Thoughts on the Sony a9 III, first global shutter mirrorless camera

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Previous global shutter cameras were the Digital Bolex (by virtue of its Kodak CCD) and the Sony F55.

Now the technology is on the cusp of a breakthrough with the Sony a9 III, thanks to the new manufacturing process of stacked CMOS chips.

Could global shutter now become mainstream even on smartphones, and is this the end of the humble mechanical shutter?

Read moreThoughts on the Sony a9 III, first global shutter mirrorless camera

Apple Event was shot with Blackmagic Camera App

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For reasons why Apple might become a serious player in cinema, check out my post on the iPhone 15 Pro here

There has been speculation about the “Thank you” at the end of Apple’s Special Event, which aired to launch the new M3 MacBooks. Apple addresses Blackmagic and Beastgrip at the end of the video, leading to rumours that Cupertino shunned FCPX in the editing of the event iPhone footage and used Resolve.

In fact my source at Apple has confirmed that their camera app for iOS was used to shoot the event, and FCPX used to edit it.

The “Blackmagic Cam” app is a ProRes capable, Apple LOG shooting masterpiece for the iPhone 15 Pro, but most importantly it allows for manual exposure control, whereas the stock Apple camera app only does auto.

The other reason for shooting the Special Event with Blackmagic Cam, is that not even Apple wants to pay Filmic Pro $10 per week!!

Read moreApple Event was shot with Blackmagic Camera App

Apple positions iPhone 15 Pro as a cinema camera, wants a share of the mirrorless market

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Smartphones are mature, with manufacturers looking for ways to stand out.

With the launch of the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple have put the focus very clearly on the professional video capabilities of the new handsets.

But there is more here than meets the eye…

Read moreApple positions iPhone 15 Pro as a cinema camera, wants a share of the mirrorless market

New Leica Q3 points to future Panasonic S1H Mark II specs such as 8K and ProRes

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As keen eye observers of the camera industry will know, the Leica Q3 is the result of a close partnership between Panasonic and Leica (L² technology-sharing partnership). Panasonic provide the digital side and Leica the industrial design & housing. The lens has Leica’s formula but is digitally corrected, so not made in Wetzlar.

Essentially when it comes down to it, the Q3 is 85% a Panasonic full frame camera.

Therefore, with an entirely new sensor and image processor, the Q3 hints at what to expect from the next generation of full frame Panasonic mirrorless cameras.

Read moreNew Leica Q3 points to future Panasonic S1H Mark II specs such as 8K and ProRes

Panasonic battery problems – S5 II also drains charge when switched off

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A slow start-up time of over 1 second, and a battery that empties itself when merely attached to a switched off camera, it’s not a good trait of Panasonic’s mirrorless cameras. This follows a bad episode with Leica, where the SL2 jointly made with Panasonic failed to record 4K on the second half of a full battery.

What’s going on?

Read morePanasonic battery problems – S5 II also drains charge when switched off

THE CREATOR – With the Sony FX3 you can shoot an $80 million sci-fi film too!

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All the animals were gathered around the barn, and one of the pigs got up to make his speech. Comrades, I have something to say, but before I get to that I must tell you that I had a strange dream last night. In my dream, I went down B&H and bought a Sony mirrorless camera and the very next morning, I woke up and had an offer from 20th Century Fox on my doorstep.

Read moreTHE CREATOR – With the Sony FX3 you can shoot an $80 million sci-fi film too!

Sony BURANO – Cinema cameras are getting smaller but egos aren’t

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Sony BURRANO CineAlta camera

“VENICE” – it’s a word that captures the very essence of cinematic. Everybody knows of Venice, and knows that Venice is one of the most beautiful, most cinematic places in the world. The face of Italy, which is itself the beautiful face of Europe, whereas London is more like the arsehole. Well done Sony, for your VENICE cinema camera branding.

What next? Sony BERLIN? Sony NEW YORK? Sony Milton Keynes? No, the Sony marketing idiots have decided on the name “BURANO” which sounds like something Vic Reeves used to say at the end of Shooting Stars. “BURANO” is a small island in Venice, and it carries the weight of expectations for the sister camera to VENICE. Your Sony BURRITO can be had for the bargain price of just $25,000.

Allegedly this new camera is A) very small, but not as small as a Sony a1 and B) has the same sensor as a Sony a1 but not the full frame 4K 120p. Instead the BURRITO has to crop to 2x, to achieve those lovely high frame rates.

The BURRITO follows the most recent trend of making cinema cameras smaller, but not too small that you look like an amateur on set.

Read moreSony BURANO – Cinema cameras are getting smaller but egos aren’t