News
A firmware upgrade for the recently-launched Panasonic GH5 and the PZ45-175mm lens has gone live today. The biggest change is for the GH5 as new firmware Ver.1.1 enables 4:2:2 10-bit video recording in either Full HD [MP4(LPCM)] / [MOV] and Anamorphic (4:3) mode, in addition to the existing 4K video recording mode. Full details are:
Panasonic has announced more details of its prototype 4K 360-degree camera as well as a new live production centre, incorporating switcher, remote camera controller and audio mixer functions, at the NAB show in Las Vegas. The official statement reads:
DJI has revealed the next generation of its flagship three-axis gimbal stabiliser. The Ronin 2 can now carry a payload of up to 30lbs (13kgs) and has motors that are five times more powerful than the current model.
The Ronin 2 has foldaway feet, an integrated touchscreen, larger camera cage and extendable arms. It can now be used on Steadicam systems too.
With dual hot-swappable batteries the same as on the Inspire 2 drone, it can also power a RED Dragon camera. The DJI App has been updated too.
It will be available in the second quarter of 2017 but no prices have yet been announced.
Check out more on the video below and the DJI official website here.
Panasonic is dropping huge clues that it is about to reveal a cinema-style camera to take on Sony’s big-selling FS5.
This slide was shown at the NAB show in Las Vegas. And the mystery camera is pitched between Panasonic’s Varicam LT and Panasonic GH5. It’s believed it will record to SD cards, like the GH5 and FS5.
Panasonic has focused its GH5 development on very robust Codecs to give it the edge over its rivals. With the Codec in Sony’s FS5 often being cited as the camera’s weakest areas, it’s though Panasonic would focus its new mystery camera in this area.
It’s thought the camera will be unveiled in the next few months and go on sale in autumn.
Meanwhile at the NAB show, Sony unveiled a firmware upgrade for the FS5 which will allow it to record 120fps in HD. The more expensive Sony F55 will get slow motion of up to 120p in 4K.
Zeiss has revealed the next-generation of its popular CP.2 Compact Prime lenses – the Zeiss CP.3 and CP.3 XD range.
The lenses are smaller and more compact than the CP.2s and come in focal lengths from 15mm to 135mm. T-stops are T2.9 from 15 to 21mm and T2.1 from 25 to 135mm. All focal lengths now also cover full frame sensors where the 8mm CP.2 doesn’t.
The sizes of the new optics lenses are more consistent to make swapping between them on rigs easier.
All the CP.3s have a 95mm front diameter where the CP.2s were 114mm. There are 14-blade apertures for smooth out-of-focus areas and the focus rings all have 300° of focus rotation.
The XD line provides metadata to enable automatic correction of distortion and vignetting in post production, and are ideal for films using special effects. The full press release says:
Sigma has widened its new Cine lens range with the Cine FF High Speed 14mm and 135mm T2 full-frame lenses. Sigma now offers seven cine prime lenses, from 14mm to 135mm, and three zooms: the 18-35, 24-35 and 50-100 T2.
The lenses are suitable for up to 8K resolution and most are available in Canon EF, Sony E mount and PL mounts. Sigma will change mounts if you change cameras.
The lenses have a focus ring with feet and metre markings - you decide which you want when you buy - which are luminous to make settings easier to see in the dark.
There are no details of price or availability yet.
Atomos has launched its biggest ever monitor recorder at a whopping 19" size! It's the first production monitor recorder that records 4K 12-bit Raw, 10-bit ProRes/DNxHR, plus 1080p60 live switching and recording. It's an HDR-capable monitor with 1200 nit brightness so is ideal for on location and heralds a new era in HDR-ready equipment for use in filmmaking. The official info says:
