It may seem like a simple topic, but a properly balanced fluid head is a necessity for getting that perfect shot. The process of balancing a camera on a fluid head can be quite simple, or rather time consuming, depending on your camera setup.

Many productions today consider the archiving of acquisition media something to be dealt with after completion of the work. Other projects consider the backing up of original data onto additional hard drives as their archive. These, however, do not utilize the organizational and long-term advantages of a proper archival system.

We are always looking for ways to accessorize cameras so they are even more functional for our clients. Our latest design for the F3 is a ProVFM Viewfinder Mount Kit that enables the use of a professional electronic HD viewfinder with the camera.

Recently, Jonathan Miller of Hive Lighting stopped by our showroom to demonstrate a prototype of his new Hornet light. Hive lights employ plasma to produce a very bright and efficient light source.

AbelCine offers a variety of microphone choices to complement all of today's Compact HD cameras. Video professionals often ask us which microphones they should pair with their cameras, so we put together this breakdown of popular options. Watch the video and read on for a rundown of the various makes and models available for all types of applications and camera builds.

This is an old topic of discussion, but it always seems to come up again and again. Some cameras, such as Sony's FS100, will record in 1080 24p, but output only 1080 60i over HDMI. The FS100 does this to make its output compatible with monitors and other devices.

We're often asked how to make the uniquely-shaped Sony NEX-FS100 production ready. While we've discussed several options in our FS100 Lenses and Accessories article, I thought it would be helpful to illustrate a few of the options with a short video.

ARRI has released their Anamorphic De-squeeze download license for purchase. This eagerly anticipated license for the ALEXA will correct the "squeeze" effect that occurs when shooting with anamorphic lenses. With the license installed, ALEXA and ALEXA Plus cameras with the Software Update Packet (SUP) 4.0 can now readily accept anamorphic lenses with 1.3x or 2x magnification.

Sony's RGB and S-Log upgrade option for the F3 is now shipping. At AbelCine, we've had the upgrade for some time; you may remember the video that we helped produce at NAB that showed off the camera's S-Log capabilities. I get many questions about this new option and what exactly it changes in the camera, so I am putting together a three-part video series on the topic.