Currently browsing posts by Michael Britt.

Sony Alpha Launches Rocky Like Comeback in HDSLR Arena

Sony launched their DSLR line against heavily entrenched competition and had the misfortune of doing so without video capabilities in the middle of the HDSLR video revolution. I’ve commented about this before and offered my opinion about this situation which was worth the paper and ink used to write my comments – 0¢ (not even 2¢ since I wrote it electronically). Well folks, it looks like Sony is no longer on the ropes being beaten senseless by a huge Russian Guy Canon and Nikon. Sony has released 4 new cameras with full HD video capabilities that are loaded with exciting new technology. The Sony Alpha A580 and A560 announced today, both shoot AVCHD 1080 video. From the press release:

Panasonic AG-AF100 Website Launches

Panasonic has launched a micro site for their new AG-AF100 video camera that they have labeled as a “Memory Card Camera Recorder”. How are we supposed to come up with a cool acronym based on that? Anyway, you can get a few more details as they finalize and keep an eye on it for sample footage and more information (my assumption). Just don’t try to follow them on any social network sites, their aren’t any ways to connect yet.

Que Audio ENG Kit Makes North American Debut at PhotoCine Expo

Hosa Technology will be showing Que Audio ENG kits for the first time on North American shores in their booth at PhotoCine Expo.


The incredible new all-in-one Que Audio ENG Pack offered by Hosa Technology comes directly from Australia from the media-minded development team Da-Cappo. The Que Audio ENG Pack is a huge value on a small-scale, including everything you need to capture pristine sound for video production: a micro shotgun microphone, pop filter, shock mount, telescoping boom, and even a headset for field monitoring. The package also contains all necessary cabling (including the adaptor needed to directly feed video cameras) and comes in a convenient carrying case, making the Que Audio ENG Pack perfect for academic institutions and anyone who needs an ultra-portable, compact recording rig.

These kits have been modified for the HDSLR and DV video market to include a cold-shoe mount and XLR3M adapter – thus allowing connection to the DSLR or Canon/XLR inputs on full size cameras and consoles, respectively. These kits retail for $499 but will be available from the Hosa Technology booth at PhotoCine Expo for a show special price of $349.

This is a great value and I am personally picking one up. This kit is complete with everything for recording sound to your DSLR including headphones for monitoring playback. The only thing to add would be an external sound recorder like the Zoom H4N or Tascam DR-100 for when recording dual sound. My article about XLR vrs 3.5 Mini Jack had me rethinking my HDSLR audio needs but the ability to use the Que mic with both XLR and 3.5 inputs, my mind is made up. Click Read More for package contents and specs

Adobe Presents HDSLR Workflow with Bandito Brothers Jacob Rosenberg at the PhotoCine Expo

PhotoCineNews Expo adds the Adobe presentation HDSLR Workflows with Adobe CS5 Production Premium using the Canon 5D Mark II to capture the Navy SEALs in action. The presentation will take place in the main theater and feature director and CTO of Bandito Brothers, Jacob Rosenberg who will explain and expand on the process in which Bandito has been making commercials and feature films using the Canon 5D Mark II. Utilizing CS5, NVIDIA Graphics cards and HP-Z Workstations, Bandito Brothers is positioned at the forefront of HDSLR content creation. From on set media management, to shooting, to editing and color correcting, Rosenberg will bring material from both the feature film “Act of Valor” and various recent HDSLR broadcast commercials to illustrate the workflow and process for maximizing the full potential of such an exciting new platform.

Readers of PCN probably remember that Jacob presented an Adobe DSLR filmmaking webcast in conjunction with Adobe and HP back in June. This was such a great webcast that we asked Adobe to present an expanded version live at the PhotoCine Expo so it could be seen on the big screen. It’s very exciting to have a speaker like Jacob who’s working on the forefront of HDSLR video production, present his successful Adobe workflow and share his vast experiences with attendees.

Don’t miss this seminar which will shed light on the new features of Adobe Premiere including the ability to work natively on H.264 files with no transcoding, and how the right video card can help do the heavy lifting during the editing process.

Does a Canon 5D Mark II Make You a Cinematographer?

Gail Mooney, who will be speaking at our upcoming HDSLR Expo, asks the question on her blog; “Does a Canon 5D Mark II Make you a Cinematographer?”

I think many times still photographers overlook the fact that there is a lot more to a large scale production than just the shoot and the camera. And most of the time it goes way beyond the capabilities and role of the individual photographer who is used to working in a solo manner as opposed to collaboratio

This is a good read and definitely something that needs to be said from time to time. Photographers tend to work solo and do everything from sales and bookkeeping to being their own tech and handling post

Redrock Micro Announces nano Lineup

PCN Readers got the first glimpse of the new RunningMan rig from Redrock Micro as part of our Expo Twitter contest. Now Redrock is officially announcing the whole Nano line:

The nano line of equipment is an extension to Redrock’s current award-winning rigs and accessories for HDSLR cameras, and is designed for low-cost entry level, photojournalism/documentary, and discreet shooting applications. The nano rigs are manufactured to precision professional standards, and can be easily upgraded to more advanced rigs as needed. Developed from extensive customer interviews and input, the nano line delivers the ideal balance of economy and professional quality in compact support rigs.

Nikon D3100 HDSLR

Nikon has released an entry level DSLR with some pretty nice features for HDSLR filmmaking.

D-Movie for recording and editing full-HD movies and AF-F (full-time servo AF) focus mode for movie recording

The D3100 is equipped with the D-Movie function that enables recording of high-definition movies (with monaural sound) by simply pressing the movie-record button. Movies can be recorded with the same aperture and other settings applied in Guide mode, and movies that take full advantage of the characteristics of individual interchangeable lenses, whether wide-angle, telephoto or fisheye, can be recorded for movies that are only possible with a digital-SLR camera. In addition, the camera also offers an AF-F (full-time servo AF) focus mode for movie recording. When AF-F mode is enabled, the camera focuses continuously during movie recording without the need for holding the shutter-release button down halfway. The D3100 also offers in-camera movie editing functions that allow users to save a single frame as a still image or delete unnecessary portions from the beginning or end of movie files.

The D3100 also has a hard button for movie recording and can be operated by a remote control when connected to a high-definition TV for playback. The hard button is nice to have and the remote playback seems like

New Media Webinars 20% off sale

Marcelo has been putting out some great content via his New Media Webinars and he is holding a 48 hour sale on the archives. These are top notch training sessions and definitely worth a download.

48 Hour 20% Off Sale! You have 48 hours to save 20% of any of our products we sell. Want the Effects Bundle? 20% off! Want an on-demand webinar? 20% off! Want a live + bonus webinar. Guess what? 20% off that too! You get 20% off everything in your shopping cart, so start shopping now!

Shop now for our on demand webinars. Shop now for our live + bonus webinars. Shop now for our Effects Bundle.

But hurry, because this sale ends on 8/17/2010 at 11:59 pm PDT. To get the discount, make sure you use coupon code 20%OFF on checkout. Wait until you are fully ready to checkout before you use the code, otherwise, you won’t get the 20% off every item.

HDSLR Expo Twitter Contest Has a Winner

We have a winner in the PhotoCine News Expo HDSLR Twitter Contest featuring a Redrock Micro RunningMan Rig and a Carl Zeiss 50mm lens. The winner is Milan Ovecka from Cambridge England.

Stay tuned for more giveaways and top stories about micro production and HDSLR filmmaking and don’t miss the PhotoCine Expo September 25th and 26th at the Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood CA. We have an amazing line up of filmmakers including Shane Hurlbut ASC, Rodney Charters ASC, SNL DP Alex Buono, Liam Finn and Vincent Laforet. Gail Mooney will be talking about her recent self funded HDSLR documentary that took her around the world in 90 days and Nikon shooter Ami Vitale will be showcasing her motion work from exotic locals on the beautiful big screen at the Los Angeles Film School’s main theater. You also don’t want to miss a panel presentation from breakout filmmakers working guerilla style with visual effects.

Adobe will be presenting DSLR Filmmaking Workflow for Premiere along side breakout workshops about the mechanics of filmmaking, green screen production, and low budget special effects. Top post production specialists like Bob Sliga, the creator of Apple Color Looks, will be leading workshops along with Lynda.com instructor Frank Rohmer and teachers from DVCreators.net who run video training sessions at Macworld and NAB. Also in The Post Production Training Hall, CreativeCow will be presenting “From Still To Motion” co-author Richard Harrington for workshops and a book signing.

On the development side, we have Roberta Munroe teaching how not to make a short film based on her book of the same name about her experience as the short film programmer for Sundance. Author Jon Reiss will be telling the HDSLR filmmaking crowd how to think outside the box office using social networking to help distribute films. The Bui Brothers will be sharing their secrets for making money on the web with viral video production.

The great speakers and content will be joined by the manufacturers who make the HDSLR gear being used by these professionals. Expect to get your hands on hardware you read about on blogs like this and to see brand new gear that has never been shown anywhere else.

PhotoCine Expo is the only event of it’s kind with a laser focus on HDSLR filmmaking techniques and equipment. It will be the most talked about HDSLR event of the year.

Cinematographer vs. Producer DSLR Conversation

Vincent Laforet featured a funny YouTube video on his blog by nicolasdh that uses an xtranormal text to movie showpack. It’s pretty funny, take a look and check out Vincent’s post for more xtranormal videos.