Browsing: News

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/91880562[/vimeo] All tests based on pre-production model Here we come to some areas which aren’t perfect on the GH4, but which nevertheless are both a step forward from the GH3. I like what Panasonic have started here with 96fps slow-mo. This is the first consumer camera to deviate from the video standard of 60p to give us a genuinely useful creative tool which sets the ball rolling for improvements in…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlxCSrdhyW8[/youtube] UPDATE: Filmmaker Andrew Wonder who conducted the test gives his views about it here Here’s a test which shows what I feared and what very few seemingly dared ask Sony in interviews at NAB. The A7S looks to have similarly extreme rolling shutter to the AX100, at least in the early pre-production firmware stages.

First bit of news – the highly anticipated Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM ART now has a price. Lower than expected at $995. Early reviews say this lens is close to the $3.5k Zeiss Otus in performance terms. This will be an exceptional piece of glass to use on the GH4 with Speed Booster. Pre-order the Nikon mount version at B&H for $995 if you plan to use Speed Booster. The Canon mount version is also…

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/90049558[/vimeo] Above: Prospect, a short film shot on the 2.5k Blackmagic Cinema Camera The Blackmagic Cinema Camera was the first foray for the company into the camera market and was announced 2 years ago this month. I know many users were expecting more from firmware updates in the meantime to add basic features and also features promised by Blackmagic themselves. Many were expecting these to be announced this week at…

Because full frame is just too small, Sony are supplying a 4K video capable sensor to Leica and Pentax in the region of 40 to 50MP. According to a Leica rep at NAB the company is planning 4K video for their implementation of the sensor in the Leica S. Indeed Pentax have already announced that their 645Z will record 4K video.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/90683855[/vimeo] A few days ago Thomas Worth of Rarevision (5DToRGB and RAWMagic) asked me for some original files from the GH4 so he could develop an experimental app he had in mind. The result is an embryonic new command-line app for the Mac, which takes 8bit 4:2:0 4K H.264 files from the GH4 and resamples them to 10bit 4:4:4 in 2K DPX format.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/91493490[/vimeo] These images (download the original 4K file at Vimeo to get even a clue of the full performance of the camera) are rather lovely. I’m also very impressed with the 2K slow-mo at 96fps. It is an improvement on the KineRaw MINI from last year which only shot 96fps at 720p, though there is still some moire and aliasing at the higher frame rate.

One of the enigmas emerging from the A7S is whether you can shoot 4K in APS-C crop mode as well. APS-C is Super 35mm in cinema language. I really would like to use my Cooke S4i Minis via a PL adapter on this camera! Taking advantage of the low light sensitivity. APS-C crop mode would also allow the use of standard Sony E-mount / NEX lenses, Canon EF-S and Nikon…