Filed under: Gadgets
Mystery Gear...
Mystery Gear...
I sometimes wonder if it’s fair to others to share some cool stuff that’s being worked on - without giving them all of the details. Definitely feels like a bit of a tease for sure.
Then I remind myself of how excited I feel about these things and how a smile is plastered on my face when I get to work with people on these things, and I’m hoping to share some of that glee with others - albeit without ALL of the information.
Here is a collection of such pictures of prototypes that you’ll see out in the market prior to NAB.
I obviously can’t tell you exactly what these things do, what they will cost, exactly when they will be available - but I have gotten clearance from the people working on them to share these with you w/o a single additional word. Hopefully you can take it for what it’s worth - and let your imaginations run wild. I know my imagination is exploding to think of what you all will be able to do with this stuff once it becomes available! Note that there are many companies working on these types of solutions at once - so it’s an exciting time.
I’m gearing up for a big shoot tonight and tomorrow night in LA and hope to be sharing more about the reason behind the shoot and how it involves you within a week from now.
Other known and mystery gear - everything build around the RedRock Micro System which is proving to be the skeleton for all add-ons these days.
Here are two of the more "built" up solution - one on the steel rods from RedRock Micro - and the other on the lighter newer carbon fiber rods from RedRock Micro. You'll notice Marshall monitors, IDX Camwave transmitters and some other cool stuff that I'll get into more detail soon.
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Looks cool! My guess:
- HD-SDI monitor output
- HD-SDI video out (for capture)
- something related to audio in or out
Hey,
looking at all the extra gear ur using to handle the dslr, isn’t it easier and more effective to work with professional video camera?
Ryan Prouty Reply:
December 14th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
@hannes, Yes, just no where near the price of what this setup cost.
Basically, to get a camera that has the same DOF that the 5D has, you’ll be spending well over 50k.
Anthony Burokas Reply:
December 15th, 2009 at 9:51 am
@Ryan Prouty, but you get the DoF at the expense of true resolution and you get tons of aliasing. Not a big issue if your shot is mostly blurred, but if you need a wall of detail, you’ll also get lots of moire.
jonE Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
@Anthony Burokas, The resolution though less than true HD is more then adequate, and should not be an issue, even the EX1 I use resolves less than 1080p. The HVX I also use, I am damn sure resolves less than my 7D, and that beast still cost close to 5k. Only a few cameras under 10k resolve what the 7d/5d/1d is capable of. Again the resolution is there…
Aliasing and Moire is a problem though. Do not shoot striped shirts and telephone wires with these cameras.
atd3d Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
@jonE, The is gone be the Panasonic HPX300 but is still 10k perhaps when the price go down the things gone be diferent…
PhotoBot parts for the next Transformers movie?
steve b Reply:
December 16th, 2009 at 2:32 am
@Ed, doing the next Transformers…..and I can assure you…..no photo bots….. good one though…..
Vincent,
Interesting gear … 1st pic - on the cage, the connectors remind me of pan/tilt connectors for the motors on a Jib. (I operated Jimmy-Jib’s for a few years)
The rest of the rig looks like a motion-controlled rig for doing crane moves. Just a guess …
‘J-dog
Comment by J-dog 12.14.09 @ 3:27 pmSocial comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by vincentlaforet: New Post w/ Prototype toys - http://tinyurl.com/yae3cax...
Trackback by uberVU - social comments 12.14.09 @ 3:51 pmFrom the look of the cage device I would say it is a rig (made by Birger) to enable a View Factor Imperio control the Focus & Iris of the lens and also remote start and stop.
Comment by George Doyle 12.14.09 @ 4:28 pmLooks like your quickly breaking away from still photography Vincent. I’ve been following you a bit here but it’s getting a bit technical and costly.
Comment by Bill Griffin 12.14.09 @ 5:27 pmThe original intrigue was “What great videos can I expect to make from a $2700 DSLR?”
Now it seems to have evolved to, “What great videos can I make to a $2700 DSLR if I add $50,000 worth of accessories?”
So what’s the point?
Eric Ferguson Reply:
December 14th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
@Bret Douglas, Yep. Only excited in this new mystery gadget if it keeps the price of the kit below the cost of a small car. Things are getting a little carried away. Just get a RED already.
Why do I get the idea this is meant to be used with a parasail in the sky above…
Comment by Nick 12.14.09 @ 9:28 pmThe first two pics might simply be a cage to do low mount steadycam work…
the upper screw indicates that as well…
Max
Comment by Max 12.15.09 @ 3:56 amHi have to agree with j-dog…
I used to follow you for you work and creativity.
It seems to me like you got a couple o lines of the geek fever 
And BTW, who wants to see movies (apart from photographers or movie makers) just beacuse they look good? It’s like those movies with tons of cool effects but weak screenplay. That’s the way everyone seems to be heading to…
J-dog Reply:
December 15th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Listen guys, it’s great that Vincent is exploring technical tools that help in production whether it’s for low-budget shorts, features or commercials. The fact that he is able to share his experience with us … is invaluable. Keep in mind, he has a wide audience, some of us are in television, others in film & some are hobbyists … all creating images!
There are and will always be options to attain your goal, no matter your budget. Convergence = Change = Growth.
‘J-dog
looks like a “bigugly box” designed to make the camera too big, too heavy or too ugly to steal.
Comment by DFOK 12.15.09 @ 7:20 pmmystery gear, finally, this will allow me to stack my 5d and 7d bodies! I will be waiting for the black version 
My take as a non-expert is that it looks like something useful to attach two cameras one on the top of the other, and control them together, both for photography (stereoscopic photography?) and video shooting…
Comment by ab 12.17.09 @ 11:09 amThis set up is absolutely gay. Wow….I guess everyone is an “instacinematographer” now that they have a 5D. All this to shoot crappy H.264 seems pointless. I guess you are really trying to impress your client. Sheesh…Get a RED and be done with it.
Comment by Bill 12.18.09 @ 5:02 amGetting a RED won’t make you a cinematographer, either.
Bill Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:40 am
@Rich, Neither will putting a bunch of crap on your DSLR. Shooting RED actually does turn you into an instant cinematographer, I am now working on my second youtube video shot on RED of my hamster eating a carrot. It should be out in theaters soon.
“Getting a RED won’t make you a cinematographer” lol thats so true 
Sweet stuff you are doing with these cameras. Saw this link that I thought you might be interested in… http://thestub.ca/2009/12/lucasfilm-tests-dslr-camera-for-future-projects/
Looks like these video capabilities might be coming to the big screen!
Comment by Cooper 12.21.09 @ 8:44 pmBrushed fabric with brushed sweaters scarves, handkerchiefs and collars, velvet and so on, mostly texture to acrylic products, wool followed. Acrylic electrostatic dust features, hair easier to dust and dirt accumulation. FlockFabric.com Such as washing properly, brushed clothes easy to deformation, contraction compaction.
Comment by Mark Dude 12.22.09 @ 8:55 pmThe Cabbie:
I loved it. This is why:
Good lensing, sharp and controlled focus. Very good camera and actor blocking. Love how the directing does not pull attention to itself, rather draws the viewer in deeper into the scene/story and the “internal emotional life and world” of the characters. The framing is well chosen and the point of view (bird’s eye view of the bear on the sidewalk and close up on the bear in the car: brings the bear to life with his own loneliness and fear). The smooth movement of the camera as it followed the father up the stairs created further anticipation for what was about to happen. I like the economical style of editing which successfully highlighted the dramatic center in each scene, letting the moment “breathe” without interruption. Very nice. So Vince, when are you going to direct your feature film? Looks promissing.
Melissa Munroe
It looks like its made for a two camera setup, which leads me to believe that 3D HD video for the masses will become available sooner rather than later.
Comment by Ronnie Revoredo 01.20.10 @ 4:12 amLeave a comment
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Bob Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
typical mentality. I don’t know what it is, but I want one. Don’t know what to do with it either, but since it looks cool, gimme gimme!
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