Prokit's Blog
BAFTA-nominated DP Robert Hollingworth has just wrapped on one of the first major UK projects to use AadynTech’s range of high power LED lights. The project, commissioned by Sky and produced by Atlantic Productions, required filming insects a high speed using a specially adapted camera rig. Initially disappointed with the performance of the 2.5Kw and 4Kw MSR fixtures being used, he approached Prokit to explore alternatives. After a demonstration by Sebastian Kanabar, Robert established that the AadynTech fixtures would be ideal for the project. Further testing concluded that the output exceeded his requirements. After the first shoot with the heads, he commented:
“The AadynTech ECO Punch Plus and JABs [Variable and Daylight} were superb. We ended up using them on every shot in the end. The ECO Punch was used in place of a 2KW and the JABs as fills. Mostly very close to the insects and the insects didn’t mind at all. The heat was fine. Good at high speed too. If anything they aren’t concentrated enough, i.e. too much of a wash light. So I made a Fresnel lens for the ECO which really helped. The AadynTech LEDs enabled us to get behaviour that we’d otherwise not have managed, so I can’t speak more highly of them. They feature in the making of film too, at least they were filmed with me explaining their benefits.
Colour temp of the AadynTechs were good at 56k and matched well with the Source 4 HMI that I used with them.”
Further information will be released after the first transmission of the programme in June 2013.
Hi all!
As you may have spotted on our homepage we can now offer bundle pricing and a FREE Petrol bag on Canons C100 and C300. The accessories have been chosen with these specific cameras in mind and will allow you to get shooting right away.
Canon Eos C100: £4,800.00 (+ VAT)
Bundle includes: Canon EOS C100 (body only), Shape Composite Offset Rig – Prokit Special, 2 x Canon BP-975 Batteries, 2 x Sandisk 32GB SD Cards and a FREE Petrol PD221!
Canon EOS C300 EF/PL: £9,800.00 (+ VAT)
Bundle includes: Canon EOS C300 EF/PL (body only), Shape Composite Offset Rig – Prokit Special, 2 x Canon BP-975 Batteries, 2 x Sandisk 32GB CF Cards and a FREE Petrol PD620!
These offers are AVAILABLE NOW so give one of our helpful staff a call on 0208 995 4664 or visit our Chiswick Showroom for more information.
Finance is now available for these bundles:
Further information is available at www.photolease.co.uk or call 020 7613 0633
Or you can apply now at: http://www.photolease.co.uk/offers/photolease_prokit.html
Prokit now sell brand new small, portable lighting kits from Lowel and Ikan.
Lowel Slimlight Kits
Today’s state of the art compact cameras let you travel light and work in low-light levels. But you still need to light, to make your subject stand out & shine against the back-ground, or to strike the right visual mood. The SlimLight Interview Series includes 4 new kit combinations, designed to give you versatile, creative lighting options in a sleek, easy to carry package.
Each kit contains a 200W Rifa eX 44 dedicated tungsten-halogen softlight, matched with either compact colour mixing Lowel Blender LED(s), or focusable tungsten-halogen 200W Pro-light(s), plus Uni TO Stands, all in a portable Slim Litebag.
For more info click HERE
Ikan LED Three Head Kits
These two new kits from Ikan include 3 lightweight LED heads with batteries and charger making them a perfect solution for on location work. The IB508 Kit gives you the ability to change colour temperatures between 3200-5600K, so you can easily match your surroundings without worrying about filters. The ID508 Kit is daylight only, but gives a brighter output for when you need a bit more punch.
Visit our showroom to see these exciting new kits up close.
Hi All!
As I’m sure you remember that not too long ago Sachtler entered the budget system market with the feature packed Ace M. At under £400 everyone could finally afford a Sachtler Tripod and bought them they did, the rest, as they say, is history.
They have just released the brand new and ‘beefed up’ version called the Sachtler Ace L, boasting a range of features:
- Payload up to 6kg
- New patented SA-dragTM mechanism (Synchronised Actuated Drag) for smooth drags
- Long sliding range of camera plate
- Parking position for spare camera screws (1/4″ and 3/8″)
- Fiberglass reinforced composite fluid head
- Seven counterbalance steps for precise balancing
- Suitable for cameras such as: Canon C100, XF300/5, Sony FS700, PMW-200
They have introduced their telescopic legs into the Ace range giving you the largest height range in the series. So you can now ‘pick your sticks’ from the telescopic or traditional legs with either a ground or mid level spreader.
All three variations are now in stock at our Chiswick showroom and we even have one on demo at the front of the the floor. So come on down and have a go!
Dave.
One of the most exciting announcements at NAB last week was two new Cinema Cameras from Blackmagic Design, the Pocket Cinema Camera and the 4K Production Camera. These follow the successful (if hard to get hold of!) Blackmagic Design Cinema camera and are due by the end of July, although judging by previous release dates may be optimistic! They are available for pre-order now. Here’s a little more info:
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, is a beautifully designed, pocket sized digital cinema camera that includes great features such as a Super 16mm sized 1080HD sensor, super wide 13 stops of dynamic range, built in SD card recorder for Apple ProRes, lossless compressed CinemaDNG RAW capture and active Micro Four Thirds lens mount, all in an attractive compact design for only £665 + vat.
One of the most important features of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is its super wide dynamic range of 13 stops, allowing high quality images. A common mistake in the industry is the assumption that more resolution means higher quality. Most cameras, even ones with higher than HD resolution, can produce”video” looking images that suffer from highlight and black clipping that limits details. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera’s wide dynamic range eliminates this problem and provides film quality with dramatically more detail retained in black and whites in the image. Once the shoot is complete, DaVinci Resolve Lite colour correction software can be used to adjust images and take advantage of this extra range in the images.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Key Features
- High resolution 1080HD Super 16mm sized sensor with superior handing of image detail.
- Super wide 13 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look.
- Compatible with extremely high quality Micro Four Thirds lenses. Compatible with other mounts via common third party adapters such as PL mount and Super 16 cine lenses.
- Built in SD card allows long duration recording with easy to use media.
- Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software such as ProRes 422 (HQ) and lossless compressed CinemaDNG 12 bit RAW. No custom file formats.
- Features all standard connections, including mini jack mic/line audio in, micro HDMI output for monitoring with camera status graphic overlay, headphone mini jack, LANC remote control and standard DC 12 power connection.
- Built in LCD for camera settings via easy to use menus.
- Supports 1080HD resolution capture in 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps.
- Compatible with DaVinci Resolve Lite colour grading software.
Blackmagic Production Camera 4K
The Blackmagic Production Camera 4K Camera is a new high resolution 4K digital film camera with an innovative large Super 35 size sensor with professional global shutter, combined with precision EF mount optics and high quality Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) file recording for only £2675 + vat.
Blackmagic Production Camera 4K has been designed with portability and durability in mind. With standard connections and an internal battery packed inside a beautiful machined aluminum design, the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K will easily handle the rigors of location work. A high resolution LCD display shows settings such as shutter speed, colour temperature, aperture and timecode in an easy to read status strip. The built in capacitive touchscreen offers direct access to menus with a touch of the finger and allows changing settings such as recording format, shutter angle and more. The touchscreen also allows users to enter important metadata that is compatible with popular video editing software including Final Cut Pro X.
Blackmagic Production Camera 4K Key Features
- Large high resolution 4K Super 35 mm sized sensor with superior handing of image detail.
- Professional global shutter for smooth pans and image motion.
- Wide 12 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look.
- Compatible with extremely high quality EF mount lenses.
- Built in SSD recorder allows long duration recording onto solid state disks.
- Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software, such as Apple ProRes and compressed CinemaDNG 12 bit RAW. No custom file formats.
- Features all standard connections, including jack mic/line audio in, 6G-SDI output for monitoring with camera status graphic overlay, headphone mini jack, Thunderbolt, LANC remote control and standard DC 12 power connection.
- Built in touch screen LCD for camera settings and metadata entry compatible with popular video editing software including Final Cut Pro X.
- Supports Ultra HD and 1080HD resolution capture in 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps.
- Includes UltraScope software for live scopes via the built in Thunderbolt connection.
- Includes DaVinci Resolve colour grading software.
Canon have announced today two new handheld cameras, that fit between the XA10 and XF300/XF305, the Canon XA20 and XA25 Camcorders. They have a versatile 20x zoom wide-angle lens, employing the optical technology found in the Canon XF305 and a newly designed 1/2.84 inch CMOS sensor which will reduce image noise and increase sensitivity in low light environments.
The XA20/25 can record in AVCHD (up to 28Mbps) and MP4 (up to 35Mbps) giving you flexibility and providing higher bitrates suitable for many professional applications. Video is recorded to dual SD [3] card slots in a range of resolutions and frame rates up to 1080/50p, with slow and fast motion options supported in MP4 mode – providing greater freedom to choose an appropriate setting according to creative requirements.
All models also support simultaneous recording of different formats to each card – giving users the ability to capture high-quality Full HD footage in the desired format, and smaller MP4 files at the same time. The smaller files can be shared more quickly and easily for time-critical applications, such as reporting breaking news, whilst the high-quality copies are retained for later use.
Features:
- 26.8mm, f/1.8-2.8 lens, 20x zoom, Dynamic OIS
- 1/2.84” HD CMOS PRO sensor
- 8.77cm (3.5”) OLED touchscreen
- Dual-format recording; DIGIC DV 4
- HD-SDI output (XA25)
- 1.56m dot EVF, 45° tilt
- Fast/slow motion
- Built-in IR lamp
- 2x XLR inputs
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Hi all!
If you visited our stand at BVE 2013 this year then you may have noticed a large jar loaded with business cards sat next to our computers. These were the entries for a chance to win one of two Lowel lighting kits.
The draw was completed on March 1st and we can now announce the winners to the world.
Winner of the first prize of a Lowel DV Creator 55 Kit was Christopher Du’Mont of Colab Media. Congratulations to him!
Chris (left) receives his new lighting kit from Prokit's own Stuart Dennis.
Winner of the second prize of a Lowel DV Core 250 Kit was Billy May of Speedmotion Films. Well done sir!
Billy (right) receives his new kit from Prokit's own Mark Holmes
We are sure that these kits will keep them shooting well into the future!
With the small ‘point of view’ camera currently becoming increasingly popular (thanks to the almost dispossable Gopro), professionals might be looking for something more. How about a global shutter, a max resolution of 2K, HD-SDI outputs and a 2/3″ full-HD CMOS sensor?
The Flare 2KSDI camera from IO Industries features dual 3G/HD-SDI outputs, a rugged aluminum body and a handheld remote control.
At the heart of the camera is a 2/3″ full-HD CMOS sensor, featuring high sensitivity, low noise, and global shutter technology for crisp action shots. And for special applications, the 2KMSDI and 2KNSDI versions utilise monochrome and near-IR sensors with increased sensitivity for low-light shooting.
All models support single-link HD-SDI output formats including 720p (23.98-60) or 1080p (23.98-30) video. Single-link 3G-SDI output formats are also supported, including 1080p (50-60). Additional formats including 2K and Dual-Link HD-SDI will be added in future firmware releases. For stereoscopic 3D or other multi-camera applications, a tri-level sync input is provided.
The camera uses a standard C-mount allowing many lens options, including a variety of compact C-mount lenses as well as F-mount, B4-mount or PL-mount lenses (using additional adapters). EF-mount lenses can be attached and controlled by the camera using the 2KSDI EF Lens Mount, allowing remote control of focus and aperture settings.
For more specs and pricing click HERE.
Ever wondered what the rocker was for on the handle of the Sony NEX-FS700E? Well I can assure you it isn’t cosmetic! With a firmware upgrade due at the end of this month you will be able to use Sony’s two new powered zooms; the SEL-P18200 18mm-200mm and SEL-P1650 16mm-50mm.
This will open up the camera to a more ENG style of shooting, making it a ‘Jack of all trades’ tool. Whereas previously the camera was hindered by the ability to only use manual zooms, this will make it easier to use it for live, conference, documentary, sports, etc. Here’s some info on the lenses:
Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Power Zoom
Features:
- The lens that goes where you go – with a slim, compact design that retracts down to 29.9mm, it’s perfect for travel
- Effortless zooming – the first E-mount lens with an electrically driven zoom, it has a smooth, silent operation – ideal for shooting video
- Noise-free shots even in low light – with a constant maximum aperture of F4, you can use fast shutter speeds without raising ISO sensitivity unnecessarily
- Ready when you are – as soon as camera power is turned on, the lens extends and is ready for shooting
- Flexibility and control – in AF (Auto Focus) mode the dual-function control ring handles zoom; in MF (Manual Focus) mode, the ring offers manual control
- Big-lens performance – Extra-Low Dispersion glass and four aspherical lens elements deliver accurate, distortion-free images
- Blur at its best – thanks to the circular aperture you can capture attractive foreground and background blur effects
- Built-in image stabilisation – Optical SteadyShot not only reduces camera shake during handheld shooting but also improves performance in low-light conditions
Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Power Zoom
Features:
- Get slow zoom effects for film shooting – From movies to documentaries, give your creative works a lift with controlled, steady close-ups from a smooth powered zoom
- Shoot from a distance – Even the smallest details become sharp and clear using an 18-200mm telephoto zoom lens with 11x magnification
- Two ways to get closer – Zoom directly from the built-in controls on your camera or camcorder, or try using the lever on the lens itself
- Track quick movement with smooth autofocus – Lock-in your shot with fluid and silent precision for smooth detail in all your scenes
- No jumps and shakes with Optical SteadyShot – Shooting on the fly becomes a snip, capture smooth Full HD images no matter how bumpy things get
- Total control to create blur effects – Adjust the circular aperture for softer natural defocusing and make foreground objects stand out against a blurred background
- Tough and light enough for any shoot – This stylish aluminium lens won’t be affected by knocks and bumps when you’re out and about
Pricing and availabilty coming soon.
Metabones, the company who brought us the very successful Sony NEX to Canon EF Smart Adapter, have announced a new adapter that claims to increase aperture, sharpness and wide angle. Bold claims, but judging by the pre-production tests and optic technology involved true ones.
The Speed Booster which mounts between a Sony FS100/FS700 and a Canon EF lens, increases maximum aperture by 1 stop (hence its name), increases MTF and has a focal length multiplier of 0.71x. For example, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II lens becomes a 59mm f/0.9 lens. The faster F-stop allows for shallow depth-of-field and a lower ISO setting for decreased noise.
How can this magical device work? It is essentially utilizing the fact that EF lenses are full-frame and the NEX is a smaller super 35mm sensor. There is a lens inside the adapter which is a focal reducer, the amount of light that would have covered a full-frame sensor is now focused onto the smaller sensor and is therefore more concentrated. This also means there won’t be the same ‘crop factor’ you normally get when using EF lenses – for example, a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens will become into a 35mm f/1.2 lens. To learn more about this technology you can read Metabones White Paper HERE.
These adapters are due for release in the next few weeks, you can place an order HERE.
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