Welcome to the Future - Google Glass Photographer

Although this is obviously meant as comedy there seems to be some truth in this as well. I would like to warn my fellow filmmakers not to use the Google Glass for these purposes and instead use a "real" camera. ;)

Shooting 24p RAW on a Canon 5D mark III

RAW video recording at 24fps 1080p with the Canon 5D mark III

Yesterday I came across some interesting news about the Canon 5D mark III. The Magic Lantern team announced the possibility to get an impressive 24 fps of continuous RAW video recording at 1080p out of the camera! That's right, the Canon 5D Mark II and 5D mark III can now have 2K RAW video capabilities. Cinema5D has tried it and says: "We tested it and it works, and the results are totally breathtaking and revolutionary".

Tulip Fields of Holland - NEX-5N Pictures

Typical Dutch landscape with the windmill in the background

Last weekend I took some pictures of the tulip fields in Noord-Holland. All pictures were made using a Sony NEX-5N with E-mount 18-200mm lens. I love what this little camera (more lens then camera actually!) is capable of and it's an absolute joy to work with.

Television Studio Camera

The camera set is finally complete!

A couple of weeks ago I found this great Philips television studio camera. When picking up the camera I learned that it had been used till last summer and had to go when the studio changed all of their equipment to HD. Ever since HD became the standard I knew I had to be on the lookout for these cameras to pop up which isn't as easy as it may sound. You rarely find them on the market, but I was very lucky to find this one. I was hopeful the camera might still be working since it came with the zoom control and focus demand, but there was no way to test it. Since I don't have a studio I got it as a collectors item.

NEW Vinten Vision blue3 and Vinten blueBridge - Review & Video

Vinten welcomes a new tripod (center) to their popular Vision blue range

Introduction

In 2011 Vinten released the Vision blue tripod (review here) which is aimed at the top end corporate market and for professional broadcasters looking for true Vinten performance and quality support for their lightweight camcorders. The Vision blue became very popular in no time and they actually sold faster then Vinten could produce them. They were selling like hotcakes (but it's probably better not to eat the tripod) and it became difficult to find them in stock anywhere. Apparently filmmakers around the globe had been patiently waiting for a tripod that incorporates all the bells and whistles you'll find on higher range Vinten products, but now specially tailored for their professional lightweight camcorders and fully accessorised DSLR's weighting between 4.6 to 11 lb (2.1 to 5 kg). More and more people learned about the great capabilities of the Vision blue tripod and began to ask for the same performance quality of the Vision blue, but with a higher load capacity. Vinten listened and released the Vision blue5 at the beginning of 2012, to support cameras ranging from 12.1 to 26.5 lb (5.5 to 12 kg). Word kept spreading and a new market surfaced. Asking for the now famous Vision blue tripod range quality, but this time for a slightly different (in between) payload capacity. That's why Vinten decided to add a new tripod to their popular Vision blue range: the Vinten Vision blue3! Ideal for today's intermediate weight and highly accessorized camcorders ranging from 6.6 to 14.6 lb (3.0 to 6.6 kg).

Watch the video to see it in action: Vinten Vision blue3 and Vinten blueBridge in Amsterdam

Video - Blackbird on the Steadicam Merlin Arm and Vest

Here's a short video demonstration I made with the Sony FS100 showing the Blackbird stabilizer on the Steadicam Merlin arm & vest. The 'behind the scenes' footage was captured using a Sony NEX-5N.

You can mount the Blackbird stabilizer directly on the Steadicam arm and vest using the standard Merlin arm post. For this video I've used the optional Z-post (review of the Z-post) from Camera Motion Research, because it gives you more clearance between the arm and the stabilizer.

Amazing Slider Plus from Edelkrone

Slider Plus from Edelkrone

This Edelkrone Slider Plus+ certainly grasped my attention when I first saw it. An extremely portable slider (only 385mm length) that can travel almost 2 ft.!

Review: FotoMagico 4

FotoMagico 4 from Boinx Software is the brainchild of computer engineer and passionate photographer Peter Baumgartner. The software helps you to create impressive digital slideshows using pictures and videos that you can easily share by choosing one of the many export presets for iPad, iPhone, web or DVD.

Sony Announced the PMW-F5 and PMW-F55

The wait is finally over and Sony revealed their latest CineAlta 4K cameras that they added to their large sensor family: the PMW-F5 and PWM-F55 which are using a new type of 4K Super 35mm image sensor with a 4096 x 2160 resolution.

New GoPro HERO3 Action Camera (White, Silver & Black Edition)

New HERO3 Action Camera & Accessories announced by GoPro

<< Now in stock at B&H! GoPro HERO3: Silver Edition Camera - $299.99 >>

GoPro recently announced their most advanced GoPro ever, the HERO3 action camera with several new accessories. The new GoPro will be available in three versions. The HERO3 White Edition, HERO3 Silver Edition and the HERO3 Black edition. All HERO3 models are 25% lighter and 30% smaller then the original model they are replacing and have less lens distortion, improved sharpness, a redesigned audio system and are Wi-Fi enabled. And with the 3.5mm mic adapter you can connect any external 3.5mm microphone to your HERO3 camera.