Here is a quick video with Dr. Michael Pollmann explaining the new auto focus Touit lenses from Carl Zeiss. Currently only  a 12mm f2.8 and 32mm f2.8 are available in either Sony E mount or Fuji X mount. The New AF system may be a first for Carl Zeiss Lenses. I expect the auto focus system to be rock solid. Great for stills!

Here is a rip from the Carl Zeiss website.

Click here to check it out.

Touit 2.8/12

As far as the eye can see

The good folks over at the Carl Zeiss Lens Blog have announced a new family of lenses called “Touit”. Here is a rip from the blog. There are currently only two focal lengths. A 12mm f2.8 and a fast 32mm f1.8. If they are anything like their big brothers and sisters you can bet they will kick some serious ass.

Click here to check it out.

“There was a lot of excitement at photokina 2012 when we talked about a forthcoming new family of lenses for mirrorless system cameras. Soon, users of Sony NEX and Fujifilm X cameras will be able to enjoy their own ZEISS lens series. For the first time these lenses will have their own family name, which will encompass all the focal lengths in the series. The name of the family will be Touit.

But where does “Touit” come from? This illustrious name was found through an intensive international selection procedure. We followed a concept that is already well established in the automotive industry: selecting certain themes for product names.  As an example, one well-known German carmaker names its automobiles after types of winds and currents. We decided to derive the future names of the lenses from the Latin names of birds. That fits well, as birds usually have excellent eyesight and can take unusual perspectives. Birds are also diverse and lively animals. Furthermore, the Latin names all have an attractive sound and are common in many languages and cultures.

The first two focal lengths in the Touit family will be the Touit 2.8/12 and Touit 1.8/32. The names of the optics concept that have been used in product names until now (for example Distagon or Planar), as well as the T* symbol denoting the anti-reflective coating, will continue to appear on the front ring of the lenses. “With the Touit series, we are starting a completely new naming convention,” explains Martin Dominicus, Head of Marketing of the Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division. “Our lenses will not only be unmistakable for their imaging performance, manageability and product design. Their name will also give this family of lenses a very unique identity.”

Zoom Has announced the new H6 six channel recorder. This looks like a huge upgrade from the Zoom H4 we have been using for years. Here is a rip from the post on Gizmodo.

“The Zoom H4N has clinched the spot of go-to audio recorder for DSLR videographers everywhere. With the announcement of the H6, Zoom may have made the best in class even better.

The Zoom H6′s most interesting new feature is its interchangeable microphone heads that can be mounted to the front of the device, making it more versatile for capturing audio. Other additions include 4 XLR inputs (the H4N had 2), 6 channels of recording, and physical control of levels for easier operation when shooting video.”

Specifications.

The world’s first handy recorder with interchangeable mic system

• XY mics capture remarkable stereo depth and clarity
• Mid-side mics provide continuously variable stereo width
• Four XLR/TRS inputs for external mic/line connections
• Up to six channels of simultaneous recording
• High-definition audio of up to 24-bit/96kHz
• 6-in/2-out USB audio interface
• Over 20 hours of operation with 4 AA batteries
• Supports SDXC memory cards up to 128GB
• Optional Shotgun mic and external XLR/TRS inputs available
• Optional Hot Shoe Mount to attach your H6 to a DSLR video camera

Seiki has announced a 4K capable 50 inch monitor for just under $1500 US. That is an insanely cheap price for a 4K monitor. Let’s just hope they are not a total waste of dough. The peeps over at engadget think it looks great. Here is a rip from the website and the PR from Seiki. It’s available now from Tiger Direct for $1499 with fee shipping. Click here.

“When Seiki’s 4K TV set popped up on retail listings with a price that’s just a fraction of what we’ve seen from its more expensive rivals, we were almost convinced it was a site glitch — that couldn’t be real, could it? The company would like to reassure us that it’s quite serious. The 50-inch Ultra HD set is officially shipping to the US later in April, and it will still carry that regular $1,500 price tag”

• 2160p Ultra highdefinition TV; delivers outstanding image quality with greater vivid detail
• RTD2975K Video Scaler upscale video to panel native rate of 3840 by 2160
• 120Hz refresh rate; ensures smooth videos with minimal blurs and pixilation
• 5000:1 contrast ratio; brings out bright whites and deep blacks
• 6.5ms response time; eliminates distortions and blur in fast-moving scenes
• 3x HDMI, VGA; provides easy connection to various HD sources

SEIKI SETS PRICING BENCHMARK FOR ULTRA HDTV WITH ITS 50-INCH LED 4K2K MODEL

SEIKI Targets Smart, Savvy TV Buyers Wanting the Ultimate Digital Entertainment Experience Without Breaking the Bank

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. – April 15, 2013 – Building upon its reputation as the value-driven HDTV maker for today’s value-conscious consumers, SEIKI Digital, Inc. (www.SEIKI.com), introduces its 50-inch class LED 4K2K Ultra High-Definition television (Ultra HDTV) featuring a panel resolution of 3,840-by-2,160, which is twice the resolution with four times as many pixels as full 1080p HDTVs. Shipping late-April, the SEIKI 50-inch 4K2K Ultra HDTV (Model: SE50UY04) will be priced at an MSRP of $1,499.99.

The 50-inch model is the first to be introduced by SEIKI to the U.S. market. SEIKI plans to roll out a 65-inch screen size model in 2013. SEIKI 50-inch 4K2K Ultra HDTV will be available through select authorized retailers including Amazon.com and QVC.

“The introduction of Ultra HDTV is perhaps the biggest news since the first arrival of HDTV, and SEIKI is leading the charge to make the next generation of high-definition entertainment attainable for today’s television buyers at an affordable price,” said Frank Kendzora, executive vice president at SEIKI. “The SEIKI 4K2K picture quality is stunning with clarity and vivid colors that far surpasses conventional HDTVs. At the SEIKI price point, today’s TV buyers can future-proof their next purchase with the latest Ultra HDTV technology, enjoy current high-definition video content, and be ready to experience 4K content as it becomes available in the near future.”

The SEIKI 50-inch 4K2K Ultra HDTV model features 120Hz response rate with built-in digital and analog channel tuning, and multiple video and audio connections to support current high-definition video content. The model is also packaged with an HDMI 1.4 standard cable to enable video resolutions beyond 1080p.

For all of its Ultra HDTV and HDTV models, SEIKI offers the industry’s first one-year, no-nonsense, replacement warranty through its U.S.-based technical support at (855) MY-SEIKI.

Here is a quick take on the carts we use every day here in Hollywood. The carts from Backstage are a set staple. They have a cart configuration for almost every position on set. They take the guts of a mag liner and upgrade it to professional motion picture standards. They are not cheap at around nine hundred dollars base price. However if you are smart and get a small kit rental out of it. Then you should have it paid off quickly. We love these carts and use them all the time. Some expendable shops rent these out. A great way to check it out before you buy.

Click here to check it out.

Here is aquick take of the new Paralinx wireless transmitter. It will transmit up to 300 feet and with the addition of the tomahawk receiver it can boost the signal up to 1500 feet.
Click here to check it out.

Here is a rip from the Paralinx website.

Paralinx ARROW PLUS is an expansion of the popular Paralinx ARROW wireless HD Transmitter and Receiver system for Motion Picture and Video Production. Arrow Plus allows the user the ability to have the same great benefits of the Arrow — uncompressed wireless HD with up to 328 feet/100 meters line-of-sight range using a professional-grade Baseband transmission chipset that works in the unlicensed 5.1-5.8ghz Range with an AES128 bit encrypted signature — but adds the ability to have up to 4 receivers simultaneously displaying the image sent from 1 transmitter.

This gives the user the ability to share picture with a Director, Camera Assistant, DP, or Client without the hassle of setting up redistribution — as long as the Camera Team has the Arrow PLUS transmitter and the additional number of Arrow PLUS receivers (up to 4 at one time). All of this is available at an unprecedented price point, with incomparable customer service and support from Paralinx.

Here is a quick take on the new pocket jib traveler from Kessler Crane. This is one heavy duty travel jib. It will collapse down to around two feet and will extend up to six feet. It will set you back around $600 US.

Click here to check it out.

Specifications.
Weight: 5.5 lbs.
Collapsed Length: 27″
Circular Travel: 72″
Weight Capacity: 10 lbs.

Here is a quick take on the killer new Odyssey 7 from convergent design. This is not just a monitor but a 4K recorder as well. The base price is quite inexpensive and you can rent features as you need them. Pretty cool tech.

Click here to check it out.

Specifications.

Here is a quick take on the new high bright DP 7 monitor from SmallHD. This is one bright monitor. It will work in direct sunlight. It also has a built in SD card and will record H.264 in 720P for playback. This is cool because the director or producer can watch playback while we can move the camera.
Click here to check it out.
Specifications.

• Most cost effective display of DP7-Pro series
• Sharp HD resolution (1280 x 800)
• Improved viewing angle via IPS technology
• 7-inch diagonal for optimum on-camera viewability

Here is a quick take on the new Polly Dolly Freewheel dolly system. This is one super smooth dolly system. It takes very little effort to start and stop the dolly. The system also has stop motion marks. This would be a great alternative for a small studio or rental house. The Polly Dolly will set you back around $3500 US.
Click here to check it out.

Here is a rip from the polly systems website.

Polly is designed to create smooth and stabilized camera movements in a special and innovative way. A flywheel gear – made of high-grade steel – simultaneously accumulates the kinetic energy and stabilizes the movement. With a camera and a video-head mounted on the top (3/8” adapter included) you can achieve constant and ultra slow tracking shots with a fingertip. Polly works on every flat surface. A scale on the flywheel enables super-precise stopmotion dolly shots, too. (Width: 200 mm; Height: 200 mm; Length: 280 mm; Weight: 7 kg)