Once again we have a chance to see the test Canon 5D Mark III, this time in comparison with Sony FS100 and Panasonic GH2 by Andrew Reid editor of EOSHD.com. There are three shooting scenes he chose for the test located in an old ex-factory in the east of Berlin, Germany. In individual shoots the only illumination came from the pearly strip light, the iPhone torch and a reflection of petrol station lights caught in the mirror. In these extremely low-lit locations the three cameras were tested on noise in the lows, resolution, ISO 12,800 performance and handling of highlight. For the test were used three lenses of Leica R series: Leica Elmarit-R 35mm F2.8, Leica Summicron-R 50mm F2 and Leica Elmarit-R 90mm F2.8.

 Details on this project are described in the article Shootout in extreme low light. Andrew Reid adds also his observations on this topic:

“This was a test shoot for the kind of extreme lighting I’ll be exploiting for a project I’m working on at the moment called Blind Hell. So far it is has been great to exploit a cleaner (almost noise free compared to film!) image at ISOs like 1600. But when you push amazing tech like this to ISOs like 12,800 you see things which have never before been utilised in the history of film. The way light behaves at this level of sensitivity goes beyond what human vision sees. The way it reflects off surfaces, the way it dances and moves – and my aim is to exploit this new territory to the full, creatively. It is far more exciting than just getting a cleaner image with less noise.”

Source: http://www.eoshd.com/

Philip Bloom is back. This time he invited three full frame DSLRs for the session: Nikon D800, Nikon D4 and Canon D5 Mark III. In fact, most of the time in this review is given on Nikon cameras but we know already his opinion on this Canon camera. To recall the review on the Canon 5D Mark III have a look here.

To see all the comparisons you have to devote half an hour of your attention but it really worth do it. Philip explains so long video in this way: "I go into a lot of detail in the rather long video below. I hope it will entertain and inform you for its running length. I show resolution and image issue tests, show off the full frame aesthetic, discuss features, and demonstrate how they all compare in low light".

Take a cup of coffee, sit back and look whether the difference between these three DSLR cameras.

Finally, one more comparison missing in the review : “The one bit I missed out of the test was rolling shutter issues. They are all the same. Very difficult to tell them apart!”

Source: http://philipbloom.net/

There are films that changed filmmaking forever. Just one frame from 2001: A Space Odyssey is enough to return the mood created by Stanley Kubrick. Here is a two-part interview with Douglas Trumbull, the man who worked on special effects in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Douglas Trumbull headed up the VFX team on films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Blade Runner. In AIN'T IT COOL with Harry Knowles, he speaks not only about the past projects but expresses his opinions on the future of cinema as well. He sees several problems with conventional cinema like an outdated screens and a slow frame rates. On example of new productions like The Hobbit and Avatar 2, he discusses the impact of frame rates. One solution that Trumbull is working on is a hemispherical high-gain screen, with movies projected at 120 frames per second.

Douglas Trumbull says: “I think the movie industry now has to rethink itself, and develop a new kind of spectacle and showmanship to get people back into theaters – if that’s what they want. If they want to get people into theaters, it’s going to have to be truly spectacular and unavailable in any other form.”

Source: http://www.nerdist.com

You can find this note on Canon’s web: “… the chassis is built of lightweight and rigid magnesium, and the camera's seals are built to resist water and dust. This combination makes the EOS 7D ready for anything.” The DigitalRev TV team decided to see if this is just a slogan. Watch “Hardcore Durability Test” if Canon EOS 7D can survive a set of crazy tests and still take picture at the end.

Their verdict is: “We have proven it: the Canon 7D is immortal. Kind of. In this video, we find out how durable the Canon EOS 7D (with serial number 580516676) is by: hitting it with a car; dropping it down some steps on a wheelchair; freezing it, soaking it, and setting fire to it.”

Do not repeating any of the tests to check is yours camera as tough as that one in the video!

Source: http://www.digitalrev.com/

This is a really nice initiative! HD Magazine published two 100% free issues on NAB 2012. Below are the covers and the list of topics as well as the download links. Definitely something worth your time and reading!

• ISSUE 1

Topics covered in this issue:

• Blackmagic Design 2.5K RAW Camera
• AJA 4K Recorder
• PIX 260 Recorder
• Canon 1D-C Camera
• Canon C500 Camera
• Sony FS700 Camera
• Filmlight Flip DoP Station
• Convergent Gemini RAW
• JVC GY-HM650 Camera

To read this issue, click here.

• ISSUE 2

Topics covered in this issue:

• Red Dragon Sensor
• Arri Plus 4:3 Camera
• Teranex Replaces Multibridge
• GoPro Pro Tune
• LightWorks Finally Launches
• Fujinon's Detachable Zoom Drive
• Review: Pluraleyes for Avid
• Review: Tiffen DFX

To read this issue, click here.

Source: http://www.definitionmagazine.com

Remember Chris Weaver and his 3 simple rules for filming without lights in exterior conditions (we wrote about it here)? Now Chris has some more tips for you but this time he focuses on filming interiors. In his new article, Chris focuses mainly on documentary coverage where there’s no time to setup lights. He believes that documentary training is some of the best training you can have, as it teaches you to be quick, resourceful and intelligent about how you utilise your environment and the time you have there - and of course we agree on that!

Anyway here are the 3 useful tips:

• Control the light by closing/opening blinds and curtains.

The first question you should ask yourself is - "Do I need to control the light?”. If it is too bright or too dark, you do. So how can you fix the problem? If there are curtains in the windows, you can partly close or open them. You can also use a reflector to soften the light or "bounce" the light onto your subject.

• Utilise whatever electric lights are in situ (table lamps, overhead lighting, monitors/tv screens).

If you need even more illumination, try to utilize artificial lights available at the place - even such as table lamps: " If for example you are filming a sequence of someone working at their computer at night, using an angle poise desk lamp in shot can really create a great mood. You can position the light so that it illuminates the computer and the person’s face – it’s a simple technique but a very fast, effective way of lighting."

If the light is too hard you can also soften it or bounce it with a reflector. And if you don't have one, you can always... use the wall - simply point the light straight at it!

You can also get yourself some dimmers which will allow you to control the intensity of the light.

• Stand your subject facing a source of light (a window for example) to illuminate him/her on screen – Avoid shooting against bright backgrounds and having to battle with your exposure.

It is not a good idea to shoot a person against the windows as you will have to expose for the light on the person in the room and the person you are filming will become under-exposed or dark. This is why you should always try to avoid shooting against windows. But if the background is really important all you can do (without any lights on the set of course) is reduce the light coming in through the window. For this you can use for example a lighting gel (ND filter) which is used to reduce the level of light coming in through the window, without affecting the colour temperature of the light.

For more read the whole post which you will find here.

Source: http://filmcameracourse.wordpress.com

Do you remember "Back to the Future" movie? Yeah, Polish television used to play it every Christmas for 5 years (along with Home Alone 1, 2, ... 7... 15? ... whatever). Anyway, currently living in Buenos Aires, photographer Irina Werning, took an adventure and photographed people from the past at current age. Results are amazing.

Full gallery: Irina Werning

Everybody knows what's World Press Photo contest and there is no need to explain that. I've been recently watching their website gallery and to be honest I'm shocked. Yes, shocked. In worst of that word's meanings. Why? Watch the gallery yourself: World Press Photo 2010 link. Have you found at least one photo showing any happiness? I didn't. Only pain, death, crying and sorrow. Is this world really so depraved and corrupted? Look around. Does TV news show any happiness at all? I'm shocked. Let's do something about it.

Szymon Masiak from MotionVFX reviewed Base.x DSLR rig set number 12 from Handy Film Tools, the video shows you how great the tool is. So if you're looking for a DSLR rig you just gotta watch it, you may be surprised how solid, easy to use and amazing it is. Watch the review here.

The reviewed set is available to purchase here for $1,194.00, and it's limited time offer.

MotionVFX team has recently purchased one of the Handy Base.X sets, and we're gonna review it especially for you. 

The bundle is optimized for operators with DSLRs or cameras, and we use this stuff a lot in MotionVFX. The rig is compatible to any kind of camera support system. You're able to balance its front and back weight distribution. 

There is one more thing you need to know: Handy Film Tools offers now -20% introduction price. Check out the video and stay tuned for our review.