Sony's new NEX E-mount 10-18mm, 16-50mm power zoom and 35mm F1.8 lenses

Three new Sony E-mount lenses: the 16-50mm power zoom, 35mm f/1.8 lens and 10-18mm super-wide lens

Sony has announced three new E-mount lenses at Photokina 2012 for their NEX cameras. A 35mm F1.8 prime lens, a 10-18mm super-wide zoom and a 16-50mm power zoom lens.

<< Now in stock: The Sony 10-18mm f/4 Alpha E-mount Wide-Angle >>

Balancing the NEX-FS100 on the Blackbird Stabilizer

NEX-FS100 balanced on the Blackbird (with the short and standard vertical bar)

When you have a stabilizer, I always think it's a good idea to share a good setup, once you found one for your particular camera. In my case it's the Sony NEX-FS100 with 16mm f2.8 pancake lens and VCL-ECU1 ultra wide converter. That's why today, I want to share with you my Blackbird stabilizer setup.

Review: Blackbird Camera Stabilizer

The Blackbird Full Kit after unpacking everything

A few days ago I was asked by Camera Motion Research if I would like to try out their Blackbird Camera Stabilizer. A fantastic offer I just couldn't refuse, being the camera stabilizer fanatic that I am! And before I knew it, UPS came to my door and delivered the Blackbird.

Balancing the NEX-FS100 on the Glidecam HD-2000

NEX-FS100 on a balanced Glidecam HD-2000

I've received a lot of questions about the Glidecam setup I use for my camera. That's why I'm posting them here, so you can give it a try too!

Glidecam HD-2000 Review and Videos!

Glidecam HD-2000 and the Glidecam forearm support brace

About two weeks ago I received a package with the Glidecam HD-2000 inside to 'test drive' and review. Now a few days later, I'm already addicted to this stabilizer!

Balance and setup
Setting up the Glidecam HD-2000 for the first time was an absolute breeze. The first thing I did, was mounting the camera (Sony NEX-FS100 with the 16mm f2.8 pancake lens and ultra wide converter and a smaller NP-F770 battery, without the side handle attached to the camera) on a Manfrotto (MN-357) Sliding Plate Adapter. Then I tried to find the center of gravity and marked the spot underneath the sliding plate. This spot should roughly be placed on top the central post. You do this by attaching your camera (or in my case with sliding plate adapter attached) to the quick release plate of the HD-2000. After that, you can start the balance process. I started out with the side handle attached to the camera and used 3 counter weight plates on each side of the Glidecam. By telescoping the base platform in and out I got the right drop time and was able to fly the camera within minutes after unboxing everything.

Balancing the NEX-FS100 on the Steadicam Merlin

The last few weeks I received a lot of questions about the two Steadicam videos you can see below. One of them was if I used the Steadicam Merlin Arm & Vest - which I did not use for these videos - and the other one was which setup I used for the Steadicam Merlin.

Please note: I haven't been able to fly the new Steadicam Merlin 2 myself with the FS100, but I think these settings will also apply for the new version.

This is why I decided to post them here and hopefully give you a good starting point in balancing your Sony NEX-FS100 on the Merlin. It's very important to use these settings in combination with the camera configuration I've used. If you use a different lens or even an other battery, it can throw of your balance completely and you might nog be able to balance it properly, using these settings.

Autumn Forrest - NEX-FS100 & Steadicam Merlin

I've made a new short film with the NEX-FS100 on the Steadicam Merlin.
It's called "Autumn Forest" and yes, I came up with the title! What... you don't like it? Alright, specially for you I have another title: "Lots and Lots of Leaves on the Ground".

Click here to watch it on YouTube

The lens I used on the Sony NEX-FS100 is the E-mount 16mm F2.8 pancake lens (SEL1628) with the Ultra Wide converter (VCL-ECU1). I bought this lens specifically for the Steadicam, because of the auto iris and focus. Which isn't a luxury at all when you consider that you'll need both hands to operate the Steadicam.