Cinevate Pre-Production Ballare Dolly Review [6:25m]: Download

We recently had the opportunity to check out Cinevate’s Ballare dolly solution. The Ballare is almost entirely constructed of aluminum, and as such is quite rigid. It breaks down into a relatively small size for transport, and weighs around 45 lbs. It can run on schedule 40 PVC pipe, or any other 1″ or 1 1/4″ track. This was a pre-production model, and it is my understanding that since our test Cinevate has integrated a few of our suggestions into the production model, like a more robust pushbar design. For a detailed look at the dolly system, download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

Via Engadget: The ¥17,800 (about $175) DVR-BP features a 1-mm pinhole CMOS camera, mic, 2-hour battery, and 2GB of memory to store all your video deceit at 352 x 288 pixels.

For the DIY crowd, here’s a simple dolly design that you can build cheap. Enjoy.

ARRI 300/650 Fresnel Combo Kit
Reviewed By: Jessica Creech

As many microfilmmakers know, lighting is often one of the most sacrificed elements in a low-budget production. Whether that is for lack of knowledge, inadequate equipment or an improper understanding of lighting’s impact, it seems that this line item gets cut from budgets all too easily. Knowing that the funds of microfilmmakers are limited (me included), I set out in search of an all-around kit that would provide the most value in terms of cost and versatility. The results of that search let me to ARRI’s combo kits. The model I’ve chosen to review is the 300/650 Fresnel Combo Kit (although others are available). Take a few moments to read our review that explains the full extent of its capabilities and I believe you will find it well worth the investment. Continue reading ‘ARRI Fresnel Lighting Kit Review’

Here at FreshDV we talk a lot about using 35mm lens adapters and the “film style” workflow in your digital productions. Daniel Boswell of DVArtistry is a wedding videographer that has adopted using the Letus adapters in his wedding films for quite some time now. When the Extreme hit the market, he snapped one right up. He’s now shooting with the LEX + Sony EX1 combo and discusses it in the current issue of EventDV. You can read it online here.

Here’s a neat little utility for jailbroken iPhone and iPod Touch users. Touchpad Pro is an app that allows you to control your Mac or PC directly on your mobile device. Features include a landscape mode, multi-touch zoom, scroll, right-click, to name a few. You can get it here.

Looks like some enterprising folks over at OnSuper8 are hacking together a Workprinter XP and Red Digital Cinema Camera to use for Super8 film telecine. Nice…

Need a sunshade or top flag for your camera, but not quite willing to jump into a full-featured mattebox solution? Here’s a Do It Yourself solution that works with camcorders equipped with a hard lens shade. With a little time, epoxy glue, a inexpensive universal shoe mount, and this el-cheapo french flag, you should be able to put something together without much hassle. Here are the full-size images and a few brief assembly notes. It’ll run you around $31 for the parts, before shipping. Not bad for a simple shade solution.

When Redrock Micro announced development of the MicroX flip unit for the M2 35mm adapter at NAB 2007, the online community was abuzz. Since then the market has been all about flip units; a properly oriented image is rapidly becoming the de-facto standard for 35mm lens adapters. Redrock was pretty quiet about the MicroX while it was in development, but we are happy to report that FreshDV has obtained new information, an exclusive image of the finished product, and a final ship date. With a debut price of $345 for M2 owners (must provide serial number) and $445 for 3rd-party adapter owners, the MicroX begins shipping on March 24th, 2008. Redrock claims the unit provides improved image and edge sharpness and a universal achromat for both SD and HD camcorders. The kit will include the following:

* The microX image flip accessory,
* A new high performance optical achromat designed specifically for the microX
* A riser plate for adjusting your existing microX rod support system to the correct height
* A newly designed reinforced hard mount kit that also provides a “lock down� once your microX is correctly configured
* Access to a step-by-step video tutorial on how to upgrade your system

Redrock has not recommended the MicroX for use with Sony HDV cameras with a filter size of 72mm+ (like the Z1, Z7, FX1, and EX1). A 2nd version of the MicroX is in development specifically for these camcorders, expect a release date to be announced soon. The MicroX is fine for use with the Sony V1, A1, and other - 72mm Sony HDV cameras. For more information on the MicroX, stay tuned at Redrock’s website.

Techthoughts has pointed out a handy little audio tool that can help save 3.5mm audio ports from death by cord snaggage. Whether it’s a laptop, camera headphone jack, or the front of your Mac tower, 1/8″ mini jacks can be particularly susceptible to damage when cords are accidentally yanked. We’ve all done it. The Replug device is a $18 break-way inline adapter that might just save your ports. Looks like a great solution to a common problem.

After all but disappearing for over a year, Cinemek has updated their website and is showing off their new G35 adapter system for 35mm still lenses. As with earlier pre-production models tested by Macgregor and others, the G35 will utilize a non-flipped static ground glass design. They are claiming 1.4 stops of light loss and no moving parts in a self-contained unit. A Nikon lens mount will be the initial offering, with camera mount options for the Panasonic HVX200, DVX series, and Canon XHA1. I see from the gallery that the HVX200 mount wraps around the zoom ring much like the P&S Technic Pro35, which is a great design. Cinemek says that a Canon EF mount and fittings for 72mm and 68mm thread cameras are planned. They plan to take pre-orders soon, but have not yet announced a specific ship date or pricing.

Zacuto is a full-service camera rental house in the Chicago area that also makes camera support systems. Their gear is customized to various camera packages and configurations to help shooters work more efficiently and effectively, whether for their own rental packages or for personal purchase. Some months back we had the opportunity to tour the Zacuto facility. At that time we also shot a short overview of the Basic Studio and Handheld Redrock M2 Adapter support configurations. In recent months they’ve also rolled out new packages and options designed to work with the Letus Extreme 35mm adapter and other recent HD cameras (like the new Z-Riser for the LEX and Red). The following 20-minute video takes you through the build-up of a Basic Studio HVX200 support kit, as well as the more in-depth build-up of a 35mm adapter support configuration designed for handheld use. So if you are a Zacuto rig owner and are looking for some instructional tips, or if you are simply new to Zacuto gear, we hope this video sheds some light on the subject.

Download the QT video, subscribe to FreshDV’s audio/video podcast feed, or watch via streaming flash below.

 Configuration and Setup of Zacuto Support Systems [20:30m]: Download

Final Cut User has the news on Apple’s Xsan 2 announcement, as well as the possibility that they are dropping Xserve RAID in favor of a 3rd party solution. Read all about it here.

Sony’s HVR-Z7U is finally in stock at B&H, pre-orders should ship out in the order they were received. We have previously covered this camera thoroughly here. And if you’ve missed the first Z7U user reports you should definitely read the comments on this recent post, particularly in regards to it’s reported lack of rolling shutter vertical skew. That is good news indeed.

Over at VideoUniversity, user Shawn Lam has posted a number of pictures from his brand new Sony HVR-Z7U as well as a detailed description of overall design and features. It’s quite informative. Here’s a few key points that caught my eye (a few have been noted previously):

* Menu scroll dial is on left side, not back.
* The CF recorder module covers the battery when attached to the proprietary connection port.
* Tape transport door is in vertical configuration, opens to the back.
* Connections on back include Component, Composite, LANC, Headphone and 6-pin Firewire (yes, that is the big plug). A HDMI port exists on the left side of the body.
* As stated in previous documentation the top handle has a second cold-shoe, towards the back. It comes dissasembled but can be added with a screwdriver.
* A/C Adapter is a fake battery that occupies the entire battery port. The charger handles two batteries and has a LCD status display. Like the EX1, it makes you choose between charging the batteries or powering the camera, not both at the same time.
* Shawn says “7 LBS 2 OZ with tape, large battery, and CF recorder attached.”

Read on for the pictures and more details. B&H has the Z7U listed at $6,299.95. You can read more of FreshDV’s Z7U and S270U coverage here.