phantom HD, thanks to high customer demand and the camera’s excellent performance record. He cited the beautiful film-like images, reliability and ergonomics of the camera among the reasons for its success.

The full press release on CamTec’s Phantom HD acquisition is available on Vision Research’s website.

[View with PicLens]

1234►

On Thursday, August 27th, Abel presented an Emerging Technology Workshop to a full house at our New York City office. The event, produced in cooperation with HD Expo / Createasphere, focused on a new generation of affordable and flexible acquisition tools.

In the first session, Andy Shipsides gave an overview of two new solid-state JVC cameras, the HM700 and HM100. A highlight of this session was the screening of footage by Director of Photography Don Lenzer from Children of Abraham, a recent documentary shot with the HM700. Smokey Forester, the project’s producer, was in attendance.

Andy and AJA’s Jay Ignaszewski then unveiled the very first AJA Ki Pro off the production line! The session highlighted ProRes recording and other breakthrough capabilities of this anxiously awaited device. Andy and Jay also discussed the creative impact Ki Pro can have when used on compact, as well as larger format, cameras.

To round out the evening, Andy teamed up with Jem Schofield, of theC47.com, to discuss how HDSLR cameras are changing the landscape of HD video. Jem and Andy delved into the specifics of a couple of these HDSLRs, namely the Canon 5D Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix GH1, and showed off some of the accessories designed to make the most of their video capabilities.

The workshop ended with an informal hands-on session. Attendees were able mingle, play with the gear and chat with the manufacturer reps.

Canon has just announced the highly anticipated EOS 7D HDSLR camera. I’m so jealous that Jon Fauer over at the Film and Digital Times got his hands on it first. Read his review here – Canon EOS 7D HDSLR. The camera has a 18 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor that can take fabulous stills and HD video at 1080: 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p,   720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, and SD: 60p (59.94) / 50p. I’m very excited to see this camera in action. It ships at the end of September and Abel will be selling it.