The latest in iMac's are announced, and probably the most exciting feature is the added ThunderBolt port. An interface said to be able to move data at an amazing 10Gbps -- double that of USB 3.0. It's been rumored that big name camera companies will be implementing this same interface into their cameras for fast offloading. There's plenty more great new features you probably already know about, but if not - you can find more following the link: NEW iMac 21"-27" QuadCore LED Backlit with ThunderBolt Inteface
We got a good look at Cinevate's latest light weight, short(er) run FLT Camera slider at NAB2011. It's definitely a mini version of their already popular Atlas 10. I actually tried to get an Atlas 10, but they can't seem to keep these things in stock. This might be the same case for the new FLT version coming in as Cinevate's cheapest slider yet. Even though it's Cinevate's least expensive linear tracking system, the price of the FLT may not sit comfortable for the video hobbyist, but the build quality will certainly satisfy the professionals. A more thorough description of their product can be found below, with more information on the FLT found at the Cinevate website here: https://cinevate.com/​atlasflt
For those that just want to experiment with red/blue 3D fun, the Aiptek i2 reviewed by Olivia (above) is a neat little gadget. The Aiptek provides the newbie with simple red/blue 3D videos and photos ready to upload to YouTube and Facebook.
If you're a little more serious about 3D, you'll get a kick out of Sony's latest. Sony's new HDR-TD10 3D Camcorder records in Full 1080 HD resolution to two different sensors, unlike Panasonic's 3D Camcorder which records with a funky lens adapter to a single chip and splitting up the resolution.
The new Sony has 64GB in camera storage, but expandable via Sony Memory Stick or SDHC/SDXC, a 10x Optical Zoom (17x Digital), and a 3.5" Glasses Free 3D LCD Screen. A dedicated switch between 3D and 2D recording, the camera can also shoot 60p at full 1080 for silky smooth video or down to 24p for something more film like. Oh and yes, you have full Manual control over exposure - Focus/Iris/Shutter/ISO/White Balance. Pretty cool features for a small hand held.
The Sony HDR-TD10 also has a few Photography features as well. You can capture 7 Megapixel Still images and also includes a built in flash. The HDR-TD10 still comes with Sony's hot shoe to mount optional accessories, input for an external microphone, headphone output for monitoring, and an output for mini HDMI. There's Optical Image stabilization built in to help with both video and photos. Way too much to list for Sony's new HDR-TD10 which holds the title as the 'First True Full HD 3D Camcorder'. More information about the HDR-TD10 below.
Lensse adds another DSLR accessory to their lineup - the RigX DSLR Cage. (Not to be confused with 'RigX' from Express35 which is an offset shoulder rig). This very basic frame (cage) around your video camera providing you with a few different mounting points for your LED lighting, LCD Monitors, Microphones, Audio recorders, Wireless Receivers, and other add-ons. The frame can stand on it's own with built in legs and offers a top handle for stable low shots. The RigX Cage from Lensse also includes a couple of quick hot shoe mounts.
To finish this setup off, I think it could definitely use a quick release adapter. Perhaps the longer Manfrotto 357 Sliding Mounting Plate might be a good choice to balance out the camera, and a couple of Friction Arms to get akward accessories positioned in the right place. Price, not so bad for the amount of mounting points + top handle + shoe adapters, but shipping could be a deal breaker for most some. Found below.
I purchased the original set of Eneloops (white) from my local Costco about a year ago, and I have not had to buy AA, AAA, C Batteries, or D Batteries since. The set came with these very cool 'spacer' shells that transform simple AA batteries into C & D size batteries so you could use them on most portable electronics (not to mention all the kids toys and video game remotes).
Sanyo has also released a higher capacity XX (Black and Grey) Eneloop battery rated at 2500mah, which holds a charge capacity of 75% up to one year in storage. This is not a replacement for the original version. The new XX battery should charge on the original Sanyo Eneloop charger, but if used with the optional 'boost' charger, a single battery can be brought to full charge in about 40 minutes. I honestly don't know anyone using the new XX version, and the (white) original ones I'm using seem to do perfectly fine.
Besides the Eneloops's slow drain abilities during storage, these batteries will power any of your devices up to 5x longer than just standard alkaline. Definitely worth it in the field, and will save you money over time. I've used them with the AA battery adapter on DSLR Battery Grips, LED Video Lights, Portable Audio recorders, Flash Triggers, Canon Speedlights, to Wireless Microphones. It's an investment up front to get started with Eneloops, but i've been rocking all of my batteries for more than a year in constant rotation on the charger, and these have to be the best rechargeable batteries i've ever owned.
I've been shopping for a smaller point and shoot type camera and was really leaning towards Fuji's sexy new rangefinder like X100. The disaster in Japan delayed inventory on the Fuji, and to my benefit has given me more time to think about this next camera. I've come to realize that the Fuji X100 is just too high priced and comes with a fixed lens that I might outgrow quickly. Instead, I went for Panasonic's latest GF2 Micro Four Thirds camera. Sure it's technically NOT a point and shoot, but i'll be working mainly with a Lumix 14mm f/2.5 Lens, the LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 or if I could ever afford the Voigtlander 25mm F/0.95.
Shown with optional EVF - Electronic View Finder
The GF2 is a replacement for the popular GF1, and carries the label as the smallest interchangeable lens camera with a built in flash. Even with the built in flash, there's a hot shoe to support an optional EVF, or if I wanted to mount a bracket to support a Zoom H1 and Rode VideoMic. The GF2 comes in with quite a few new specs over the GF1 including full 1080p Video and touchscreen controls. (The video above should give you an idea of it's capabilities)
As soon as it comes in, i'll give it a good run through. After many weeks of research and checking out all the reviews and samples, i'm pretty happy with my decision. Especially because it comes in at half the price of the Fuji X100, and I still have the ability to interchange and adapt just about any lens on the market.
Olivia talks to Eric from International Supplies about a few of Varavon's products. One product is the Slidecam Slim slider that is said to hold up to 41lbs (that's pretty hefty), comes with a Video Head, legs, and travel bag. This new all aluminum Slim Slider will weigh about 2.5kg and be available in 1m length. Sounds pretty cool so far. Varavon has a few different model sliders available, and below is a comparison chart.
One Slidecam Slim showed up on eBay for an asking price of $550, which is almost twice the price of the current popular Konova slider. Pricing has always been an obstacle for Varavon products so far, so let's hope that's not going to be the retail. You can find other Varavon products including their popular View Finder products on eBay following the link.
Vimeo member Jesse Blanchard seems to have an obsession with 3D, and is doing a good job capturing it. If you're interested in getting into Stereoscopic imagery, he seems to have a good set of knowledge behind the tech. What i'm more interested in is looking at his 3D beam splitter rig that captures pretty much the same image simultaneously. Very cool stuff indeed. Makes you wonder if that could be a small step to capturing two different video exposures for later converting into some minor HDR (high dynamic range) footage or at least being able to keep the extreme highlights and shadows from clipping. Might be a fun test on two very small point and shoot cameras..
Edelkrone joins eBay to sell of a few of the demo rigs that were being shown at NAB2011 before these items are available online. There seems to be a few of the double shoulder mount rigs available, and also that little traveling 'Pocket Rig'. The Pocket Rig folds to about the size of a DSLR battery grip, and unfolds to a shoulder stock and basic rod support. As usual, they've never been able to please buyers with pricing, (expect high prices) but if you're interested you can find the demo items being auctioned following the link below.
Aiptek 3D-HD High Definition 3D Camcorder
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