Filming with the Sony FE 24-240mm Lens

I took the Sony FE 24-240mm lens (review here!) with me during the Grand Départ of the Tour de France, to try it out in the field. While taking lots of pictures, I also tried to shoot some footage whenever I had the chance to see how the lens would perform. Everything was shot without a tripod using OSS. The resulting footage can be seen here:

Pictures that I took at the Tour de France with the Sony FE 24-240mm can be found here.

Sony Alpha a7RII (ILCE-7RM2) Mirrorless Digital Camera Announced!

Sony's new flagship: the Sony A7RII (model: ILCE-7RM2)

Sony has just announced the A7RII Alpha mirrorless digital camera and it's amazing! A big step up from the Sony A7R, with impressive ISO (although the Sony A7s still takes the lead on that one), 5-axis image stabilization like on the Sony A7II and it can capture 4K (QFHD 3840×2160) video  internally! It also features the world's first back-illuminated full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor which is able to capture 42.4MP approx. effective megapixels. Sony never cease to amaze me.

Quick Video Demo - New GoPro App in Action: Control, View, Share

Yesterday the new GoPro app became available and I decided to make a quick video, demonstrating the new view and share functions of the app!

GoPro Hero 3 Silver edition Camera - Cycling Video

The GoPro Hero3 mounted on my bicycle

I went cycling yesterday evening and captured the bike ride with the GoPro Hero3 Silver Edition Camera using the Handlebar/Seatpost Pole Mount.

I love what this little action camera is capable of and I'm working on a review which I'm hopefully be able to publish in the next couple of days. In the meantime, you can watch some of the footage I filmed in the beautiful city of Alkmaar.

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 and they were selling like hotcakes 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). People got to know 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

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 and they were selling like hotcakes 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). People got to know 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.!

Sony's New HD Action Camcorder (HDR-AS10 and HDR-AS15)

The new Sony HD Action Camcorder

Yesterday, Sony announced their very own GoPro and ADIXXION like HD action camcorder: the HDR-AS10. There's also a WiFi enabled version available, the HDR-AS15, which costs around $70 more and will work with the free PlayMemories Mobile™application. It allows users to instantly share their content to a smartphone and also allows control of the camera with any compatible device.

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!

Flashpoint LCD 8" Wireless Monitor and Remote

Flashpoint 8" LCD Monitor

This product caught my eye: Flashpoint LCD 8" Monitor with Remote for cameras with HDMI port. It's a camera monitor with HDMI port, but it also has another feature that really interests me. It can be used as a wireless director monitor. It's aimed for users with a DSLR camera and has a 4:3 aspect ratio with 800X600 resolution.

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.

Video: NEX-FS100 on the Pocket Dolly

I've made a short movie called "Deserted Mall"with the NEX-FS100 and the Kessler Pocket Dolly.

Click here to watch it on YouTube.

Although I had some troubles in the beginning (3x Unboxing of the Kessler Pocket Dolly), I finally was able to start using the Pocket Dolly on a short movie!

I didn't really had a plan when I went filming at the mall, but just went with the flow. It was on Boxing Day and it was very quiet there at the time. I spent about an hour filming on different locations and ended up with enough footage to make this short movie. It's the first video I created with the Kessler Pocket Dolly. In editing I decided to go for the 'Deserted Mall' theme and luckily I had enough footage without people walking around on camera.

3D Gold Logo Animation

This is a (logo) animation I created with Cinema 4D that I would like to share with you. The black screen you see at the end of this animation, is due to logo restrictions.

Click here to watch it on YouTube

A lot of hours went into modeling and animating this intro, placing all the gears and having them interact with each other. But I'm happy with the result. Here are some screenshots of the project:

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.

Sony NEX-FS100 Nikon & Sony 18-200mm Lens Comparison

Quick (and simple) comparison video between the Sony E-mount 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS and the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II on the Sony FS100. The Nikon lens was placed on the NEX-FS100 with a Novoflex adapter. No camera or color settings were changed between shots, only the lenses.

Click here to watch it on YouTube

Steadicam Merlin vs Steadicam Pilot

I came across these two video's.
The cool thing about it is that two Steadicam operators had an offline meeting on a great location (shikinomori Park) with their Steadicams. One brought his Steadicam Merlin with him and the other his Steadicam Pilot. They both made a video from their meeting and placed it on YouTube.

They both are great Steadicam operators and it's nice to see these two Steadicams in action together.