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Canon Brings 4K To The Cinema EOS Lineup With 2 New Cameras - C500 and EOS-1D C + Lenses

Canon, DSLR Video, Industry News No Responses »

Apr 122012

In the week proceeding the 2012 NAB show in Las Vegas, Canon have unveiled two brand new Cinema EOS cameras that take their new line right into the world of 4k video capture. The C500 will build on the platform that the C300 launched on back in November 2011 but offer RAW 4k recording via 3G HD-SDI output and up to 120fps at 10 bit and 60fps at 12 bit. Back then I interviewed one of the technical developers from Canon and it was immediately obvious that this was just the beginning for them. I don’t think that anyone would have expected them to push forwards with these developments quite so quickly though.

As well as the C500, Canon have also revealed the specification for the “4k DSLR” that was announced as in-development back in November. Identical in looks to the EOS-1D X, the new EOS-1D C adds the ability to shoot up to 4K video to the on board CF cards but maintains all of the impressive photo specification of the 1D X. With this Canon have created the ultimate multimedia imaging tool. The ability to shoot RAW 18MP images up to 12fps AND shoot 4K video on a sensor larger than super 35mm sized is simply unparalleled in any other camera though the projected $15,000 price tag will keep it sadly out of the hands of many people.

Critical Specs

C500

12-bit RGB 4:4:4 signal during 2K (2,048 x 1,080 pixels)
EF & PL Mount versions
120fps in 10bit
up to 60fps in 12bit
Downsampled slow motion footage NOT cropped like REDs. Amen!!
Proxy file recording on CF card while RAW recorded externally!
Almost identical form factor to C300
3G HD-SDI for RAW external 4K recording.
All other features as with the C300 such as built in ND filters etc.
No side handle like the C300 , replaced with the 3G HD-SDI ports
Same EVF and screen as C300
Target price $30,000

EOS-1D C

8-bit 4K Motion JPEG (4096 x 2160 pixel) at 24P and 1080P at 24,25,30,50 and 60P
Simultaneous HDMI output and LCD usage
Built in headphone jack
Canon Log Gamma
Uncompressed YCbCr 4:2:2 signal from HDMI
Unlimited record time on video
Dual CF cards
Dedicated Canon software package to enable 4k video playback and monitoring
Same ISO performance as EOS-1D X
Super 35mm crop mode
18MP full frame sensor
Still images up to 14fps (12fps in RAW)
61 Point AF system
Target price $15,000

Rode Microphones Announces New Stereo Videomic Pro and Videomic HD

Accesories, Audio gear, DSLR Video, Industry News 2 Responses »

Jan 222012

Rode Microphones has just announced details of two new DSLR friendly microphones. The Stereo Videomic Pro continues their form factor and feature redesign that we saw last year in the Videomic Pro but implements it on the old Stero Videomic. The second microphone is even more interesting though as it is the first microphone in the world to combine a shotgun mic with a built in recorder and basic mixing capabilities as well as audio monitoring. Read on for more details….

Canon 5dMKII used for action sequences in Captain America movie.

Canon, DSLR Video, Industry News 1 Response »

Aug 012011

I just received this press release from Canon and I thought it was pretty interesting. It seems that we can now add Captain America : The First Avenger, to the list of Hollywood feature films to use the Canon 5dMKII in their production. The small size of the camera makes it ideal for POV shots and sequences like car chases. The 5dMKII is a few years old now but it seems that nobody has eclipsed it’s video performance yet. Full info after the break.

Redrock Micro Remote & Wired Follow Focus at NAB

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Apr 142011

Redrock Micro gave us a glimpse of this product last year but at NAB 2011 they finally announced a release date of June 15th for one of the most talked about DSLR film making accessories. The system consists of several different parts so you can build up a solution that suits your needs. Those people running a shoulder mounted run and gun rig will want the wired option and others using steadycam rigs or tripod mounted systems might want to use the remote system with the aid of the microTape.

To understand the system have a quick look at this video from Redrock Micro:

Redrock microRemote preview from Redrock Micro on Vimeo.

The thing that impressed me most about this system was the responsiveness of the finger control for focusing. There was no visible latency in the system at all, even the smallest movement of your finger resulted in an immediate adjustment of focus on the lens. It was really very impressive and for a run and gun rig it would keep you so much more stable as you are able to grip the rig with two hands instead of having one hand on a handle and one on a follow focus. The little focus knob is easily useable with a single finger. Brian Valente from Redrock Micro told me that all new parts will be available for shipping on June 15th except for the Redrock motor. Instead you will be able to purchase Heden motor , until the new Redrock Motor is available. No timeline on the Redrock motor though and the Heden motor is quite a bit more expensive than the target price for the Redrock one. On the wireless side of things the display on the iPhone or iPod is intuitive and informative. Not only can you have it display marks as you would use hard stops on a follow focus, but you can also have it display depth of field for your lens, and where you are withing that field.

Redrock microTape tells you your distance to subject.

microRemote basestation

Finger control for wired focusing.

Heden motor controling focus.

Small HD Announces DP4 LCD / EVF Combo for NAB

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Apr 142011

The guys from Small HD have produced some great looking LCD screens over the last few years and at NAB 2011 they bought an interesting addition to their lineup, the DP4. The DP4 is a 4.3″ LCD screen that can be used with the additional eye piece to create an EVF similar in function the Zacuto EVF that I previously posted about. It features all the necessary functions such as peaking, zebra stripes and full screen scaling to ensure that DSLR output signals are filling the screen entirely.

From the Small HD website:

Each DP4 Field Monitor Ships With:

LP-E6 Battery Plate
Ball MountSun
Hood
Screen Protector
US Power Supply

DSLR Scale

Larger Image: Scales DSLR Image up to provide a larger 16:9 image than current 5-inch monitors will provide.
Sharper Image: Uses full resolution of monitor for image from DSLRs, no black pillarbox
Accurate Guides: Full Screen Scale means Frame Guides that actually work when shooting with DSLRs
Adapts to Change: Compensates for Resolution Switching found on the Canon 5D, 60D, and T2i.

Superior Compatibility

Inputs include HDMI, Component (YPbPr) and Composite (CVBS)
Capable of displaying 1080p signals: Ideal for RED,Sony NEX FS 100, KiPro, NanoFlash, etc.

HDMI Pass-Through

Run a second monitor via the DP4′s HDMI passthough output

Superior Power Options

Variety of Dual DV battery plates provide extended run-time
Professional Locking-Connector Power Plate

Headphone Output

Monitor incoming audio transmitted via HDMI

Future Proof

Field-updatable firmware from USB thumbdrive

Purpose Built Optics for DP4′s 4.3-inch Screen

Doubles as a useful Field Monitor

2 X More Screen Area than on 3.2-inch EVF Screens

Rugged Aluminum + ABS Construction

Stands up to the rigors of the high-end production
Hinging Viewfinder/Loupe uses Magnetic Locks to stay in position

Hands On With the Zacuto EVF

DSLR Video, Industry News No Responses »

Apr 122011

Zacuto have been drip feeding information and videos about this EVF for months, so the product is not new per se. But this is the first time that the masses have gotten their grubby fingers on one and color me quite impressed. The 800×480 resolution looks super crisp on such a small screen and I liked the “flip” version which quickly allowed you to have a look at the screen (pictured below). The EVF will also be available in another option that simply allows you to attach your current Z-Finder to the screen. There is an extensive list of features such as crop marks, video scaling, peaking , zebra stripes etc and the menu system is clear throughout. You can also loop through to a second hdmi monitor simultaneously. As usual with Zacuto gear it does not come cheap with the screen on it’s own being either $675 or $775 depending on whether you want the flip option. Add an z-finder and you are looking at $1000 plus extra for an attachment arm of some sort. I would say though that having played with 4 or 5 different EVFs this weekend it’s a considerable step up in ergonomics than using an eyepiece directly on the camera’s screen and the Zacuto screen seems to be among the best.