Anton Bauer recently released a new flexible Solar Panel system that can charge batteries when combined with their Tandem 150 charger/power supply. The Solar Panel folds out to 59 x 43 in (149.9 x 109.2 cm), and uses direct sunlight as an alternate power source. The panel is ideal for remote locations where no power is available, though charging times can vary based on available sunlight, of course. The Tandem 150 is the ultimate light power supply and charger in one. With 150W of power, the unit works with the most power hungry cameras, including the Sony SRW9000 and ARRI ALEXA. When attached to cameras with lower power draw (<75W), it can simultaneously charge a battery as well. The good news is that it will automatically detect the power draw and switch the battery charging option on or off. The Tandem 150 is extremely flexible – it can charge batteries when combined with the solar panel or act as a power supply/charger when working with standard AC or DC from a vehicle (when combined with the CA-TMCL – Vehicle Power Outlet adapter). Combining the the Anton Bauer Solar Panel, Tandem 150, Vehicle Power adapter, and Anton Bauer batteries would make for an excellent power kit that would work in just about any situation.

For those of you using the PDW-U1 with a newer Mac, there is a software update available on Sony’s website that might make your life a little easier. Version 2.30 extends compatibility to Macs running Snow Leopard (10.6.2 or later), as well as adding support for Windows 7. Some other fixes include:

– Correction of a problem where Disc writing fails when the USB connection performance is low or unstable
– Correction of a problem that causes some applications not to launch after installing XDCAM Drive Software 2.2.1
– Support for handling “component directory” and related files through voice-over editing with a PDW-HR1 v1.6
– Support for metadata added from PDW-F800

You can download the PDW-U1 Drive Software v2.30 update directly from Sony’s site.

When the opportunity arose to travel to the South Pacific and document the Amelia Earhart Expedition’s archeological research, picking which camera to bring was an easy choice for award-winning DP Mark Smith. “The ability of the HPX370 to shoot full raster HD and record in AVC-Intra…coupled with the flexibility of the camcorder for either handheld or tripod-style shooting, made my choice of a main camera easy,” explained Smith, an Abel client.

He continued, “The HPX370 also affords very low power consumption, which translates into a two-pound battery powering most of a day’s shooting…The camcorder, with lens and battery, is sized and weighted ideally for this onerous assignment.” Additionally, Smith took the HPX170 along as a “B” camera. Rounding out his workflow were the HPG20 P2 portable recorder, HPG10 P2 Gear viewer/recorder, and the PCD2 single-slot memory card drive. He shot AVC-Intra at 1080/30pN on the HPX370 and DVCPRO HD 1080/30p on the HPX170.

As part of a 16-member team, Smith journeyed to Nikumaroro, a remote island in the Pacific formerly known as Gardner Island, in order to detail the Expedition’s findings. The expedition, which is lead by The Institute for Aviation History (TIGHAR), seeks to prove that Earhart landed, and eventually died, on the the island. Proving this theory would solve the decades-long mystery surrounding her disappearance. For more information on the Amelia Earhart Expedition, visit Smith’s website or The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery’s website. Check out the full Panasonic press release here.

We sell a number of different quality shoulder mount rigs for HDSLR cameras, but often we have customers that just want to keep their cameras small and lightweight. One of the major advantages of shooting with an HDSLR is the ability to blend in with a crowd without anyone knowing you are shooting video. Here are a couple solutions that will allow you to add function and stability to your HDSLR camera, but still keep it small and relatively invisible.

iDC Run & Gun Kits

iDC has made a Run & Gun Kit for the Canon 5D Mark II, 7D, and Rebel T2i that is both small and very functional. The Run & Gun kit combines a modified Hoodman LCD viewfinder with a simple follow focus. The follow focus butts up against the lens and rotates focus or zoom using friction only, so there is no need for gears. The system does not utilize rods, which keeps it small and light. Additionally, the viewfinder is designed to quickly attach and detach from the camera for easy viewing. When held up to your eye with one hand on the camera body and the other on the follow focus, the Run & Gun kit is very stable and easy to use.

Zacuto Target Shooter

If you are looking for a small way to stabilize your HDSLR, then you might like the Zacuto Target Shooter. This small support is designed to add an additional point of contact with your body for increased stability. It may not seem like much, but with both hands on the camera, the extra support is sometimes all you need. The Zacuto Z-Finder Pro can also be added for better viewing and yet another point of contact with your body.

Manfrotto Monopod & Fluid Head

A unique solution that one of our sales agents, Matt Livingston, came up with is combining a Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod and the Manfrotto 701HDV fluid head. While using a monopod is not popular in the video world, it can be used as a useful stabilization tool for HDSLR cameras. Matt combined the monopod with the 701HDV head to allow for quick position changes as well as fluid pan & tilt control. Check out this music video Matt shot using his monopod creation, and four Canon 7Ds (with Zeiss ZE 21mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 100mm macro lenses) and a Canon 5D Mark II with a Zeiss ZE 85mm.

Need a small portable daylight lamp with a lot of punch? How about a lightweight three light kit? What about a camera ringlight? Need to power them off a single circuit? What about off battery power? You want all of this and don’t want to bring a grip truck along to carry it all?

The IANILED54 is a versatile light system that can function as a three light kit or as a single powerful LED unit. It can be battery or AC powered. Three concentric rings of LED lights can be used as individual units or mounted together as a single powerful fixture. Each light section features dimmer control as well as Ianiro’s unique color balance control. The complete kit can be powered from a single camera battery with on board mounts available for Anton Bauer or V-mount bricks. There are more options available in this clever light; check out the video to see.

Abel will also be showing off the IANILED54 at Cine Gear today, so stop by our booth #S209!

When faced with the challenge of creating a compelling video to launch Cadillac’s new luxury coupe, Executive Producer Hal Long knew he needed to have all his bases covered. In order to emphasize the performance and comfort of Cadillac’s CTS-V Coupe, he and DP Mark Raker made use of a wide-range of equipment, all rented from Abel’s LA office.

For some dramatic shots of the car idling on a tarmac then peeling out onto the track, the production shot with the Phantom HD. However, for interior shots, Panasonic’s HPX3700 VariCam was the camera of choice. “While we needed an ultra high-speed camera for exteriors, the VariCam 3700 integrated beautifully into our specialized workflow…shooting with the HPX3700 at full-raster 1920×1080 resolution in AVC-Intra 100, we achieved images that fully convey the passenger luxury inside the car,” explained Long. In addition, the production deployed the HPX170 to get even more detail in smaller interior spaces.

Rounding out their workflow were Panasonic’s HMR10 compact field recorder/player, the HPG20 P2 HD recorder for real-time back-up, and the HCK10 POVCam for use on car-mounts. Says Long of the ultra-compact camera, “Considering its minute size and weight – a little more than ½ a pound – the POVCam is a big performer. We shot in the highest-quality PH mode, using a long lens, and recorded 1080/30p to the HMR10. The car mounts were all about singling out detail, and we got a really nice looking defocused background with the HCK10.”

To watch the full video which premiered at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, click here.