The Great Camera Shootout 2010

The fine folks over at Zacudo undertook a very daunting task back in March of this year. They set out to compare each of the best ‘Video DSLRs’ on the market side by side next to 35mm film.

This resulted in a 3-part web series that is sure to surprise a lot of you. If you currently own one of these DSLRs, are thinking about purchasing one, already shooting video like a pro or looking to get started this is a very informative and interesting viewing experience.

Head over to www.zacuto.com/shootout and get out your popcorn.

Save the Date – Stock Footage Webinar

Photo © Larry Ditto / DanitaDelimont.com

Although shooting video with DSLR cameras may be intimidating and confusing at first we feel that with the right guidance and information everyone can learn to embrace it and produce quality footage. As we have been moving into the footage market over the past few months we have come across many experts, useful tools, software and hardware that have proven to be very valuable. We are encouraging all of our still shooters to get into this new market and we now can show you how to do so with just a short learning curve and a modest investment in gear.

We are pleased to announce that DanitaDelimont.com will be presenting a FREE 5 week online footage course for our contracted photographers starting April 5th.  Each Monday classes will be streamed live online from the Creative Techs classroom at Art Wolfe’s studio in Seattle and will also be available later for downloading from the Creative Techs website.

The program is titled “Producing Great Stock Footage with Your DSLR”. Each week we will tackle different topics and will have various experts and product representatives leading the discussions. We will be updating you as the schedule is finalized, but be sure to mark Monday, April 5th at 11:00 AM Pacific time and the following four Mondays on your calendar.  There are also seats available in the studio audience so if you are in Seattle, please attend the live session!

We look forward to helping you get acquainted with shooting and processing footage.  Let us help you to add a great new revenue stream to your business with much less effort than you ever imagined!

Follow Focus

From the Follow Focus Website:

Follow Focus

The all new Redrock microFollowFocus v2 brings new levels of features and refinement to the award-winning microFollowFocus.

The microFollowFocus is the first cinema-grade follow focus unit optimized for use with video cameras and still (SLR) 35mm lenses. Designed to be used with standard 0.8 film-pitch gearing and 15mm lightweight rod support (such as the Redrock Micro microSupport system), the microFollowFocus brings control and accuracy to the new world of digital filmmaking at revolutionary prices.

Redrock microFollowFocus Reviews

Read the review from VASST on the microFollowFocus V1
Read the review from microFilmmaker on the microWhips

LCD Hoods & Eye Pieces (Canon 5d Mark II)

Hoodman Loupe

ICD LCD Viewfinder

When in the field it can be hard to shoot and review clips using your LCD screen. These LCD hoods and eye pieces for the Canon 5d Mark II make it easy to get a good look at your screen without any glare.

You can either put the eye piece up to the screen when you need a look, or hook the attachment on and use it as you shoot.

I would go as far as to say that this is a must have for our 5d shooters.

Ready, Steady, Go!

Another way to get a steady shot and the highest quality footage in the field is to use a Stedi-cam. These use a counter balance to keep your camera steady and almost hover, allowing you to move freely and quickly without the camera shaking and causing the viewer motion sickness.

Here are a few steadicams that are on the market today:

Cavision RS1580D

Glidecam 2000 Pro

ABC Handyman 100

SteadiCam Merlin

Tripods and Fluid Heads

When capturing footage it is essential that your shot be steady and well framed. The best way to do this is to have a sturdy tripod to keep your camera still and a fluid head if you plan on attempting any pans.

Here are some recommended Tripods and Fluid heads that work well with hybrid DSLR cameras and some video cameras.

Tripods

GT2530EX

Gitzo GT2530EX

Gitzo G1327 Mountaineer Mk2 Carbon Fiber

Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripods – 1325 and 1227

Manfrotto 190XPROB

Manfrotto Tripods (Reviewed on CNET)

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Fluid Heads

503HDV

Manfrotto 501HDV

Manfrotto 503HDV

Manfrotto 701HDV

Gitzo G2380