There’s nothing like the experience of our Rental department to build the most complete, battle-tested camera kits for our camera owner and rental house sales clients. In the first of our series “AbelCine Rental Kits,” we look at our RED EPIC camera packages. This same kitting can be applied to the RED Scarlet camera.

Watch the video for a detailed explanation of the components that go into the AbelCine RED EPIC/Scarlet Accessory Kit. For your convenience, we have created an accessory package (available in Anton/Bauer and V-Mount options) that includes all the items in a typical rental setup.

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.

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The NULL Lens Optical Collimation Tool allows you to set the backfocus on a RED camera with ease and precision. Now the NULL Target accessory allows you to use the tool in virtually any environment. Watch the video to see just how quickly and precisely the NULL Lens & Target combination work together. We’ve now begun shipping to our backordered customers. In addition we are proud to announce that Chrosziel has signed on as the Exclusive European Distributor of the NULL Lens and Target. For the convenience of the REDuser EU community, units will be available for purchase directly through their European Distributor Network.

Earlier this month, long-time Abel client Daniel Dacian of BigAppleFilms shot some nice low-light tests using Arri Master Primes and Hawk Anamorphics on their RED Mysterium-X. They used only the light they found, with the exception of one Litepanel (the video says it is a Litepanels Micro, but it is actually a Litepanels Mini Flood) to give some fill for the exteriors. The shoot starts out in Brooklyn Bridge Park, then moves indoors for more tests, the only light coming from a half dozen lit candles. Abel’s own Gregger Jones assisted on the shoot, and you can find the full video here: www.bigapplefilms.com/lowlight.html

Edit: Here is a great “making of” video, courtesy of ProductionMeeting.com and shot by Ethan Sigman on the Panasonic 2700: Watch it here.

Abel Cine Tech’s first rental of the Panasonic GH-1 / Hot Rod Deluxe combination was an unusual one. When this camera and Hot Rod’s PL adapter for it first appeared in prototype form, the internet was abuzz with indie filmmakers looking to use the rig for low budget productions, but our first client saw it as a very different device. Pictured above is the rig with a Hawk 35mm anamorphic prime, a lens so large that it requires a bridgeplate support. Abel rigged out a solution, and the system went out with the DP and Director for a weekend tech scout. The production itself is a medium budget feature to be shot primarily on the RED One camera. The tech scout is also a test of the Lumix GH-1 rig to see if footage blown up to 35mm filmout will hold up well enough to intercut with the RED One. If so, the Lumix will work as both a Director’s Finder during setups as well as a B-camera for the shoot.

The NULL Lens optical collimation device has been a very popular product. It is the quickest, easiest and most accurate way to set the backfocus on the RED One camera. We have fulfilled all our pre-orders and now have units in stock and ready to ship.

Now, we are introducing the first accessory in the NULL family, the NULL Target. The NULL Target mounts to the front of the NULL Lens and allows easy and accurate backfocus adjustment by projecting a focusing screen onto the RED One’s sensor. Watch the video to see how easy it is to use.

Please note: the NULL Target is still in the prototype phase. We do not yet have pricing or product availability details on this item. Stay tuned for more information.

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We just received the Nexto Video Storage Pro and I’m very impressed with this little box. We are selling the 500 GB version, and the 128GB Solid State version will be available in the future. Check out the video blog and see what it can do.

The Video Storage Pro has low res playback of many different formats. Here is a list of supported formats:

• Panasonic – AVC-Intra 100/50, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO
  (Note: AVC Intra playback is not yet 100%, this will improve with the next firmware.)
• Sony – XDCAM EX (HQ/SP)
• JVC – XDCAM EX (MP4 format), Quicktime Format in later release
• Convergent Design – XDCAM HD formats (MXF)
• RED – R3D – Next Firmware
• AVCHD – Sony/Canon/Panasonic Flavor – Next Firmware

Look for a firmware release in Quarter 4 of this year.

Update: I tested Red CF Card download speeds and was able to download a 16 GB card in just under 11minutes.