REVIEW - iFootage M1-III (3) Mini Crane

The iFootage M1-III (3) mini crane ready to use,
with a Vinten Blue 3 tripod & Radian Pro wireless video set.

First Impressions
iFootage, the creator of the very popular Shark slider, recently added a new product to their impressive lineup: the M1-III (3) mini crane. When you see the bag that holds the mini crane, it is hard to believe that the crane can actually fit inside it. It's similar to the size and weight of a Vinten Vision Blue tripod when stored in its bag, but it is housing a complete camera jib system that can hold 15 kg (33 lbs) of weight and has a maximum boom range of 210 cm (83 inch). Incredible if you think about it! When I opened the padded bag I noticed the great amount of accessories you get included by the mini crane, all neatly tugged away in custom pouches. The mini crane comes with everything you could ever wish for and you can start booming your camera in no time. While taking out the crane I was surprised by how light it felt. It's rather difficult to imagine that it can hold so much weight while staying so light. That's probably because of having a square tube design as main support beam instead of a round one. I've been working with a camera jib in the past that is known for its portability, while still weighing about 13 kg (29 lbs)! It also has less boom range then this iFootage M1-III mini crane, and it was quite a pain to set up. This is the first time that a compact and lightweight mini crane (or pocket jib), originally designed for smaller cameras, manages to come this close to the specifications and performance of a camera jib costing 5 times as much, while weighing only 3,8 kg (8.3 lbs). The iFootage M1-III  mini crane beats the older jib I've worked with in the past in almost every way and it's a lot more fun to work with as well! I don't want to spoil the conclusion of this review, but I do have a new favorite camera jib...

iFootage M1-III (3) mini crane unboxed, showing all of its included accessories

The iFootage M1-III neatly stored in its nicely padded bag

NEW - Mini TX Backbone For Radian's Wireless HD Video Set

Radian Pro at work

Sometimes you come across a product that works so good, that you can't imagine it to become any better. I've felt that way about the Radian Pro (review here) from Camera Motion Research, which is used to transmit an uncompressed HD video signal wirelessly through the air. A perfect tool for filmmakers who need to be able to freely move their camera through space while using it in combination with a gyro stabilizer like the MōVI as well as other equipment like a crane, stabiliser or Steadicam. All of these devices share a common enemy: cables. But even if you're not using such a device, it's still an extremely handy accessory on any film set to provide the director, producer or client with a direct feed of what the camera is capturing without any limitations. The Radian transmitter can be placed on any camera thanks to CMR's backbones. It provides several mounting options and also enables you to add a lightweight USB style battery to directly provide power to the transmitter for several hours. You will forget it's even on the camera while filming.

It's more common then ever for filmmakers to use smaller cameras with great capabilities on productions as an 'B' or even as an 'A' camera. Camera Motion Research, the company behind the Radian Pro and Radian Multicast wireless sets, has developed a new Mini TX Backbone which is the perfect lightweight match for any DSLR or similar type of camera. It enables you to mount the wireless transmitter with installed battery in a very discrete and lightweight way, without compromising on ease of use or performance.

REVIEW - Radian Pro Wireless HD Video

Radian Pro Wireless HD Video From Camera Motion Research

A few weeks ago Camera Motion Research, the manufacturer of the critically acclaimed Blackbird stabilizer (review here), launched their professional wireless HD video set for the US market and now they also made a version available for Europe! I've had the great opportunity to try it out the last couple of days and I'm happy to be able to share my experiences with you.

Radian Pro Wireless HD Video Set

The CMR Radian wireless HD video set is manufactured with Amimon WHDI professional quality chip sets for best uncompressed resolutions and frame rates up to full 1080P(60). The system has near zero latency and line-of-sight range of over 300 feet (90 meters)! A connection between the Radian transmitter and receiver is established in just a few seconds and it automatically selects the best channel to use. Even if you have never used a wireless system before, you will be up and running in no-time.

Here's a quick video showing how long it takes for the Radian Pro wireless video system to link the transmitter to the receiver. A longer video demonstration with the system in action will be added at a later point in time.

The Radian system is available in two flavours. The Radian Pro unicast for connecting one transmitter to one receiver and the Radian MC multicast for connecting one transmitter to up to 4 receivers simultaneously. The one I'm reviewing here is the unicast version. The system is shipped with many different parts. You'll receive HDMI and USB power cables, remote, power adapter and of course the Radian transmitter and receiver. All perfectly packed with a quick start guide. In order to be able to use the system you will need some kind of power and mounting solution for your camera and monitor, and that's what we're going to discuss now. So please take some time to (re)fill your favourite coffee mug and I'll wait here for you to return.

Wireless HD Video From CMR

Radian Wireless HD Video From CMR

Camera Motion Research, the company from North Carolina that brought us the Blackbird stabiliser, has added a very interesting new product to their line up. The CMR Radian wireless HD video set. Manufactured with Amimon WHDI professional quality chip sets for best uncompressed resolutions and frame rates up to full 1080P(60), near zero latency, and line-of-sight range over 300 feet!