Cinematography
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A Look at the Sony NEX-FS700
The Sony NEX-FS700 has been in the hands of a lucky few for the past month, but now it’s starting to arrive at U.S. stores and dealers. Quantities are constrained, but if you ordered one when it was first announced, you should have it in your hands soon. I got to see one in the flesh for the first time this week at Rule Boston Camera, where Sony Sales Support Engineer Tom Cubby gave a presentation and demonstration on the new cameras capabilities. I arrived late to the presentation, just as they were demoing the Super Slow-Mo feature, so I […]
by Michael Murie on Jul 12, 2012 -
The Solar Odyssey: Taking Part in a Documentary, Part One
You never know where an interesting project can come from — a friend, a client or even from Twitter. Such was the case for Boston-based d.p. Todd Mahoney, who spent ten days documenting the progress of The Solar Odyssey Project after seeing a tweet looking for someone to sub for their regular d.p. The Solar Odyssey is an attempt to cover the waterways of “The Great Loop” in a solar-powered boat. The project is led by skipper and adventurer Jim Greer, and technologist and host Philip Hodgetts. In part 1 of this interview, I spoke to Todd the day after […]
by Michael Murie on Jul 9, 2012 -
Unusual Camera Moves With the Alexa M
At NAB this year, ARRI revealed that, at least for the coming year, they’ll be concentrating on anamorphic imaging and the dynamic range of the Alexa rather than trying to compete with high frame rates or 4K. But they did have some interesting new additions to the product line, particularly if you want to get the camera closer to the action. The Alexa M, which will start shipping this month, is essentially an Alexa that’s been cut in two. You have a 12.1 lb body connected to a 6.4 lb head by a cable up to 20 feet long. That […]
by Michael Murie on May 16, 2012 -
Using R/C Helicopters to Fly Your Camera: Part Two
In this second part of an interview with Eric Austin of HeliVideo, Eric talks about camera control, future cameras, and the most amazing sequence he’s shot so far: What camera control are you doing remotely? We have remote record-on, off from the ground, and we can also punch-in. The lens we are currently using on the Sony is actually the kit lens, usually the 18 to 55. Are you using that because of the image stabilization? Yes, in part. The gimbal is stabilized, and with the extra little stabilization in the lens it just takes out the little nicks […]
by Michael Murie on May 1, 2012 -
Using R/C Helicopters To Fly Your Camera : Part 1
Eric Austin of HeliVideo has been flying RC aircraft and helicopters for about ten years, but it was two years ago that he first put a DSLR camera on a helicopter and started shooting aerial footage. Two years on and his company is shooting material for the Discovery Channel, ABC and others, primarily using the Sony NEX-FS100. I spoke to Eric recently about how he got into the business, and what’s involved in using RC helicopters. The first half of the interview covers his beginning, the cameras he’s been using, and operating considerations. The second half of the interview covers […]
by Michael Murie on Apr 30, 2012 -
Panasonic Not So “In” to Large Sensor Cameras?
The first day of NAB and it appears that this year Panasonic has nothing to say to indie filmmakers. Going in to the show, Canon and Sony had already pre-announced several new cameras, yet there had been nothing from Panasonic. And now the show has opened and Panasonic has only three things to talk about; the first is the AG-HPX600 2/3 CMOS P2 HD camcorder with 10-bit 4:2:2 AVC-Intra recording. At seven pounds, it’s described as the lightest professional shoulder camcorder, but it’s not really an indie filmmaker camera. They also announced the microP2 card and microP2 card adaptor. With […]
by Michael Murie on Apr 17, 2012 -
BlackMagic Surprises With Cinema Camera Announcement
DP’s are probably aware of Blackmagic Design’s capture and playback devices such as the HyperDeck Studio or UltraStudio SDI. They may have even heard of their Davinci Resolve color grading software. But I don’t think anyone expected Blackmagic to announce a digital camera, which is what they did yesterday at NAB. The Blackmagic Cinema Camera features: • Super wide 13 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look. • High resolution 2.5K sensor allows improved anti aliasing and reframing shots. • Built in SSD allows high bandwidth recording of RAW video and long duration compressed […]
by Michael Murie on Apr 17, 2012 -
The Empire Strikes Back: Canon Goes 4K
Was it only last week that Sony announced the NEX-FS700, and had everyone wondering where this left the Canon C300? One week later and Canon has seemingly fired back a huge broadside, announcing not one, but two new cameras; the EOS-1D C, (a 4K video DSLR that Canon had pre-preannounced at the unveiling of the C300 late last year) and the C500, a true 4K version of the C300. Note that the C500 – like the C300 – will be available in two variants; one with an EF mount, and the other with a PL mount. For those who haven’t […]
by Michael Murie on Apr 13, 2012 -
Sony Pre-Announces The NEX-FS700
Just when you’d think speculation about NAB releases would be starting to appear, Sony goes and ruins the surprise by pre-announcing a camera two weeks before the show! The NEX-FS700 is the big brother of the NEX-FS100, and it appears that Sony intends to continue selling the FS100, with the FS700 “fitting in” between the $5k FS100 and the $14k PMW-F3. The FS700 resembles the body of the FS100, but the barrel that the lens is attached to is much larger, and adds a hump on the side to accommodate ND filters. It continues to support Sony’s E-mount. The FS700 […]
by Michael Murie on Apr 3, 2012 -
Video: Both Ends and Thoughts on the Canon EOS C300
I don’t have too much to say about the Canon EOS C300 as an objective review. Others have written detailed technical pieces. There’s no need for another. Canon recently allowed me to play with their new camera for a couple of days, and the result is Both Ends, a sort of noir-lite short film that I directed. My intent in using the camera was to apply it in a purely practical manner: a narrative short that takes place over the course of a single day in multiple locations with differing lighting situations — all photographed using entirely available light. The […]
by Jamie Stuart on Mar 19, 2012
