Top 3 features of the new Zacuto Z-Finder EVF - Electronic view finder for your Canon 5D Mk II, 7D, T2i, Nikon D7000

It's hard to shoot pro video on a DSLR for the simple reason that the ergonomics don't accommodate a proper shooting style.  Most shooters have invested in an optical view finder mounted to the LCD of their camera, but the results are still unbalanced.   What we have needed, and wanted, was an electronic view finder similar to what is found on pro film and video cameras.  This allows you to mount the camera off-set from the viewfinder, giving you better access to the lens, and positioning your cam over your shoulder for support.  Existing camera rigs allow you to offset the camera from a shoulder mount to get your eye directly behind the cameras LCD, but this doesn’t fix the access to the lens.  Your essentially stuck executing a reach around technique to pull focus.  Also in this configuration there are no options for monitoring with a viewfinder from any direction other than directly behind the camera.   

Today an industry leading camera accessory manufacturer Zacuto announced their latest product, the Z-Finder EVF.  A 3.2” high resolution monitor that will be used in conjunction with their industry leading line of optical viewfinders called, Z-Finders.  The incredibly robust and high quality Z-Finders will mount to the monitor in place of a permanent optical viewfinder.

Here are the specs so far

Click to read more ...

"DSLR Video On Assignment with Dan Chung" *REVIEW*

 

A little over a year ago, in the early stages of the "DSLR Revolution," The F-Stop Academy, a London based training company for filmmakers run by 20 year industry veteran Den Lennie, established themselves as one of the early resources for DSLR training with their release of the video, "Learn Canon 5D Mark II Cinematography with Philip Bloom"   

Following up on the success of the first DVD they quickly produced a follow up DVD for the Canon 7D when it was released, as well as releasing a DVD educating stills shooters, by “Epic Advertising Photographer” Drew Gardner, later that year.   

By following award winning photojournalist Dan Chung while on assignment covering the Hindu festival Thaipusam that takes place yearly at the Batu Caves north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, F-Stop’s latest DSLR training video, “DSLR Video On Assignment with Dan Chung,” takes a slightly different approach than previous releases.

Click to read more ...

The possibilities of DSLR Video

I don't plan to post other peoples work on my blog on a regular basis, but I felt that this film warranted your time. 

There has been a lot of talk about the quality and possibilities of DSLR video, and there are a lot of "high profile" projects that are coming down the pipe in the coming months, but what I believe to be the first "real" demonstration of the cameras capabilities for filmmakers comes in the form of "City of Lakes."  A concept wedding film from a talented group of wedding filmmakers led by Kevin Shahinian of Pacific Pictures, "City of Lakes" puts the Canon line of DSLRs through their paces.

Click to read more ...

NAB Interview w/ Jon McKee - Discussing HD & DSLR video, and why video pros should go to NAB

The great guys over @Jag35 and Thomas Roberts @trstudios caught up with me on the first day of NAB for a short chat about my work and some of the tools I was excited to see at NAB 2010. 

Check out the Interview over at Jag35.com

THE PXL2000 Spark

The PXL2000 Video CameraThe year was 1987.  Somewhere in between shooting hoops in the driveway, playing H-O-R-S-E with my brother, riding my bike, or hangin’ down the street at John Pierre's house playing Mike Tysons Punch Out, the PXL 2000 entered my life.  I had no idea at the time that I would be a DP/videographer when I grew up.  All I knew was that this sweet piece of gear let me make movies and TV shows all on my own. 

Click to read more ...