Manfrotto has introduced its latest fluid head – the 504HD. This 75MM ball fluid head features the FDS variable friction system, while pana and tilt resistance is quick and intuitive. An illuminated leveling bubble makes leveling a snap in any lighting condition. The head features a 3/8-16 tapped receptacle on either side of the camera platform to accommodate accessories such as arms for monitors or audio recorders. Watch the video to learn more.
The Decimator 2 is a low cost, easy to use downconverter and video distribution box. It is unique because it will accept HD-SDI, SDI or 3G (4×4x4) video signals, and output both HDMI, SD Video, and Analog Audio — no other mini-converter has all of these features. Once it detects an input signal, a colored diode lights up depending on the format, while a yellow diode indicates it is getting power. The Decimator will output all three signals (SDI loop-thru, HDMI, and Video) at the same time. A set of toggle switches on the back enable the user to set it up for different types of inputs and a wide selection of output options.
The Decimator is intended as a rack-mounted or monitor-mounted unit, and a mounting plate with screws is supplied. However, with a low weight of only .45 lbs, it can easily be rigged to a camera such as the RED.
Powered by DC 5-24V power, the Decimator comes with a power supply. Abel Cine Tech also sells a P-Tap adaptor that allows use with an on-board camera battery. It can also be powered by a Nebtek plate accepting Sony, Panasonic or Canon batteries.
OConnor’s new Camera Accessory Division has just begun deliveries of their innovative new O-Grip handgrip system. The O-Grips use a steel universal ball joint to make the handgrips both extremely adjustable and extremely strong. They are endlessly orientable and can support more than 44lbs each. They can also be attached to one another for more adjustability and the rod bridge fits to both 15mm and 19mm studio rods as well as lightweight 15mm rods. Watch the video to learn more.
Two years ago, ARRI introduced the very popular MMB-1 mattebox. It became an immediate hit with our clients and the company quickly responded with various requested accessory options. Soon these options became what everyone wanted on their MMB-1, so after some discussion, ARRI decided to offer a version with these options substituted for the originals. This way, clients weren’t left with unwanted items at additional expense. Most requested were a top-loading rotating filter stage and a larger, 143mm rear clamp. This version of the mattebox is available now as the MMB-1 Top Load Mattebox. Check out the video for details.
One of the great advantages of HDSLR cameras is their small size. One of the supreme disadvantages is that there can be all sorts of little fiddly bits to keep track of. My old Super16 Aaton kit was a dozen cases — when I had to pare down to a Run ‘n’ Gun doc kit, I could get it to four — but that’s not how so many of us fly these days. We needed to get a fairly complete camera kit into a single case.
With this in mind, Abel and PortaBrace worked together to develop the “ultimate” HDSLR shooter’s case. The goal was to fit a camera built with front rods, follow focus, mattebox and optical viewfinder, along with a complete set of prime lenses or zooms, an HDMI/HD-SDI converter, and lots of batteries, chargers, CF cards, etc. It had to be easy to run around with on a shoot and fit inside a hardcase for shipping. After much work with PortaBrace, reconfiguring some products and creating new ones, we think we’ve come up with the Ultimate HDSLR Travel Kit. Take a look at the video to see more.
A camera can only be as good as the recording made from it. In the past year or so we’ve seen some interesting new portable recording devices such as the AJA Ki Pro and the Convergent Design nanoFlash. Now comes the Cinedeck Extreme, which is not only an excellent recorder but also doubles as a full-featured on-camera monitor. The Cinedeck Extreme can input HD-SDI in 4:2:2 or 4:4:4, as well as HDMI, and record it to the wavelet-based Cineform codec. Coming soon (with a firmware upgrade) will be Avid DNxHD, as well as Uncompressed HD. That’s right — an Uncompressed 12-bit RGB HD recorder for under $12K that sits right on top of your camera. Recording media are consumer 2.5″ SSD drives designed for laptops.
The Cinedeck’s monitor offers functions such as waveform, vectorscope, false-color exposure meter, audio meters, pixel-to-pixel zoom for focus, grid and frameline overlays, etc. All this in a package about the same size of a standard on-board LCD.
Watch the video for more on the Cinedeck Extreme and to see it mounted to the new ARRI ALEXA Digital Cinema camera.
DSC Labs recently introduced the RED CamBook, which is designed for the RED One and other future RED cameras. It has three pages of framing charts, exposure aids and color alignment scales. Watch the video to see all the features of this useful tool.
