The folks at Zacuto has released their next episode of FilmFellas discussing the other side of being a Director of Photography, the psychology of film production and the art of collaboration. Relax and grab your popcorn for FilmFellas- Head Games clocking in at 15 minutes.

Who doesn’t love camouflage? It appears Redrock Micro does with their freshly released the Redrock|ops line of accessories and rigs for video DSLR cameras.  The Redrock|ops line is a new concept in cinema equipment that fuses the durability of professional cinema equipment with modern camouflage styling.

Currently, Redrock|ops rigs are limited edition versions of existing Redrock cinema rigs with camouflage coating on the rigs. The camouflage coating is wear resistant with a unreflective matted “movie set safe” finish.

The aggravation of plugging in your iPhone into the computer to access the full-quality HD videos is over! The folks at TransferBigFiles launched the first iPhone app that enables iPhone users to send full-quality HD videos and photos wirelessly from an iPhone. The files are kept in cloud storage provided by TransferBigFiles.com where users can then easily share or retrieve the files using any web browser.

The TransferBigFiles app is free and available in the Apple iPhone App Store. The first 100,000 users to install and activate the TransferBigFiles iPhone App will receive 5 GB of free cloud storage for their video and photo uploads. After the first 100,000 users, 2 GB of free cloud storage will be provided.

In addition to the new iPhone app, TransferBigFiles offers web-based service plans ranging from free to $5, $8 or $15 per month. The service enables users to send large files (including videos, music, photos, PDFs and more) from PCs or Macs in just seconds with no bandwidth limitations. It offers a great user experience (no ads) and extremely fast performance.

Today Canon announced the new Canon XF105 and XF100 Professional Camcorders for mobile HD video shooting in a compact form factor. These camcorders include in-camera features enabling the easy set-up and capture of high-definition 3-D video when two XF105 or XF100 camcorders are paired, as well as Canon’s built-in infrared low-light feature enabling the capture of HD video in complete darkness. Both models record to Compact Flash (CF) cards and feature hot-swappable card slots for maximum performance. Differentiating the two models are industry-standard HD-SDI output and genlock in/SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals available on the Canon XF105. The XF105 and XF100 camcorders are ideal for ENG, documentary and independent filmmaking and event videography.

The Canon XF105 and XF100 feature a Canon 10x HD Zoom lens, Full HD 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensor and the new Canon XF Codec for extreme color detail required for accurate chroma-keying, color-grading and compositing. The 4:2:2 color sampling offers twice the color resolution of HDV and other 4:2:0 formats. The Canon XF Codec is currently compatible with leading software programs widely used within the video production and broadcast industries including those available from Adobe, Apple, Avid, and Grass Valley.

Both the Canon XF105 and XF100 are scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2011.

Vincent Laforet, Director, Photographer, and DP at Laforet Visuals, just posted an in-depth 14 minute video and blog post featuring his different types of HDSLR gear used on various productions. Visit Vincent’s Gear Section for his complete gear breakdown.

DSLR Video Shooter’s latest episode using close-up filters to shoot macro images on any lens.

Via DSLR Video Shooter

Recently, Canon announced the new Canon EOS 60D 18MP camera. The mid level camera designed for enthusiasts and semi-pros. The 60D DSLR features a three-inch Vari-Angle Clear View LCD screen (the first in history of the Canon EOS System), EOS Full HD video recording with manual overrides including audio level control, and in-camera functionality for RAW image processing.

The large three-inch Vari-Angle Clear View LCD screen rocks 1,040,000 dot/VGA resolution plus anti-reflective and smudge-resistant coatings for bright clear viewing from any angle. The new LCD screen is ideal for composing low-angle or overhead shots whether capturing still images or Full HD video clips.

Another addition to the camera’s Live View function is Canon’s new Aspect Ratio feature whereby the Live View screen can display cropping lines for 1:1, 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios in addition to the standard

Full HD + Manual Exposure & Audio Controls

The EOS 60D features Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p. The new EOS 60D camera’s movie mode also manual controls for exposure as well as manual audio levels in 64 steps, much like the latest firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark II HD-SLR.

Canon has also included an in-camera movie editing feature, allowing users to shorten a video file by clipping segments from the beginning or the end, removing unwanted portions without outside software. This feature can dramatically accelerate workflow for journalist and online videos by reducing the time needed to upload video clips to a computer for further editing and assembly.

Additional Features

Along with the adjustable LCD screen, the new EOS 60D DSLR features a class-leading 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, a proprietary DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, a 9-point Autofocus system and Canon’s exclusive iFCL Metering System (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance) giving it the power of a professional-level camera. Capable of capturing fast action, the 60D DSLR can shoot full resolution still images up to 5.3-frames per second (fps). The EOS 60D records its images and video clips to SD, SDHC or new extended capacity SDXC memory cards.

The 9-point AF system on the new EOS 60D features f/5.6-sensitive cross-type focusing on all nine focusing points. Like the EOS 7D, the center AF point is a hybrid of standard cross-type and special diagonally-shaped “X” cross, with high-precision sensitivity for f/2.8 and larger aperture lenses. Complementing the AF system, Canon’s iFCL metering system, identical to that on the EOS 7D and Rebel T2i, takes color information into account and includes a 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor that reads both illumination and color for consistent results in all lighting conditions, keeping exposure levels stable from shot to shot, even as the light source changes.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers toward the end of September, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,099. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon’s EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1,399.

Promo Video

Specifications

Anyone can shoot a wedding video. But making someone’s special day look as good as a fond memory – that’s the hard part. If you are looking for a quick and easy solution Simon Walker’s Weddings and Events for Looks is your fix. With 30 presets including 70′s Memories to Youthful you’ll be able to give your client a beautiful record of their special occasion – one that truly captures the love and excitement they experienced on that day.  The presets are available for Magic Bullet Looks, Quick Looks or PhotoLooks.

Visit Red Giant Software for example videos and additional details:  redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/weddings-events/

Recently, Redrock Micro announced the new nano line of accessories and rigs for video DSLR cameras. The nano line of equipment is designed for low-cost entry level, photojournalism/documentary, and discreet shooting applications. The nano rigs can be easily upgraded to more advanced rigs as needed. Developed from extensive customer interviews and input, the nano line delivers the ideal balance of economy and professional quality in compact support rigs.

“Customers said they wanted additional options that were smaller, more lightweight, and offered an affordable entry point, all while maintaining Redrock professional quality and interoperability.” said James Hurd, Chief Revolutionary for Redrock Micro.

The nano line of products consists of 7 new rigs and 5 new accessories:

Nano rigs:

Grippit™
runningMan™
LowDown™
LowDown Deluxe
Stealth™
Stealth Grip
Stealth V (“vee”)

Nano accessories:

Nano baseplate
Nano focus+zoom lever
microHandle Plus (with integrated shoe mount)
2″ 15mm carbon fiber rails
2″ handlebar rod

Pricing and Availability

Redrock nano rigs are expected to cost under $495. Specific pricing depends on model and desired configuration. Nano rigs are available for immediate ordering through Redrock’s online store at Redrockmicro.com or one of the worldwide Redrock authorized resellers.

I made the Canon 5D Mark III myself to address some of the rumors flying around. I personally do not know anything about it. I just wanted to make light of some of them. This is intended for fun. I do not want to offend anyone in anyway.

Xtarnormal is a fun way to make movies. These have been kicking around for a little while. I picked the 7D one up on Vince’s site. These little voice over parodies are very funny. In a way they seem to be the voice of many. I think this one is less about bashing the Canon 7D and more about going after the producer that thinks anything can be achieved with little or no money these days by using an HDSLR. This is just what it’s like at most camera shops and I found it hitting home in many ways. Please beware of the language. I thought this would all be good for a laugh.

Xtranormal Canon 7D Parody