November 3rd 2011 came to me as a shock. Two great cameras were announced but I fet that we were being robbed of some great features. The RED Scarlet and Canon C300 both look like great cameras. But when they are broken down some things are missing. I will start off with the RED Scarlet after attending RED’s open house I was able to play with both the Scarlet and the Epic. I have to commend them on build quality and their ability to fit a lot of technology in such a small box. I enjoy the Canon EF Mounts since I am an owner many L Series lenses. I am looking to add some Zeiss CP2 to the mix soon as well again perfect fit. One of the most important thing in a camera is the Resolution and the frame rate it can shoot. The RED Scarlet-X’s highest frames rate is 120fps – 1K (which is < 720 x 1080) Which is totally unusable for me. I would be just better off shooting the camera in 1-60 fps 1080p HD which is a frame rate that is ok but nothing special. I was more impressed with the RED ONE‘s 1-60 fps 3K and 1-120 fps 2K both are excellent for a camera. RED Scarlett-X and RED ONE‘s 4K CMOS sensors shooting in 4:4:4 vs. 4:2:2 what the Canon C300 shoots in.
Canon C300 the supposed 4K sensor that shoots in 1080 x 1920. Don’t hope for any updates saying that the camera will ever shoot in 4K because it will not happen. Again one of my biggest let downs in the C300. If you would like to understand 4K camera sensors a bit more check out Truth about 2K, 4K. This camera shooting in 4:2:2 we are limited to 1920 x 1080 pixels. The Super 35mm CMOS Sensor will allow you to pull of stills since each frame is a single image and not the rolling shutter blend of two frames. I am happy again about the camera accommodating my Canon L Series Lens kit. Having the ability to use Canon Log giving you a more tonal gamma range that you are able to achieve in passed H.264 compressed footage. All these features sound great for a 2K camera and sounds like a blast. I guess the next question is how long is 1080×1920 going to be the industry standard. I would say at least the next 3-4 years.
If I was to buy one of these cameras I would have to jump back and grab the RED ONE. They are selling cheeper and with more complete kits right now. The features are amazing the only thing that I miss out on in the slow speed shooting 12fps-5K I will not have that option that I get from the Scarlet-X. But overall I get everything and more from the RED ONE than both of these camera combine. RED ONE it is this time around. I can’t wait to head off to NAB 2012 in less than a week to see what camera is in store as far as cameras and lighting.
This is what I have been waiting for! As I was just about 3 weeks into my research prior to purchasing a Leica M8. It’s great price point now that the Leica M9 is out in full frame form. It seems to be a nice buy for a smaller manual high quality digital street camera that I would be able to take with me throughout the world. Canon‘s AE-D is supposed to be full frame with a new CM-D lens mount. Which will house a lot smaller fast high quality lenses then the EF’s large lens ring.
I am truly tired of carrying around my DSLR in this day and age. I am thinking about printing my images something that a lot of people have forgotten about so quality is key when talking images when I am traveling. When I work all day the last camera that I want to touch is a 5D, 7D AE-D which might save me a bit from buying a Leica bring back the fun of photography. It actually will be a upgrade from the Leica M8 since it is not full frame as the AE-D is supposed to be. I am really excited to see this camera hit the market. I am looking to have one on order prior to its release if Canon agrees to manufacture it. When I get it you will hear about it!
Is Film dead? As I read Debra Kaufman‘s article “Film Fading to Black” I personally would have to say its on life support. Having experienced first hand the cease in developing 35mm film cameras and roll film production. Due to the over production of inadequate quality digital SLR cameras. To this day I compare the quality to my old 35mm Canon A2e and I am just seeing that my Canon 5D MkII is just about even. Still I think that there still is room for improvement which might have been solved with the newly released Canon 5D Mark III. Having the privilege to have owned a Mamiya 645 AFD PhaseOne P30 back, really opened my eyes to how advanced the digital camera sensor technology really was.
Aaton founder Jean-Pierre Beauviala (imaged above) notes why. “Almost nobody is buying new film cameras. Why buy a new one when there are so many used cameras around the world?” he says. “We wouldn’t survive in the film industry if we were not designing a digital camera.”
As I have transitioned to Cinema over the last 3 years Digital is everywhere. It’s noted that 50% of projectionists are projecting digital in their theaters with the growing numbers in Stereoscopic. I still have not found Stereoscopic something of the future but more of a refined technology of the past. Still again another branch from digital technology revolution. It will be forever growing and most likely expand further than we ever could have imagined. The most commonly current produced format is 1080p close to 2K. It’s light years far from info you can obtain from 35mm film.
Jim Jannard has the market beat a few years back with his remarkable 5K super 35mm sensor on the RED One which then became the ONE MX. With many companies coming in a close second, Arri, Aaton, Sony and Canon. Digital is a technology that is everywhere and a word that is mentioned daily by the world. As for film it is fading fast from our vocabulary as well as younger generations. As they don’t even know what the word means at that what to do with it. If education doesn’t persist I would have to say that it will die. I don’t believe that filmmakers, creatives and vintage enthusiast can sustain the development houses costs which are the last hope ever saving it. If they fall, then the manufactures will defiantly fail. Then the only reminisces of it will remain. If film only last 100 years it might be deemed unviewable come 2115.
Well see what 2012 NAB Show beholds this year as film gets set back in time another year.
I early for a shoot today and started sifting through my old emails. I came across a link to one of my old videos. This video was a mixture of all mediums photography, drawing, 3D, photoshop, illustrator and Flash. I was a project that took a few weeks to complete back in 2005. Looking at it just seeing how I was thinking back then. It’s always good to look on past work to see how far you have come. #inspirational morning!
Dracast 1000LED light really took me by surprise. I needed a set of lights to be able to travel with me last summer on tour. Something that is compact bright and puts out a quality clean light. I was impressed by using the LED lights for photo as well. I was able to use such low light that I was able to paint light in really low increments. Dracast has light has become my light of choice due to it reliability and tank like construction.
Professional HD video only can be complimented with Dolby HD 5.1 surround sound audio. Half of what you experience in a picture is the sound the surround sound that distinctively allows you to feel and engage in the full experience. This is why I use Future Post for my post sound design.
“As leaders in 5.1 surround solutions for broadcast, we’ve developed an innovative way to embed Quicktime video clips with AC3 encoded true six channel (5.1) surround sound. Working with Dolby and Quicktime, Future Post has created and implemented this workflow for mix review and approval of 5.1 content over the web/FTP for our network clients.”
- FuturePost.tv
I was contracted by MySpace to complete a :30 & :15 spot for pre-roll on all their videos that would appear on Myspace.com. I Co Directed/Filmed/Edited both spots.
Fanswers is a piece that MySpace contracted me to put together for upcoming movies. It’s a cool look into the trailer and a inside scoop interview with the cast. They include full trailers and behind the scenes look at the movie.
Fanswers is a piece that MySpace contracted me to put together for upcoming movies. It’s a cool look into the trailer and a inside scoop interview with the cast. They include full trailers and behind the scenes look at the movie.
I am at a camera store just about every other week. Weather it renting or buying I am always check out whats new to stay on top of my game as a professional. There are so many cool items I am not going to have the time to list all their features. I will make sure there is a link for information and be able to purchase it there too if you wish. I am not sponsored or receive any monetary advancement for my review or your purchases. This is just for all my friends and camera fends alike.
Monitors:
Small HD DP4 EVF
Monitors… Monitors… Monitors… One of my favorite items to have when I am on any video shoot. It’s so crucial to know whether you are in or out of focus. It’s imperative that anyone that is serious has a monitor or a nice diopter. I have found the best bang for your buck. I want a unit that will be light simple to use and convertible to whatever situation I will be shooting under. SmallHD has brought that to us with the DP4 EVF package. The Diopter is attached by high powered magnates which is so cool. You want it out the way you just flip it up, it so perfect! If you just want to use the monitor you just take off the Diopter. On my 5″ marshall monitor I am missing about 1/2″ all the way around the screen. Plus I have to use different batteries from what my camera takes. The SmallHD DP4 takes canon5D Mark II LP-E6 batteries. Which makes charging and shoots simple, one less thing to forget. This is a real cool gift to have under the tree this christmas.
This year there are many great photography gift items out on the market. As a professional I will cut to the chase and give you the scoop on the top cameras in all classes. I will be adding a Christmas accessary guide in another post that will both improve and enhance your photographic experience. I am going to start off with cameras.
Nikon Coolpix S9100 has redefined the digital compact market by combining all the features you find on the top SLR cameras with top video capabilities. This little camera has an amazing 12.1 MP sensor which gives you an image size of 4000px X 3000px, that is only 700px less than my very expensive CanonDSLR. When a camera gives you the option of not having to carry any lenses and at the same time, gives you a focal range of 25 mm wide-angle to 450 mm super-telephoto coverage, thats amazing! Another great feature is the handy macro mode , which allows you to focus on close details and small items. This camera not only gives you supreme image quality in photo mode, it gives you 1920×1080 HD video features as well. The S9100 has the best 3in 921k dot wide TFT LCD monitoring screen that the market has seen to-date. Your images will come alive in your hand! With a plethora of built in filters and effects you will not have one boring moment with this camera at all!
Nikon really stepped it up this year and brought the consumers some really nice professional features in some nicely built small cameras. The Canon Power shots are not up to par.. plus they are $100 more expensive.
World’s fastest continuous shooting, Max.10fps in AF-A mode / Max.60fps in AF-S mode
My wife actually bought this camera the minute I became aware of it. She hasn’t put it down since she’s bought it! I am just going to run down the list of features. 10.1 MP with a resolution of 4000px X 3000px, CMOS image sensor, with an effective pixel count of 10.1 megapixels, the world’s first* image sensor with phase-detection AF, AF with effectively positioned 73 points, Active D-Lighting optimizes the balance of high contrast scenes, ”Motion Snapshot” mode the movie vignette will play back in dramatic, 2.5x slow motion, and Nikon’s Smart Photo Selector, you will never miss those picture perfect moments again. The camera will then automatically take total of 20 shots before and after you press the shutter-release button at a high speed of 30fps. What’s more, it will automatically select the most spectacular shot from the series of shots taken. I was really quite impressed when I found out that this camera has a feature that I still enjoy seeing on cameras, a High-resolution, High-contrast electronic viewfinder. You can now shoot high resolution still images, while shooting high quality, full HD (1980 x 1080 60i) movies simultaneously. This is the topper, if all those features aren’t enough, a Slow Motion Movie function at 400fps. You can capture each flap of a bird’s wings and at 1,200fps.You can even capture every spark of a fireworks display. This camera is topping all DSLR cameras right now with this amount of features. This is my Vote for Camera of the Year in 2012.
Nikon 1 V1 10.1 MP HD Digital Camera System with 10-30mm VR 1 NIKKOR Lens – $846.95 Amazon
I have really enjoyed everything that canon has presented to the market in last 10yrs. This last year has been full of anticipation for what was to come post Canon5D Mark II. I really didn’t know what to expect so I was thinking it was going to be a Mark III in a SLR body. But when I found out about the C300 Video body November 3, 2011 I was astonished. I had been fighting the urge to move to a Red camera setup but staying up to date with all the canon rumors. Watching the comparison footage in this clip below really is making me look deeper and see past the 20K price tag. I believe the camera has a lot to offer as far as resolution,new features, stabilization and low light shooting. Take a look at this pre release Canon C300video and enjoy the difference. It’s a really nice camera and it’s on my radar.
I have always had the problem with syncing my audio correctly. I do try to sync by my eyes and ears in final cut or what ever program that is at my disposal at the time premiere or iMovie. The clap sometimes works but looks tacky when you do it infront of your client or talent. So I stumbled upon DSLR Slate and it really helps. Not only does it display all your set information, f-stop, exposure, ISO, framerate, WB, Lens, Focal Length, filter, memory card, camera, scene, project, Director, DP, custom 1 line, custom 2 line, and it also allows you to have presets saved for multiple or future projects. Amazing. I neglect to use the full features of the slate most of the time because I have been Directing on more of a run and gun fashion on my latest projects. But I must say a great tool and something that I have on my ipad as well as on my iphone where ever I am.
Disclaimer:
This is not a sponsored by any of the products mentioned. I am not affiliated with and websites mentioned in the description. All products were purchased by me. Everything mentioned in the videos and descriptions are my honest opinions, recommendations and personal thoughts. These videos are to spread information and help you be a better photographer/videographer. Have fun shooting!
There are a couple recording devices on the market and with carful review and lots of testing I have chosen to use the Zoom line of products. When It comes to audio I am no way an audio engineer. If a production calls for such I hire the job out. But when I am running and gunning this is the gear that I love best. Starting off with the Zoom H4n hand held recorder. It has capabilities of recording 4 channels with 2 XLRs in the bottom of the unit and second as a 3/8 jack. It also has a mini jack input on the rear that I have used and was impressed with the results. It also have two built in mic that are arranged in a since that they create a perfect stereo cross design. The build in mic is quite surprising as well.
As for mics in the video I have tested many boom mic and have been quite happy with the Rode NTG-2. This mic requires a battery AA but really puts out great sounds quality. I use this when I have a boom operator on set. I also might use this as a run and gun rig setup. I own the NTG-1 as well I used it for a while but since purchased the NTG-2 and the sounds quality is much better on the 2 so I only use the 1 on a second camera.
The Sennheiser 100 G3 is the wireless lav mic of choice for me. I have two sets of these and they work great together. They are quite durable I have taken them just about around the world and back with me. They go everywhere.
Link to The Zoom H4n:
http://goo.gl/C84n0
Link to Rode NTG-2:
http://goo.gl/otb5J
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Disclaimer:
This video is not sponsored by any of the products mentioned. I am not
affiliated with any websites mentioned in the description. All products were
purchased by me. Everything mentioned in the videos and descriptions are my
honest opinions, recommendations and personal thoughts.
I pack for every photo shoot differently, but there is a group of essential shoot items that are always first in any shoot. That is my name brand batteries and Memory cards. I say name brand for a reason. I have been in the situation where I have came back from a shoot and the card is corrupt. It’s not a great feeling as well as not professional there is no excuse to go cheap on memory cards. Nor is it professional to use non name brand batteries. The life expectancy is shorter on them, you are paying 1/2 if not 1/3 the price for a reason. Battery length is essential to a good production as well as having back up batteries charged and ready. I have a few batteries and a wallet full of CF cards in my pockets at all time an so does my crew.
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Disclaimer:
This is not a sponsored by any of the products mentioned. I am not affiliated with and websites mentioned in the description. All products were purchased by me. Everything mentioned in the videos and descriptions are my honest opinions, recommendations and personal thoughts. These videos are to spread information and help you be a better photographer/videographer. Have fun shooting!
It’s been 17 years since I started my journey as a photographer, and have been shooting professionally for the last 8 years. I am proud to announce the launch of the ‘a Nelson Production‘ website. I started the company in 2009, and it has been picking up steam ever since. We are currently working on productions worldwide and will be posting finished pieces according to our contracts. I encourage you to follow us on Twitter and blogs as we entertain you with our behind the scenes footage and my life’s work.
I shot, directed, and edited this piece for MySpace Music and Wendy’s. The shoot took about 4 days total and was edited in about a week. This video in its first 3 days shot to over 400K+ views. I added a little section at the end with Ciara doing a little joke commercial for fun. After we wrapped shooting she was wanting more camera time and wanted to continue. A true sport about the whole thing.
