In late September, ARRI introduced a new line of Signature Zoom lenses in focal lengths of 16-32mm, 24-75mm, 45-135mm, and 65-300mm. All feature full-frame coverage and fast, constant apertures of T2.8. The 65-300mm is also available with a dedicated 1.7x extender, for a 110.5-510mm range and maximum aperture of T4.95 when mounted.

In this video, I take a look at Sony’s latest full-format camera in their cinema line, the FX6. The FX6 slots in below the FX9 in Sony’s lineup, but don’t let that fool you — it’s got a number of headline features that make it a more than worthy contender.

One of the major technology trends in 2020 continues to be HDR. As you may also know, Netflix has instituted a requirement that all original programming be finished in HDR (the Dolby Vision flavor, to be exact) — not unlike their 2015 edict that all original programming be shot with cameras from a growing list of bodies that capture at least UHD 3840x2160 natively. While a full primer on ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting HDR’ is beyond the scope of this article, I wanted to highlight one camera particularly well-suited to HDR capture (as well as satisfying the Netflix resolution requirements): ARRI’s ALEXA Mini LF.

Any time a new compact lightweight camera like Sony's PXW-FX9 comes out, camera assistants and operators have to spend a fair amount of time thinking about how to kit it out. To that end I recently spent some time myself evaluating and analyzing the different accessories on offer for the new camera. I also conferred with our rental department to get the perspective of a typical camera house environment and use that to compare against the more specialized needs of an owner-operator or low-budget filmmaker. Combining this insight with my own experience as a 1st AC and documentary camera operator helped me create this accessory guide, which, while not all-inclusive, should serve as a good starting point for any new FX9 owner.

When ARRI debuted their “large format” camera series with the full-size ALEXA LF in 2018, it came with a new, and somewhat radical, lens mount dubbed LPL, for ‘Large Positive Lock’. LPL is similar to the classic PL-mount (itself also an ARRI invention) used on cinema cameras since the early 80s but with a couple of noteworthy differences.

As DPs, we often decide whether our project should be shot with primes or zooms based on the desired look and logistics of the shoot. However, there are plenty of times when we need to use both. Maybe we are handheld, shooting outside for some scenes, so zooms make the most logistical sense. Yet for other portions, we are shooting portraits or interviews, and we want the added optical quality, control, and stop of a prime. Then, our main objective becomes making sure the lenses match and will cut together cohesively.

The Canon EOS C500 Mark II digital cinema camera features a 5.9K full-frame CMOS sensor, 15+ stops of dynamic range, Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, with support for Touch AF and Face Detection AF, a user-changeable lens mount (EF included), and more. Here are a few accessories that complement the camera and expand its functionality for virtually any production application.

If you've read some of the past content I've created here for AbelCine, then you may know I'm a long time user of Canon's Cinema EOS series cameras, most notably the C300 and C300 Mk II. I've used them extensively as a 1st AC supporting multiple cameras on commercial and corp/industrial jobs, and as an operator and DP on short form, documentary, and independent narrative work. So naturally, the release of the C500 Mk II is very interesting to me.

Recently, I had the opportunity to try out the ZEISS Supreme Prime Radiance lenses for myself and shoot some demo footage. With these lenses, ZEISS has modified the lens coating to give a slightly warmer look with the ability to create, and most importantly control, flares all while maintaining the sharpness and contrast that ZEISS is known for.