Just checking out the Swit camera batteries specifically designed for the Sony EX1/EX3 series of cameras. They have a capacity of 63Wh significantly more than the high capacity BP-U60 battery from Sony at 56Wh. One exceptionally useful feature is the addition of a industry standard 14.4V D-tap connector allowing it to be used as a power source for toplights and other attachments. Swit do an LED toplight which isn’t quite as powerful as some would like, but the award winning litepanels can be easily connected.
You can pick up the Swit battery at CameraGrip.co.uk for the bargain price of £104.95 (inc VAT) much cheaper than the similar capacity and less functional Sony battery.
As we’re all aware of now the Canon 5D Mk II, billed as the revolution in film making has some fatal flaws. The functionality being sadly lacking in frame rates and compression quality, showstoppers in all but the most basic shoots. The rumored specs of the 7D Mk II seem like they may have been listening and made something actually usable. From the rumors the picture modes have been cleaned up and the video options seems to have been sorted out.
The big test is going to be in if they’ve actually spent some money on the video compression chipset, stopped it overheating, given it a solid video timebase and better audio. One unfortunate aspect seems that it may not be a full frame sensor meaning that those fans of tight DoF might be a little disappointed.
Importantly though the king of rumours the Red Scarlet may be out by the end of the year, making the whole Canon game a bit redundant, but I’m not holding my breath for theat one.
Gizmodo Review
http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/25/diy-cameraphone-macro-lens-requires-one-old-dvd-player-zero-tec/
A useful little hack to get super close shots from your mobile phone camera, with just the casualty of an old DVD player.
4:56 pm
Roger Deakins is a legendary cinematographer who has worked on amongst others The Shawshank Redemption, Barton Fink, O Brother Where Art Thou and A Beautiful Mind. Born and raised in small town Torquay, Devon he eventually took on Hollywood.
- Personal Website.
- IMDB page.
- An interview with the International Cinematographers Guild.
- Roger picks some of his favourite camera work for the Guardian.
- A discussion about Roger’s collaboration with the Coen Brothers.
- Talking about No Country for Old Men.
- Man of Light: Roger shares his wisdom.
- An interview with American Cinematographer about The Assassination of Jesse James, and No Country For Old Men.
If you want to get your fill of some good films LoveFilm has most of these available in their collection.
4:04 pm
