dslr video

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sling studio slingstudio wireless live stream

To me, the new SlingStudio is one of the most innovative products shown at NAB2017, and i'm lucky to have a set to review prior to their official release! I've been a big fan of Live Switching and Live Streaming for a few years, but it's been out of reach for many small production teams. Now SlingStudio is making it easier and simpler to offer Multi-Cam Live Streaming.


With SlingStudio you can stream a video feed from any camera (with HDMI out), or install an app on iOS and Android Smartphones and use those devices to stream video back to the SlingStudio Wireless Hub. Once you have all your cameras sending a video feed to the SlingStudio wireless Hub, with an iPad you can then see all of the feeds (up to 10 feeds) and live switch between them.

You can choose to record your Live Switch Program to an SDXC or with an expander you can use an external USB drive. You can also choose to record each feed independently to edit later. The wireless hub as an HDMI input if you want to connect a single camera directly, and there's even a dedicated Audio Line In so you can pipe in a clean audio feed.

To stream an HDMI feed, you can get an optional CameraLink adapter which means you can use cameras like your Panasonic GH4, or Sony A7sII, or even a GoPro (anything with HDMI out). Once you have your camera feeds and recording media setup, you can even opt to Live Stream to a service like YouTube or Facebook, etc.

The SlingStudio Wireless Hub can be battery powered, so you can truly Live Switch + Live Stream from any location - completely wirelessly. I'm currently working on a video about this product, but if you have questions or comments right now, leave them below.

Or read more about the new SlingStudio (here):

SlingStudio Wireless Live Switch Live Stream Live Production
SlingStudio Multi-Cam Live Switch + Stream + Record


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I think this new Panasonic Lens will replace my favorite Panasonic 7-14mm F/4 when flying my new GH5 on a Gimbal. The new lens is faster at F/2.8 at it's widest, adds a bit more reach, but most importantly offers filter threads for ND filters. It's not often you'll find a wide angle lens that accepts ND Filters. I don't mind that it's not as wide, as the new Panasonic GH5 camera can operate in 4K Video Mode without adding additional crop (as the GH4 used to). The new Panasonic 8-18mm lens is also dust and splash proof as well.

Panasonic 8-18mm Lenspanasonic wide zoom 8-18mm
Learn-More-sm Panasonic 8-18mm F/2.8-4 Wide Angle Zoom Lens

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Libec has announced a few new Remote Controls that can be used for a variety of applications such as controlling zoom and focus on many Sony, Canon, JVC, BlackMagic Design, and Panasonic cameras. You can also use the remote to Start and Stop video recording.

The new Libec Remotes are designed to be mounted on a Tripod Pan handle and can even be clamped onto the handle of a Gimbal Stabilizer. As an example, the ZC-LP remote can be used along with the new Panasonic GH5 camera to start and stop video, and when used with compatible Panasonic Servo Lenses, you can control zoom in and out remotely.

ZC-LP on Pan HadnleZFC-L description
Learn-More-sm New Products: ZFC-L, ZC-LP, TH-X ZFC KIT

Product Descriptions
The new remote controls ZFC-L and ZC-LP are our most innovative remote controls yet. These sleek designed controllers feature an Invert Switch that allows users to change the zoom direction when the control unit is attached in a top grip or underslung position. Thanks to a new Double-Sided Zoom Rocker design, when used in a top grip or underslung position, users gain the ability to zoom with their fingers, not just their thumbs. Moreover, these controls offer users smooth zoom and speed movements by simply tilting the zoom rocker.

In addition, the connection clamp can be attached to round pipes up to 45mm in diameter, wide enough to even fit the HFMP Monopod center grip. Zoom controls are equipped with a REC Start/Stop button and a 0.7m/2.3’ length cable. The Libec ZFC-L is a Zoom Focus Control compatible with LANC (Sony, Canon, JVC) cameras. The Libec ZC-LP is a Zoom Control compatible with LANC and Panasonic cameras. With all the added features, applications, and benefits, be sure to take these handy zoom controls on all your shoots.

For additional information about the new Libec Remote Controls, visit the product page at https://Libec.com (here)

For a limited time only, Libec Sales of America (U.S. only) is now offering a couple of great bundles on Shopify!
Libec is offering special deals on their newest models showcased at NAB Show next week. By simply adding $10 US dollars when purchasing an HFMP KIT Hands-Free Monopod or a TH-X Tripod System, you you'll be the first to own their new ZFC-L Zoom and Focus Control for Sony, Canon, and JVC LANC video cameras! ZFC-L Official release date: June 2017.
Why wait? These special bundles are now in stock while limited supplies last, shop here:
https://libec-online-shop.myshopify.com/

libec limited time kits
Learn-More-sm Libec Limited Time Bundle Kit Offers

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Experimenting with different color profiles found in the new Panasonic GH5 Camera before I run out to shoot this weekend while traveling. I'm just looking for a flat profile that could offer the most latitude without adding too much noise. I think what's helpful in this video is the waveforms and vectorscope showing how the different profiles affect exposure and saturation.

panasonic gh5 lcdpanasonic gh51489673138000_1324860
check latest pricing Panasonic DC-GH5 Camera/a>

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One of the first things you'll need when opting to use a Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini camera is the battery mount. Searching online you'll see options running from $100 to $1,000 dollars for a battery mount.Some plates work like power distribution boxes and offer additional voltage outputs. But if you're not looking for fancy, you can use any battery plate. I personally have been using cheaper v-mount battery plates starting at just $8.00 dollars.


Of course using a barebones plates will require you to solder the connections to the (included) break out cable found in your Ursa Mini box. If you're not confident about your soldering skills, you may want to skip this and just pick up one of the many Ursa Mini Battery Plates (found here).

If you're looking for those $8.00 v-mount battery plates, you can find them (here).

cheap v-mount platecheaper ursa mini v-mount battery platev-mount ursa plate
Learn-More-sm DIY V-Mount Battery Plates

dvestore ursa mini
Learn-More-sm Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini 4.6K

[ Just for the record, this is my second time doing this on an Ursa Mini. I've been using a cheap $8.00 dollar plate on my first Ursa Mini 4.6K since last year, and have absolutely no issues. Over the years, i've actually purchased more than a dozen of these v-mount plates. Some examples are changing the A/B gold mount Aputure Lightstorm Panel and modified it to V-Mount. I took the A/B mount off of an OSEE Director's Monitor and changed it to V-Mount.. ]

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I remember purchasing my Canon 100mm F2.8L Macro with Hybrid IS specifically because of the added image stabilization with one of the best close focus lenses. Lately though, I don't find myself using it very much as i've strayed away from Full Frame Canon DSLRs and have been using cameras with Super 35 or APS-C sensors (or even smaller). That 100mm F/2.8L lens with an added crop is often just too much.

This new Canon EF-S 35mm F/2.8 Macro IS STM Lens (56mm equiv) though could be a nice lightweight lens to use with my Ursa Mini. A lens that can focus up close, and still offer a decent portrait look. The big stand out feature of the new Canon 35mm F/2.8 EF-S Macro though is the built in LED lights. Very clever!

canon 35mm EF-S STM Macro
check latest pricing Canon EF-S 35mm F/2.8 Macro IS STM Lens

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I've used quite a few different (somewhat affordable) wireless video transmitters, and the one that seems to be most consistent with long range has been the Connex Kits. There is a full size Connex version capable of 1,000m LOS range, and a newer Connex Mini that transmits 500m LOS range (that's still quite a distance!). There are some short comings to the Connex system when using it for video cameras, as these kits were originally designed for Drone use streaming full 1080p up to 60fps.

Some of the cons for on-camera video use are that it requires a battery, but there are no battery mounts. Also there are no standard mounts to attach to your video rigs. Finally it doesn't transmit audio (if you need this). But for distance, reliability, performance, and price the Connex kits are darn good. To make life easier, Camera Motion Research created a special frame and battery kit for us shooters.

The latest mod for their Connex Mini kits is adding an SDI to HDMI converter. This allows someone like me to now use the Connex Mini kit with professional cameras that only offer SDI out, and does it in a clean, simple, and easy way. All of the new hardware is still within the custom modded frame kit, and it's all powered by a single cable (via D-tap).


I'm often running Multicam Live Switching at events and one of the biggest headaches is runnning SDI Cable across the floors. It's not easy running cables and taping them down. This also prevents the cameras from being mobile. But with a wireless video kit, you can move freely around the event. With this new mod, you basically have a tiny high performing wireless HD video kit that can support both HDMI or SDI inputs. Here's a test of latency below.


Keep in mind that in my latency test, the Connex Mini does not transmit audio. My audio source is coming in from another input into the ATEM Switcher. Both feeds were recorded to a Hyperdeck Mini and you can see it's just about perfect in sync. With this type of setup, that camera is now free to roam up to 1600 Feet away from the receiver, and we can still Live Switch during a Live Production.

If you are working with the Connex Wireless HD Video kits, and you experience latency, that could possibly be caused by your camera's output. Some cameras will have a 3-6 frame delay and you'll notice this when connected to any monitor. I personally have moved to working with the Ursa Mini cameras for my Live Production, as this camera offers almost no delay on SDI output, and with SDI I can do long runs up to 300 feet (HDMI limit is around 12 feet).

You can find out more about the Connex Mini kits over at https://CamotionLLC.com

connex_mini_20170323_576x591connex_mini_sdi_kit_350x275Learn-More-sm Camera Motion Research Connex Mini Kits

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If you've ever had to mix video signals (i.e. into an ATEM Live Production Switcher) or need to cross convert a cable (HDMI to SDI or vice versa), Scale Resolution up or down, or even adjust framerates. These Decimator MD-HX devices will help you do all of these things. A must have tool when shooting events on location.

decimator md-hx
Decimator MD-HX Scaler Converter

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If you're working with a gimbal and monitor, then you might be interested in super thin and flexible HDMI cables. If your cables are too rigid, this could influence the fluidity of your camera's movement on the gimbal frame. I've purchased quite a few different ones, and while many claim to be thin (which they are), they are not necessarily 'flexible'. CAME-TV now offers super thin and flexible HDMI cables in a variety of connections and length.

flexible thin hdmi cable came-tv cametv
Learn-More-sm CAME-TV Super thin and Flexible HDMI Cables