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Rumors stated the new Mac Pro would have been released this past Monday, but actually the official release was this morning. Pricing starts at $2999 for the basic model, but like the MacBook Pro there's not much room for upgrades after the purchase. So to purchase the best right out of the gate, you're sitting close to $9600.

Apple Mac Pro Desktop 4K monitorApple 4K Mac Pro

The basic $2999 model comes with a 3.7 GHz Xeon E5 quad-core processor, 12GB RAM, 256GB PCI-e based flash storage, and a Dual FirePro D300 Graphics card.

For about $9600 dollars, the best you can upgrade to is a 2.7 GHz Xeon E5 12-core processor, 64GB RAM, 1TB PCI-e based flash storage, and a Dual FirePro D700 Graphics card.

Apple 3 4K Monitors 12 Core Mac Pro

Keep in mind, this is a desktop that will still require a display. You can opt in for a single Thunderbolt display tacking on another $1K, but this beast was really designed for 4K output. Apple offers to throw in a Sharp 32" 4K monitor for an added $3600 dollars. Congratulations, you're now sitting at $13,200 for a 4K desktop system they say will last you for the next 10 years [with enough horsepower to add another two 4K monitors]

So has anyone already committed to getting the new Mac Pro? Check out Apple.com for more info on the new Mac Pro Desktop (click here)

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Ok, so my first example of a Lens Turbo on a Panasonic GH3 definitely showed an increase in Field of View. The first tests were purposely setup to show an increase in Exposure, and may have had some lens flare on the overexposed image.

Here's a simple test in a controlled environment shot with a Rokinon 85mm T/1.5 Cine Lens @T/5.6. One is shot with the basic FotoDiox adapter and the other is with the Lens Turbo adapter. I pushed in to attempt to simulate the same framing and keep the chart up to the corners. This adapter does go soft towards the corners, but you decide if it's usable for your needs.

Without Lens Turbo copy
With FotoDiox Adapter - no Focal Reducer (click for larger view)

With Lens Turbo copy
With Mitakon Lens Turbo Nikon to M43 Adapter (click for larger view)

For more info, you can find the Lens Turbo MFT Focal Reducer adapter available now via eBay (click here).

Mitakon_AI_m43_MFT-Nikon_Focal_reducer_speed_booster
find-price-button Lens Turbo Focal Reducer Nikon to MFT Micro Four Thirds Adapter

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BlackMagic 4K Cinematic Camera Cinema Production

Want some 4K footage from the (not yet released) BlackMagic Design Production 4K Camera? There's information about the camera's status, but they've uploaded almost 10GB of footage for you to download and color grade. Head on over to this link where Grant Petty has an update: https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16615

BlackMagic 4K Footage

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Holiday Promotions!

Into The Atmosphere from Michael Shainblum on Vimeo.

Dynamic Perception has put together a few new bundles based on popular demand. Economical Stage Zero ready-to-run package with installed quick change plate and swappable motor at a discount.

Stage-Zero-Sale-Banner

Customers can Save $130 with coupon code "Sub Zero" on the Stage Zero 6-Foot Bundle w/Quick Change Motor System (installed)

1. https://dynamicperception.com/products/stage-zero-6-foot-bundle-wquick-change-motor-system-installed

Also packaged together is a super time-lapse and real-time video bundle. This is the cat's meow, the all inclusive professional moco bundle ready to launch you into the world of time-lapse and video motorized motion. It's the uber package at a substantial savings!

2. The uber Bundle: The biggest and most bad ass package for the Stage Zero: https://dynamicperception.com/products/pro-stage-zero-6-foot-time-lapse-and-video-motion-control-bundle

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Here's a side by side video test showing samples from a Panasonic GH3 with and without the new Lens Turbo Focal Reducer. We used a newer Rokinon 85mm T/1.5 Cine Lens [Nikon Mount] + and old Nikon 50mm Pancake. With the Lens Turbo adapter we were able to achieve a wider field of view and an increase in exposure.

Obviously YouTube has added compression to the video, but if you want to be a pixel peeper, you can download a better version of this edited video from my Vimeo Channel (here).

I think the image quality achieved from this (Speedbooster alternative) adapter delivered decent results for the price. The Metabones Speedbooster will run about $489 dollars (here), versus this Lens Turbo which can now be found under $139 US (here).

Of course we're just using a consumer grade Rokinon Cine Lens, and an old $50 dollar lens from eBay. There's no doubt this adapter won't match up to the quality of the Metabones products. Anyone using serious glass worth thousands of dollars might as well pony up the extra cash for the Metabones MFT M43 Speedbooster (found here).

Metabones Speed Booster MFT M43 Nikon Adapter
find-price-button Metabones SpeedBooster Nikon to M43 MFT

If you're a casual video shooter looking to get a wider field of view and increased light through your common glass, I think you'll be happy with the Lens Turbo. I'll probably go out and take a bunch of high resolution still images on the next outing, but for now let's hear a few comments about these first video test results. What did you guys think so far? [Comment]

For more info, you can find the Lens Turbo MFT Focal Reducer adapter available now via eBay (click here).

Mitakon_AI_m43_MFT-Nikon_Focal_reducer_speed_booster
find-price-button Lens Turbo Focal Reducer Nikon to MFT Micro Four Thirds Adapter

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I've had this Mitakon Lens Turbo MFT Adapter for a almost a week and I am just getting ready to publish a video showing some examples from this. Recently I noticed an increase of questions and the amount 'buzz' picking up around the Internet, so I wanted to quickly provide some additional important information. THIS ADAPTER WILL NOT WORK ON THE #BMPCC BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera. It simply will not fit or attach to the camera.

If you're not familiar with this adapter, it's similar to the Metabones Speed Booster (found here) (but less than half the price). Always a concern on smaller MFT cameras is the cropped sensor. The Lens Turbo adapter offers a wider field of view on these smaller sensor cameras and also increases your Aperture by 1 F-Stop. Your lenses are now wider and faster!

Metabones Speed Booster MFT M43 Nikon Adapter
find-price-button Metabones SpeedBooster Nikon to M43 MFT

Right now the Lens Turbo MFT / M43 adapter fits Nikon (F, G, Ai, Ai-s, E) manual lenses and should work perfectly on your Panasonic GH3 or BlackMagic Cinema Camera MFT mount (not Pocket Cinema). How well does it actually perform? Give me a few days, and you'll see a video with a variety of examples.

For more info, you can find the Lens Turbo MFT Focal Reducer adapter available now via eBay (click here).

Mitakon_AI_m43_MFT-Nikon_Focal_reducer_speed_booster
find-price-button Lens Turbo Focal Reducer Nikon to MFT Micro Four Thirds Adapter

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Earlier I tested the CAME 5000 stabilizer with a Panasonic GH3 (found here). These new stabilizers work best when your camera is perfectly balanced. There was no instruction manual on how to properly balance a camera on this stabilizer, but I think i've figured it out.

So here's a very quick follow up video on how to balance a camera on a 3 Axis Brushless Motorized Gimbal Stabilizer. I'm just using a DIY Frame with a bunch of 15mm Rails, clamps, and friction arms to hold up the Gimbal. However you manage to hold up your stabilizer, try to keep it as level as possible before starting your balancing steps.

Now that I think my camera is balanced much better, i'll have to take her out for a spin again. In case you're just dropping in on this article, you can see my first test run (with an imbalanced camera) at the following article: First Impression – CAME 5000 3-Axis Brushless Motor Gimbal Video Stabilizer

[Tip] This tutorial is not limited to these motorized gimbals for video. If you're a photographer working with a large lens, the procedures found in the video can also be used to balance Photography Specific Camera Gimbals (found here via eBay).

Photo Lens GimbalCamera Gimbal

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I'm sure everyone is aware of 3-Axis Gimbal Video Camera Stabilizers surfacing on the Internet. Some people think this is going to be the future of hand held stabilization in cinema. There are literally dozens of versions available today, and here's one of the inexpensive versions that was sent over to me - the CAME 5000.

ViewImage-3.aspx ViewImage-2.aspx

This article is truly my first impressions on the CAME 5000 product, so keep in mind I am by no means an expert in this area. If you are just now looking into these types of stabilizers, hopefully this review should appeal to many of you who are also not experts. First let's take a look at a demo video about the CAME 5000 Stabilizer from the company.

Notice that with fast movements the camera stays pretty level, but with slower movements the camera will 'follow' the direction of Pan/Tilt. This area of operation does require a bit of practice steering the camera in different directions. Now lets take a look at what I was able to achieve with my first tests in this 15 minute video overview (below).

No matter how expensive other systems are, my impressions are that these gimbals are not as simple as they have been advertised to be. Like any other tool it can yield great results or look totally amateurish. It still boils down to skill and experience. Practice and and patience to perfectly balance your camera. Swapping out to another lens on this type of system will take several minutes to re-balance.

Ok, so from the examples I shot as a first time user, I think the unit seems to work pretty well with a Panasonic GH3 camera. The footage has not been stabilized in post, and it seemed to stay pretty level as I rolled the handles around. They state this CAME 5000 model can easily support larger Canon 5D (or similar) DSLR Camera Bodies.

Can this particular system perform even better than my examples? Considering my inexperience and lack of patience to perfectly balance my camera, I think there is definitely plenty of room for improved footage. How much better, I can't really say. Only time will tell as I continue to practice more and hopefully work with many other 3-Axis Gimbals. I'll be revisiting this again shortly as I think I figured out how to better balance my camera...

Further info on the CAME 5000 3-Axis Gimbal can be found at CAME-TV.com
CAME 6000 Stabilizer 3 Axis Gimbal CAME 6000 Stabilizer Gimbal
find-price-button CAME 5000 3-Axis Brushless Motor Gimbal Stabilizer