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I recently traveled to Chicago to shoot a music video on an Sony PMW-EX1 camera. Much of the shooting was on greenscreen so I brought along the nanoFlash from Convergent Design to increase the quality of my recording. While the EX1 records excellent quality video, I really needed the bitrate and color sampling improvements that the nanoFlash offers. I shot both to the EX1 in XDCAM EX at 35Mbps, and to the nanoFlash in XDCAM 422 at 160Mbps. The quality difference between the two versions was significant, and I found that the nanoFlash footage was very easy to key. Watch the video to see my review of the nanoFlash, and the difference between the XDCAM EX footage and what the nanoFlash recorded. Update: The latest firmware for the nanoFlash also offers 24P pull-down removal.

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

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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.

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There are many small LED lights on the market, but most have little to no control, splashing their light out all over the place. Dedotec has taken their renown condenser lensing technology and applied it to a small LED light fixture to make a very versatile and controllable on-camera unit. Watch the video to see the many features of the Dedolight Ledzilla on board mini LED light.

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We just received our first batch of Canon 5D Mark II cameras in, and of course we had to kit them out with the Arri MMB-1 Mattebox. We love the mattebox and have put together a custom kit that makes the 5D Mark II and Canon L Series Primes fit just right. Check out the video showing this awesome combination, and see how we made everything work together.

Update: In the video I use a Tiffen 72-77mm filter step up ring on the Canon lens. This ring is normally used to put a 77mm screw on filter on a 72mm lens, but in this kit we are using it as a step-up ring. The outer diameter of the Tiffen ring is 80mm, so it fits perfectly with the Arri step-down rings.

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The Lumix GH1 is a new digital camera from Panasonic that can not only shoot excellent still photos, but 1080 24P & 720 60P video too. In the video, I show off this little camera and how you can put a PL mount lens on it with the new Hot Rod PL Mount Lens adapter. And to make this combination even cooler, I put a brand new Zeiss Compact Prime on the setup. Check out the video, and come by our office to get your hands on it. Also check out our new HDSLR Specialty Shop, which is growing by the minute.

Panasonic just released new firmware for the HPX300. This is a big update with some nice feature improvements. First is the FBC function that Panasonic announced a couple months ago. FBC stands for Flash Band Correction, which reduces the appearance of flash bands that occur on CMOS chips. That’s the banding you see when a flash (from a still camera or lightning) is captured on video.  This function works in 1080/60i and 720/60p, and from my tests it seems to do the  job – see my video example below. Also they have reduced the video noise in 1080 24p, 25p, and 30p modes. The effect seemed noticeable right away. There are also several other updates including better support for E-Series P2 cards. If you have the HPX300 then download it HERE. And you can read all about the new firmware HERE.

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Note: Some banding is not corrected for because of the red eye correction on my flash, which varies flash output. FBC seems to do better when given a large exposure difference.