Topaz Clarity Plug-in Released

Topaz Clarity is the latest addition to the Topaz plug-in suite. If you are a fan of Lightroom and Camera Raw’s ‘Clarity’ slider, then Topaz Clarity just might be your favorite new plug-in.
I’ve been tinkering with Topaz Clarity for a week or so now and my initial impressions are that it’s like the Lightroom Clarity slider on steroids. While Lightroom lets you push one slider, Topaz Clarity lets you fine tune mico, mid-tone and overall contrast with separate sliders. Additionally, you can use a very smart masking brush with edge awareness to fine tune your clarity and saturation selections.

Topaz Clarity Screenshot (Note the edge aware mask view in the top-right corner.)

Topaz Clarity is fast and effective at adding an additional

Shooting Raw on the Canon 5D Mark III

EOSHD writes up their experience shooting 2.5K CinemaScope anamorphic raw on the Canon 5D Mark III.

They write, "Am I over the moon about the image quality of raw on the 5D Mark III?

"Well before we were shooting 8bit, with all that banding and lack of flexibility in post. Now we have 14bit colour and can debayer the raw to 4:4:4 EXR using the full power and sophistication of an ILM workstation. That’s a bit of a step up from DIGIC 5. Effectively the image processor of the camera has been moved out of the DSLR and into the realm of Resolve, Intel and NVidia. That is a big thing. No more DIGIC debayer or mushy H.264 encoder.

"Dynamic range and overall quality is pretty much identical to the 22MP raw stills on the 5D Mark III so you can imagine what a step up this is for any league of video camera, let alone one costing $3000. That Canon sensor is doing a very good job indeed and I am amazed."

Read the full post here.

Guide and Setup for sony F55

A very useful guide of my friends  Magnanimous Media from Chicago for sony F55 @MagnanimousChi

Nikon D7100 Sample Photos

by Eric Reagan on May 12, 2013

in Nikon

I’ve got a review coming for the Nikon D7100 soon, but I wanted to go ahead and pass along some sample images from the camera that I recently shot (in addition to my Nikon D7100 sample video footage).  Check them out below.
This first round of images covering the ISO range were processed as RAW files in Lightroom and exported as JPEG. I did no additional edits.

WD My Passport Ultra Compact USB 3.0 Hard Drive Unveiled

The Western Digital My Passport Ultra is a new USB 3.0 hard drive that is available in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB sizes, as well as a variety of colors.
The My Passport Ultra comes formatted as a Windows drive and includes WD SmartWare Pro backup software with Dropbox integration, hardware encryption and password protection. The drive also comes with a fabric carry bag to keep if from getting nicked up in your gear bag.
I’ve had the chance to use one of the drives for the past few days and I think it’s a

Canon 5D mark III RAW vs. Blackmagic Cinema Camera RAW

Brinno TLC200 Pro The world's 1st HDR Time Lapse video camera

Brinno TLC200 Pro built with high performance HDR (High Dynamic Range) image sensor, so you can take beautiful time lapse video even against strong light! Shockingly simple awesome HDR Time Lapse videos at the push of a button!

With Brinno Instant Video technology, once your video is shot, it's actually a Time Lapse video  and not a

mocha AE and mocha Pro v3.2 Public Beta Announcement

Today Imagineer Systems released a public beta version of mocha Pro and mocha AE v3.2. This new point release includes significant features and fixes for all users.

• Global character & keyboard support: Unicode-enabled, supporting project, footage, layer names and file paths in any language.
• Fixes licensing deactivation issues related to OS X Mountain Lion
• Fixes tracking export issues with interlaced projects for AE and FCP.
• Fixes in stabilized and inverted tracking export
• 3D Camera exporter now exports nulls with names and accuracy identifiers to both AE and FBX/Nuke.
• Many more improvements in all areas of the software.

This release will work with existing mocha Pro v3.x and mocha AE 3.x licenses.
Customers running mocha AE CS6 from Adobe would need to purchase upgrade or request trial to run beta.
The 3D importer for After Effects plug-in does not need a license, but the new naming functionality will only work with the pre-release mocha Pro/AE v3.2 and mocha 3d importer 1.1.
Disclaimer: This is pre-release beta software for testing purposes and may not be suitable for use in a production environment.
To participate in the public beta program, you must log-in to the company’s user forums.
http://www.imagineersystems.com/

Adobe Creative Cloud and the Death of Boxed Software

by Eric Reagan on May 9, 2013

in Adobe

What a week it has been.
Many pro and amateur photographers, along with many other creative pros and enthusiasts, woke up Monday morning looking forward to what might come out of the Adobe MAX conference as the latest Adobe products were set to be unveiled.
Adobe teased us for several weeks leading up to Adobe MAX, including an impressive showing of new video products at NAB 2013. Many of us were nearly on pins and needles with anticipation based on what we had seen thus far.
I mean, this stuff just keeps better and better.

And Then… The Hammer Dropped.

VariZoom Stealthy stabilizer, 3-point shooter compact multi functional dslr & video support, DIY.

Matrox Graphics’ Maevex 5100 Series Video Over IP

Matrox Graphics’ Maevex 5100 Series video over IP solution enables the extension of full HD quality video over standard IP networks for digital signage, collaborative video walls, manufacturing, and automation, process control, and many other applications.

 

Maevex encoders and decoders capture, stream, and decode video from a variety of sources, and even allow for software-based decoding on non-Maevex devices.

 

Maevex units come bundled with PowerStream software, allowing for remote management of Maevex devices and enabling a variety of user-defined stream-management features. These include adjustable low bit-rate encoding for minimal and cost-effective bandwidth consumption.

MoVI Camera Stabilizer from FreeFly Cinema Looking Good To Revolutionize Camera Stabilization

Last week we checked out the Supraflux Video Camera Stabilizer, a small stabilizer that has been lighting up kick-starter, already making over double their goal with almost a month left. Today we’ve got the other side of the spectrum with the MoVi from my very good friends Tabb and Hugh at Firefly Systems. I’ve used these guy for several years now as go-to help for aerial RC choppers and other fun toys… but in the past week they’ve dropped a much more hi-tech entry that’s already built a lot of worthy buzz as the next big thing in camera stabilization. I got the early tip, but was swamped so Tabb & co went way down stream (j/k Vincent to work w my dear friend Vincent and take the MōVI for a test drive. Vince gave it his seal of approval, especially praising its short learning curve + ability to quickly make both simple and complex shots. My favorite part is the separation of the camera carrying from the camera pointing function. Don’t know what I mean? Check out their video… one guy handles the camera, the other guy steers the tilt / pan (ie what the camera sees). Genius! The video below will give you a solid idea of just how smooth the MōVI is, and might make you look at handhelds with a new respect.

Using a 3 axis gyroscope to stabilize the camera, the MōVI system is portable and lightweight (3.5 pounds), making Scorsese-like shots a breeze. You can also manipulate the camera motion remotely by a second operator via joystick. Unfortunately the only real negative so far might be a deal-breaker; it’s currently priced at $15,000. Rumors have a $7,500 option coming soon, which is a little more manageable. The good news is, with technology like this breaking, you can bet a more consumer friendly option is on its way. Even more below for more of the MōVI in action.

Avid Media Composer 7 Extends Real-time Production Everywhere

Avid unveiled Media Composer® 7, featuring accelerated and simplified file-based workflows including optimized HD delivery from high-res source material and automated media operations. In addition, as a key component of the Avid Everywhere vision, the new release offers Interplay® Spherefor Mac support, extending real-time production everywhere. Used to edit more top-tier content than any other nonlinear editing (NLE) solution, Media Composer software is now available starting at $999 USD—bringing unprecedented value to post production editors.

Sony announced new version of Anycast

Sony today announced at NAB 2013 Anycast Touch, an ultra-portable and easy to use all-in-one live production solution. With no previous live production experience required, Anycast Touch is an affordable broadcasting/webcasting solution suitable for a wide range of educational and government institutions, corporate organisations and event management companies.

LiveU Introduces LU² – The First Modular Next-Generation Live Video Solution

LiveU is introducing LU², the first modular solution that pushes the edge of innovation, enabling optimal use of available cellular networks by combining two LiveU field units for scenarios where additional resiliency is needed.

Livestream Aims to Democratize Live Production

Following the success of the ultra portable Livestream Studio HD500 and Livestream Studio™ Software, Livestream (livestream.com) today unveils its full suite of live production switchers: Livestream Studio™ HD50, HD900 and HD1700, available today for pre-order. To further its mission to democratize live video, Livestream is extending its line of all-in-one broadcast quality switching hardware to enable HD live production at any size.

Telestream Unveils New Video Transcoder for IPTV and Cable VOD Distribution

Telestream today announced a major new enterprise-class video transcoding software product. Vantage® Transcode IPTV VOD is a highly-focused transcoding solution that was developed specifically for broadband and cable service providers to automate content preparation and delivery for IPTV and cable VOD workflows.

Wacom releases Cintiq 13HD 13-inch compact pen display

Wacom today boosts its lineup of Cintiq interactive pen displays with the addition of the Cintiq 13HD. Aimed at creative professionals working in areas such as design, art and image editing, it combines a 13” HD screen, slim and compact design, simple setup, an adjustable stand and an improved pen for creating directly on the screen. Easily integrated into any environment, the Cintiq 13HD is the ideal tool to support creativity and enhance productivity, offering a natural and immersive experience.

MAXON Announces Strategic Alliance with Adobe

MAXON, the developer of CINEMA 4D, a leading 3D animation software for film, broadcast and motion graphics professionals, today announced it has entered into a strategic alliance with Adobe Systems Incorporated to further

 

Grass Valley Director Integrated Nonlinear Live Production Center

Grass Valley® introduced the GV Director™ Integrated Nonlinear Live Production Center. Much more than a switcher, it brings a dynamic new paradigm to live production workflows of all genres, with its simplified way of producing and delivering live content across multiple distribution platforms. GV Director is suitable for all production environments, such as houses of worship, image magnification (IMAG) applications, educational institutes, as well as fixed venues, production studios, and trucks.

Adobe Brings the Power of Photoshop to Mobile Phones

Adobe Systems Incorporated announced the immediate availability of a new version of Adobe® Photoshop® Touch, optimized for iPhone, iPod touch, and Android smart phones. Inspired by the highly successful Photoshop Touch for tablets, the phone app brings core features of Photoshop desktop software to mobile devices and offers similar intuitive, touch-based gestures and features.

Watch a New York Minute Filmed Entirely in HDR on the RED Epic

Colby Moore presents a montage of New York scenes all shot in high-dynamic range on the RED Epic. He explains on his Vimeo page, "A short and creepy montage of scenes shot around the ever-photogenic island of Manhattan -- filmed entirely in high-dynamic range and comprised of some HDR Timelapse footage I shot, along with a collection of slow-motion and normal 24fps footage processed from Red Epic-X RAW video that I recently captured and then exported as -2,0+2 TIFF stacks to be tone mapped in Photomatix using a batch processing workflow. Please note that none of this was shot using HDRx -- only normal exposures from the camera post-converted into HDR using the traditional faux-HDR method of pushing and pulling the RAW file to create bracketed images...the idea here is to give you an idea of what can be captured with a workflow similar to this, as well as to hint at what might be possible once in-camera HDR technology improves to the point of capturing at least three exposures simultaneously without the added detriment of having to push and pull in post, which as stated before, adds quite a bit of grain."

Watch below.

See the Best Visual Clips from This Year's Best Cinematography Oscar Nominees

Fandor Keyframe has compiled an interesting 8-minute video: two scenes from each of the five films nominated for Best Cinematography at this Sunday's Oscars. Each film gets no more than 90 seconds of screen time and the whole thing is presented without sound to put full emphasis on the visuals.

So, based on this, who do you think should win: Anna Karenina, Django Unchained, Life of Pi, Lincoln or Skyfall? Watch below.

Boris FX Rolls Out New Boris Continuum Units Product Family

Boris FX announced that each category of Boris Continuum Complete filters is now available as a separate Boris Continuum Unit, allowing artists to choose toolsets that are geared towards their specific needs.

Boris Continuum Complete delivers the most comprehensive VFX plug-in suite ever created. Over 200 comprehensive filters across 16 categories of effects include 3D particles, image restoration tools such as Noise Reduction and Flicker Fixer, lens flares and lights, chroma keys and mattes, color correction tools, blurs, glows, and film effects. Each of these 16 categories of filters is now available as a Boris Continuum Unit that may be purchased separately for Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, and Sony Vegas Pro.

Matrox Video Over IP and Video Wall Products at DSE

Matrox Graphics will feature Matrox Maevex video distribution over IP devices and Matrox Mura MPX video wall controller boards working individually and in tandem at DSE 2013 (Las Vegas Convention Center, Feb. 27 - 28, Booth #133).

Visitors will see the Full-HD encoding performance of Maevex and an array of Maevex hardware and third-party software decoding options. Using the Maevex PowerStream remote control software, parameters like frame rate capture and bit rate targets can be adjusted to create a balance between network bandwidth consumption and image quality, while maintaining a cost-effective solution.

		The Matrox Maevex Series delivers one-to-one unicast or one-to-many multicast of Full-HD quality video extension over standard TCP/IP networks.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to use the Matrox MuraControl for Windows or MuraControl for iPad apps to test drive the latest presentation effects on the Matrox Mura-powered video wall. A combination of streaming network sources, local media players and Blu-ray content can be captured, scaled, switched, rotated, cropped, framed, tagged and repositioned with high visual quality.

The Matrox Maevex video distribution over IP solution delivers one-to-one unicast or one-to-many multicast of Full-HD quality video extension and playback over standard TCP/IP networks. Maevex Encoders and Decoders capture, stream, and decode video from a variety of sources, and allow for software-based decoding on non-Maevex devices. Matrox PowerStream software offers several user-defined management features enabling administrators to control the Maevex network, streams, and devices.

			Matrox Mura MPX video wall controller boards are designed for use in collaborative video walls and wall matrix management.

The Matrox Mura MPX Series output/input boards feature flexible, universal input channel support for both digital and analog (DVI, RGB/VGA, Component, S-Video & Composite) video signals. Mura MPX’s ability to capture and display uncompressed data ensures high-quality text, video, and graphics. Mura MPX high-density analog video capture cards provide additional NTSC/PAL/SECAM input channel support, while the Mura MPX-SDI board includes support for two 3G SDI video inputs and two DVI outputs.

RØDE VideoMic Updated with New Mount and Rycote Suspension

RØDE has updated its popular VideoMic, which now uses the Lyre suspension system from Rycote. The new orientation has lowered the microphone profile, and the plastic shoe mount has been replaced with a billet all-metal shoe for extra reliability.

The RØDE VideoMic features a high-pass filter at 80Hz and is designed for use with HDSLRs and other video cameras that offer a 3.5mm mic input. the VideoMic is powered by a 9-volt battery, which RØDE estimates will provide 100 hours of runtime.

High Speed, Low Drag: WD MyBook VelociRaptor Duo Thunderbolt Drive Review

by Eric Reagan 

The Western Digital VelociRaptor Duo Thunderbolt drive is a power-user’s dream external drive kitted out with two 10,000RPM VelociRaptor drives. Inside the box, WD includes a Thunderbolt cable (a $50 accessory), which was missing from the original WD My Book Thunderbolt Duo.

The drive has two Thunderbolt ports, which allows you to

New software release for the GV STRATUS

Grass Valley® announces a new software release for the GV STRATUS® nonlinear production solution. With more than 1,500 seats sold worldwide, GV STRATUS non-linear production solution delivers greater workflow efficiency by enabling users to work collaboratively and accomplish tasks in parallel.

The new release includes powerful new tools to

LightWave 11.5 Now Available

The LightWave 3D® Group, announced LightWave 11.5, the newest version of its award-winning 3D modeling, animation and rendering software for artists and designers, is now available for purchase. A no-charge upgrade to LightWave 11.5 is available to all registered LightWave 11 customers via the LightWave 3D website.

LightWave 11.5 includes new features and functionality that enhance creativity and streamline productivity for everyone—from individual artists and designers to large animation or visual effects studios. Some of the many new features in LightWave 11.5 include the Genoma character rigging system with modular presets, predator and prey Flocking capabilities, per-object Instancing control, and soft-body Bullet Dynamics with support for FiberFX. Also included are Interchange Tools supporting Adobe After Effects cameras and Pixologic’s Zbrush, stereoscopic and depth-of-field motion blur in the Viewport Preview Renderer (VPR), major workflow enhancements, and more.
“Leveraging the rich collection of new tools in LightWave 11.5 allows us to continue to deliver movies on time and on budget,” said Scott Wheeler, visual effects supervisor at Rogue State and LightWave beta team member. “No other software gives us the scalability to do small team projects while still being capable of handling major studio effects movies quite like LightWave. It’s a must have in our CG arsenal.”

Some of the new features and enhancements in LightWave 11.5 include:

BBC freelance cameraman tests Super 35mm 1080p on the Canon 1D C

Cinematographer Johnnie Behiri tests out Super 35mm at 1080p on the Canon 1DC in the video found below. Observes EOSHD, "It is a very good Super 35mm 1080p camera, but only 8 bit. It also lacks the built in ND and other handling niceties of the much cheaper C100. If you’re happy to use an external recorder there are better options for Super 35mm out there for less money."

Read their full take here.