Anton Bauer has been around for quite some time, making some of the most trusted camera batteries on the market. They have stepped up their game with this new Gold Plate QR-DSLR for HDSLR cameras. I got the chance to hit up Kyle Dann from Anton Bauer at The Createasphere Expo 2010. The new Gold Plate battery adapter will work with the existing Canon DC power coupler. The 7.2V adapter will also let you add accessories, which will eliminate the need to charge multiple batteries for multiple accessories. I can power everything off of one single Anton Bauer Battery. We really dig the new Dionic 90 Batteries with electronic power meter display. This will enable you to use any existing Anton Batteries you may have in your kit. The Gold Plate will only cost around $250 US and can be configured to work with either a Hand Held Rig or a tripod mount camera.
Evening light on The Alaska Range Mountains
How efficient is your workflow?
Before you answer that, let’s quickly run through all the major tasks that the average digital photography workflow encompasses and see if you’re performing them as efficiently as you could.
1. Importing and initial editing. Being the first step in the process, this sets the tone for your workflow. If you’re wasting time in this step, your inefficiencies will probably carry through to every other step as well. Are you using the best, most up to date software possible? And are you using it in the most efficient way? With so many choices out there, Lightroom, Aperture, Photo Mechanic, Bridge, you need to find the program that suits you and your photography needs then learn how to use it to its fullest capabilities.
When it comes to the actual editing, are you able to review a batch of photos and quickly star or check the winners and delete the losers, comparing them side by side with others as you go? Or do you spend long minutes poring over each shot, trying to decide if it warrants keeping or not? [click to continue…]
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The Switronix Powerbase 70 Battery system is one of the best power solutions I have found for Canon HDSLR work. It’ not just a battery but a complete system that includes a 70Wh 14.8v Lithium Ion Battery, a Canon LP-E6 battery adapter and a charger. This setup will work well for both stills and video.
While shooting in Live View mode we typically get about two hours from a Canon LP-E6 battery. We’ll sometimes use some type of on camera monitoring system that requires an additional set of batteries. This leads to some type of battery management, timing of each system and setting up a charging station. The powerbase 70 replaces all of that nonsense. The 70Wh battery is the equivalent to about 5 or 6 Canon LP-E6 batteries. And at around $75 a pop… well you can do the math. [click to continue…]
Here’s a quick take on the brand new 5” HDMI monitor from Marshall Electronics. If you are moving from stills into video you will eventually need some type of on camera monitor. We have been using the Marshall 6.5” HDMI monitor for over a year without any problems whatsoever. However it is a little big to mount to a hot shoe adapter on an HDSLR. The new 5” monitor is just the right size for this application. The V-LCD50-HDMI has all of the same features of the larger Marshall monitors. One feature that is critical for HDSLR work is the False Color feature. This feature uses an IRE Scale to determine exposure for a shot. This scale is used quite often in the video world. It’s a simple type of exposure scale that will tell you very quickly if you are overexposed. The dynamic range of HDSLR cameras is very limited. If you overexpose too much you will never be able to bring down the highlights. This goes against the old rule of overexposing by one stop with film. In video we tend to slightly underexpose the scene. It is much easier to bring up the shadows then regain the highlights. The general rule here is that if it’s Red you are dead, if it’s Grey you are OK. [click to continue…]
The Glidecam HD-2000 is one of the most effective tools that I have in my kit. A steadicam system can easily add motion to any situation. For still photographers getting into the video game, the Glidecam HD-2000 is a great option. It’s half the price of its main competitor the Steadicam Merlin. (I would not recommend the Merlin, just look at it. For starters, at least you can set the Glidecam down on its base. Sorry, Garrett.)
Glidecam has been around for sometime, they compete directly with the Steadicam system on every level. The Glidecam HD-2000 will accommodate cameras up to six pounds and is the model of choice for HDSLR work. [click to continue…]
Bruce Dorn of iDC Photo Video.
DV Expo 2010 was not just for video; we managed to find a couple Still Photo resources as well. I got the chance to ask Bruce Dorn of iDC Photo Video a few questions about the transition from Stills to Video. He was candid in his response as to why this is part of the new way we create content.
Bruce has been a pioneer in the photo industry and continues to innovate the video side of stills with his System One HDSLR setup. I was one of the first to use the “Skateboard Wheel” follow focus and it has improved greatly since the first prototype model I got to play around with. The newer system will accommodate both focus and zoom. This is a great solution for the stills shooter who is just getting into video, or only does it sporadically. It’s compact and doesn’t require a base plate and rods like many other follow focus/ zoom assist systems. For further proof of its versatility, just look to the fact that the System One is used by the military.
The IDC Photo Video viewfinder is Military grade. The mounting system is the only one of its kind. Many manufacturers have copied this system. Most other systems are prone to pop off at critical times or during camera moves. The IDC viewfinder is mounted directly to the bottom of the camera.
Lon Parker of iStockphoto.
The iStockphoto application process is a real pain in the ass. I just spent the last hour and half trying to upload three videos for their application. But even if only one of them is selected it may be well worth it. I got the chance to hit up Lon Parker from iStockphoto and ask him a few questions about the process and possible income derived from being a part of their library. They accept multiple media formats including audio files. This could be the future of Stock Media. [click to continue…]
The Light Craft Workshop Fader ND Ultra MK II filter is one of the most cost effective tools available for HDSLR work. When shooting video with a Canon HDSLR, we use what are called “Native ISO’s”. Through extensive testing by many reliable sources out there, myself included, we have found that popular Canon HDSLR cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II, the Canon 7D and Canon 1D Mark IV use a type of gain feature when moving up the ISO scale. This means that ISO 250 will have a greater signal to noise ratio than the native 160 ISO. This is barley noticeable when you are shooting with a 21MP camera, however when the image is downsized to a mere 2K for video, the noise is prevalent. [click to continue…]
The Litepanels Micro Pro Hybrid is one of the best tools for both stills and video. It is a great way to add a little eye light or kill a shadow. They can be placed almost anywhere and generate almost no heat whatsoever. Litepanels was one of the first companies to make cinema ready LED lights and have crossed over to flash photography with the new Micro Pro Hybrid. [click to continue…]
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