The guys over at Letus have had a very busy fall. First they announced the shiny new Letus Extreme, a 35mm adapter with built-in prism flip and a mere half-stop of light loss. By most reports, the Extreme has been very well-received in the video community. Not content to rest there, Letus has just announced the Letus35 Mini, a 1lb 9oz compact lens adapter designed for small cameras with a filter size under 43mm. Weighing just half of it’s big brother Extreme, the Mini should be able to be used without rods or additional support, though a custom support bracket is available. As with the Extreme, Letus states that this adapter has “absolutely no vignetting” and excellent edge to edge sharpness. Mount options include the Canon FD, Nikon AI, Canon EF (EOS), Pentax K mount, Minolta MD or the optional PL mount and OCT19 mounts. Check out this image for a side-by-side size comparison of the Mini vs. Extreme.

I’m told that a supply of adapters are currently in stock and available to ship in the next 3-5 days, the price is listed at $1,099.00. Just in time for Christmas…you can put it on your shiny new Canon HV20 camcorder. Put those two together and you’ve got a 35mm lens adapter and HD camcorder for under $1900.00. That is incredible. Independent filmmakers rejoice!

We previously mentioned the Extreme here. If you are interested in seeing some beautiful Letus Extreme footage, definitely check out what Phillip Bloom shot recently on the EX1.

Just like our previous XDCAM EX1 coverage, we’ve got continuing coverage here on the new HVR Z7U and HVR S270U HDV camcorders from Sony. Check back here for regular updates and news. Note that newer links and notes will appear at the top.

B&H has the Z7U in stock at this time, listed at $6,299.95 (simply add to cart to see this lower price reflected). At this time you can also order the S270U, listed at $8,499.95. All purchases made via those links help support FreshDV at no additional cost to you.

* Here’s a great video overview of the Z7U compliments of Midtown Video.

* EX1 vs Z7U vs Z1U lowlight framegrabs are up here. The EX1 has the clear edge in noise and brightness with the Z7U not far behind. That’s down in the PD170 low light levels, folks!

* Sony has released an import utility plugin for re-joining split M2T files from the CF Card Recorder. The plugin for Final Cut Pro users enables the use of the Log and Transfer import utility to acquire footage from CF Cards. Get it here. (Update: The download link now works)

* This thread at DVinfo has a few user-submitted M2T clips.

* Per DVinfo, Sony is offering a rebate for a free 8GB CompactFlash card with the purchase of a Z7U or S270U. The rebate link is not yet active, so check back soon.

* Jordan Oplinger wrote in to mention that the Sony HVR-Z7U user manual is in the wild, we have a copy mirrored here.

* Here’s a user report from Shawn Lam on his brand new HVR-Z7U. Several very interesting details.

* HVR Z7U User footage is beginning to surface. Here is one such clip at Divx Stage6. Recommend muting the music, it’s a bit overbearing. There is a mirror at Youtube. Could be my browser, but it plays back a bit jerky for me as if pulldown cadence is “off.” Thanks for JO for the tip!

* Digital Content Producer has posted a first look review of the S270 and Z7U.

* Here are a number of pictures of the prototype Z7U on display at GV Expo. You can see how the flash recorder unit hooks up, the interesting placement of a tape transport, and the free-spinning iris ring.

* Another article by IEBA about the new Z7U and S270U, this was a summary of the updates and features for EventDV Magazine.

* Anthony over at IEBA/Techthoughts has added several videos in the past few days:
- A seminar on the new models by Sony’s Juan Martinez.
- Demos of the TC/UB, Memory, In/Out, and Others menu systems.
- A demonstration of HVR S270 and HVR Z7U lens operation.

* IEBA blog has the display menus up now. (For more info on “Cam Leveling”, check out the product brochure linked below. Interesting feature.)

* Anthony Ajit passed on this link to the PDF brochure for Sony’s HVR-Z7E and HVR-S270E versions of the HDV cameras, and it offers more concrete specs and details. For instance, it becomes clear here that in addition to 1/3″ interchangeable lenses, you can also utilize standard 1/2″ and 2/3″ HD lenses using adapters. The camcorders feature standard ENG 12-pin lens connectors. Note that there is a zoom factor when adapting lenses, namely: 2x focal length for a 2/3-inch lens adapter, 1.3x with a 1/2-inch lens adapter, and 7x with a Sony Alpha DSLR still lens adapter. You should also check pg8 for some interesting features called “Camera Leveling” and “Focus Marking”…yes the camera can detect it’s horizon and display that on the LCD. Sweet. And the Skintone detail feature is now fully configurable…you can set the color manually. I should also note that the CompactFlash recorder automatically syncs with the camera when attached…it does all the recording start-stops without manual intervention. And here’s the answer to a question asked by a friend the other day…YES, you can record HDV 1080 to tape while also recording downconverted DV to card for short term SD delivery.

* Anthony Burokas has screencaps of the camera menus and audio menus (others to come).

* We previously were hoping that you could simultaneously record to tape, CF card, and firewire out to a hard disk recorder. It appears that you cannot as the Flash recorder covers up the Firewire port.

* Our initial coverage of the camcorder announcements. Features, specs and preliminary info from the press-releases.

As always, keep the links and comments coming.

Paul Harrill over at SRF has a nice list of light dimmer solutions, including the Harbor Freight Router Speed Controls we’ve recommended previously. Cheap and effective. He’s also got directions for building your own dimmer boxes, if perchance you happen to be into the DIY thing.

NOTE:
Harbor Freight dimmers can really only support up to around 1,500 Watts per line on a dimmer over that and you risk burning them out they work great just don’t overload them

-Kendal

Mike Curtis notes that 90,000 HD-DVD players were sold over the weekend due in part to the limited-time $99 HD-A2 sale price at major retailers Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City. 90K units in a single weekend. Wow.

Redrock Micro’s highly-anticipated microMatteBox has been in development for some time now, and they have now announced a shipping timeframe for reservation holders.

The microMatteBox will be released in two phases. The first phase will be a limited release of 50 microMatteBoxes, and is targeted for delivery in late December of this year. The second phase will be a general release that will cover most if not all of the remaining reservations, and will subsequently be generally available for ordering and purchase. The second phase is targeted for availability in the January/February timeframe.

Those who signed up for reservations will have to confirm their reservation with a $100 deposit on November 14th to hold their place in line. That deposit will in turn be applied to the final microMatteBox purchase price. Final pricing will be announced on the 14th as well. Redrock has maintained all along that they will be close to their “target price”, which always seems to be in that magic $500 range. The base matte box configuration will include:

*Lens shade
*Three rotating filter stages
*Three filter trays that will support 4×4 or 4×5.65â€? filters. Future filter trays will be available for larger filter sizes
*French Flag
*One 16:9 matte
Side wings and an additional flag (for bottom) will be offered as add-on options, available in the same timeframe.

It’s no secret that we here at FreshDV are fans of Zacuto’s line of camera and rod accessories. They offer proven solutions for both handheld and studio use, providing excellent configurability and all the arcane attachment, mount, and flip options DP’s need to build out their rigs. In my opinion they are the best camcorder 15mm rod and baseplate solution on the market. For a review of Zacuto’s HVX handheld/shoulder rig, read this article by FreshDV editor Kendal Miller in DV Magazine.

So I was very excited to learn that Zacuto has announced specific configurations for RED ONE Digital Cinema camera users. The new line of handheld and studio rigs will include a new “Z-Riser” design and standard 19mm rods and connections to fit cine camera accessories that RED natively supports. Existing Zacuto customers will be happy to note that most of the components are interchangeable with existing configurations. And of course, all the hardware and knobs are Zacuto red in color (for those that may care about matching). There is some discussion on this new line of RED accessories over at Reduser. Full press release details follow…
Continue reading ‘Zacuto Rigs for RED ONE Shooters’

Everyone’s favorite electronics superstore B&H is accepting pre-orders on the highly anticipated new XDCAM EX1 camcorder from Sony. B&H has it listed at $6999. For that price you get the 1/2″ 1080p variable-framerate camcorder and a single 8GB SxS media card.

You can preorder it by clicking here (all purchases made via that link directly benefit FreshDV and don’t cost you a dime extra).

And if you haven’t made up your mind about the EX1, take a look at our previous on-going coverage of the camera here.

FastMac has announced an internal optical drive for Apple notebooks that features 2x Blu-ray burning. They anticipate it will be shipping within a month, and are offering a “special introductory price of $999.95″ for pre-orders at www.fastmac.com. They also offer a 2x Blu-ray standard tray-loading drive for G3/G4/G5 and Mac Pro tower owners, to the tune of $529.95. So if you’re tired of waiting for the market to sort out the hi-def DVD mess, here’s an option. Specs below.
Continue reading ‘FastMac Internal Blu-ray 2x Burner for Laptops’

Imagineer Systems has reduced the license cost for two popular software packages. Monet v2.1.2 and Mokey v4.1.2 are both now priced at €4,050 / $5,590 USD node locked and €5,185/ $7,195 USD floating. Registered users can download the latest versions online. Contact Imagineer for trial keys if you wish to test drive the software.

(Thanks Randall)

Digital Camcorder News has the scoop on Aiptek’s new A-HD model, an el-cheapo compact palmcorder with 4x zoom that shoots 720P H.264 to SD multimedia cards. Does it capture high quality images? Probably not, though it may look decent enough for web and standard def applications. Is it cheap? Heck yes, a mere $170. You can buy it direct from the mfr online. It’s big brother, the GO-HD, is also available at Amazon and B&H.

“The Aiptek A-HD still features the same 5 megapixel CMOS sensor, 2.4″ LCD, and memory slot good for up to 8GB of storage. Footage is recorded as .MOV files in the H.264 codec. Your video can be displayed on your HDTV via component outputs.”

We’ve mentioned JVC’s GZ-HD7 several times before, a tiny package that packs a punch and generally seems to review well. As it should…it features 3-CCDs capable of capturing over 5 hours of (pixel-shifted) full-raster 1920×1080 HDV goodness to the onboard hard drive, decent manual controls, and a 10x lens designed by Fujinon. A formidable option in the high-end consumer market.

Matt over at DCN noted that over at Amazon the HD7 is now listed at $1,110.99, which is 35% off JVC’s MSRP and only a few dollars more than the slightly less-capable GZ-HD3. Not a bad deal, if you are in the market.

In conjunction with the Chicago Cine Tech Expo later this week, Redrock Micro is offering Back to (Film) School discounts for Students and Film Educators.

…Redrock will be at Chicago Cine Tech and has a special price for students and educators. During the month of September, all Redrock M2 Bundles are 10% off regular prices, and all Redrock M2 Complete Packages are 20% off regular prices. Bundles include the award-winning Redrock M2 cinema lens adapter, microRodSupport system, achromat, and lens mount. Complete packages include everything in the Bundles, and add the microFollowFocus, microWhips, microPowerPod, and microLensSupport among many other items. All the details are in our online product catalog. The offer is open to anyone involved in education - students, film educators, etc. You just need to have a valid educational email or other form of school identification. This offer is good for international students/educators as well.

To take advantage of this unique offer use the following coupon codes when checking out:
10% of Redrock M2 Bundles - coupon code “BTS10″ (do not include the quote marks)
20% off Redrock M2 Complete Packages - coupon code “BTS20″
This sale is good for the month of September only. www.redrockmicro.com

That’s a pretty decent discount for anyone that is in the market for a 35mm lens adapter system. For instance, the HD Indie Complete Package for SLR lenses is normally $2,449.70, so 20% off would save you $489.94. Not too shabby.

16×9 Inc has released a new lens adapter, a slim single-element design that is well-suited to compact HD camcorders. The new EX Super Fisheye lens adds 0.4X of magnification and a distinctive barrel-distorted, convex view. The lens weighs just under 7oz and fits the following camcorders (some require step-down rings): Canon XH-A1/G1, Canon XL-H1, Panasonic DVX-100B, Sony V1U/FX7, Sony Z1U/FX7, and Sony PD170/150. More details and pricing follows…
Continue reading ‘16×9’s New EX Compact Super Fisheye’

Macworld is coming in January of 2008. And what would a months-off Apple event be without unsubstantiated pre-launch rumors of sweet new product offerings at incredibly low prices? Need I remind you of the Apple Product Cycle? Gentlemen, Start Your Rumors!

MacSlice is reporting rumoring that the requisite unnamed “Apple informant” has delivered (rumored) glad tidings of (rumored)great joy unto all potential Mac Pro buyers…
Continue reading ‘New Mac Pro to Include Awesomeness, Blu-ray Option’

Editor Daniel Hollister used to hate iMovie. But from his recent Why iMovie ‘08 Matters article, it sounds like the latest version in iLife ‘08 is begining to grow on him. He makes a good case for using iMovie for simple productions; “For anyone needing to edit video extremely quickly, this is a godsend.” For a slightly different viewpoint, Mike Curtis wrote a detailed review of iMovie ‘08 for Macworld.

The latest version of iLife is available for $79 at the Apple Store.