AbelCine worked with action cinematographer Jim Geduldick on a project to test an early release version of the new Phantom Miro M320S camera. Jim produced and directed a test shoot at Camp Woodward in Pennsylvania, which involved skateboarders, BMX, and dirt bike riders from all over the east coast. Camp Woodward is an amazing facility that began over thirty years ago and has helped define “extreme sports” for several generations since.  More »

The CamTram dolly is an innovative dolly and camera mounting system that is portable and highly adaptable. In this two-part video series, Mitch Gross takes an in-depth and up-close look at the unique features of the CamTram itself, as well as a number of accessories that make the system even more versatile.

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Since its release in September, the Phantom Flex, from Vision Research, has been used on commercial and feature film shoots around the world, capturing stunning images in both 2D and 3D. Already being asked for by name, the Flex is surpassing expectations as it redefines the high-speed camera landscape.

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Zeiss’s eagerly anticipated CP.2 lenses, with interchangeable lens mounts, are here!

These revolutionary lenses offer Zeiss’s superior optical quality in an EF mount that makes them the ideal choice for HDSLR shooters, and the new lenses are more affordable than ever. For maximum versatility, the CP.2 lenses are switchable between EF and PL mount. To see the Compact Primes in action, watch the short film The Bicycle and then check out the two-part Behind the Scenes interview with the DP, John Inwood.

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Recently German cinematographer Dedo Weigert, inventor of Dedolights, presented a series of lighting workshops at Abel Cine Tech. In this 10-minute excerpt from his master class in lighting technique, he demonstrates how to uses a five-piece lighting kit for an interview set-up. He shows how to use key light, kicker, back light, background and fill lights to achieve the desired effect.

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Sony recently unveiled their new line-up of XDCAM EX cameras, which includes the 2/3” shoulder mount PMW-350, scheduled for release in January 2010.

Abel’s Andy Shipsides had the chance to take a first look at the 350 recently, and in this video he shares the technology and features that make it an exciting entry into the 2/3” broadcast market. You can read more about the camera on our blog, CineTechnica.

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Interpreting a spec sheet can be a daunting task. With lighting instruments it can be particularly difficult, as the primary question always comes down to “What does the light look like?”

For this comparison Mitch Gross, used three light fixtures that are similar in size and wattage, and all use tungsten quartz bulbs: Lowel Pro, ARRI Junior 150 and Dedolight DLHM4-300.

First, he compiled the specs into a comparison chart (see below). To get the full story, Mitch then set up the three lights side-by-side to see what kind of light they actually put out. Different technology in the reflectors and lenses makes for very different performance at different prices. More »

The NULL Lens is an optical collimating tool for setting the PL lens mount on the RED One camera. In this video, Mitch Gross explains how to use the NULL Lens with the RED One as well as with other optical instruments.

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Jem Schofield put together this video describing how to sync external recorded audio with HD video shot on the Canon 5D Mark II. The 5D Mark II records audio from a built-in mic, but for improved quality Jem uses the Zoom H4N to record audio from a shotgun mic.

He then goes over his process for syncing audio tracks quickly and easily with a plugin for Final Cut Pro called PluralEyes.

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In this video, Ian McCausland, Rental Equipment Manager for Abel LA, demonstrates how to load the magazine and set the footage counter for the Aaton Penelope. As you will see, this process is very simple.  More »