17 minute read
Camera Classified
New digital recorder bumps up the bar
The thing about the future is that it’s here before we’re really prepared for it. Of course, the future is tricky. Just when you think it’s arrived, it disappears. Anyone remember Betacams? Laser Disks? The trend to RAW and 4K capture, however, looks like it’s permanent and there’s already a ripple effect throughout the industry.
Convergent Design, which has spent more than the last decade developing video products, sees that ripple as a wave it can ride to future growth. The Colorado-based manufacturer is about to finally release its Gemini RAW video recorder, which can record 2K/4K Raw simultaneously in either full uncompressed or Avid DNxHD. It’ll take four streams in Avid DNxHD and it can also be configured to record 120 fps.
The Gemini RAW is an up-model to the Gemini 4:4:4, but the developers are quick to point out it doesn’t replace the 4:4:4, just adds more features and more options. Convergent Design figures compressed HD is likely to go the way of Betacams in the next 10 years. The point being RAW gives you everything and doesn’t limit options down the road. They’re also betting 4K will be the accepted standard. Even if the production is done in Avid DNxHD, RAW archives may prove invaluable for future use and, because the file sizes are smaller – and memory prices continue to drop – there’s almost no downside.
What you get is surprisingly small. Like the 4:4:4, the RAW is a 5.4 x 4.7 x 1.45 inch box weighing in at 1.35 lbs. in an aluminum case. It has two 1.8-inch SSD slots for 256GB / 512GB drives, a 1.8-inch SSD Transfer Station compatible with Seagate GoFlex Adapters (USB 3, FW-800, Thunderbolt), is PC/Mac compatible with a bright five-inch LCD which is sunlight viewable 800 x (RGB) x 480 Pixels and is also a touch control screen.
No prices have been set yet, but with the Gemini 4:4:4 selling for about $6,000, figure it to release just a little north of that.
The digital audio i/o is a high-definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI) with four channels, uncompressed in 24-bit, 48K with an analogue port for a 3.5 mm output jack, headphone or consumer level line. The device would have shipped this fall, says company President Mike Schell, but the future got in the way.
“We held it because there are new SSDs coming in the New Year, and we’re going to see data rates go from the current 250 Mbps (megabits per second) to 450 to 500 Mbps so everything is going to go a lot faster,” he said, adding that the unit will be released in the spring though pricing is still to be announced. “We’re still reviewing pricing every day, I think, around here.” Indeed, with High Frame Rates (HFR) and RAW being the buzz of the industry, data rates will be the turning point of many conversations as production houses realize that ripple effect means they’re going to have to upgrade their production gear to handle not just the bigger files but higher transfer speeds.
Still, he said, the streaming rates for 4K RAW aren’t as high as some might think. “Compared to uncompressed RGB it’s not so bad,” he said. “With 4K RAW with the Canon at 24 frames it’s about 265 Mbps, and at 60 frames its 630 Mpbs. With 2K Raw it’s about 70 Mbps, a big drop so not that taxing.”
The cumulative stream rate is critical because the Gemini RAW can capture four cameras at once at 2K and two at 4K, he said, and that’s also a ripple effect of the disruption going on in cameras. As technology drives prices down and quality up, shooting with two or more cameras is much more affordable.
“Everyone is going with standard SSDs,” Schell said. “They ship them to postproduction and they download them and then reformat them and send them back.”
Of course, on a feature that’s all going to add up to an awful lot of data Schell notes it’s already pushing change in the industry and driving demand for bigger, faster hard drives and faster more multitasking processors.
“When they shot Tomb (action feature starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, directed by Mikael Håfström) last May, they shot uncompressed ARRIRAW and ended up with 70 terabytes (70,000 Gb),” he said.
Convergent Design cut its teeth in the marketplace with its nanoFlash product, billed as the world’s smallest, lightest pro HD/SD, which has proven a huge hit with broadcast and ENG. With 5,000 customers in ENG and big broadcasters like BBC, ABC and NBC – which used the nanoFlash at the London 2012 Olympics – Convergent Design has a solid footing.
The new Gemini recorder, said Schell, should span not just their existing markets but also extend into the feature film industry where they’ve already established a beachhead with the 4:4:4.
Ian Harvey is a veteran Toronto-based journalist who writes for a variety of publications and covers the technology sector. He welcomes feedback and eagerly solicits subject matter ideas at ian@pitbullmedia.ca.
Edmonton Film Cooperative wants your unused Arri 35 mm camera. Do you have film cameras languishing on a shelf? Give it a new life, give it to a film coop and we will give you a healthy tax credit. Have a 35BL, a 235, a 435 gathering dust because everyone is Red cam nuts? Have other great camera accessories? Let us know, let’s make a deal. Contact Andy @ rentals@fava.ca and work a great deal.
Short-Te rm Acc ommodation f or Re nt
Visiting Vancouver for a shoot? One-bedroom condo in Kitsilano on English Bay with secure underground parking, $350 per week. Contact: Peter Benison at 604-229-0861, 604-229-0861 or peter@peterbenison.com.
Liberty Village Office Space Approximately 1,250 sq ft of fully furnished, turn-key office space in prime Liberty Village location available to established television or new media production company in shared office setting. Features include glassed boardroom, 2 closed door offices, internet access, alarm system and shared kitchen. Please reply by email to john@hlp.tv or call John at 647.891.4027
Equipment f or Sale
AATON XTR SUP ER 16. Camera package includes body, video relay optics, extension eyepiece, three magazines, Cooke 10.5mm-60mm S-16 zoom lens, zeiss 9.5 prime lens 4x4 matte box, 4x4 filters (85, 85N6 polarizer, ND6, clear) follow focus and cases – $12,000 Separately:- Nikon 50mm300mm F4-5E.D. lens with support – $1000- Kinoptik 9-8mm-35mm format lens comes with sunshade – $1,400. Contact: stringercam@shaw.ca
1- Nikon 200mm F2 Century Conversion PL mount, std film gears on focus and iris (32 pitch-mod 0.8), Duclos reversing gear, shipping case included $4,500 excellent condition 1- Angenieux 25-250 T3.9 Arri bayonet mount with PL adapter, std film gears on focus, zoom, and iris (32 pitch-mod 0.8), lens support and collar, shipping case included $2900 1- Angenieux 25-250 T3.9 Arri PL mount, std film gears on focus, zoom, and iris (32 pitch-mod 0.8), lens support and collar, shipping case included $2900 1- Tamron 300mm F2.8 Arri bayonet mount with PL adapter, std film gear on focus (32 pitch-mod 0.8), 42mm filters: clear, 2 x 85, shipping case included $1,200 2- Tamron 180mm F2.5 Arri bayonet mount with PL adapter, std film gear on focus (32 pitch-mod 0.8), $900ea 1- Carl Zeiss Jena (DDR )180mm F2.8 Pentacon Six mount, with Arri PL adapter and Micro 4/3s adapter, $1,000 iris can be de-clicked and std film gears on focus and iris (32 pitch-mod 0.8) added on request $750 1- O’Conner 50 fluid head with Mitchell, Mini-Mitchell, 150mm ball bases and tie-downs, 2 quick release plates extra hardware (pan module needs fluid) $500 2- Working Chrosziel Fox single channel wireless systems and many spare parts: 4- working Handsets, 2- working MDRs, 1- dead MDR, 2- working FMG-6 motors, 1- working but jumpy FMG-6 motor, 1-FMG-6 motor for parts, all handsets have been converted to Sony L batteries, 2 Battery chargers, 3 batteries, 4 straight antennas, 4- 90º antennas, 28 focus scales, 4- 0.8 32 DP motor to lens gear, 3- 0.8 32 DP motor to lens gear (extended for lens travel), 3- 0.6 40 DP motor to lens gear, 4- 0.5 48 DP motor to lens gear, 4- 0.4 63 DP motor to lens gear, 7 motor cables, 4 Arri 24Volt power cables, 2- Aaton 12Volt power & run cables, 1- Heden motor cable, Arri 12Volt film camera power cable, 2-Panavision 24 Volt power cables, 1 12 Volt Aaton power cable, 1 P-Tap power cable, 1- Aaton run cable, Arri SR3 run cable, Moviecam run cable, Panavision run cable, 1- Video camera run cable 1- Arri 11 pin Fischer run cable $2500 Contact: stephen.reizes@gmail.com
AATON XTR SUP ER 16. Camera package includes body, video relay optics, extension eyepiece, three magazines, Cooke 10.5mm-60mm S-16 zoom lens, zeiss 9.5 prime lens 4x4 matte box, 4x4 filters (85, 85N6 polarizer, ND6, clear) follow focus and cases – $12,000 Separately: - Nikon 50mm-300mm F4-5E.D. lens with support – $1000 - Kinoptik 9-8mm-35mm format lens comes with sunshade – $1,400 Contact: stringercam@shaw.ca
1) Panasonic3DProfessional Full HD Video Camera (AG-3DA 1) The AG-3DA1 is the world’s first professional, fully-integrated Full HD 3D camcorder that records to SD card media. The AG-3DA1 will democratize 3D production by giving professional videographers a more affordable, flexible, reliable and easier-to-use tool for capturing immersive content as well as providing a training tool for educators.
At less than 6.6 pounds, the AG-3DA1 is equipped with dual lenses and two full 1920 x 1080 2.07 megapixel 3-MOS imagers to record 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) and 720/60p and 50p in AVCHD. Camera is very new. Includes Kata Carrying case, 4 batteries. To view photos/questions email frank@ tgtvinc.com or call 416-916-9010. Asking price: $17,500 (includes tax). Will ship out of province.
2) Proline 17 inch Teleprompter Included is both PC AND Mac versions for our industry leading Flip-Q teleprompter software. Flip-Q automatically “Flips” the secondary output on your laptop so both the operator and talent will see perfect reading left-right text. The ProLine 17 standard LCD panels are the lightest weight, lowest profile designs in their class. In addition, they offer both VGA and composite video inputs adaptable with any computer output or application. They also offer flexible power options including 100-240V AC or external 12v DC input. Price includes Tripod attachments and Pelican carrying case. Complete tool-less set-up. To view photos/questions email frank@tgtvinc.com or call 416-916-9010. Asking Price: $2,000 (includes tax).
Arrisun 5 - Arri 575w HMI PAR : 575W HMI lamp head, barn doors, 5 lenses with case, 50ft cable, 575W/1200W electronic ballast, spare bulb and a large solid traveling case. 214 hours on the head. all in excellent condition $5,900 stefan@stefan-n.ca
Sony PM W-F3 with S-Log
Excellent conidition with low hours, Optional RGB S-Log upgrade installed, Kaiser top handle, Optional on-board mic, 32GB SXS card “A series” - 100mb/sec, All factory accessories and manual $11,000.00
Shape Composite F3 Shoulder Mount - NEW
NEW!! Never Used. Still in box. Can be used with Panasonic AF-100, Sony FS-100, FS-700, HDSLR, Canon 5D, 7D, 60D, Black Magic Cinema, Red MX, Red Scarlet, Red Epic $800.00 new plus shipping and taxes. Asking only $600.00
GoPro Hero2 camera - Outdoor package In excellent condition with minimal use 11MP HD HERO2 Camera, Waterproof Housing (197’ / 60m), HD Skeleton Backdoor, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, USB Cable, Helmet/Chest Strap, Head Strap, unused Adhesive Mounts, Three-Way Pivot Arm, Manual/instructions, 4 GB SanDisk SD card, Original packaging $300 Photos available. Contact John Banovich 604-726-5646 or JohnBanovich@ gmail.com
Nikkor AF-S VR 500mm F 4 IS ED Lens. Super rare and very hard to find!!! Serial # 204153 Perfect condition. Not a scratch on it!!! Only one year old. Included Hard Shell Case, Lens Hood, Lens Strap, Case strap. Come with Manfrotto Carbon Fiber tripod, Jobu head and Jobu Mounting Bracket. Asking price $9000.00 gandalf-merlyn@shaw.ca, 604.566.2235 (Residence), 604.889.9515 (Mobile)
BL III Camera Kit $3750 Or Best Offer gandalf-merlyn@shaw.ca, 604.566.2235 (Residence), 604.889.9515 (Mobile) ARRIFLEX BL3 BODY WITH PL MOUNT, 4 PERF MOVEMENT, VARIABLE SHUTTER, FULL 35MM GATE, VIDEO TAP ELBOW, 2 X ARRI 400’ BL MAGAZINES, 2 X POWER CABLE, CASES FOR CAMERA, MAGS.
BL IV Camera Kit $8,950 Or Best Offer gandalf-merlyn@shaw.ca, 604.566.2235 (Residence), 604.889.9515 (Mobile) ARRIFLEX BL4 BODY WITH PL MOUNT, 4 PERF MOVEMENT, VARIABLE SHUTTER, FULL 35MM GATE, ARRIGLOW MODULE AND ARRIGLOW GROUNDGLASS IN RED, CEI COLOR 4 VIDEO TAP CAMERA AND ELBOW, CEI ELECTRONIC RETICLE GENERATOR, BL4 VIEWFINDER EXTENSION, WIDEANGLE EYPIECE WITH HEATED EYECUP, POWERCABLE FOR HEATED EYEPIECE, ARRIFLEX 4 x 5 SWINGAWAY MATTEBOX, ARRI FF2 FOLLOW FOCUS WITH EXTENSION, WHIP AND 2 GEARS, 15MM ARRI SLIDING BASEPLATE SET WITH 2 X 18” AND 2 X 12” STAINLESS STEEL 15MM RODS, 5 X ARRI 1000’ BL MAGAZINES, 2 X ARRI 400’ BL MAGAZINES, 3 X DOUBLE POWER 12 VOLT BATTERIES, 2 X 12 VOLT CHARGES, POWER CABLE, CASES FOR CAMERA, MAGS, MATTEBOX, ETC.,FILM TEST HAS BEEN SHOT. gandalf-merlyn@shaw.ca, 604.566.2235 (Residence), 604.889.9515 (Mobile)
JVC GY-DV300 Broadcast Quality camcorder. 4x3 or 9x16 switchable 750 horizontal lines with several extra batteries and carrying case. Plus and external Shure VP88 stereo microphone with Rycote bracket and wind screen with high wind cover and extra mic cables. Asking $ 1200.00. Contact Robert Bocking csc 416 636-9587 or rvbocking@rogers.com for more information.
Equipment for sale!! All equipment in excellent shape!!
Panasonic AJHDX900P High Definition Camera, Panasonic Stereo Microphone, Canon Zoom Lens 8x160 (J20a x 8B4 IRS), Dionic 90 Anton Bauer Batteries & charger, Anton Bauer mini fill light 12 V, Marshall 7” HD-SDI LCD Monitor & accessories, 2 x Porta Brace camera bags, Sony Digital Betacam (DVW700) and accessories, Sachtler fluid head VIDEO 20 III & Sachtler tripod legs fibre & fibre case. Call 613-255-3200, Total $ 25,000.-
Item for sale: Meerkat Jib Arm, made by FILMAIR INTERNATIONAL. This is a mini jib for full complement 35mm camera, lens and mattebox combination. It is a fixed length jib, very easy and fast set-up. Can be used on any dolly or tripod. Jib arm is in very good condition. Comes with four weights and case. Full specs are on website: http://www.filmairinternational.com/camera_mounts. asp#MEERKATJIB Price $ 2,400. Contact: Milan Podsedly csc milan.podsedly@gmail.com cell: 416 409-5758
Super 16 Bolex H 16 conversion, Switar 10mm, Macro Switar 26mm, Macro Switar 75mm Pistol grip, filter holders, Nikon to C mount adapter $2900.00 Call Antonin 647 999 7172
PL mount prime lens set (Sony) 35mm, 50mm 85mm all T2.0. Mint condition. Used briefly for one shoot $5200.00 John Banovich, csc 604-726-5646 JohnBanovich@gmail.com
Panasonic BT-S950P 16:9 / 4:3 SD Field Monitor for Sale (Excellent Condition) - $100. Portabrace included Please contact Christian at (416) 459-4895 or email cbielz@gmail.com
OWN A PI ECE OF CIN EMA HI STOR Y: selling a vintage Bell & Howell 2709 camera with mags. THE film camera of the 1920s and ‘30s; assorted other goodies. Contact: dkoch198@hotmail.com.
VID EO & AUDIO GEAR FOR SALE: (2) HVX-200 Panasonic P2 Camcorders $1,500 each; (1) DSR1500 Sony DVCAM recorder, $1,500; (1) Sony DSR-1 DVCAM dockable recorder $1,000; (3) Sony PVV-3 Betacam recorders $500 each; (3) Mitsubishi XL25U video projectors $500 each; (1) Mackie 1604VLZ audio mixer $500; (1) Glidecam PRO2000 camera stabilizer $200; (1) Glidecam DVPRO RIG camera stabilizer $300; (1) Yamaha P2075 amplifier 75W stereo/150W mono $500; (3) HVR-Z1U Sony HDV camcorders $1,000 each; (1) Sony DSR-300 DVCAM camcorder $1,500; (1) For-A VPS-400D 8 input SDI switcher $2,700; (2) Sony WRT822/WRR861 wireless transmitter/receiver – no mic - $750 each; (2) Sony BRC-300 remote control P/T/Z cameras $1,990 each. Call Ted Mitchener at ZTV Broadcast Services 905-290-4430 or email ted@ztvbroadcast.com.
Services
Need your reel updated? Looking for an editor? I am a CSC associate member who is also an editor with my own FCP suite. I am willing to trade my edit suite time in exchange for rental of your gear, or shooting advice, or both. Please send email to miurabucho@gmail.com.
Camera Classified is a free service provided for CSC members. For all others, there is a one-time $25 (plus HST) insertion fee. Your ad will appear here and on the CSC’s website, www.csc.ca. If you have items you would like to buy, sell or rent, please email your information to editor@csc.ca.
CSC Member Production Notes Arctic AirII (series); DOP Bruce Worrall csc; B Cam Operator & 2nd Unit DOP Pieter Stathis csc; to December 14, Aldergrove, BC Arrow (series); DOP Glen Winter csc and Gordon Verheul csc (alternating episodes); to April 18, Vancouver, BC Bates Motel (series); John Bartley csc, ASC; B Cam Operator Ian Seabrook csc; to January 24, Vancouver, BC Beauty and the Beast (series); DOP D. Gregor Hagey csc & David Green csc (Alternating episodes); to April 13, Toronto, ON The Listener IV (series); DOP James Jeffrey csc; B Cam Operator Kit Whitmore csc to April 13, Mississauga, ON Nikita III (series); DOP Glen Keenan csc & Rene Ohashi csc, asc (alternating episodes); B Cam Operator Peter Sweeney; to April 13, Toronto, ON Reasonable Doubt (feature); DOP Brian Pearson csc; to December 17, Winnipeg, MB Rookie Blue IV (series); DOP David Perrault csc; to January 25, 2013, Mississauga, ON Seed (series); DOP David Makin csc; to December 14, Dartmouth, NS Supernatural 8 (series); DOP Serge Ladouceur csc; OP & 2nd Unit DOP Brad Creasser; to April 19, Burnaby, BC
Calendar of Events January 17-27, Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah, sundance.org 19-20, CSC Lighting Workshop, Toronto, csc.ca 25, CSC Awards entry deadline, csc.ca February 1-10, Victoria Film Festival, Victoria BC, victoriafilmfestival.com 9-17, CSC Digital Assistants Course, Toronto, csc.ca 15-26, Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois, Montreal, rvcq.com 28-March 3, Kingston Canadian Film Festival, Kingston, ON, kingcanfilmfest.com March 2-3, CSC Advanced Lighting Workshop, Cars, Toronto, csc.ca 14-25, International Film Festival on Art, Montreal, artfifa.com 23, CSC Awards, Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre, Toronto, csc.ca April 5-14, Cinéfranco, Toronto, cinefranco.com 11-20, Images Festival of Independent Film & Video, Toronto, imagesfestival.com 20-21, Lighting Workshop for Faces, Toronto, csc.ca 25-May 5, Hot Docs, Toronto, hotdocs.ca
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CUT. SHAPE. FOCUS. TUNE.
ARRI introduces the first LED-based lights to truly match the versatility and homogeneity of conventional tungsten Fresnels: a new generation of focusable, tuneable lights that offers complete control, combining breakthrough performance with incredible efficiency.
The future, ahead of schedule
Sony changes everything with the introduction of their new F-Series cameras.
What happens when Sony’s top engineers spend years consulting cinematographers and creating breakthroughs in sensors, image processors, codecs, recording media and ergonomic design?
The new Sony F5.
Sony’s PMW-F5 4K capable digital camera, with its new 8.9 MP Super 35mm image sensor captures gorgeous, super-sampled HD and 2K while preparing you for the 4K future. You want feature quality imaging? The F5’s exposure latitude is rated at 14 stops of dynamic range for truly fi lm-like rendering of highlights and shadows, even in low light.
The Sony F5 – the next generation of the incredibly popular F3 – offers robust built-in recording modes. The F5 records to SxS+ cards internally at 50 Mbps 4:2:2 8-bit and that’s just the start.
It can record in the Sony HDCAM SR (TM) 4:2:2/4:4:4, and even a new high bit rate XAVC production codec that supports 10/12 bit 4:2:2/4:4:4 at high frame rates. It also supports a high frame rate acquisition at 60p and 120p, or up to 240p fps.
The future is built in. Sony has designed the F5 with the ability to adapt and change. The F5 is small, light and modular, allowing you to confi gure the F5 for each job or each shot. As well as offering a choice of formats and internal and external recording options, the F5 offers a new PL mount lens system that’s compatible with any brand of photo lenses. You can also attach a variety of high quality viewfi nders to the F5, including Sony’s revolutionary optional DVFEL100 OLED viewfi nder featuring 720p resolution.
Get a peek at the future. Talk to a member of our Professional Video Solutions Group. Ask about the F5, along with its big brother the F55 – among the fi rst digital motion picture cameras with a global shutter, completely eliminating motion skew and rolling shutter distortions. Then, to make sure you get your F5 or F55 ahead of schedule, place an order today at Vistek.
G R O U P COMMERCIAL VIDEO SALES Sony-Authorized Professional Solutions Sales & Service Centre Expert service to go along with the best technology Sony has to offer.
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Direct: 416-644-8010 • Fax: 416-644-8031 • Toll-Free Direct: 1-866-661-5257 • CommercialVideo@vistek.ca
