Zacuto joins the EVF party and announces the Z-Finder EVF

Well that didn’t take long…. only days after Redrock Micro showed their new Micro EVF, Zacuto has also shown a new EVF solution for DSLR movie making.  Estimated price will be $775 and they are expected to be available in Feb 2011 in limited numbers.  So maybe you can get one in 5 or 6 months time.  For me it is getting somewhat frustrating that these companies are announcing products so far in advance of availability just so they can be “first”.  They use the words limited availability  so for many people it sounds like it could be 6 months

Redrock Micro launches the MicroEVF for DSLR filmmaking

Full release:

Redrock Micro Announces New “microEVF” electronic viewfinder for HDSLR Cameras Ultra compact, Ultra high resolution EVF Sets Standard for Size, Performance, and Price Hollywood, CA – Redrock Micro, the recognized leader in affordable professional-quality cinema accessories, today announced the new patent-pending Redrock microEVF electronic viewfinder for HDSLR cameras. This is the first electronic viewfinder designed from the ground up specifically for HDSLRs, emphasizing compact lightweight design, superior resolution, and incredible affordability.

The popularity of HDSLRs such as the Canon 5D MKII for video and motion photography has skyrocketed in recent years, but the camera body is not ideal for video. The first generation of solutions for monitoring currently available –attaching an optical viewfinder to the back of the camera’s LCD screen –severely limit placement of the viewfinder and camera body and eliminate possibility of using additional monitors for camera assistants or directors. The new Redrock microEVF is an external electronic viewfinder that connects to the camera body and can be placed anywhere for maximum comfort and stability, and can be part of a multi-monitoring solution. The microEVF uses a custom made state-of-the-art backlit LED fitted in an attractive, ergonomic housing.


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Aluminum Letus Hawk review with Quick Release system

For serious video shooting with a DSLR you need to have a separate viewfinder that magnifies the image on your LCD.  Not only do they keep the sun from your screen to aid your framing and composition but they also allow you to accurately focus with the very narrow DOF that comes from shooting with these types of cameras.  There are already many viewfinders out there but the Hawk VF from Letus is one of the newer ones.  Let’s take a look at the new aluminum version and also reveal their brand new quick release system!

Letus launched the Hawk VF a couple of months back with a carbon fiber body and a semi-fixed baseplate attachment.  I say semi-fixed because whilst you could detach the Hawk from your camera, you had to loosen a couple of screws to do so.  It was suggested that a much quicker release mechanism would be a great improvement and the guys at Letus have listened to the requests!  For the last few days I have been playing with the final prototype of the new Quick Release system for the Letus Hawk Viewfinder.  On top of that, I have also given the opportunity to take a look at the new CNC machined aluminum bodied version of the Hawk.

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Whistler Blackcomb ad campaign – Part 2

The second part of the 2010/11 year Whistler Blackcomb ad campaign was shot back in April.  I wrote about the first part HERE a couple of weeks ago.  This time it was not specifically the mountains that were the subject, but the snowboarders that use it.  This photo was to be used for the advertising in the major snowboard magazines around the world so we teamed up with some of the best riders out there.  The Sandbox film crew came in with a few riders to film for their new snowboard movie called Now You Know and Red Bull brought in a second helicopter to shoot some follow cam footage.

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Leica unveils the M9 Titanium edition with electronic frame line projection

I think it’s fair to say that the Leica M9 is one of the most beautiful cameras ever made.  Since it’s launch last year it has been incredibly popular despite a very high price tag.  It is still almost impossible to get hold of in a store. Today Leica has released details of a new special edition Leica M9 Titanium that comes with a titanium coated Summilux 35mm ASPH lens.  But instead of this being a simple titanium version of the current M9, it features an entirely new top design that incorporates a new style of viewfinder to electronically project

Photokina 2010 news report

The Photokina consumer show happens once every two years and you can always count on plenty of new products to be displayed.  Here is a list of some of the things that were announced or on display this year which will be updated throughout the week with new products as they hit the show floor.  If you are catching this on a feed reader you should click though to make sure you are seeing the most up to date version.  CLICK THROUGH FOR THE FULL NEWS LISTING Nikon Nikon made their official announcements last week which I have already detailed. 

Quick post about a sexy looking new camera – Fujifilm x100

Here’s an interesting announcement from an unlikely place.  Fujifilm just released a press release for a new compact camera featuring a 12MP APS-C sized sensor,720p video recording and a fixed 23mm (35mm equivalent) f2.0 lens.  The styling of the camera is what caught my eye.  It looks more like a Leica than a Fujifilm!  Magnesium top and bottom plates wrapped in a leather grip with mechanical metallic dials on top for shutter speed and ISO and what even seems to be an aperture ring on the lens!  The camera is not due for public release until January 2011 but it looks to be a great competitor to something like the Leica X1 or Sigma DP-2.  No news on MSRP yet but I will update with more info when available.

Full press release after the break and more photos!

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Nikon D7000 Vs.Canon 60D Vs. Canon 7D

Hot on the heels of Canon’s 60D announcement, Nikon has today revealed the successor to the popular D90 consumer DSLR, the D7000. Both of these cameras have made some considerable improvements on their predecessors and consumers these days are really starting to see higher end features trickle down into the lower end bodies. Last week I wrote an article comparing the Canon 7d with the 60D which was very popular and designed to give the Canon shooters a few pointers as to which might be the best camera for them. This week it’s going to be a Nikon Vs. Canon

Nikon annoucement roundup

Nikon launched a stack of new gear today in the run up to Photokina.  Click the images to be taken to more information for that product. UPDATE: D7000 Now available for pre-order at Amazon And now available at B&H Pre Order this lens from B&H 200mm f2.0 now up for pre-order at B&H Pre order this Flash now from B&H photo

Nikon unveils a new AF-S 200mm f2.0 G EF-ID VRII

The second lens announcement for today is an update to the 200mm f2.0 lens. Full press release and more images after the break. Nikon UK, 15 September 2010 – Nikon today announces a completely new professional telephoto lens AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II to replace AF-S VR NIKKOR 200mm f/2G IF-ED. The new lens features Nano Crystal Coat, the new generation of Vibration Reduction technology (VR II) and a new A/M focus mode, making it the ideal lens for serious photographers seeking uncompromised performance. The lens retains the optical construction of its predecessor and delivers outstanding image quality

Meet the Nikon D7000

The big news of the day is the launch of another camera in Nikons prosumer lineup.  Nikon’s popular D90 will live on in its current form, the D7000 is just joining the ranks.  Standout features include dual SD card slots and a 100% viefinder.  At the price point they are aiming it, this will be going head to head with the new Canon 60D.  The 60D has a swivel screen and the D7000 does not, but the D7000 has a 100% viewfinder while the 60D only has 96%.  The 6oD is 18MP and the D7000 is 16MP.  Its going to be tough to chose between the two. UPDATE: Now available for pre-order at AmazonAnd also pre-order from B&H

Main Features:

  • 100% viewfinder
  • 39 Point AF system
  • Dual SD memory card slots
  • Magnesium-alloy body
  • 16.2MP CMOS sensor (DX)
  • Expeed 2
  • 1080 HD video @24p | 720 @30,24,25p , 640 x 424 pixels at 25/30fps.
  • 20 min video recording
  • Save images from video
  • AF during video
  • Stereo mic input for video
  • 6 fps
  • Virtual horizon
  • One touch video and/or live view
  • Improved ISO range: 100-25600
  • 39 AF points
  • Wireless flash
  • Weather proof
  • New battery system
  • Expected price: $1199 for body only and it will be ready to ship in October

More photos and full press release after the break.

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