(Note: All calculations based on a 16×9 recording area)

It seems that every few days, we hear about a new camera or a new lens. While it’s exciting to learn about new gear, it can also be a bit confusing. This is especially true when it comes to cameras with different sensor sizes. For a long time, it was only 2/3″, 16mm and 35mm in the professional world, but now we have a huge variety of sensor sizes.

Mitch Gross recently published his sensor size comparison chart, which is an excellent reference that has been very popular with our viewers. Following his lead, I developed this free online tool which allows you to compare different sensors at different focal lengths. We call it the Focal Length Comparator. Funny name I know, but it allows you to compare the fields of view of different sensors’ sizes at different focal lengths.

For instance, it can be used to visualize the field of view difference between a 50mm lens on a 2/3″ sensor and the same lens on an ARRI ALEXA sensor. I also threw in a bunch of extra information like crop factor, angle of view and specific sensor sizes. Check out this new online tool by clicking on the image above, or learn more about this tool at our online resource.

At Createasphere’s Entertainment Technology Expo in New York, Panasonic was showing off a working version of their AG-AF100 camera. According to Panasonic, it is 70% done and on target for a December release. Though it is still a prototype, the HD-SDI camera output looks fantastic, with very little skew or moire artifacts. Check out the video above to get a little more detail on this exciting camera.

Sachtler has announced a new fluid head designed for HDSLR users. The Cine DSLR has a payload range of 2 to 11 lbs, a ten step counterbalance, and three vertical and horizontal grades of drag. All of these adjustments allow for professional smooth operation. Additionally, the Cine DSLR comes with a special camera plate, which has a bracket on it to prevent the camera from twisting.  The Cine DSLR will be available in two different systems, one with floor spreaders and one with mid-level spreaders. Sachtler tripod heads are known for their smooth control and stability, which any HDSLR shooter could benefit from. The price has not yet been announced, but we’ll post as soon as it is. See Sachtler’s press release here.

This year at Createasphere’s Entertainment Technology Expo (formerly HD EXPO) in New York, Abel featured the Panasonic AG-3DA1 Integrated Twin-lens 3D Camera Recorder and the Panasonic BT-3DL2550 25.5″ 3D LCD Video Monitor.

The Panasonic AG-3DA1 is the first professional, fully-integrated Full HD 3D camcorder that records to SD card media. The camera records separate right eye, left eye capture to the SD cards and monitoring is made easy by using two SDI feeds to the BT-3DL2550. To create natural-looking 3D video, the convergence point (the point at which the left and right cameras’ optical axes converge) needs to be adjusted to match that of a human’s eyes, which varies according to the closeness of the objects being viewed. Panasonic’s new Full HD 3D camcorder adopts a newly-developed twin-lens system that realizes convergence point control with its integrated design.

Last year on this blog we discussed a number of feature films that were currently in production using the Aaton Penelope 2-perf / 3-perf switchable 35mm camera. Now, with several of these high-profile projects about to be released, here’s a recap of a few of Penelope’s credits.

The Fighter, directed by David O’Russell, is a film inspired by the life of boxer “Irish” Micky Ward. The production considered shooting on digital, 16mm and 3-perf with various cameras but ultimately decided to use Penelope because of the 2-perf cost savings and the easy handheld capability. Renting two cameras through Abel Cine Tech, the production worked fast, averaging 36 set-ups per day. Camera Assistant Gregory Irwin pointed out that the “Penelope camera is smaller and lighter than any other studio package,” allowing the production to get almost every shot hand-held or with a Steadicam – no need for tripods or dollies. For his part, DP Hoyte van Hoytema praised the camera’s “thoughtful design” and “human touch.” The Fighter will be in theaters this December and stars Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams and Christian Bale. Watch the official trailer.

…continue reading Aaton Penelope Projects Hit Theaters this Winter

ARRI continues to roll out new products and upgrades for the ALEXA camera. Last week they officially made available the ProRes workflow (Shoot to Edit) functionality as part of the ALEXA 2.0 firmware release, meaning the camera can now function as a standalone device for high-quality ProRes capture. Additionally, ARRI made a few more interesting announcements at IBC this year.

The ALEXA Plus is an upgrade model of the ALEXA that will be available in January 2011. Key features include wireless connectivity with several ARRI wireless components, an additional monitor output, ARRI LDS (Lens Data System) integration, an additional accessory power port and built-in position and motion sensors (great for VFX work). Any current ALEXA can be upgraded to an ALEXA Plus in the future.

…continue reading ARRI ALEXA Updates & Accessories Announced

Panasonic has a working prototype of the AG-AF100 at IBC this year, and details are spreading across the internet. The camera will feature a micro 4/3 sensor specially designed to be free of the moire issues we see in other DSLR cameras. The AF100 will record in 720p and 1080p at all the standard resolutions and has variable frame rate capability up to 1080 60p (that’s right 60P). The camera has all the professional inputs and outputs including XLR inputs for uncompressed audio, HD-SDI and HDMI outputs (both live) and a timecode input (LTC). It has many of the same menu items and function as the HPX170 including waveform, vectorscope, zebras, pre-record and interval record. The AF100 records to SDHC/SDXC cards with two card slots available. AVCHD recording at up to 24Mbps (PH mode) is available, as well as the lower bit rate versions for longer record time. Lens options include all the micro 4/3 lenses, PL lenses with the Hot Rod adapter and the new Zeiss CP.2 lenses, which will feature micro 4/3 mounting options.

…continue reading More Details on the Panasonic AG-AF100