Yeah! It’s that time again. That time of the year when I get a little recharged by the sights and sounds of new equipment, technologies, and creative artists reminding everyone about the artistry of cinema and not just the latest gadget.
Here are some pix that feature some of the new toys and tools that I found to be “best of show”. I’m choosing not to write too much about these items since enough has been written by the manufactures (I’ve added a “link” to the vendor’s site if you want more information).
To support my last point in the first paragraph, I also had the opportunity to attend some panel led seminars. I’ll try to post my notes in the coming days. In the meantime, enjoy the toys…
Arri CSC modified 435 with a manual hand-crank (link)
Arri D-20 with the Flash Mag (link)
P+S Skater Mini & Skate Probe (link)
I was informed that I just might the first to photograph this shell outside of the case! Cool. This is a plastic mold for the housing of the highly anticipated camera from the founder of Oakley – the Red One camera. (link)
C-Motion wireless (or wired) LCS (Lens Control System). For me, this rank as one of the top three items at the show. (link)
I talked about this camera stabilization system from MK-V (the Alien Revolution) for SteadiCam rigs last year. It’s been improved and I can’t wait to put it to use this year. (link)
The Kinomatik MovieTube also ranked very high on my best of show list. It allows you to mount PL, Panavision or still photography lenses on most any fixed lens camera. Click on the image above to see a bigger image of the unit. (link)
J.L. Fisher will soon be offering these “skater wheels” for the dolly that will allow the dolly to be mounted to the track perpendicularly as in the top picture (notice the removable shelf attachment on the right of the bottom picture). Also notice that for weight distribution, the shelf would extend off the opposite side of the operator. (link)
Honorable mention…
Arri 416 – A really great piece of German engineering. My only complaint, no way to electronically control the angle of shutter and no 800′ magazine (and no plans in the near future for one). Still a fantastic redesign.
Rescue Tape – It’s a tape that’s self-bonding, air and water tight to 700 PSI, insulates 8000 volts, and resists 260°C (500°F). A very popular purchase at the show.
Cooke – Cooke has some great new lens options. First is an expansion to its S4 line when used with S16mm cameras. The line is called SK4 and now includes a 6mm, 9.5mm and 12mm. Beyond that you’d use the S4 lens 14mm – 180mm primes. (Yes, there is a 12mm S4 lens but the SK4 is better suited for S16mm.) They also have a new zoon in the way of the S4/i 15-40mm T2 CXX Zoom. (A mouthful I know.) Like the other S4 lenses, it’s a true T2 throughout the range of the zoom, no breathing, minimum focus is an astounding 7″, it covers S35mm, it’s light 3.5 Kg (7.9lbs), and it offers a LDS port on the lens for continuous electronic feedback on lens settings (useful for VFX work).
Innovision – Innovision showed off a HD Mini Probe. A probe lens for small format cameras like the Panasonic HVX200, DVX100/B, Sony HVR-Z1U and HDR-FX1.
And finally, a curiosity…
The folks at C-Motion had this camera body carved out of wood to mount and demonstrate their products on. Click on the image to see a larger view. Why don’t we call this our moment of Zen.
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