An amateur journey of digital recording
News
OConnor new Head and Accessories at NAB
Apr 19th
OConnor, a Vitec Group brand, maker of leading camera support equipment and lens accessories for cinematography, announces at NAB 2011 the introduction of a new fluid head as well as additions to the company’s accessory lineup.
For the first time at NAB, OConnor (booth C6030) will show the new 2065 Fluid Head, designed to handle popular digital cameras like the RED One, SONY F-35, and ARRI Alexa. The 2065 provides a payload range of from 0-71 lbs. (0-32.2kg) and is loaded with the same popular features and controls that have made OConnor fluid heads the favorites of cinematographers worldwide. It replaces the renowned 2060HD, and shares the ergonomic design of OConnor’s higher-payload fluid heads like the popular 2575D and 120EX models.
OConnor will also display its growing line of camera lens accessories including the new
Cine Follow Focus (CFF-1), constructed of lightweight, durable black anodized aluminum, and sporting a multifunctional, modular design that eliminates the hassle of juggling separate bridge plates. To accompany the CFF-1, OConnor will debut its Glow-in-the-Dark Follow-Focus Marking Disks, designed to aid assistants in dark camera locations.
A big winner at last year’s NAB was the O-Grips Handgrip System, which fits neatly onto OConnor’s O-Box WM mattebox. It is the first production mattebox to feature a built-in handgrip mount. The O-Box is designed for 16:9 format full-size sensor cameras, including HDSLR and DSMC hybrid digital still and video cameras. Compact, it accommodates lenses up to 18mm; some wider. It can mount up to 3 filters: 2 in top-loading filter frames (2 each 4×4” and 4×5.65” frames are included), and a rear frame that is rotatable 360-degrees. A third 138mm round filter fits sleekly in the optional bellows ring.
Also featured are OConnor’s O-Grips, providing smooth-functioning, single-handle ball joints with a maximum 44 pound (20 kg), payload, so they work with small and large cameras. O-Grips are the first pro camera handgrips to fit three standard rod systems (15mm & 19mm Studio, & 15mm LWS) via the O-Grips bridge.
At 11am on Monday, cinematographer and cine technologist Jon Fauer ASC will discuss how the art of cinematography inspires technology, and vice versa. Tuesday at 3pm, Pulitzer prize winner Vincent Laforet will talk about composition and framing. And on Wednesday at 1:30pm, world renowned cinematographer and technologist Geoff Boyle FBKS will present “Taking cinematography from 2D to 3D.” Visit www.vitecliveevent.com for the itinerary of the whole event.
For more information go to www.ocon.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow the company on Twitter; or contact OConnor, 2701 N. Ontario St, Burbank, CA 91504, Phone: 818-847-8666, Fax: 818-847-1205.
Litepanels Introduces H2 Hi-Output™ LED Fixtures
Apr 18th
Litepanels, pioneering developer of proprietary LED lighting and a Vitec Group brand, will show a wide range of its HD-friendly daylight balanced LED lighting fixtures, including the new H2 Hi-Output™ LED fixture.
NAB will mark the world-wide debut on Litepanels’ H2 Hi-Output LED lights. The new fixtures answer the need for an LED fixture capable of throwing illumination over a 20 to 25 foot (6.1 – 7.6 M) distance, providing HD-friendly light with all the advantages of Litepanels LEDs. The new H2 Hi-Output is 5600°K color balance, utilizing an array of 72 one-Watt daylight LEDs that are focused to a 10° angle.
Litepanels’ Sola Fresnel LED Fixtures are now shipping. The revolutionary daylight-balanced Sola Fresnels provide the controllability and single-shadow properties inherent in a Fresnel light, but utilize just a fraction of the power of conventional fixtures. The Sola 6™ is a 100W studio or remote fixture; the Sola ENG™ is an on-camera 30W fixture.
Litepanels extensive line of 1×1™ arrays of LED bulbs will be showcased at NAB. 1x1s have become the industry standard for studio and location lighting. Various models provide daylight or tungsten, or can dial up a color balance in-between. Light angles of flood, 30° and 15°, and focusable models are available. And the Low Profile takes up just 3 inches of headroom.
The lineup of on-camera LED light fixtures from Litepanels will also be demonstrated. These small, portable, battery powered LED lights are designed to meet the needs of ENG and field production, providing HD friendly soft fill light. Micro and MicroPro daylight fixtures run off of standard AA batteries, and provide as much as six hours of run time depending on the type of batteries used. The MicroPro Hybrid provides the company’s hallmark soft continuous lighting plus adds a 400% burst flash feature for still photography. MiniPlus fixtures are available in daylight balance flood and spot & tungsten balance flood models. Plus, the company’s famous beauty light, the LED Ringlite will also be on display.
For more information on Litepanels HD-friendly LED lighting systems, contact Litepanels, Inc., 16152 Saticoy Street, Van Nuys, CA 91406, Phone: 818/752-7009, Fax: 818/752-2437 Email: info@litepanels.com, www.litepanels.com
K-Tek Introduces Norbert™ Filmmaker Kit
Apr 17th
K-Tek’s popular Norbert accessory frame is now available in a Filmmaker Kit that allows Norbert to attach to a universal rail system. The Norbert frame is a practical and convenient way to mount accessories around a DSLR or compact HD camera, including 4/3’s chip cameras.
Norbert allows the working professional to attach a large array of production tools to a DSLR camera without compromising the camera’s integral shoe mount. The heart of the kit is the Norbert base frame. Machined from rugged yet lightweight black anodized aluminum, it offers 17 accessory slots, numerous 1/4 ”x20 and 3/8”x16 threaded holes, and 19 standard shoe mounts that allow the operator to be creative in setting up lights, audio products, video streaming devices and monitors when on a tripod or shoulder rig.
The Norbert Filmmaker Kit has a height adjustable frame allowing for external batteries or for tall cameras, a standard camera quick release, two locking handgrips for quick handheld shots and features an Iris Rod Clamp System which allows Norbert to interface with traditional 15mm rail systems. This gives Norbert the ability to work around most existing rigs on the market such as the Redrock Micro and for use with matteboxes and follow focus rings. The kit includes a pair of 8” carbon fiber iris rods. Additional threaded holes on the base accept tripod mounting brackets.
The standard Norbert Filmmaker Kit comes complete with the frame, iris rod clamp, two carbon-fiber iris rods, two locking handgrips and the Manfrotto 323 quick release. Also available separately, are a top handle and longer iris rods.
K-Tek offers two optional high-precision dovetails – a High Dovetail for use with the Canon 7D and similar size cameras, and a Low Dovetail for the Canon 5D – that prevent the camera from rotating when lens control motors are used.
K-Tek offers a full array of clamps, mounts, brackets and other camera accessories to complete the Norbert system as well as the industry favorite, K-Tek boom poles. Suggested list price is $530.00. For further information, contact: K-Tek, 1384-F Poinsettia Ave., Vista, CA 92081; Ph. 760-727-0593; Fax 760-727-0693; www.ktekbooms.com