Lets Make Pixels

Fujifilm Quietly Made the X Half Price Drop Permanent and Now It Actually Makes Sense

Unknown — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

If you have been eyeing the Fujifilm X Half since it launched but couldn't quite justify the price tag, your patience just paid off. Fujifilm has quietly slashed the list price of the X Half from $849USD down to $649USD, and this time it is not a limited-time sale or a holiday rebate. This is the new permanent price.</p>

What Changed</h2>
When the X Half first dropped, the reaction from the community was pretty split. Everyone agreed that the camera itself was gorgeous, a retro-styled compact that looked like it belonged in a vintage camera shop window. The 1-inch sensor delivered solid image quality and those beloved Fujifilm film simulations gave every JPEG that look straight out of the box. But at $849, a lot of people felt like Fujifilm was asking a premium for vibes.</p>
That $200 gap between the launch price and where the camera should have been priced was painfully obvious. There were holiday rebates, temporary discounts, and flash sales that hinted Fujifilm knew it too. Now they have made it official. B&H, Adorama, and the Fujifilm store are all listing $649 without any sale flags or limited-time banners. Even the UK got a permanent reduction down to 549 pounds.</p>

Why This Matters for Creators</h2>
At $649, the X Half slots into a much more competitive space. You are looking at a pocketable camera with a 1-inch sensor, Fujifilm color science that content creators genuinely obsess over, and a design that practically begs to be carried everywhere. For anyone running a photography-focused social media account, or for videographers who want a casual B-roll camera that fits in a jacket pocket, this is the price point where it stops being a luxury purchase and starts being a practical tool.</p>
Compare this to the compact camera landscape right now. Prices across the board are climbing, not falling. The fact that Fujifilm went the other direction tells us something about how the X Half was performing at its original price, but it also means that savvy buyers are getting rewarded.</p>

Who Should Care</h2>
If you are a content creator who shoots a lot of everyday life content and wants something more intentional than a phone but less cumbersome than swapping lenses on a mirrorless body, the X Half at $649 is genuinely compelling. If you have been deep in the Fujifilm ecosystem and wanted a pocket companion to your X-T5 or X-H2S, this is the excuse you have been waiting for. And if you are just someone who loves the look and feel of shooting film but wants the convenience of digital, Fujifilm basically just gave you a $200 reason to stop thinking about it.</p>

The Bottom Line</h2>
We have always liked the X Half as a camera. It takes beautiful photos, it feels incredible in the hand, and the film simulation modes are the real deal. Our only gripe was always the price, and Fujifilm just fixed that. At $649, this is the camera the X Half was always meant to be at launch. If you have been on the fence, the fence just got a lot shorter.</p>
Have any of you picked up the X Half at the new price? We would love to hear how you are using it. Let us know what film simulations you are shooting with.</p>

Insta360 X4 Drops a Massive Firmware Update - 360 Live Broadcasting Has Arrived

Unknown — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Well, just when we thought the X4 had settled into its comfortable role as the reigning 8K 360 action champion, Insta360 dropped a firmware update this week that genuinely changes what the camera can do. Version 1.2.21 landed on April 3rd and the headline feature is a big one: 360 Live Broadcasting, straight out of Webcam Mode.</p>

Streaming in 360 Is Actually Here Now</h2>
We have been waiting for a consumer-friendly way to stream live 360 footage without cobbling together a rig of capture cards, stitching software and a prayer. The new Webcam Mode on the X4 now lets you plug the camera into a laptop and push 2:1 equirectangular footage directly to third-party streaming platforms. That is live, fully spherical video going out to audiences in real time.</p>
Think about what this unlocks. Small venues live-streaming concerts where the viewer chooses their own angle. Wedding shooters offering an immersive feed to guests who could not travel. Sports creators broadcasting from the middle of the action, letting viewers whip their heads around on a VR headset. Until now, pulling this off required pro-level gear that cost five figures. Insta360 just collapsed that barrier into a pocket-sized action camera.</p>

Apple Watch Control Is Underrated</h2>
The other big addition here is full Apple Watch control. You can start and stop recording, wake the camera when it is off, and manage shots from your wrist with what Insta360 is describing as a fast, stable remote connection.</p>
On paper that sounds like a gimmick, but anyone who has ever mounted an X4 on a selfie stick jammed into a backpack harness, or tucked it up on a ski helmet, knows the real problem is reaching the darn buttons mid-activity. Being able to glance at your wrist and kill a recording without stopping the session is exactly the kind of quality-of-life feature that separates gear you tolerate from gear you actually love shooting with.</p>

Where This Slots In</h2>
This firmware arrives at a fascinating moment in the 360 camera wars. Insta360 X6 rumors are swirling and looking likely for a near-term reveal. GoPro is teasing its brand-new GP3 processor for NAB later this month. By pushing the X4 forward instead of letting it languish as last year's flagship, Insta360 is making a clear statement about how it treats current customers: your camera gets better the longer you own it.</p>
For anyone weighing whether to hold out for the X6 or pull the trigger on the X4 right now, this update definitely moves the needle. The X4 is still a genuinely capable 8K 360 camera, and now it picks up live broadcasting, Apple Watch control and a cleaner webcam workflow on top of what was already a strong base.</p>

The Verdict</h2>
This is not a bug-fix firmware. This is the kind of update that legitimately expands what you can do with a camera you already own, and those are the updates that matter. If you are an X4 owner and have not grabbed v1.2.21 yet, go do it this weekend. If you are a creator thinking about getting into 360 live streaming, the price-of-entry just dropped dramatically.</p>
Are any of you planning to test out the live 360 streaming? We would love to hear what kind of shoots you are cooking up with this new capability. Drop us a line and let us know.</p>

Atomos Just Rebuilt the Ninja From the Ground Up and There Is a Trade-In Deal You Should Know About

Unknown — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

If you have been rocking an older Atomos Ninja or Shogun on your rig, it might be time to pay attention. Atomos has just dropped a completely reimagined generation of 5-inch monitor-recorders, and they are clearly not messing around. The new lineup includes the Ninja Roar, the Ninja TX GO, and the Ninja TX, all built from scratch for modern production workflows.</p>

The New Lineup</h2>
Let us break down what is new. The Ninja TX GO is the one that caught our eye first. It is an HDMI monitor-recorder that combines a brighter screen, advanced monitoring tools, professional codec support, direct camera control, and cloud connectivity. At $799, it slots in as the sweet spot for anyone shooting with HDMI-based cameras who wants a step up from their camera's built-in screen without going full cinema monitor.</p>
The Ninja TX builds on that with additional features for more demanding workflows, while the Ninja Roar appears to be the top-tier option for shooters who need everything Atomos can throw at a 5-inch form factor.</p>
Then there is the Shogun AV-19, which is a different beast entirely. This is a 19-inch rack-ready monitor-recorder-switcher that started shipping in early April. It is designed for studio and outside broadcast work, and it fills a gap in the Atomos lineup that has been empty for a while.</p>

The Trade-In Deal</h2>
Here is the part that might actually get you to pull the trigger. Atomos is running a trade-in program where you can send in any Atomos monitor-recorder -- and yes, they mean any of them, even that beat-up Ninja V collecting dust in your gear closet -- and get 30 percent off a brand new Ninja TX GO or Ninja TX. The offer runs through April 10, so you do not have a ton of time to think about it.</p>
For working professionals who have been on the fence about upgrading, this is a pretty compelling deal. A 30 percent discount on the TX GO brings it down to roughly $560, which is aggressive pricing for a monitor-recorder with this feature set.</p>

Why This Matters</h2>
The external monitor-recorder market has gotten interesting lately. With cameras like the Sony FX3 and Canon R5 C offering internal recording that is good enough for many workflows, Atomos needed to give shooters a reason to add another device to their rig. Brighter screens, better monitoring tools, and cloud connectivity are smart angles. If you are on a multi-camera shoot or working in challenging lighting conditions, having a dedicated monitor with proper waveforms and LUT preview is still a huge advantage.</p>
The cloud connectivity angle is particularly interesting. Being able to back up or stream directly from your monitor-recorder adds a layer of redundancy that production companies are going to love. We have all heard horror stories about corrupted cards or lost footage, and anything that adds a safety net to the recording chain is worth considering.</p>

Our Take</h2>
Atomos has been in a tough spot over the past couple of years, with some of their products feeling like incremental updates rather than genuine leaps forward. This new lineup feels different. Building from the ground up rather than iterating on existing hardware shows confidence, and the aggressive trade-in pricing suggests they want to get these units into as many hands as possible.</p>
If you are in the market for an external monitor-recorder, or if you have been thinking about upgrading your aging Ninja V or V+, the trade-in deadline of April 10 is worth circling on your calendar. We will have hands-on impressions once review units arrive.</p>
What monitor-recorder setup are you currently running? Would you trade it in for the new Ninja?</p>

The Insta360 X6 Is Real and It Could Be Here Before the End of April

Unknown — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This one has been brewing for a while, but now it is all but official. Certification filings have confirmed that the Insta360 X6 is registered and on track for a US launch this month. While Insta360 has not made a formal announcement yet, the paperwork does not lie, and the spec rumors painting a picture of a seriously capable next-gen 360 camera.</p>

What the Rumors Are Telling Us</h2>
The headline feature is 8K video at 60fps. Let that sink in for a second. The X5 was already impressive at its resolution, but jumping to true 8K60 in a 360-degree format opens up a whole new world of reframing possibilities. When you are shooting 360 and then punching in to create a traditional flat-frame edit, resolution is everything. More pixels means cleaner crops, smoother virtual camera movements, and footage that actually holds up on larger screens.</p>
Beyond the raw resolution, Insta360 is apparently doubling down on AI-powered editing. Their FlowState stabilization was already best-in-class, but the X6 is rumored to include more advanced AI tools that can automatically identify key moments, suggest reframes, and handle color grading. If this works as advertised, it could dramatically cut down the post-production time that has historically been the biggest barrier to 360 content creation.</p>

Pricing and Positioning</h2>
The expected US price sits around $579, which would make the X6 surprisingly competitive. Insta360 has always been aggressive on pricing compared to GoPro's 360 offerings, and this generation looks like it will continue that trend. For context, GoPro is about to unveil its own new camera lineup at NAB later this month, so the timing here feels very deliberate.</p>

Why This Matters for Creators</h2>
We have been saying for a while now that 360 cameras are the most underrated tools in a content creator's kit. The ability to shoot everything, then decide your framing in post, is genuinely liberating -- especially for solo shooters who do not have the luxury of a camera operator. An 8K60 sensor with smart AI reframing could make the X6 the camera that finally convinces more traditional shooters to give 360 a serious look.</p>
The other group that should be paying attention is the real estate and virtual tour crowd. Higher resolution 360 capture with better low-light performance (which typically comes with sensor generational improvements) means more professional results without needing to lug around a dedicated rig.</p>

What We Are Watching For</h2>
The big question mark is still thermal performance. Pushing 8K60 through a compact body generates serious heat, and the X5 already ran warm during extended recording sessions. If Insta360 has solved the heat throttling issue, this could be a slam dunk. If not, the 8K60 spec might end up being more of a burst-mode feature than a sustained shooting option.</p>
We are also curious about the new editing software. Insta360 Studio has improved a lot over the years, but AI editing tools are only as good as their implementation. We will reserve judgment until we can put it through a real workflow.</p>
Keep an eye out for the official announcement -- based on the certification timeline, it should land any day now. We will cover the full launch as soon as Insta360 makes it official.</p>
Are you a 360 shooter? What would make the X6 a must-buy for you?</p>

The DJI Pocket 4 Just Got Leaked to Oblivion and We Cannot Look Away

Unknown — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Well, so much for DJI's big reveal. The DJI Pocket 4 has been leaked from every possible angle -- authorized dealer listings, packaging photos, spec sheets, the whole lot. At this point we know more about this camera than some products that have already shipped. And honestly? We are kind of thrilled about what we are seeing.</p>

What We Know So Far</h2>
The Pocket 4 is set to launch on April 20, 2026, and it looks like DJI took every piece of feedback from the Pocket 3 and actually listened. The camera retains the beloved 1-inch CMOS sensor but adds some seriously impressive upgrades across the board.</p>
Here is the highlight reel. The Pocket 4 shoots 4K at 120fps in 10-bit D-Log M, which alone makes it a legitimate B-cam option for a lot of productions. There are whispers of 6K recording capability as well, which would put this tiny device in territory that dedicated cinema cameras occupied just a few years ago. You are also getting 14 stops of dynamic range and 2x lossless zoom, which is frankly bonkers for something that fits in your jacket pocket.</p>

The Physical Redesign Matters</h2>
Perhaps the most underrated upgrade is the form factor. DJI has apparently shaved the weight down by about 35 percent, bringing it from 179 grams to roughly 116 grams. That is a massive reduction for a device you are often holding at arm's length or mounting on a hat clip for hours at a time. They have added a physical joystick for gimbal control (finally), a larger 2-inch rotatable OLED touchscreen, and a built-in LED light. The battery has also been bumped to 1545 mAh, which DJI claims delivers around 200 minutes of recording. Even if real-world usage cuts that in half, that is still a substantial improvement.</p>
One spec that jumped out to us is the 107 GB of built-in storage with 800 MB/s transfer speeds. No more fumbling with microSD cards on set. For run-and-gun creators who just want to grab the Pocket and go, this removes one more friction point.</p>

Who Is This For?</h2>
If you are a solo content creator, vlogger, or documentary shooter who needs a reliable pocket-sized stabilized camera, this is shaping up to be the obvious choice. The Active Track 7.0 system is designed to handle complex subject tracking during rapid movement, which makes it particularly interesting for anyone shooting travel content, behind-the-scenes footage, or social media reels.</p>
The pricing is expected to land between $499 and $599 for the base model, with a Creator Combo (which bundles the DJI Mic 2) ranging from $649 to $749. That Creator Combo is going to be the sweet spot for most people, since audio is still the biggest weakness of any built-in camera mic.</p>

Our Take</h2>
DJI has been on an absolute tear lately. Between the Avata 360 we covered last week and now the Pocket 4, they are clearly not slowing down. The Pocket 3 was already one of our most-recommended cameras for creators who needed something compact and capable, and the Pocket 4 looks like it addresses nearly every shortcoming.</p>
The one thing we are watching closely is heat management. More processing power in a smaller, lighter body means thermals could be an issue during extended 4K/120 recording. DJI has not said much about this yet, and it is often the thing that separates a great spec sheet from a great real-world experience.</p>
We will have a full hands-on review as soon as units start shipping. In the meantime, if you were planning to buy a Pocket 3, you might want to hold off for a couple of weeks.</p>
What feature are you most excited about? Drop us a comment below.</p>

Panasonic Brought Back Its Travel Compact, Then Removed the One Thing People Loved

Unknown — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Panasonic just announced the Lumix ZS300 (sold as the TZ300 in Europe), and it is the first significant update to the brand's travel compact lineup since the TZ200 launched back in 2018. A full eight years. And honestly, for a lot of us who loved that old camera, the ZS300 is simultaneously exciting and a little bit baffling.</p>

What You Are Getting</h2>
On paper, this thing sounds great. A 20.1MP 1-inch sensor paired with a Leica DC Elmarit lens that gives you 15x optical zoom, covering the 24-360mm equivalent range. That is a genuinely versatile focal length spread for a camera that weighs 337 grams and fits in your jacket pocket. Four-axis optical image stabilisation handles the telephoto wobble. You get 4K video at up to 30fps, RAW capture for the serious shooters, and Panasonic's 4K Photo mode for pulling still frames from video. USB-C charging. Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi for wireless transfer. All of that is solid and expected for 2026.</p>
The price is set at $899 USD, arriving in black and silver from early May. That lands it squarely in the premium compact category, sitting alongside the Sony ZV-1 II and competing with the Sony RX100 VII.</p>

The EVF Problem</h2>
Here is where things get complicated. The TZ200 had a viewfinder, small as it was, and a lot of travel photographers absolutely relied on it for shooting in bright sunlight. The ZS300 does not have one. Panasonic pulled it completely, and replaced the micro USB port with USB-C, updated Bluetooth, and essentially called it an upgrade cycle.</p>
We get that stuffing an EVF into a body this compact is a serious engineering challenge. But removing it feels like a step backward when the camera is primarily marketed at people who want to shoot outdoors in variable lighting conditions. Bright daylight and a 3-inch rear LCD are not a happy combination, especially at 360mm equivalent when you actually need to brace yourself and see what you are tracking.</p>
DPReview's headline when this dropped was "Panasonic's new compact is a familiar travelzoom but with a crucial feature missing." That pretty much sums up the vibe across the photography community right now.</p>

Who Should Still Care</h2>
If you are not a big EVF user and you want a pocketable camera that covers you from wide architecture shots all the way to close-cropped wildlife and travel portraits without carrying a bag full of lenses, the ZS300 is genuinely hard to beat. Eight years of sensor and processor advancement over the TZ200 is meaningful. Low light performance at 1-inch should be noticeably better, and the autofocus system on modern Lumix cameras has come a long way from where Panasonic was in 2018.</p>
For vloggers and video-forward creators, this is also worth a look. The combination of 4K video, solid OIS, a proper zoom range, and a body you can slip into your back pocket is genuinely compelling if you are shooting travel content. The lack of an EVF matters less when you are watching your framing on the rear screen anyway.</p>
Documentary shooters and photojournalists who relied on the TZ200 for a discreet always-on-you option are probably going to feel burned by this decision, and rightfully so. Those people should be looking at second-hand TZ200 stock instead, which you will probably find at very reasonable prices now that this announcement has landed.</p>

Our Take</h2>
The ZS300 is a solid camera held back by a perplexing product decision. At $899 you expect Panasonic to have made some meaningful additions, not just spec bumps and a feature removal. We would have loved to see a higher-resolution sensor, faster video options, or at minimum keeping the EVF and justifying the eight-year wait with a proper generational leap.</p>
That said, if you are coming from a phone or a much older compact, the ZS300 is going to feel like a revelation. 1-inch sensors and 15x Leica zoom glass in your pocket for under $900 is still a good deal relative to the mirrorless system camera alternative.</p>
Are you picking one up, or is the missing EVF a dealbreaker for you? Let us know in the comments.</p>

Sony Just Hit Pause on Almost All Its Memory Cards and That Should Worry You

Unknown — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

If you shoot Sony -- or really, if you shoot anything -- this one matters. Sony quietly announced on March 27 that it is suspending the acceptance of orders for nearly its entire lineup of SD and CFexpress memory cards. That includes Type A, Type B, and standard SD cards across both their high-end and entry-level ranges. Not a limited run. Not a temporary allocation issue. Almost the whole catalog.</p>

What Is Actually Happening</h2>
The root cause is not some manufacturing defect or logistics bottleneck at a single factory. It is the global semiconductor shortage, and more specifically, the insatiable demand for NAND flash memory from AI datacenters. The same memory dies that go into your CFexpress cards also go into the enterprise SSDs powering every major AI training cluster on the planet. And right now, those datacenters are winning the bidding war.</p>
Sony is the first major camera brand to publicly pump the brakes on memory card fulfillment, but they almost certainly will not be the last. The underlying supply crunch is structural and industry-wide. According to multiple analysts, meaningful NAND supply expansion is not expected until late 2027 or even 2028.</p>

Why This Matters Right Now</h2>
If you are a working professional who burns through cards on a regular basis, this is your signal to stock up while you can -- assuming you can find stock. The CFexpress Type A cards that Sony Alpha shooters depend on are already notoriously expensive and harder to find than Type B. This suspension is going to make that worse.</p>
For videographers running cameras that demand high-speed write performance, the options get even thinner. If you are shooting 4K 120p or 8K on any platform, you need fast, reliable media. There is no workaround. You cannot just grab a cheaper card and hope for the best.</p>

The Bigger Picture</h2>
This is one of those moments where the camera industry collides with the broader tech economy in ways none of us asked for. AI is reshaping supply chains across the board, and creative professionals are caught in the crossfire. Your CFexpress card is competing for the same raw materials as a rack of GPUs in a datacenter, and right now, the datacenter has deeper pockets.</p>
We are not saying you should panic-buy a drawer full of cards tomorrow. But if you have been putting off grabbing backup media, or if you have a big shoot coming up in Q2, it would be smart to secure what you need sooner rather than later. Prices are likely going up, and availability is going down.</p>
Sony says it will monitor the supply situation and announce when orders can resume, but there is no timeline. That alone tells you how serious this is.</p>

What About Other Brands</h2>
Sony is the first to make a public statement, but Lexar, ProGrade, and other card manufacturers source from the same NAND suppliers. Keep an eye on availability across the board. If you are brand-agnostic on media, now might be the time to diversify your card collection while other brands still have inventory.</p>
Have you been affected by memory card shortages yet? Are you seeing prices creep up at your local retailer? Let us know in the comments -- we want to hear how this is hitting real shooters on the ground.</p>

DZOFilm Made More 1.5x FF Anamorphic Lenses

Unknown — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

DZOFilm opened pre-orders on March 24 for the Arcana series: three 1.5x anamorphic primes at 32mm, 45mm, and 75mm, all at T2.1. That focal length spread covers you from wide establishing shots to portraits and tighter compositions. For indie filmmakers and solo shooters, this is a very practical set.</p>

The lenses feature a hybrid anamorphic design that DZOFilm says delivers 2x waterfall bokeh and color-shifting horizontal flares. So you are getting the squeeze ratio of 1.5x for easier sensor coverage, but with flare and bokeh characteristics that lean closer to what you would expect from a 2x design. That is a clever engineering choice.</p>

The Specs That Matter</h2>
Each lens covers a full-frame image circle of 43.3mm, which means they play nicely with cameras like the Sony FX6, Canon C70, Panasonic S5II, or any full-frame mirrorless body. They are available in PL mount with an included DZOFILM Octopus adapter for early-bird orders.</p>
Weight is between 690 and 710 grams per lens with a compact 80mm length. That is light enough for gimbal work and even handheld shooting. All three share a uniform 80mm front diameter and support 77mm filters, so your matte box or filter setup works across the whole set without swapping rings.</p>
The optical design uses 3 ED ultra-low dispersion elements, 4 high-refractive elements, and 4 cylindrical elements. DZOFilm has also included a 14-blade elliptical aperture to enhance that classic anamorphic bokeh shape. Close focus distances are 0.48m on the 32mm, 0.53m on the 45mm, and 0.78m on the 75mm, which is respectable for anamorphic glass.</p>
One detail worth highlighting: the front cylindrical lens design maintains a constant squeeze ratio from close focus to infinity. That means less face distortion in close-ups and less correction needed in post. If you have ever shot on budget anamorphic adapters and dealt with the squeeze shifting at different focus distances, you know how much of a headache that can be.</p>

The Price</h2>
Here is where it gets really exciting. Pre-order pricing is set at $1,099 per lens or $2,899 for the full three-lens set. Both options include a free DZOFILM Octopus PL adapter. For context, a single Cooke or Atlas anamorphic lens will run you anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000. Even within the budget anamorphic category, the Arcana set is aggressively priced.</p>

Who Should Care</h2>
If you are an indie filmmaker, short film director, music video shooter, or narrative content creator who wants that genuine anamorphic look without remortgaging your house, the Arcana set should be at the top of your list. At under $3,000 for a three-lens anamorphic kit with full-frame coverage, the value proposition is hard to argue with.</p>
The 1.5x squeeze also makes these practical for a wider range of cameras and editing workflows compared to 2x anamorphic, where you need very specific sensor sizes and desqueeze settings to get clean results.</p>
Pre-orders are open now through April 8, so if you want that early-bird pricing with the free adapter, do not wait too long. We will definitely be getting our hands on a set for a proper review.</p>
Are you team anamorphic or do you prefer the spherical look? And at this price point, would you consider making the switch? We want to hear from you.</p>

GoPro Is About to Drop Multiple New Cameras at NAB 2026 and We Are Hyped

Unknown — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

GoPro announced that on March 25, they will unveil a completely new generation of cameras at the 2026 NAB Show running April 19-22 at Booth C5519. And we are not talking about one camera -- GoPro is teasing multiple new models.</p>

The GP3 Processor Changes Everything</h2>
At the heart of this launch is the GP3, GoPro's next-generation imaging processor. Built on a 5-nanometer architecture, this System-on-a-Chip delivers more than double the pixel processing power of the GP2 that has powered recent GoPro models. That is a massive leap. GoPro specifically highlighted AI-driven image quality, improved low-light performance, longer runtimes, and better thermal management. If you have ever had a GoPro overheat mid-shoot on a hot day, that last point alone should have your attention.</p>

Beyond Action Cameras</h2>
Here is what really caught our eye: GoPro is positioning these new cameras as "more professionally focused than ever before." The press materials mention larger sensors, expanded features, and compact durable form factors. There have been hints for a while now that GoPro wants to push beyond just the action camera category, and this seems to confirm it. We could be looking at vlogging cameras, compact cinema-grade systems, or something entirely new alongside the next HERO.</p>
The fact that they chose NAB -- a broadcast and professional video trade show -- as the launch venue rather than, say, CES or a consumer electronics event tells us a lot about who GoPro is trying to reach with this generation of products.</p>

What We Expect</h2>
We honestly have no idea. If they launch a "proper camera" or a "cinema camera" or even a mirrorless camera of any description with interchangeable lenses - camera YouTube could breakdown. Remember when Nikon bought RED?</p>

Why This Matters for Creators</h2>
If GoPro can deliver on the promise of larger sensors and professional-grade features while keeping the compact, rugged form factor that made them famous, they could carve out a genuinely unique space. Think about it: a pocketable camera that can handle low-light, shoot high-resolution video, and survive a rainstorm. That is something neither your phone nor a traditional cinema camera can offer.</p>

The DJI Avata 360 Is Here and It Might Change How We Shoot Aerials Forever

Unknown — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

The FPV drone scene have been putting 360 cameras on their rigs for a while and DJI has just launched the DJI Avata 360 globally on March 26, and US pre-orders go live today, March 30 at 8 AM ET.</p>

Is this a DJI Drone with 360 Camera and That's IT?</h2>
Basically... but he headline feature is a dual 1-inch sensor camera system that captures full spherical 8K video at 60fps with HDR, plus 120-megapixel stills. It also has another option that could give you a more traditional drone experience - you can switch to a Single Lens mode for a standard forward-facing 4K/60fps FPV configuration.</p>
So if you just want some standard footage or just want to shoot to the shot list - 4K single lens is perfect. If you are doing action or sports or wildlife shooting - that 8K 360 footage could be super useful.</p>
DJI packed in their O4+ transmission system with up to 20km range and 1080p/60fps live feed. Flight time sits at around 23 minutes, and the 42GB of internal storage gives you roughly 30 minutes of 8K 360 footage without even needing a microSD card. Nice move.</p>

Easier 360 Video Post Production</h2>
DJI has built out a solid set of reframing tools in DJI Fly and DJI Studio. Spotlight Free lets you lock onto a subject and automates camera movement. ActiveTrack 360 handles tracking across the full sphere of capture. There is an FPV mode that adds natural roll effects in post, and Virtual Gimbal gives you infinite rotation and tilt from the 360 capture. GyroFrame lets you adjust and export reframed footage directly in the DJI Fly app.</p>
If you are a real estate videographer, event shooter, or documentary filmmaker, the idea of capturing everything and choosing your framing later is probably going to get you out of a lot of trouble.</p>

Who Really Wants a 360 Drone Camera?</h2>
If you are a run-and-gun creator who wants maximum flexibility in post, the Avata 360 could be worth it at about $549USD. There are like always the additional AKS that you can put on it with the typical incremental costs.</p>
But this camera drone is for those that know they need it. For everyone else - you could probably save your money and get a better sensor and drone for roughly the same price second hand or refurbed.</p>

Studio Setup

Unknown — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We transformed an empty room into a fully functional production studio in three days. Here's the breakdown of every piece of gear that went in and why we chose it.</p>

The key insight: cable management is not optional. It's the difference between a studio that works and a studio that constantly fights you.</p>

One Light Portrait Setup

Unknown — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

One light. One reflector. That's it.</p>

This 45-second breakdown shows how we set up a portrait with nothing but a single key light and a piece of foam core for fill. The result speaks for itself.</p>

24mm vs 85mm — Same Subject

Unknown — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Same subject. Same location. Same time of day. The only variable: focal length.</p>

Wide distorts. Telephoto compresses. Neither is wrong — they just tell different stories about the same reality.</p>

Golden Hour

Unknown — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Every image in this collection was shot within an hour of sunset. No filters. No presets. Just good light and patience.</p>

Golden hour isn't a time of day — it's a state of attention. When the light gets warm and low, everything becomes a potential frame.</p>

Building Our Cinema Rig

Unknown — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Base plate. Cage. Handle. Monitor. Follow focus. Matte box. SSD.</p>

Every piece has a purpose. Nothing is there for show. This is a working rig designed for solo operation on documentary shoots.</p>

Editing Desk Tour 2026

Unknown — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

An editing desk should disappear when you're working. Everything within reach, nothing in the way.</p>

This is our current setup after two years of iteration. It's not flashy. It works.</p>

RED Komodo

Unknown — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The RED Komodo is polarizing. It's small. It's powerful. It's also deeply frustrating in ways that only become apparent after a week of actual production use.</p>

The image quality is unreal. The menus are not. The R3D workflow is incredible in post. The battery life is not.</p>

But here's the thing: every camera is a compromise. The question is whether this</em> camera's compromises align with your</em> priorities.</p>

Repurpose Protein Powder Tins for Rigging Spares

Unknown — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:10:44 +0000

Protect Your Lav Mics With 35mm Roll Canisters

Unknown — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 14:10:44 +0000

2026 Design Trends

Unknown — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:36:11 +0000

As we identify trends and changes, we will share and catalogue here.</p>

2026 Photography Trends

Unknown — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:36:11 +0000

We will be updating this post month by month to determine the top trends.</p>

LittleJS 2025 Game Jam

Unknown — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:36:11 +0000

Here is a link to the 2025 LittleJS Game Jam recap: https://itch.io/jam/littlejs-game-jam-2025</p>

Welcome to Lets Make Pixels

Unknown — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Our purpose is to provide you with news, info, and tutorials on how to get create better. We know it is impossible to keep up sometimes, and sorting through all the different videos and opinions is tricky.</p>
So no AI here - we currate by hand all the information we feel provides the most value, as well as sharing tips and tricks we use to create on a daily basis.</p>
So enjoy your time and make sure you subscribe, follow etc to keep up to date.</p>

All the Cinema Cameras Released in 2024

Unknown — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 12:37:45 +0000

2024 had one of the biggest shake ups in cinema cameras in recent memory when Nikon decided to buy RED. Whilst none of the cameras launched are a direct response, we expect to see the space really heat up, with even Fuji by the end of the year announce their first ever true cinema camera. Competition is going to be great for video in the coming years. </p>
Lest we also forget that Blackmagic has built a large format sensor that you will be able to buy, compared to other cameras with similar sensor size that you can only rent. </p>
March 2024 Mirrorless Camera Releases</h2>
Canon EOS C80</h3>

Release Date:</b> March 25, 2024</li>
General Consensus:</b> A versatile cinema camera designed for filmmakers, the C80’s compact design and RF mount compatibility earned praise. The lack of internal RAW recording was a downside, but it remained a popular choice for indie filmmakers and content creators. </li> </ul>
August 2024 Mirrorless Camera Releases</h2>
Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K</h3>

Release Date:</b> September 5, 2024</li>
General Consensus:</b> Blackmagic delivered a cinema powerhouse with its 12K Super 35mm sensor. Filmmakers applauded the color science and post-production flexibility, but its large file sizes and storage requirements were seen as challenges. </li> </ul>
October 2024 Mirrorless Camera Releases</h2>
Canon EOS C400</h3>

Release Date:</b> October 30, 2024</li>
General Consensus:</b> This 6K cinema camera was praised for its robust build and versatile RF mount. It’s been lauded as a great tool for mid-tier filmmakers, but it faced stiff competition from similarly priced offerings. </li> </ul>
November 2024 Mirrorless Camera Releases</h2>
Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65</h3>

Release Date:</b> November 12, 2024</li>
General Consensus:</b> A bold entry into the ultra-high-resolution cinema market, the URSA 17K 65 offered stunning image quality but came with significant demands for workflow and storage. High-end productions embraced it, while smaller filmmakers found it impractical. </li> </ul>
Fujifilm GFX Eterna</h3>

Release Date:</b> November 28, 2024</li>
General Consensus:</b> Fujifilm’s medium format cinema camera brought unparalleled image quality to the cinema world. Critics loved its design and performance but acknowledged its niche appeal due to the high cost. </li> </ul>
So which ones were our favourites? Oooooo tough, I would say there are no bad cameras but I definitely would take the X100VI for casual street photography, travel and family snaps and then probably the Nikon Z6III for professional work now that you can get the RED LUTs with N-Log. </p>

Sirui Launching Aurora - Fast Full Frame Autofocus Lens

Unknown — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 11:13:01 +0000

So let's get everything out of the way quickly - at the moment there is only one focal length, 85mm. Not only that, there is only E/X/Z mounts, which is a little peculiar because from our memory, there is no full frame Fuji sensors. We also looked on the website to see what coverage looks like but that information was a little hard to find. We will reach out and update when we have a response.</p>
Size and weight is definitely competitive and won't cause your gimbal too many issues unless you have one of the mini ones. They also claim it is better than two un-named brands but considering the mounts - our guess is the Sony and Nikon ones.</p>
With the usual pre-order incentives and gifts, the price point at the moment of $499USD is reasonable. However, buying one lens on its own is a big ask, especially from 3rd party manufacturer. Sirui do have a great track record of delivering and if you are a hobbyist rather than a paid working photographer or videographer and are missing a portrait lens, this could be your way in.</p>
So lets stay tuned and we have reached out to see if we can have a play and we will report back as soon as possible.</p>

New Portkeys Portkeys BM5IV WR Monitor With Updated OS

Unknown — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 12:24:10 +0000

Portkeys has updated their on-set monitors with the launch of the Portkeys BM5WR</b>, a 5.5-inch display with a newly updated OS that claims to improve significantly on their previous version, whilst also getting them closer to the competition (like SmallHD).</p>
Top 3 New Features of the PortKeys BM5WR</h2>
2200 nits for Outdoor Visibility</h3>
For those that run and gun or spend more time shooting outdoors rather than in studios, this is probably the standout feature of the monitor. This ultra-bright display ensures clear visibility, meaning you might even get away with not having to use shades or hoods. We have yet to test it, but if it delivers, we will definitely let you know.</p>
3 Colour Gamut Calibration</h3>
At this price point you can't expect to have it all, but with 100% coverage of Rec709 and 85% of P3-DCI and 85% P3-D65 - you are covered extremely well. The vast majority of delivery is still Rec709 so we would say for the next 3 or so years this monitor will hold its usefulness.</p>
Wireless Camera Control Across Multiple Camera Brands</h3>
Currently the Portkeys BM5IV supports RED, ARRI, Nikon, Panasonic, Canon, Z Cam, Sony, Blackmagic - the only shooters we can't recommend this for is Fuji (sorry Fuji-juicers).</p>
For the rest of us though, being about to adjust key camera settings directly from the monitor, eliminating the need for additional remote controls lets you move much faster on set. Once again, we have a couple of the cameras that are supported so we cannot wait to give it ago - especially for the BOX cameras with tiny or no monitors at all (looking at you BS1H).</p>
I know we said 3, but we are also going to include Dual-Screen Monitoring, especially since you can view the 16:9 landscape frame and a vertical 9:16 version at the same time, on the same screen. This is going to be super useful for social media content creators and those where the client asks for both at the same time.</p>
So this is just the press release/announcement - stay tuned for when we actually get a hold of it and we can answer all your questions on it!</p>

How Good is the Sony A7SIII Advanced Image Stabilization Features

Unknown — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:49:33 +0000

The camera has been out for a couple of years now, and with competition from Panasonic with their new Lumix S5II, many are wondering if the stabilisation of the Sony can still compete with Lumix - widely regarded as the king of stabilisation.</p>
Sony has always placed a tremendous emphasis on image stabilization technology, but it seems even with five-axis in-body image stabilization that combines image sensor shift stabilization and a gyroscope, it might be able to handle blurs and jitters but not be able to give you actual gimbal-like motions it falls a bit short.</p>
So what we have done here is take a couple of videos with the footage and different stabilisation settings for you to look and compare with.</p>

Davinci Micro Panel - Not Just for iPads?

Unknown — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 04:04:12 +0000

Since we can't be in Vegas, we are just living vicariously through everyone that is, like Darren Mostyn</a> who got some hands on with the new Black Magic Design Micro Panel for Davinci Resolve</a>.</p>
We are super excited about this because it literally designed as mobile first panel with the ridge/indent so you can put your iPad in there and get to work - perfect for all those colourists that want to start bed editing.</p>
However, the other great news that Darren shared in this video is that it can work with your PC/Mac setup as well. Obviously the size isn't the same as the larger panels, but it has more functions than the previous panel, so that is a win. </p>
If you really had to nitpick, the only slight downside (which isn't really one as the older panel didn't have this either) is no screens which come with the larger panel.</p>
But I definitely think this panel is going to sell pretty well, we are going to get it as soon as we find the spare cash! If not just for that little ridge alone! </p>
Oh Blackmagic - can we have one of those for the Speed Editor???</p>

Potentially Cheap Full Frame 2x Anamorphics are Coming

Unknown — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 03:41:47 +0000

NAB2024 announcements just keep getting better and better. CineD</a> managed to get to chat (not hands-on exactly) with the Blazar team to talk about their new full frame, 2x anamorphic lenses</a>. As always, there are definitely going to be some catches for the supposedly cheap price:</p>

Not all lens have the same T-Stop</li>
Not all lens weigh the same</li>
40mm is the widest lens so far</li> </ul>
We are not going to say we are not excited about these lenses, because we are, it's just always good to remember that if something is too good to be true, it probably is.</p>
Make sure you watch the video because they do have some B-Roll of the lens, the catch is it is their team filming the monitor and not actual footage. </p>
But stay chill because we have until the second half of this year before we have to worry about making any purchasing decisions.</p>

Why Now is the Time to Get a RED Komodo 6K

Unknown — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:30:29 +0000

There has been so much mentioned about RED in the last week that we don't have to rehash it all here. The only thing you need to know is that Nikon owns RED Digital Cinema and no one besides employees of the company knows what is going to happen next.</p>
Since the Komodo came out in 2020, RED has has expanded their DSMC3 series of cameras which some people love and others are not too excited about because it diminishes the resale value of the cameras they have purchased.</p>
However, if you are an up and coming DP, YouTuber or cinematographer - you can take advantage of the current FUD and score yourself one of the best cameras on the market in any price range.</p>
The change actually started with the announcement of the Komodo-X which made a lot of Komodo owners that were using the OG Komodo (as it is officially unofficially called now) as a primary camera - offload their kit for the KX (as before) to have the A-Cam they always wanted from RED in the first place.</p>
Now with the change in ownership, there already is a slight increase of more OG owners putting their cameras up for sale, with prices ranging from at least 20-40% cheaper than a brand-new boxed model.</p>
That means for about $4,000USD you have access to a Netflix camera that shoots compressed RAW internally with a global shutter for not much more than brand new mirrorless camera counterparts.</p>
As always there are some things to be aware of before you grab the camera beyond the typical wear and tear you need to check whenever you are buying second-hand kit:</p>

You will need to record audio externally - the preamps are good but definitely not great.</li>
The Canon batteries aren't great and you will probably want a V-mount adapter to make sure you can get through a whole day of shooting.</li>
Don't expect great re-sale later on because it is already dropping value quickly.</li> </ul>
These are by no means deal breakers because you will have a camera now that is a part of cinema history - once production stops and ours eventually in another 5-10 years stops working, you will have an awesome studio prop and story to tell the next generation about the history of this near-perfect cube camera.</p>
So double check your budget and work out the numbers because if you are in the market for a new video camera - you might actually realise this camera right now is the most affordable it has ever been.</p>

The Smallest & Lightest 100mm Macro Lens

Unknown — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 11:58:16 +0000

Whilst it was announced a little while ago, you can now buy the Panasonic LUMIX 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens for their L Mount cameras. </p>
If you are product photographer or a videographer that likes to shoot eyeballs for dramatic effect on a gimbal - guess what? Lumix has you covered.</p>
The crazy thing about this it is almost exactly the same as all their other L-Mount primes, meaning that if you do need it on a gimbal or stabiliser, you will only need the tiniest adjustments. </p>
However I think the real key for this is for macro things like insects and product photography to get right up on those watch hands. I think this lens was specifically designed for people that take photos of wristwatches for a living.</p>
We have yet to give it a go on our Lumix bodies, but we will do all the macro things when we finally get our hands on it.</p>
If you want to buy the lens from Amazon, feel free to click our affiliate like which allows us to keep going: https://amzn.to/3TweAAj</a></p>
If you want to see the lens live in action, check it out here:</p>

Nikon Bought RED Cine

Unknown — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 10:33:49 +0000

This is not an April Fools joke, but with a decision or move that no one saw coming, Nikon has bought RED. </p>
Crazy</p>
What happens now? No one knows.</p>
Are RED shooters now Nikon shooters? No one knows.</p>
Do all the Nikon potato and hater videos disappear off creator accounts now? No one knows.</p>
Do we love the drama? 💯</p>
I would just keep an eye out now for all the RED cams going cheap on the second hand market.</p>

You Need this DoorBell Hack for Podcast Editing

Unknown — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 03:42:56 +0000

On the other side of the ditch, the genius people at Syrup Lab</a> (definitely worth subscribing) have got this awesome hack to help make your video editor's life much easier. We are definitely going to give this a go!</p>

Anamorphic zooms are now more affordable thanks to Laowa

Unknown — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 06:28:18 +0000

You can now jump onto Laowa's Indiegogo listing</a> (disclaimer: Indiegogo isn't a pre-order. The last nanomorphs took forever to arrive...) and see all the stats and details for yourself, but here are the important bits:</p>

Super 35 coverage but there are plenty of YT videos now showing that it can cover full frame (especially the 50-100mm) so don't stress too much</li>
1.5x squeeze is great but the better spec is that it is par focal as well. This is absolutely crazy for the price.</li>
$21,593 HKD (feel free to do the conversion to your currency) means that for the quality of the lens, there isn't much of a difference in price to spherical zooms. So if you can sneak in anamorphic for your clients plus your fun shooting, this is a no brainer.</li>
Basically all the same characteristics as the primes. We have the 35mm prime so we might get it out and do some comparisons once we get these in our hands.</li> </ol>
Here is one of our favourite YT videos with actual footage, so definitely go support Ed and tell him we sent you!</p>

Faking the Anamorphic Look Without Buying a Lens

Unknown — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 11:37:28 +0000

The anamorphic look is known for its wide aspect ratio, unique oval bokeh, and striking lens flares, which are beloved by filmmakers and audiences alike. However, genuine anamorphic lenses can be prohibitively expensive for indie filmmakers and enthusiasts. But fear not! In this blog post, we'll explore how to fake the anamorphic look without breaking the bank, using post-processing techniques and some affordable accessories.</p>
Creating the Anamorphic Aspect Ratio</h2>
One of the most distinctive characteristics of anamorphic footage is the widescreen aspect ratio, typically 2.35:1 or 2.39:1. To achieve this look, you'll need to crop your footage in post-production:</p>

Shoot in a high-resolution format, preferably 4K, to maintain image quality after cropping.</li>
In your editing software, adjust the aspect ratio by adding black bars to the top and bottom of your footage or by cropping the top and bottom of the image.</li>
Alternatively, use a plugin or preset that mimics the anamorphic aspect ratio.</li> </ul>
Crafting the Oval Bokeh</h2>
Anamorphic lenses produce a unique oval bokeh due to their optical design. To recreate this effect without an anamorphic lens, you can use a DIY solution or invest in a specialized filter:</p>

DIY method:</strong> Create an oval-shaped cutout from a black piece of paper or cardstock, and tape it to the front of your lens. This will mimic the out-of-focus characteristics of an anamorphic lens. Make sure to test different sizes and orientations for the best results.</li>
Specialized filter:</strong> Companies like Tiffen and Moment offer filters that create an anamorphic-like bokeh. These filters can be mounted on your existing lenses, and while they won't perfectly replicate the anamorphic look, they'll provide a close approximation.</li>
Do it in Post</strong> - There are plugins and effects you can add to give the oval bokeh effect, but we don't like them at all. We just mentioned it here to let you know not to choose that option.</li> </ul>
Emulating Anamorphic Lens Flares</h2>
Horizontal lens flares are another iconic aspect of anamorphic lenses. To recreate these flares, try the following techniques:</p>

Shoot with practical lights: </strong>Position practical lights, such as lamps or LED strips, within your frame or just outside of it to create organic lens flares. Experiment with different angles and light sources to achieve the desired effect.</li>
Use a fishing line:</strong> A popular DIY trick is to stretch a piece of clear fishing line across the front of your lens. The fishing line will catch light and create horizontal lens flares. Adjust the line's position and tension to achieve the best results.</li>
Add flares in post-production:</strong> If you're unable to capture lens flares in-camera, you can use editing software or plugins like Red Giant's Knoll Light Factory or Video Copilot's Optical Flares to add convincing anamorphic flares in post-production.</li> </ul>
Color Grading for a Cinematic Look</h2>
Color grading plays a crucial role in achieving a cinematic look. It is not so much requirement for the anamorphic look, it is more the fact that the only productions or footage you see with anamorphic is cinema based. So if you are going to lean all the way in to faking the look, you might as well add the grade.</p>

Apply a film emulation LUT:</strong> Many color grading software and plugins offer film emulation LUTs that mimic the look of popular film stocks. Apply a LUT that matches the cinematic look you're after.</li>
Enhance blues and oranges:</strong> Anamorphic lenses often produce blue-tinted flares and slightly warmer skin tones. Adjust your color balance to emphasize these tones and create a more anamorphic-like color palette.</li>
Experiment with contrast and saturation:</strong> Play with the contrast and saturation levels to achieve a more filmic and stylized look.</li> </ul>
While there's no perfect substitute for an actual anamorphic lens, these tips and techniques can help you achieve a convincing anamorphic look on a budget. The key is to combine these techniques to create a cohesive aesthetic that mimics the unique characteristics of anamorphic lenses.</p>
Composition and Camera Movement</h2>
Anamorphic lenses often produce a sense of depth and dimensionality that can be challenging to replicate. However, by paying close attention to your composition and camera movement, you can create a more anamorphic feel in your footage:</p>

Use foreground and background elements:</strong> Including objects in the foreground and background of your shots can add depth and make your scenes more visually interesting.</li>
Experiment with camera movement:</strong> Smooth, cinematic camera movements can help to sell the anamorphic look. Use a gimbal, slider, or even handheld techniques to create dynamic and engaging shots.</li>
Frame your subjects strategically:</strong> Anamorphic lenses tend to create a more immersive and intimate feel. Frame your subjects with this in mind, placing them within their environment to tell a compelling visual story.</li> </ul>
Consider Aspect Ratio When Framing Shots</h2>
When shooting with a faux anamorphic look in mind, it's essential to consider the final aspect ratio when framing your shots. Since you'll be cropping the top and bottom of your image in post-production, make sure to leave enough room for your subjects and key elements:</p>

Use custom crop marks:</strong> Many cameras allow you to add custom crop marks to your viewfinder or display, which will help you frame your shots accurately for the desired aspect ratio.</li>
Keep important action within the frame:</strong> Be mindful of the wider aspect ratio when framing your shots, ensuring that your subjects and critical visual elements are captured effectively.</li> </ul>
Achieving a faux anamorphic look on a budget is entirely possible with some creativity, attention to detail, and a bit of post-production magic. By focusing on aspect ratio, bokeh, lens flares, color grading, composition, and camera movement, you can create a visually compelling and cinematic aesthetic that closely emulates the anamorphic look. While it may not be a perfect match for a genuine anamorphic lens, these techniques will undoubtedly elevate your filmmaking and help you create stunning visuals without breaking the bank. Happy shooting!</p>

The Insta360 Flow Should Be Your New Webcam Holder

Unknown — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 12:41:18 +0000

</iframe> </div>
This week Insta360 announced a new gimbal-like device called the Insta360 Flow</a> (affiliate link). It is basically a smartphone gimbal with some AI tricks. When you look at the website and all the marketing information and YouTube videos about the product, they are talking about it from a content creator perspective. We have embedded a few videos here for you to watch:</p>
</iframe> </div>
We thought think they are missing a big trick - this is the perfect tool for video conferencing and video calling friends and family.</p>
The Perfect Gimbal for Videocalling Friends and Family</h2>
With Apple announcing recently "Continuity Camera: Use iPhone as a webcam for Mac</a>" this means rather than having to play around and prop up your camera with whatever is lying around on your desk or coffee table - you grab one of these AI gimbal things, put your phone on it, connect it to your Mac and set the AI tracking feature to follow you around the kitchen whilst you are cooking, whilst you are doing the laundry and still keep the conversation going and get what you need to get done.</p>
We can't wait to get one of these and have a go doing exactly what we are outlining here so if you want to see the results, subscribe and follow us to see when we post the follow up to this article.</p>

Maximize Your Creativity with the Insta360 ONE RS: Tips and Advice

Unknown — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 10:57:58 +0000

There aren't many devices that are as versatile and small as this little action camera. If you are not doing any commercial work, you are just creating content for yourself or just purely for social media, this could probably the best investment you can make. In fact, it could be a better choice than a mirrorless camera because of what it can do and how durable and rugged it is. </p>
So if you are interested in some ways you can really level up your content with this camera, here are a few things to keep in mind.</p>
The ONE RS is Modular - This Makes it Almost Unique</h2>
The Insta360 ONE RS has this really interesting modular design that lets you swap between the 4K wide-angle and 360-degree lenses quickly and easily. Currently the modules available are:</p>

4K Wide-Angle Mod: </strong>This is perfect for capturing those breathtaking, stabilised 4K shots for your vlogs, action-packed adventures, or just hanging out with your friends. 😎</li>
360 Mod:</strong> Want to blow your followers' minds? The 360-degree module lets you record insanely immersive footage that can be transformed into jaw-dropping videos. Talk about standing out from the crowd!</li>
1inch Mod</strong> - initially available on the original Insta360 One R, this gives you a bigger sensor that works better in low light and other areas to give a better resolution image. </li> </ul>
Mastering the Insta360 App: Your New BFF 📱</h2>
The Insta360 app is seriously a content creator's best friend. With the app, you can:</p>

Control your camera remotely: No more awkwardly reaching for buttons! Adjust settings, hit record, and swap modules right from your phone. 🙌</li>
Edit your 360 footage:</strong> The app's editing tools are a game-changer for creating scroll-stopping content from your 360-degree videos.</li>
Stabilize your shots:</strong> Turn on FlowState stabilization for silky smooth, professional-looking footage even in the craziest situations.</li> </ul>
Creative Shooting Modes: Get Ready for Insta-Fame! 📸</h2>
The Insta360 ONE RS comes with dope shooting modes that might be a bit gimmicky at first, but could allow you to come up with some creative way to use them:</p>

Bullet Time: </strong>Unleash your inner action hero by capturing slow-mo, Matrix-style 360-degree shots with the Bullet Time accessory. 😲</li>
TimeShift:</strong> Mix time-lapse and real-time footage in one epic shot that'll have your followers double-tapping like there's no tomorrow.</li>
Starlapse: </strong>Light up your feed with breathtaking night sky time-lapses that'll leave everyone starstruck. 🌌</li> </ul>
Invisible Selfie Stick: Camera Tricks on Fleek! 🤳</h2>
This is probably the best trick Insta360 does with all their cameras. It magically disappears from your 360-degree shots, so you can capture drone-like aerials, third-person views, and more without any visible equipment. Say goodbye to awkward angles and hello to Insta-worthy shots!</p>
Post-Production: Time to Shine! ✨</h2>
Ready to make your Insta360 ONE RS footage pop? Time for some post-production magic:</p>

Reframe that 360 footage:</strong> Experiment with angles and perspectives to create next-level videos that'll leave your followers speechless. 🎥</li>
Color grade like a pro:</strong> Turn up the wow factor with color grading tools in editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. The quality of the footage might not be the same as a "real" mirrorless camera, but it will have enough to do some grading to it.</li>
Sound design: Amp up the excitement with killer sound effects and music that'll keep your audience glued to the screen. 🎶</li> </ul>
So if you are ready to grab one of these, you can use our affiliate links that will take you to their website and you can get everything you need to start filming.</p>
SHOP INSTA360 One RS NOW</a> (affiliate link)</p>

Budget Cine Setup - Canon EOS-M & Sirui Anamorphic Lens

Unknown — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 10:40:51 +0000

There are countless videos online about getting the most cinema-like footage for the smallest budget. We are going to throw something new into the mix that we haven't really seen much online. We are in the process of hiring the gear and setting things up in order to get some footage with this particular combination of equipment, so subscribe and follow us for more updates.</p>
The Camera: Canon EOS-M With Magic Lantern</h2>
In this particular setup, the camera is actually the cheapest part of all. The reason why is this is an extremely old camera that is no longer produced by Canon, however because of the work completed by the Magic Lantern team, you can extract RAW footage out of this camera by using their modifications. We will do a separate post at a later date specifically about Magic Lantern, but head over to the Magic Lantern website</a> and follow the steps to install the software. We have also embedded a few videos here below that you can learn more about it.</p>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qphptV9XuAc </div></figure>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct0ald2KHLU </div></figure>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4J41OIoXtQ </div></figure>
For those that need to know the specific specs, the Canon EOS-M is a compact mirrorless camera that is equipped with an 18-megapixel APS-C sensor (or super 35mm in the film world), which provides a good enough image quality and ok low-light performance. Although the EOS-M is not primarily marketed as a cinema camera, it's capable of capturing Full HD video at 24 frames per second, which is perfect for achieving a filmic look.</p>
If you want a bit more detail about Magic Lantern, it is third-party firmware add-on that enhances the capabilities to give you these features that do not exist on the camera without it:</p>

RAW video recording: This feature allows you to record uncompressed video, providing more detail and dynamic range compared to the standard H.264 codec.</li>
Custom crop marks: Add custom aspect ratio guides, such as 2.35:1, to frame your shots accurately for a cinematic look.</li>
Advanced exposure controls: Gain access to advanced exposure aids like zebras, histograms, and waveform monitors, allowing you to nail your exposure every time.</li>
Focus peaking: This feature highlights in-focus areas, making it easier to achieve perfect focus manually.</li> </ul>
Remember that installing third-party firmware may void your camera's warranty, so proceed with caution and research the risks involved before installation.</p>
Sirui 24mm f/2.8 1.33x Anamorphic lens for Canon EF-M Mount</h2>
We are being very specific here because it is important that you pick the widest possible lens (which this is at 24mm) and also with this specific EF-M mount (the -M part is the most important).</p>
The reason is Canon has both an EF mount and an EF-M Mount. Due to the size of the cameras sensor in the EOS-M and the small body, Canon chose to put this mount on this specific camera. Sirui is one of the few lens makers that is actually producing a modern lens that fits natively onto this very specific and rarely used mount option. </p>
The reason why you need to pick the widest possible lens is due to the amount of cropping in on the sensor Magic Lantern and the native Canon firmware does, your 24mm will not necessarily appear as wide as you think. In fact, you might be shocked how close up it can appear in some settings.</p>
Being an anamorphic lens resolves this because when you desqueeze the image you naturally will get a wider field of view. When paired with the Canon EOS-M, it effectively stretches the image by 1.33 times, resulting in a wider 2.35:1 aspect ratio. </p>
You also get the distinct look that everybody loves when you shoot with anamorphic lenses, such as the wide aspect ratio, oval-shaped bokeh, and horizontal lens flares. The Sirui 24mm 1.33x anamorphic lens for EF-M mount</a> (affiliate link) is one of the cheaper anamorphic lenses that you can buy right now, which is why it is a great choice for those on a budget. </p>
Tips for Shooting with the EOS-M and Sirui Anamorphic Lens</h2>

Set your camera to 24 fps and use the 180-degree shutter rule (1/50th shutter speed) for natural motion blur.</li>
Use a flat or neutral picture profile (such as Technicolor Cinestyle) to maximize dynamic range and allow for better color grading in post-production.</li>
Utilize Magic Lantern's focus peaking and exposure aids to ensure sharp focus and proper exposure.</li>
Embrace the anamorphic lens's characteristics, such as the oval bokeh and horizontal flares, to enhance your story and create a more cinematic look.</li> </ul>
So if you are interested in this particular option, or you have already shot with this option, please share some links with us and we will promote you on our channels!</p>

Don't Spend $2,000 Just on One Camera

Unknown — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 10:56:14 +0000

So you are ready to start creating content and you have all your savings ready to go - a $2,000 budget. Now you might just want to go and run out and spend it on the best camera possible and just get a cheap lens to get you buy.</p>
What we want to help you with and tell you straight up - do not do that! It's crucial to consider your specific photography or video needs and shooting style. </p>
What you need to do before you start shopping is grab a pen and paper to think about these points and write down what you need.</p>

Identify your requirements:</strong> Determine the type of photography or videography you plan to do most often (e.g., portraits, landscapes, street photography, sports, or video production). This will help you understand the features you need in a camera body and the focal lengths that will best suit your work.</li>
Research camera bodies:</strong> Based on your requirements, research camera bodies that have the features and performance you need. Pay attention to factors such as sensor size, resolution, autofocus capabilities, video features, and overall handling. Read reviews and comparisons to get a sense of the best options within your budget.</li>
Allocate a budget for the camera body:</strong> Once you've identified a suitable camera body, check its price and allocate that amount from your $2,000 budget. Remember that it's generally better to invest more in lenses, so try to find a balance that leaves enough room for quality lenses without compromising essential camera features.</li>
Research lenses:</strong> Based on the type of photography or videography you plan to do, research lenses that complement your shooting style. Consider the focal lengths, maximum apertures, and any special features (e.g., image stabilization or weather sealing) that will be important for your work.</li>
Allocate the remaining budget for lenses:</strong> With the remaining budget, prioritize purchasing one or two quality lenses that cover your primary shooting needs. For example, you might choose a versatile zoom lens, a fast prime lens, or a combination of both.</li> </ol>
So here is all of the above simplified - if you have $2,000 you need to split your money like this:</p>

Camera body:</strong> $800 - $1,000 (don't worry about DSLR now, go straight to mirrorless)</li>
Lenses:</strong> $1,000 - $1,200 (e.g., a standard zoom lens and a fast prime lens)</li> </ul>
Remember that prices vary depending on the brand and model, so it's essential to research and find the best deals available. You might also consider buying used or refurbished gear from reputable sellers to get more value for your money.</p>
Stay tuned to creator backpack because we will be building kit lists and rough pricing to help you decide soon!</p>

The Best Cameras for Beginners to Create Vertical Videos

Unknown — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:10:44 +0000

In today's world, video content has become increasingly popular on social media, with Instagram's IGTV and TikTok dominating the vertical video market. Creating vertical videos on your smartphone is straightforward and cost-effective, but if you're serious about creating high-quality vertical videos, upgrading to a dedicated camera is a must. But, for beginners, the task of choosing the best camera for your needs can be daunting. Fortunately, we've compiled a list of the best cameras for creating vertical videos, perfect for beginners.</p>
1. Sony ZV-1</h2>
The Sony ZV-1 is a powerful camera packed in a lightweight package, making it the perfect choice for content creators starting. Its 1.0-type Exmor RS CMOS Sensor delivers excellent performance in low-light conditions, while its fast autofocus enables you to capture sharp content quickly. But perhaps its most significant selling point is its flip-out LCD screen, making it the ideal choice for filming in vlogs, selfies and streaming purposes. It also has built-in image stabilization, making sure your videos are smooth and professional-looking.</p>
2. Canon EOS M50 Mark II</h2>
The EOS M50 Mark II is a camera designed for the creative minds starting to tackle video creation. The camera comes with an excellent 24.1 megapixels sensor and a DIGIC 8 processor, able to produce sharp and vibrant colours. Its smart auto and silent mode features ensure you get stable and noise-free footage, perfect for YouTube, blogs and online course platforms. It has a flip-out screen, enabling you to shoot selfies or vlogs with ease. Additionally, the camera features enhanced autofocus and high-speed burst modes, ideal for capturing cinematic-quality footage.</p>
3. DJI Osmo Pocket 2</h2>
Designed to be compact and portable, the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 is the perfect solution for creatives on the go. Its three-axis gimbal stabilisation system delivers stable and smooth footage, making it ideal for creative videos such as travel vlogs and city guides. The camera comes with an onboard microphone and an additional wireless microphone, delivering high-quality audio even in windy environments. With several modes, including slow-motion and hyperlapse, the Osmo Pocket 2 allows content creators to showcase their artistry in stunning and dynamic ways.</p>
4. GoPro HERO9 Black</h2>
The GoPro HERO 9 Black is a versatile camera, able to capture stunning 5K ultra-high-definition footage, making it ideal for creating vertical videos on social media. Its HyperSmooth 3.0 video stabilization eliminates vibrations and delivers ultra-smooth footage, even in challenging conditions. This camera is waterproof, meaning it's ideal for creating swimming or surfing vertical footage, and it comes with an intuitive touch screen and voice control features for easy use.</p>
Conclusion</h2>
While choosing the perfect camera to create vertical videos for beginners might seem challenging at first, there are many excellent options available. The Sony ZV-1, Canon EOS M50 Mark II, DJI Osmo Pocket 2 and GoPro HERO9 Black are just a few of the top picks available, delivering excellent performance and versatile features for creators of all levels. Whether you are an aspiring influencer or a content creator looking to expand your skillset, these cameras offer the perfect platform to showcase your creativity and take your content to the next level.</p>

The Best Cameras for Beginners to Create Vertical Videos

Unknown — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:10:44 +0000

In today's world, video content has become increasingly popular on social media, with Instagram's IGTV and TikTok dominating the vertical video market. Creating vertical videos on your smartphone is straightforward and cost-effective, but if you're serious about creating high-quality vertical videos, upgrading to a dedicated camera is a must. But, for beginners, the task of choosing the best camera for your needs can be daunting. Fortunately, we've compiled a list of the best cameras for creating vertical videos, perfect for beginners.</p>
1. Sony ZV-1</h2>
The Sony ZV-1 is a powerful camera packed in a lightweight package, making it the perfect choice for content creators starting. Its 1.0-type Exmor RS CMOS Sensor delivers excellent performance in low-light conditions, while its fast autofocus enables you to capture sharp content quickly. But perhaps its most significant selling point is its flip-out LCD screen, making it the ideal choice for filming in vlogs, selfies and streaming purposes. It also has built-in image stabilization, making sure your videos are smooth and professional-looking.</p>
2. Canon EOS M50 Mark II</h2>
The EOS M50 Mark II is a camera designed for the creative minds starting to tackle video creation. The camera comes with an excellent 24.1 megapixels sensor and a DIGIC 8 processor, able to produce sharp and vibrant colours. Its smart auto and silent mode features ensure you get stable and noise-free footage, perfect for YouTube, blogs and online course platforms. It has a flip-out screen, enabling you to shoot selfies or vlogs with ease. Additionally, the camera features enhanced autofocus and high-speed burst modes, ideal for capturing cinematic-quality footage.</p>
3. DJI Osmo Pocket 2</h2>
Designed to be compact and portable, the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 is the perfect solution for creatives on the go. Its three-axis gimbal stabilisation system delivers stable and smooth footage, making it ideal for creative videos such as travel vlogs and city guides. The camera comes with an onboard microphone and an additional wireless microphone, delivering high-quality audio even in windy environments. With several modes, including slow-motion and hyperlapse, the Osmo Pocket 2 allows content creators to showcase their artistry in stunning and dynamic ways.</p>
4. GoPro HERO9 Black</h2>
The GoPro HERO 9 Black is a versatile camera, able to capture stunning 5K ultra-high-definition footage, making it ideal for creating vertical videos on social media. Its HyperSmooth 3.0 video stabilization eliminates vibrations and delivers ultra-smooth footage, even in challenging conditions. This camera is waterproof, meaning it's ideal for creating swimming or surfing vertical footage, and it comes with an intuitive touch screen and voice control features for easy use.</p>
Conclusion</h2>
While choosing the perfect camera to create vertical videos for beginners might seem challenging at first, there are many excellent options available. The Sony ZV-1, Canon EOS M50 Mark II, DJI Osmo Pocket 2 and GoPro HERO9 Black are just a few of the top picks available, delivering excellent performance and versatile features for creators of all levels. Whether you are an aspiring influencer or a content creator looking to expand your skillset, these cameras offer the perfect platform to showcase your creativity and take your content to the next level.</p>

How to Take Advantage of all the Cheap Panasonic Lumix S5s

Unknown — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 22:34:18 +0000

With the announcement of the brand new Panasonic Lumix S5II with all its autofocus goodness, that means there are going to be a lot of second hand Lumix S5s for sale. This is actually a really interesting situation because this camera could potentially be your perfect first cinema rig. Let us explain how.</p>
The Specs Are Almost Cinema Camera Worthy</h2>
Panasonic cameras have always won in the "bang for buck" category, especially the S5 because of these reasons:</p>

Full Frame Sensor with C4K resolution</li>
Class leading IBIS</li>
Anamorphic Modes</li>
Waveform (not histogram) for video</li>
Really good pre-amps</li>
Shutter angle</li> </ul>
There are some cinema cameras made by other manufacturers that don't even have half of those specs and features that cost almost double the price.</p>
Right now because of the S5II, the Mark I S5s are going at almost half the price of Mark 2 with the kit lens - an absolutely incredible deal!</p>
But why are we recommending a camera that is now out of date and has a sub-standard auto focus system? Ahh, that is an easy one to answer</p>
Use the Lumix S5I as Your Beginner Cinema Camera</h2>
Many actual cinema cameras do not include auto-focus (or if they do it is not up to Sony/Canon and now Panasonic standard), but rather have someone pull focus manually. This is because cinema lenses don't have auto focus capabilities (yes we know that is changing slowly too) either. </p>
And since cinema cameras are generally out of the price range of beginners, what a second hand Panasonic Lumix S5 Mark I is offering you is the chance to get the camera body at an amazing price, and the money you save, you could invest in a proper cinema lens. </p>
What is even more exciting though is that brands such as TTArtisans have released cinema lenses at a price that has never been seen before - it is almost a no brainer.</p>
With the S5 though you can even take it one step further and with some additional funds either attach a Atomos Ninja V and have the ability to shoot Prores RAW, or a Black Magic Video Assist and have BRAW.</p>
Showing up with the above setup and rig will allow you to shoot almost anything (social video, TV commercials, YouTube Vlogs) and will definitely put you on the right path.</p>
So rather than going for the new shiny thing (which we all want), why not save some cash and get something that will allow you to grow and develop your skills and put money aside for that truely next big step up.</p>

Why You Should Buy a Second Hand Panasonic Lumix S5 Mark I

Unknown — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 22:34:18 +0000

Many actual cinema cameras do not include auto-focus (or if they do it is not up to Sony/Canon and now Panasonic standard), but rather have someone pull focus manually. This is because cinema lenses don't have auto focus capabilities (yes we know that is changing slowly too) either.</p>
And since cinema cameras are generally out of the price range of beginners, what a second hand Panasonic Lumix S5 Mark I is offering you is the chance to get the camera body at an amazing price, and the money you save, you could invest in a proper cinema lens.</p>
What is even more exciting though is that brands such as TTArtisans have released cinema lenses at a price that has never been seen before - it is almost a no brainer.</p>
With the S5 though you can even take it one step further and with some additional funds either attach a Atomos Ninja V and have the ability to shoot Prores RAW, or a Black Magic Video Assist and have BRAW.</p>
Showing up with the above setup and rig will allow you to shoot almost anything (social video, TV commercials, YouTube Vlogs) and will definitely put you on the right path.</p>
So rather than going for the new shiny thing (which we all want), why not save some cash and get something that will allow you to grow and develop your skills and put money aside for that truly next big step up.</p>

How to Get the Anamorphic Look on an iPhone

Unknown — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 06:24:44 +0000

We just did a post on anamorphic lenses for mirrorless cameras</a>, but we do realise that its a really big commitment for some. So the next best bet is to consider some anamorphic lenses and adapters for your iPhone or Android phone.</p>
Why chase anamorphic on a smart phone?</strong> Well for those that want to add something different to their feed and content that they create, an anamorphic look would definitely add some production value to your videos - especially if you shoot car content or travel content (which we see a lot of on Instgram).</p>
There are a few companies that are making high quality adapters that work on iPhones especially. There is always a catch and to get the best connection between the phone and the lens, you would get the specially designed case, which does add a bit more cost, but still cheaper than a mirrorless camera and anamorphic lens.</p>
Two to take a look at are:</p>
Sandmarc</a></li>
Moment</a></li>
MoonDog</a></li></ul>
These attach to the iPhone or Samsung cases that have the specific mount required. From there you shoot as per normal and then do the same post-production work as if the footage was taken from a dedicated camera and traditional anamorphic lens.</p>
Now the look won't be 100% the same as the Hollywood blockbuster you just saw, but it will definitely give you the ability to trick some of your friends and followers that you just upgraded your camera.</p>

Why Should You Consider Anamorphic Lenses

Unknown — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:06:22 +0000

It has never been a better time to start making videos or short films. What typically was left to those with money to burn or actual real production houses can now be found at your local camera shop or online. This includes anamorphic lenses</p>
You can get a camera that shots 4K resolution in 24fps as well as a bunch of slow motion frame rates for around $1000AUD second hand or even brand new if you are lucky at finding deals on cameras.</p>
Now in the last 2years or so, lower cost anamorphic lenses have now become available from manufacturers that are getting good reviews and feedback from both amateur and professional film makers. It is crazy to think that was almost only available to big budget film productions can now almost replicated by yourself with a tiny little mirrorless hybrid camera.</p>
We say almost because to give the very short version, anamorphic footage typically needs to be in a 2:1 aspect ratio and has a couple of unique aspects that only come from using setups specifically designed for the look (the blue flares and oval bokeh).</p>
So whilst you might not have the budget for a true anamorphic lens at the moment, makers like Sirui</a>, Laowa</a>, Great Joy</a>, and Vazen</a> give you the chance to dip your toes into the look at a price that is close to some high end lenses made by your typical camera/lens companies (Sony</a>, Canon</a>, etc).</p>
The Cheapest Way to Start Shooting Anamorphic</h2>
There are two ways to start getting into anamorphic in the cheapest possible way, but there is one thing you should do first that is free (unless you want to support his channel) - and that is to subscribe to Anamorphic on a Budget</a>. Tito has plenty of lens reviews and lens hacks to fake your anamorphic look ("anamorph-fake") your way with vintage lenses that you can find at good rates online.</p>
After you have done that the next two steps are:</p>
One of the cost-effective lenses</strong> - the cheapest ones are the 1.33x squeeze, going up to the 1.5x. The Vazen's get you much closer to the 2x desirable that you want, but you will pay for the privilege.</li>
Anamorphic adapters</strong> - There are a few adapters you can get for your spherical lenses that just screw onto the top filter thread. There is a bit more work to get it setup correctly, but then you don't have to be stuck with a lens that you don't necessarily need or want.</li>
Hire them</strong> - the safest option of all is to high them first and check and see if the look that you get is what you want for your video work and other projects (whether they be for clients or not). You might decide to take your anamorphic money and invest it into something else instead (lights or audio for instance).</li></ul> One other idea that might also work is to hunt down a cheaper micro-four-thirds camera with interchangeable lenses that can also shoot in a 4:3 aspect ratio (like ZCam</a> E2M4 or GH5) because that is a great way to get as close as possible to the true anamorphic look.</p>

Get the Canon R7 or R10 Camera as Your 1st Camera Now

Unknown — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 02:11:31 +0000

Canon announced two new APS-C cameras to their line-up - the Canon R7 & Canon R10 with the most interesting feature being that it has their latest mount - the RF mount, rather than a dedicated crop sensor mount that they had previously. </p>
This is exciting for those about to take their first steps into their new journey in becoming a creator because it allows you to grab your first mirrorless camera and lenses, knowing that you can carry these lenses throughout your whole camera owning experience from one of these cameras all the way up to cinema camera if you so desire.</p>
What are the Canon R7 & R10 Cameras About?</h2>
Canon R10 Mirrorless Camera</a> (affiliate link)</figcaption></figure>
This is your first step moving from a phone to a mirrorless camera. The specs are perfect for a starter because it has the headroom and features that you can utilise later on as you get more experienced. We are not going to go through each specific spec here because you can see plenty of reviews</a> and Canon's own</a> spec sheets</a> for that, so we will just highlight what is important here:</p>

4K video -</strong> both these cameras shoot 4K video at normal frame rates and 60fps which will allow you to slow down your footage by at least 50%. There is a crop when you shoot slo-mo, but that shouldn't matter too much - you can either pick a wider lens or take some steps back to get the shot you need. If you don't feel the need to shoot 4K, you can find countless YouTube videos that show really good 1080 footage, and most people would not be able to tell the difference.</li>
Flippy screen - </strong>both cameras also give you the screen you can flip to film yourself with the R7 even having a touchscreen which will be super useful.</li>
Good quality still photos -</strong> both sensors for still photography will be perfect for family, holidays and street photography. If you planning on shooting sports or action it might be the tiny bit slow for you in mechanical shutter, but it could get closer if you switch to electronic.</li>
Autofocus -</strong> Probably the most important feature for beginners is that you have Canon's very good autofocus system that will give you the confidence to trust it whilst you practice your framing and composition. Once you get more confident you can switch to manual focus and perfect those focus pulls that the pros do.</li> </ul> Canon R7</a> (affiliate link)</figcaption></figure>
The Biggest Benefit - RF Mount Lenses</h2>
Even after all of this, this camera benefits from a professional mount on a beginner camera</a>. If you don't already have any other mirrorless or SLR cameras, this is your chance to pick a system with the potential to grow with yourself. </p>
What we mean is that you can choose from either the Canon R7 or R10 (we will leave that up to you), but then you can grab some nice lenses that are fast (eg. the nifty fifty Canon RF f1.8) and relatively cheap that will mount perfectly with your camera.</p>
Sure it will crop in a bit and some people might be questioning why you are putting full frame lenses on a crop sensor camera, but you can simply answer them that you plan to sell the camera after a while and get yourself a Canon R5 or Canon R6 or Canon R3 or any other full-frame Canon camera and have no need to change lenses. </p>
Then a few years after that, assuming you don't drop or break the lens, when you out grow those cameras, you could upgrade to a Canon R5C or even a Red Komodo and take the lens you bought all those years ago and twist it right on there and not even skip a beat.</p>
So whilst it may not be the cheapest camera, or the best camera at the price point, from a long-term perspective, it could quite possibly be the best.</p>

Stuff to Rig Out Any Camera

Unknown — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:47:11 +0000

You have probably seen online that many camera owners, especially those that focus purely on videography, generally "rig out" their cameras to get the maximum usage out of them. There are countless reasons why - it looks cooler, fun to rig out, makes you look cool, easier to use, and did we mention it makes you look cool?</p>
What we are planning to do here in this post is share with you some parts that you can use, regardless on which camera body you have. From there you can dig through all the companies and find specific parts that you need to rig out your specific camera - but in most cases, all that really changes is the cage.</p>
We get our parts from SmallRig</a> (affiliate link - we get a small commission from any sales) but there are other companies that make parts as well.</p>
Camera Cages</h2>
This is probably the most important part because everything else will bolt onto the cage. Whilst there are some companies that make generic camera cages that you could potentially keep as you change camera systems/bodies, we recommend you spend that little bit more and get one specifically designed for your camera. The reason for this is a couple of things:</p>
Access to ports - not all cages are equal and there is nothing worse that not having access to your SD card draw or your battery door. So check some reviews online or even better yet, take your camera to the store and try a couple. </li>
Keeping it flush/level - in some of the generic camera cages, the body may not sit perfectly level, or the screw threads may not line up just so, which might seem like a minor inconvenience at the start, but it will start to irk you eventually. We are speaking from experience here, its really not fun.</li></ul>
Top Handles</h2>
If your camera has a crop whenever you run stabilisation, you can potentially reduce the need to use IBIS if you grab yourself a handle. This is because having gravity do the work for you gives you a much more stable look than purely handheld. </p>
One thing to keep in mind that since the handles are mostly made of metal and some wood, you might need some rubber grips to help it not slip out of your hand. It hasn't happened to us yet, but on either really hot days or cold days, holding a "naked" metal handle isn't really the best option - hence why there are so many wooden handles available to purchase. </p>
Also check the mounting points on there as well, if any of your other parts have specific mounts - make sure the handle comes with them otherwise it will be like lego trying to attach all these adapters to it.</p>
Quick Release & Nato Rails</h2>
These are absolute necessities if you take your camera on and off tripods and gimbals, or if you have to take a rigged out camera and strip it back as much as possible for handheld or something else.</p>
No one wants to be screwing and unscrewing, you want to flick levers and slide stuff off as quickly and professionally as possible. And it allows you to make cool gear videos on social media.</p>
As mentioned there are countless companies that produce rigging for cameras, it is really up to you to find what works best for your camera and for you.</p>
As mentioned, we are big fans of SmallRig</a> (affiliate link - we get a small commission from any sales) here, all our rigging we get from them, and they have other videography equipment like lights that we are excited to try.</p>
</p>

6 FAQs For Sony A7iii Owners

Unknown — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:36:20 +0000

For those that own a Sony A7iii, here is your ultimate reference point to answer some of the most common questions about the camera.</p>
Does the a7iii have a full-frame sensor?</h2>
Yes, the Sony A7iii is a full-frame, mirrorless hybrid camera that shots both photos and videos. If there are any questions missing, please feel free to contact us and we will add it to the list.</p>
Does the a7iii shoot 8bit or 10bit video?</h2>
Unfortunately not, this camera can only shoot 4K 8-bit footage. The newer Sony a7Siii and Sony a7iv shoot 10-bit 4K video. Whether or not 8bit or 10bit is important to you really depends on what you are shooting and what type of look do you need.</p>
How do I set a custom white balance?</h2>
In order to set custom white balance for your scene for this Sony camera, you will need a grey card or something similar. If you don't, anything that is pure white (eg. a plain piece of paper) could do the job for you. You need to open up the menu, and go to the first screen, and then the 9th page. See the screenshot here: </p>
</p>
Once there, scroll down the left hand side until you get to the set option:</p>
</figure>
Now you we will see a circle in the middle of the screen, that is where you need to place the white object or grey card in front of so that the camera stores the white balance for the rest of the time you are using the camera. The button to press is not the shutter button, but the one in the middle of the jog wheel on the right hand side of the screen.</strong> (Just thought we would make that point because we constantly press the shutter button).</p>
Your custom white balance is now set and you can get on with your photos or video.</p>
What lenses do I need for an A7iii?</h2>
Depending on what you shoot, any E-mount lens will do the trick. These are offered not only by Sony but other popular third party manufacturers as well. There is a mixture of manual and auto focus lenses, stills and cinema lens (with T-stops instead of F-stops) - it's really up to you as to what you will choose.</p>
When it comes to adapting Sony lenses to other cameras, or other lenses to a Sony camera, it can be done only with certain types.</p>
How do you charge a Sony a7iii</h2>
This is a bit of a tricky one, as the camera did not include an official charger in the box - The Sony BCQZ1 Z-Series Battery Charger</a> (affiliate link). This leaves you with a couple of options if you do not want to buy an additional charger once you have the camera:</p>

Charge by micro-USB cable - this is included in the box, and if you had any non-iPhone phone chargers lying around, or other gadgets, those power bricks will be able to do the job. Obviously it takes a lot longer to do so compared to the official charger.</li>
Power supply through USB-C - there is also a USB-C port on the Sony a7iii but that can only hold power, not actually charge the battery inside the camera. This could be good for studio shoots, but not when out and about. The best solution is just to keep a micro USB in your camera bag.</li> </ul>
When did the Sony a7iii come out?</h2>
The camera was first announced in February 2018, and was available to purchase from April 2018.</p>
How do I check my cameras shutter count?</h2>
The shutter count is basically like the odometer reading in your car - it gives an indication of how much it has been used and abused. The Sony cameras have shutter counts that are in the hundreds of thousands, with no specific number given for the a7iii. </p>
The main reason you would want to know this number is if you go to sell your camera later on, this number is helpful for the prospective buyer to know.</p>
To check, the easiest thing to do is go take a photo, upload it to an online tool such as https://www.camerashuttercount.com/</a> and they will give you back a number based on the meta data in the photo (note: make sure it is a RAW file).</p>

Why We Still Use the 20-60mm Kit Lens

Unknown — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 11:46:26 +0000

Kit lenses are the lenses you get because there is a great deal on and you figure that since it comes with the camera and the price is right, you can then sell the lens on and get the body for an even better deal. We know, we have done it before too. We all do.</p>
But when we got our first full-frame Panasonic Lumix S5 camera, we didn't have any native L-Mount lenses to start with and so we had to keep the kit lens until we sorted ourselves out. During that time though, we had shoots to do and so we started taking it with us predominately for video work because of how slow it was. </p>
Now we should preface the rest of this post that whilst we have done some photography with this lens in daylight and studio situations, if you use your camera for low-light and street photography, it probably isn't the best choice.</p>
Going back to our video work though, we have to say we have been really impressed with this little lens. The fact that it is native to the L-Mount means that the auto-focus is as good as it is going to get with Panasonic bodies. Whilst not par-focal, we found that if you just keep your aperture at 5.6 you won't have to worry about changing f-stop as you zoom in or out. And whilst it isn't ideal to shoot at 5.6 - if you have a plain-ish background and doing a talking head interview or product demonstration, having a nice and deep depth-of-field allows you to shoot manual focus or even have some kind of buffer with the autofocus system.</p>
We haven't done much breathing tests because it is not really needed for the type of work that we do, but we will update this post when we have a chance to do setup and test it out.</p>
We have decided to keep it though because of that range of 20-60, it allows us to follow the almost standard process of getting wide establishing shots, some mids and some close-ups without too much effort at all, even if we have to live with less creamy bokeh. </p>
That's really the only trade-off we can think of, and until we have the need to get some dedicated primes for our B-Cam, this lens for our video work stays pretty much glued to our Lumix S5 because it does the job. Most clients wouldn't know it's a kit lens, and I am sure that most people watching the work wouldn't pick up on it either.</p>
So the next time you see a great deal on the Panasonic Lumix S5 and the 20-60mm Kit Lens and it is within your needs and your budget - we say go for it, because you won't be disappointed with the video footage you will get. </p>
(Just keep saving for a f1.4 prime for those low-light street photography shoots)</p>

Why We Bought a Z-Cam E2C

Unknown — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 03:49:27 +0000

There is a really quick answer to this question which is because the price was too good to refuse. How we justified buying another camera to ourselves is that we sold our Sony ZV-1 to finance this purchase so gained more than we lost. </p>
Whilst we loved the little Sony and its fully featured point and shoot characteristics (and that famous Sony autofocus), we didn't really use it as much once we upgraded to the iPhone 13, which is another post all unto itself around the best camera to have with you to capture family moments and other events.</p>
We are really impressed with the camera and whilst it does have it's faults, we will outline below the aspects we have found the most appealing.</p>
The Cinema Cube Form Factor</h2>
We know we shouldn't care about it as much as we do, but we are suckers for cube cameras and this one is actually cute (yeah, we called a camera cute). It's form factor works well for us in the following situations:</p>
The studio - We can put it on a tripod for talking heads, we can put it on a desk tripod for the most overkill webcam ever, a timelapse camera for any BTS work, and finally a live-stream camera.</li>
Gimbal work - It is a great little A/B/C camera for gimbal work, especially when you strip it right down to just the camera in a cage and MFT lenses (which are generally smaller than the full-frame equips to start with). Keep in mind though that the Z-Cam E2C rolling shutter is not great so you do need to be considerate with your movements otherwise you will see some jelly.</li>
Completely rigged out A-Cam - If you wanted to go all out, you definitely can rig it out to make it your only camera on shoots if needed. We have filmed social media content for clients using this as the only camera and it did the job perfectly.</li></ul>
The Bang for Buck Specs</h2>
Looking for a camera in the sub $1000 price point if a difficult ask. To find a cinema camera in the same price bracket is even harder. So when we saw this Z-Cam E2C second-hand online we just had to pounce. </p>
The full specs of the e2c</a> are on the Z-Cam website, but the key highlights are:</p>
12-Bit ProRes RAW recording over HDMI to the Ninja V 5” HDR monitor-recorder</li>
4K @ 30fps, 10-bit colour</li>
11.5 stops dynamic range</li>
Prores internal (make sure you upgrade the firmware for this)</li></ul>
By itself, those specs look very tasty but there is always a catch. For this camera in particular it is that the sensor is micro-four-thirds which some people either love or hate. No matter what side of the argument you stand, the picture is of an extremely high standard and we have matched it with our full-frame Panasonic cameras without any major issues.</p>
The price of cinema lenses is also appealing when you have MFT sensors. So you can take your savings that you have grabbed from getting this camera and invest it in some really nice cinema glass (even grab some cool anamorphic lenses) and give your footage a very stylised look that will work for any commercial or narrative work.</p>
Even if after all of this you still can't get past the sensor size, you can always grab a few of the many MFT Speedboosters that are available and give yourself a look that is closer to a Super35 sensor and allow you to adapt other lenses to it - we are actually considering to do this later on as well. The only catch is that the lens mount on the Z-Cam E2C's are not interchangeable as they are on the Z-Cam E2M4 (or even the original E2). </p>
The Quality of Picture </h2>
There is a general consensus that there are not really any bad cameras available anymore - a point we generally agree with. The same applies to this camera as well, the quality of the colours and picture when you nail your exposure looks just as good as anything else on the market right now. If you really mess up exposure it is hard to save the footage (especially in the shadows), so we tend to go just slightly over exposed (1 stop max) to give us just that little tiny bit more.</p>
If you have a monitor that supports false colour, we would definitely recommend using that to ensure your levels are spot on.</p>
Conclusion</h2>
If you are in the market for your first cinema camera and don't have a Hollywood budget, this is a great place to start. It appears Z-Cam has stopped manufacturing these cameras so they might be a bit tricky to find first-hand, so keep scouring the marketplaces to find those that are willing to depart from it.</p>
The other option for the same money is to get one of the countless other hybrid cameras out in the market, but if you are after ProRES or RAW files, this is your best option.</p>
Let us know if you want to know anything more about this camera and we can keep doing some follow up posts.</p>

3 Months with the Panasonic Lumix S5

Unknown — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 02:45:46 +0000

Towards the end of last year there were some fantastic deals on the full-frame Panasonic Lumix S5 cameras across the world. We have always keep a close watch on what Panasonic does in the camera space as they have a fantastic track record with their range of mirrorless cameras, no matter the sensor size. You only have to spend a short time searching and watching videos online to see that the Panasonic GH4 and GH5 were game changing when they were first released.</p>
So when it came to replace some of our older and even brand new Sony cameras (a post for another day) we settled down and watched nearly every piece of Panasonic Lumix S5 content that was on Youtube. </p>
After many late nights and too many talking heads to remember, we decided that for the price and deals that were offered it was a no brainer. The effort to replace our different Sony bodies and sell all our E-Mount lenses was worth the hassle to have full-frame, stabilised, 4K 10-bit video footage - with the exact same body and a couple of lenses.</p>
I know many of you are already shouting at us from your device, don't you have an A7Siii that does all of that without a crop in higher frame rates and the stickiest autofocus known to man? Well, we did have that camera but sold it for probably the most fundamental reason of all - money.</p>
For the price of a Sony A7Siii body, we managed to get one camera, 2 lenses (admittedly one lens was a kit-lens) and even with a tiny bit extra, another S5 body. That was before we sold any lenses.</p>
Now that the price has gone back to "normal" - it might have been a bit of a harder sell, especially since the deal of the free nifty 50 is no longer around. We love a bargain though and the only thing we are really missing is auto focus.</p>
And this whole post is just one really long-winded way to say that after 3 months that is the only downside for us. We have come up with a pretty nifty hack though - we just shoot deep. We are not afraid to set our f-stop to 5.6-8 if it means for our talking head shots we are near 100% confident that no matter what the person does, they will be in focus.</p>
It has even forced us to be better camera operators by really work on our focus pulling, which has definitely been a nice bonus. Coupled with this point as well, having the extra cash in our back pocket means we are a little bit closer to purchasing some cinema lenses, which means we automatically lose autofocus, no matter what body we use. Whilst we are speaking of lenses as well, most exciting of all is the fact that with the anamorphic modes inside the camera, we can also grab some of these lenses and really get our cinema on.</p>
And finally, we love editing our videos in Davinci, and with the ability to grab a BlackMagic video recorder, we can also get BRAW out of this camera - something which still isn't available on the Sony cameras at the moment.</p>
Does anyone want to swap our Ninja V for Black Magic Recorder?</strong></p>
So to close this off, would we have changed if it wasn't for the price? Probably not, we would have just saved and saved for a second A7Siii and got rid of our A7iii. But now with Panasonic, we are much closer to where we wanted to be without hurting our wallets.</p>

Everything You Need to Know About 85mm Lenses

Unknown — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 12:08:16 +0000

If you're in a position where you can buy a new camera lens, you may be wondering which lens you should get next. When there are so many choices, it can be stressful to decide. We'll go through some of the different benefits and drawbacks of buying a 85 mm lens to help you make a more informed decision.</p>
The Price of 85mm Lens</h2>
The main thing you can consider as the biggest advantage of 85mm lenses is the price, as for most lens manufacturers, this is one of the cheapest lenses they make, unless you go down to some really fast speeds.</p>
Beautiful Bokeh and Subject Isolation</strong> </h2>
The 85mm lens, often referred to as the "portrait lens," is a go-to choice for professional photographers and videographers alike due to its ability to create beautiful bokeh and isolate the subject from the background. With a typically wide aperture (f/1.4 or f/1.8), the 85mm lens produces a shallow depth of field, which helps emphasize the subject while simultaneously blurring the background. This effect is not only visually appealing, but it also helps draw the viewer's attention to the subject, making it perfect for portraits and interviews.</p>
In the critically acclaimed film "La La Land" (2016), cinematographer Linus Sandgren utilized the 85mm lens in several scenes to capture the romantic chemistry between the two lead characters, played by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The lens' shallow depth of field, combined with its natural perspective, helps create an intimate atmosphere, allowing the audience to connect with the characters on a deeper level.</p>
Natural Perspective and Minimal Distortion</strong> </h2>
The 85mm focal length falls into the category of short telephoto lenses, which closely mimics the human eye's natural perspective. This characteristic makes it ideal for capturing authentic and flattering images of people, as it minimizes facial distortion often associated with wide-angle lenses. In filmmaking, the 85mm lens is perfect for close-ups and medium shots, where maintaining a natural perspective is crucial for connecting with the audience.</p>
In Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" (1994), the 85mm lens was used to emphasize the intensity of certain scenes. Cinematographer Andrzej Sekuła employed the lens during the iconic diner scene, capturing the characters' emotions and facial expressions while maintaining a natural perspective, which contributes to the scene's visceral impact.</p>
Compression and Storytelling</h2>
An 85mm lens provides a subtle compression effect, where the background appears closer to the subject than it actually is. This effect can be advantageous in both photography and filmmaking, as it allows the creator to control the viewer's perception of the scene. By compressing the background, the 85mm lens enhances the visual narrative, giving the subject more prominence and enabling the viewer to focus on the story being told.</p>
"The Godfather" (1972), directed by Francis Ford Coppola and shot by cinematographer Gordon Willis, is a prime example of storytelling through lens compression. The 85mm lens was used in several scenes, such as the iconic horse head scene, to create a sense of intimacy and tension. The compression effect enhances the visual narrative by bringing the background elements closer, making the viewer feel like a part of the unfolding drama.</p>
So Should You Get One?</h2>
The 85mm lens should be one of the first lenses you should buy if you are going to be doing portrait photography and create videos or films were you need closeups regularly. By referencing the films mentioned, you can easily replicate those shots and perfect your filmmaking skills.</p>

5 tips for buying that dream lens for your camera

Unknown — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 04:45:55 +0000

If you're thinking about buying a new lens for your camera, you should read this first! Many people make the mistake of buying the wrong lens and then having to sell it is a loss. Then they have to buy the right lens at full price. But you don't have to make that mistake. Here are some great tips on what to do and what to avoid when buying a new lens.
</p>
Tips for buying a new lens for your camera</h2>
When buying a new lens for your camera, there are a few things you should keep in mind. It's important to be really clear on what you need before you buy. Take time to evaluate your camera's features and find out what your photography needs are. Then you can find out what kind of lens will work.

Work your way up in price</strong>
It's easy to get excited and to drool over really pricey lens. Resist the temptation. More often than not, it's just not worth the price tag. Invest in a medium-priced lens that does what you need, unless you have the cash to go hard straight away.</p>

Choose your focal length
</strong>It is tempting to go for the one zoom that does it all, but that's not really how you should be thinking. Be realistic about what your needs are. For example, don't buy a 50-300mm lens if you only take photos of your family and pets when they are close to you all the time. Likewise if you are a landscape photographer, buying a bunch of telephotos and no wide angles could prove to be tricky to sell later on.</p>

Consider Used Lens
</strong>This is a tough one. Used can sometimes be a good alternative to pricey lenses if you're just starting out. But if you're at a point where you can afford a lens and you know you want to stick with photography, buying new is the way to go.</p>
However, every time you go to buy a used lens, make sure you check for scratches and marks. If a zoom, test to see how easy it opens and closes and if the motion is smooth. </p>
Also look around the glass element for mould or moisture, especially if it isn't weather sealed. This is important because to get the lens serviced and fixed could be a real pain and end up costing more money than what you saved.</p>
Deciding on a Budget</h2>
A key element of your decision-making process is deciding on a budget. You need to know how much you can afford to spend. If you have your heart set on a lens that's way out of your price range, you're going to be disappointed. Set a reasonable amount and save up for the lens.</p>
Check Critic Reviews</h2>
Checking out some online reviews can help you get a better idea of what other people thought about the lens. Many lens companies will give YouTubers and websites the lens to test and they will give you a great idea as to the quality and how they perform.
</p>
Conclusion</h3>
To sum up, there are a number of factors to take into consideration when buying your dream lens for your camera. Using the tips above as starting points and further research into the many considerations which could be based on personal preference, you should be able to make an informed decision about whether or not a particular lens would make a good addition to your camera collection. Stay safe and happy shopping!</p>

Are 50mm Lens Good for Portraits?

Unknown — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 04:36:57 +0000

One of the most common lens questions a beginning photographer has is, "Is 50mm a good choice for portrait photography?" The reason why I think this question comes up so much is that the vast majority of people are using their cameras to take photographs of their friends and family. Also, getting started in headshot photography is a common first step into becoming a professional photographer.</p>

To answer the question though, you have to understand why you want to use a particular lens. Learning how to use a 50mm lens is important, but so is understanding how to take a good portrait.
Let's try to figure out which is more important to you.</p>
Why You Should Use 50mm for Portraits</h2>
Fifty millimeter is generally considered a standard lens that is used for portraits. This means that you can get the correct distance to the subject without any compressing of the forehead, eyes, and nose. This is important because the lens can create a flattering image of a person because it creates that natural perspective. A longer length (such as 85mm) also gives a flattering look, but also applies some compression to the person - which you may or not want.
</p>
You Can Get Close to the Subject, but Also Capture the Scene</h2>
What about if you are taking a portrait shot outdoors or in a particular place where the environment also matters. Well 50mm prime lens can help here as well as you can "zoom with your feet" to capture more of the subject, but also be able to take those few steps back and get that palm tree or street light in shot.

And as mentioned previously, When you want to get closer to a subject, the 50mm will still maintain natural looking perspective, without any compressing of the person.

If you apply the basics of portrait photography, coupled with the 50mm, you are sure to have pictures you are proud of.</p>
What are the basics we are referring too? It is having a well-exposed, in-focus subject placed in a pleasing background.
</p>
The Best Way to Learn More About 50mm</h2>
If you want to learn more about 50mm, there are a variety of ways you can:</p>
Take a class about photography. There are many different subjects of photography you can choose from so there is bound to be one that is tailored to your needs. Getting hands-on experience will be invaluable when it comes to getting more comfortable with composing photos.</p>
Or another option is to borrow or rent an 50mm lens kit with different extension tubes, rings, and filters. This is not only a great way to get more photography gear, it will also give you the chance to test out different lenses if you're not sure which one is best for you.</p>
Conclusion</h3>

The amount of how much height you include in your photography is a personal choice, and will depend on the type of image you're trying to create. As with most things that we do, it's important to be willing to experiment and try out new ideas in your portraits. If you are just starting out, it may take some time to figure out what your style is and how to find a comfortable way of creating the images that you like. Hopefully, once you do get a better feel for what it is that you're trying to accomplish, making decisions about which lens to use will be easier for you.</p>

Fish Eye VS Wide Angle Lens

Unknown — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 10:25:05 +0000

Trying to figure out which type of wide lens you need to get leads you to two options: a wide angle & fish eyes.</p>
A fish eye lens is created to give a wide angle view of the world around us, with the name of the lens coming from the perspective of the shape of the spherical lens of the eye. Fish eye lenses with an imaging circle (or angle of view) of the order of 180 degrees. If you have a fish eye lens with a larger imaging circle you can capture a wider field of view making it easier to include larger groups in one photo. Some fish eye lenses can even pan up and down or left and right or offer a sliding lens barrel that lets you change your focal length. This is great for being able to take a wide shot of a group of people and narrow it down to just a few individuals. </p>
A wide angle lens is able to get a shot wider than what the human eye can take in. The difference between the fish eye lens and the wide angle lens is the fish eye lens makes objects appear circular and wide whereas the wide angle lens can make objects appear cylindrical. </p>
So it really comes down to what you like to take photos of and video. A fish eye lens can be found mounted on various cameras when they are shooting extreme sports, particularly the skate video scene of the 90s made it a staple of their production. It is not just skateboarding though, these lenses work great for all action sports, regular (what is the other word you can use?) sports, weddings, and other occasions where you need to capture a wider angle than just your typical 90 degree lens.</p>
If you are filming anything else that isn't based around sports, but more along the lines of making some ads, narrative or more traditional videos or photos, we would recommend sticking to a wide angle lens that has minimal distortion.</p>
Fish Eye Lens Types</h2>
Buyers, who are looking for high quality and affordable camera lens for their cameras, they typically search for Fish Eye camera lens under $100. The fish eye lens can create a rounded and curved picture, which varies from the plane of the traditional lenses. The fish eye camera lens is very famous among professional photographers and hobbyists. </p>
There are many popular brands such as Canon, Nikon, Fuji etc. that offer such kind of lens in the market with different functions and specifications at an affordable price range. Buyers should know that there are two main types of fish eye lenses: full frame fish eye lens and non-full frame fish eye lens. Full frame fish eye lens is used with camera having a full size sensor and non -full frame fish eye lens with a smaller sensor. For example, the camera manufactured by Sony has a smaller sensor and the users of the camera do not need a full frame fish eye lens. </p>
There is also a third type of fish eye lens, which is a circular fish eye lens. The circular fish eye lens is a full frame fish eye lens with a 180 degree field of view. Fish eye lens is similar to a convex mirror, but the focal length of the fish eye lens is from its corner to the center, which is different from a convex mirror. In a convex lens, the focal length changes as the lens is tilted. Non-full frame fish eye lens are much cheaper, but they are also less powerful. The focal length of the lens when using a non-full frame fish eye lens is about double the focal length when using a full frame. They are about the size of a large book. People who are looking for a powerful fish eye lens would consider buying a full frame fish eye lens, but these type of fish eye lens are not so good for taking portraits.</p>

Everything You Need to Know About 35mm Lenses

Unknown — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 12:52:01 +0000

Disadvantages of 35mm Lenses</li>
why 35mm</li>
35mm field of view</li>
what are 35mm lenses good for</li>
what is 35mm lens used for</li>
35mm focal length photography</li>
best use for 35mm lens</li> </ul>
The 35mm lens has long been a favorite of photographers and filmmakers for its versatility and natural field of view. This classic focal length captures scenes with minimal distortion and gives you the flexibility to create almost any framing you need. In this article, we'll explore three reasons why a 35mm lens should be part of your photography and video toolkit, supported by memorable scenes from iconic films that have utilized this exceptional lens.</p>
Versatility and Natural Field of View</h2>
The 35mm lens falls into the category of wide-angle lenses, but its field of view is remarkably close to that of human vision. It is what makes this our personal favourite focal length for photography. The natural perspective makes gives you the ability to shoot street photography and environmental portraits to landscapes and architectural shots. In filmmaking, the 35mm lens is ideal for establishing shots and medium close-ups, allowing for a sense of space and context while maintaining a connection with the subject.</p>
In Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014), the 35mm lens was used extensively by cinematographer Robert Yeoman to establish the film's unique visual style. The lens allowed for symmetrical compositions and detailed wide shots, while still providing a natural perspective that makes the characters and their surroundings feel connected and immersive.</p>
Low Light Performance and Depth of Field</h2>
With a typically fast/wide aperture (f/1.8 or f/1.4), the 35mm lens performs well in low-light situations, making it a popular choice for indoor and nighttime photography and videography. Additionally, the wide aperture allows for a shallower depth of field compared to wider lenses, which can be used to create a subtle separation between the subject and background, adding depth and dimension to the image or scene. </p>
Almost all of the major lens manufacturers offer a 35mm millimetre with f-stops so fast that when you couple it especially with a full frame sensor, your camera will almost be able to see in the dark.</p>
In Alfonso Cuarón's "Children of Men" (2006), cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki made extensive use of the 35mm lens, particularly during the film's famous long takes. The lens's low-light capabilities and shallow depth of field allowed Lubezki to create a sense of intimacy and tension in the dystopian world, bringing viewers closer to the characters and their struggles.</p>
Compact and Unobtrusive</h2>
The 35mm lens is often smaller and lighter than other focal lengths, making it an excellent choice for photographers and filmmakers who need to work discreetly or travel light. Its unobtrusive nature also helps put subjects at ease, enabling more candid and natural captures. In filmmaking, the 35mm lens is perfect for handheld or Steadicam shots, providing a stable and natural perspective without the need for bulky equipment. The Sony 35mm f/1.8 and similar are the perfect size for those that always leave their camera stuck on a gimbal.</p>
In the Coen Brothers' "No Country for Old Men" (2007), cinematographer Roger Deakins employed the 35mm lens in several key scenes to create a sense of unease and impending danger. The lens's compact nature allowed Deakins to move quickly and unobtrusively, capturing the actors' intense performances and the stark, desolate landscapes that define the film's visual language.</p>
2 Types of Shoots That Always Need a 35mm</h2>
If you do any of the following work with your camera, you should stop what you are doing and buy a 35mm lens right now:</p>

Family Photos - </strong>Since 35mm requires you to be a bit closer to your subject than if you have a telephoto lens, using this lens for family photos is the perfect solution, because you can probably get much closer to your family, than to random strangers to take a photo. In doing that you will have an excellent subject with some surrounding detail so it is complete with context to however is looking at the image.</li>
Weddings - </strong>You could almost be brave and shoot a whole wedding with just a 35mm lens. The reason being is that you "zoom with your feet" to get those close intimate shots, but then keep your distance to get some nice wide shots of family and friends together.</li> </ul>
We could keep going but the fact is 35mm can do everything you need it to, you just have to be a bit creative with walking around and framing the shot. It is the lens that doesn't do one thing amazing and the rest hopeless. It is just the one lens you need that does everything right and makes you do all the hard work to get the most out of it.</p>

Everything You Need to Know About 24mm Lenses

Unknown — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 12:36:04 +0000

24mm camera lens uses</li> </ul>
Many will tell you that 24mm is their favourite, regardless if they are using it for video or for still photography. The reasons they give we will now outline, because every single point they make will answer the title of this post.</p>
It allows a wide shot with minimal distortion </strong>- If you want to keep the scene looking as realistic as possible, whilst fitting as much as you can of the surroundings, this is the first lens you should pack. Sure you can go wider (say 14mm), or even fish-eye if you so desire, but at those focal lengths, the distortion starts to kick in, effecting both the subject and the background. Unless you have a specific reason for that look, stick to 24mm.</li>
Perfect for landscapes</strong> - Because of the wide field of view, if you wake up in the morning and desire to shoot mountains, the beach or forests, just pack this one lens and you will be completely fine.</li>
Establishing shots</strong> - If you are creating videos or short films, the establishing shot is often a wide one to communicate the environment and surroundings to the viewers. Without having to go crazy wide, once again, this length will do the job nicely.</li>
Event Photography</strong> - If you are invited to photograph a concert, speech, sporting event - this is the lens you should pack to give the impression of just how great the event is. Shooting wide at 24mm is the best place to start, and if needed, you can get nice and close to a specific subject, but also allow you to get the subject and the background in to give a bit of context.</li></ol>

What You Need to Know About Anamorphic Bokeh

Unknown — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:36:11 +0000

There is a alot to know.</p>

What You Need to Know About Anamorphic Lenses

Unknown — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:36:11 +0000

There is a alot to know.</p>

What Makes Anamorphic Different

Unknown — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:36:11 +0000

There is a alot to know.</p>

Cameras for Creators Under $1000AUD

Unknown — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:36:11 +0000

So you want to start on your journey as a creator and after looking around the Internet you see there are plenty of amazing choices out there at various different prices. What we are planning on doing here is highlighting some options you can find under $1000 Australian Dollars to get you started.</p>
Disclaimer:</strong> Some of our links included here may contain affiliate links, which means we will receive a commission for purchases made via those links. In this post, our thoughts and opinions are not influenced by our affiliate partnerships. We work with several platform providers to manage our affiliate relationships.</p>
Mobile Phone Cameras</h2> iPhone XR/iPhone 11</h3>
Everyone needs a phone and the price of phones these days are not going down. So by considering a phone that also has a great camera, you are really getting the 2-for-1 you need if you are budget conscious.</p>
These are two phones with decent enough cameras to get you started, especially if you are going to focus on producing content in portrait instead of the traditional landscape views.</p>
The reason why we have included two different iPhones here is purely down to the internal storage. If you tend to keep everything on your phone and don't have another computer/tablet/device, you are going to need as much space as possible, hence the older XR phone. But if you already have somewhere to transfer the video, go with the better camera found in the iPhone 11 and move the files over at the end of your filming.</p>
Find out more and buy these phones by visiting these links:</p>

iPhone XR</a></li>
iPhone 11</a></li> </ul>
Samsung Galaxy S20/Google Pixel 5</h3>
Going through the huge list of phones from Samsung is a bit of a task, so we did the heavy lifting for you and for under $1000AUD, the S20 and its variations (they are constantly on discount so keep an eye on it) is a great choice if you prefer Android over iOS. We haven't used one as much as we have Apple's range of products, but at this price on these devices, it is really personal preference. When you are scrolling through social media you would be hard pressed to see the difference in device.</p>
Likewise with the Pixel phone, if you are not a fan of Samsung, this is another great choice, especially for still photography. The only thing you need to be aware of with Pixels is that various users have noticed the battery doesn't perform as well as in other devices. So if you are planning on filming for a long time or taking a bunch of photos, might want to choose another option.</p>
Find out more and buy these phones by visiting these links:</p>

Samsung Galaxy S20FE 5G Smartphone 128GB</a> (affiliate link)</li>
Google Pixel 5</a> (affiliate link)</li> </ul>
Action Cams</h2>
GoPro Hero 9 / 360 Max</h3>
Tried and tested for many years, you cannot really go past GoPro if you are the outdoors type that is going to be creating content that is in perpetual motion. The reason why we are only recommending the 9 is because of the front-facing screen so you can see exactly what is in shot.</p>
Due to the wide angle, you could even use it in a studio/room environment and get a pretty good image out of it for all the times you are recording in just a stationary position. It won't have the blurry background you will get from other cameras, but it's just to get you started at a fair price.</p>
And if you wanted to splurge a little bit more, then the 360 will give you the best options when it comes to editing since you are capturing everything around you. So if your editing skills are up for it, then this will be a great choice too, for not much more money.</p>
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:</p>

GoPro Hero 9</a> (affiliate link)</li>
GoPro Max 360</a> (affiliate link)</li> </ul>
Insta360 R - One Inch</h3>
This is an interesting take on the action cam category because by getting the camera body and this lens (or mod as they call it), it gives you the same size sensor as other point and shoot cameras out there on the market - and one that is almost double the size of the normal action camera sensor found in GoPro/etc.</p>
There are plenty of reviews and soon we will have some feedback on comparing shots from our ZV1 and this (stay tuned). But if you want the portability, and do a lot of night time shooting, this could be the perfect device for those walking around the city and showing where to hang and eat type vlogs that are extremely popular.</p>
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:</p>

Insta360 One R - One Inch</a> (affiliate link)</li> </ul>
Fixed Lens Camera</h2>
Sony ZV-1</h3>
For us this is a no brainer. For the price you get all the tech that is the same as some of Sony's higher end cameras (auto focus, eye tracking, picture profiles, stabilisation, 4K), with a sensor and lens combo that is good enough for almost any situation, at a price just under $1000AUD. We don't really need to say anymore because you can read our thoughts on the ZV-1 review post.</p>
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:</p>

Sony ZV-1</a> (affiliate link)</li> </ul>
Interchangeable Lens Camera</h2>
Canon EOS M50</h3>
For us, this M50 recommendation and the GH4 are the ones you should really consider if you want this device to last you into when your skills match the gear you have. Canon in particular has a long history in delivering a quality body that can survive quite a lot of abuse. The crop sensor is the biggest out of all the cameras in this list, so it in theory perform the best in most circumstances. The camera is quite old, and there is a second version of it, but if you spend some time looking around on Youtube and other places, many still prefer the original one.</p>
The flippy screen and microphone jack also give you the ability to add a better mic and frame yourself correctly, which is what is missing from others recommended.</p>
The only catch is that the mount of the lenses isn't the full EF mount, meaning whatever lens you buy for this, will need to be adapted if you move up to a bigger camera.</p>
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:</p>

Canon M50</a> (affiliate link)</li> </ul>
Panasonic GH4</h3>
We have saved the best for last. This camera is the camera you should get for under $1000AUD that will last you right through your content creating career. In fact, if you wanted to make the jump, it even shoots "cinema 4K" - in case netflix gives you that call wanting you to film their next documentary.</p>
The other great thing is that the micro 4/3 mount that comes with this camera means that whatever lenses you buy can work with any other camera that has the same mount later on (for example, there is even a micro 4/3 cinema camera made by Z-Cam).</p>
There are some downsides that come with Panasonic, such as the auto-focus isn't the best, the stabilisation either), but as you learn and grow, the skills you acquire with this camera will be transferable as you go on.</p>
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:</p>

Panasonic GH4</a> (affiliate link)</li> </ul>
Conclusion</h2>
So if you are in it for the long haul, start with the GH4, keep it for as long as possible. If your needs change or evolve, then picking up one of the other cameras in this list as a secondary camera wouldn't be a bad choice either.</p>
We hope that we have helped out here in understanding exactly what camera you should start with on your content creator journey.</p>

Sony ZV-1 Review - Almost 12 Months Later

Unknown — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:36:11 +0000

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When this comparatively small point and shoot camera was released by Sony in September 2020, there was plenty of positive feedback/reviews as well as some slight criticisms. This is something not unusual for any new camera that appears on the market, but due to the marketing almost being laser-focused directly at bloggers/vloggers/influencers, it might have done this little one-inch sensor camera more harm than good.</p>
The feedback from many professional vloggers (we aren't those people) was that the lens was not wide enough at 24-equiv. We do tend to agree, but tripods or other options can help, it just adds more expense when you make your purchase.</p>
Since we don't vlog, we purchased to make it another tool to add to our content creation toolbox (or should we say backpack). And what sold us wasn't the super slow motion options, not the 4K30, not the amazing Sony auto focus (including eye tracking), but something much more simple than that.</p>
We (and you as well), have a requirement to create vertical content for social media for both ourselves and for the clients that engage us. So in order for us to generate this content and turn it around in the fastest way possible, having a dedicated camera setup specifically to shoot portrait videos is an absolute time and life saver.</p>
Let's give you a prime example:</p>

We recently had to film a corporate talking head interview for a particular company for their YouTube and social media channels. So we setup as per normal, a wide shot, closeup shot, external recording for audio, lights in all the correct positions. Then off to the side again, we had our little ZV-1, setup in portrait mode on a tripod, plugged into mains power, using the inbuilt microphones for scratch audio and off we went as per normal. Obviously everything was framed and composed so the subject was in shot, the lighting was "good enough" to further reduce the work in post. We also had an all Sony camera body day, so that came in particularly handy when it came to matching colours (it wasn't perfect, but definitely good enough).</p> </li>

So fast-forward to post and all we had to do was sync up the audio, edit for the soundbites and it was pretty much all done. No need to worry about reframing, cropping, or whatever tricks/hacks to extract a 9:16 from a 16:9 - huge timesaver.</p> </li>

Taking the camera out of the work environment, it is the perfect camera-camera (i.e. not phone) to use when out and about with friends and family. Switch it to 1080 to get the 50/60fps if you want to do some nice slow down later; keep it as open as possible to get better depth of field than your phone for photos and video, and never have to worry about the audio at all. All the while, saving your expensive camera bodies and lenses from those busy nights out, or having the kids grab it whilst you aren't looking.</p> </li>

We even threw on a SmallRig cage and grabbed some other accessories like the Ulanzi wide angle/macro lens (which we have had a bit of trouble with, we will save that for another post) and the Ulanzi VL49 RGB lights.</p> </li> </ul>
At this price, there are other options like Fuji X-E4, Canon m50, etc, so feel free to explore your options. But when you are already working with other Sony bodies, or you want near perfect auto-focus at this price, the ZV-1 is your only real option.</p>

2026 Cameras Buyers Guide

Unknown — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:36:11 +0000

when did canon r10 come out</li> </ul>

Lets Make Pixels

Fujifilm Quietly Made the X Half Price Drop Permanent and Now It Actually Makes Sense

Insta360 X4 Drops a Massive Firmware Update - 360 Live Broadcasting Has Arrived

Atomos Just Rebuilt the Ninja From the Ground Up and There Is a Trade-In Deal You Should Know About

The Insta360 X6 Is Real and It Could Be Here Before the End of April

The DJI Pocket 4 Just Got Leaked to Oblivion and We Cannot Look Away

Panasonic Brought Back Its Travel Compact, Then Removed the One Thing People Loved

Sony Just Hit Pause on Almost All Its Memory Cards and That Should Worry You

DZOFilm Made More 1.5x FF Anamorphic Lenses

GoPro Is About to Drop Multiple New Cameras at NAB 2026 and We Are Hyped

What We Expect</h2> We honestly have no idea. If they launch a "proper camera" or a "cinema camera" or even a mirrorless camera of any description with interchangeable lenses - camera YouTube could breakdown. Remember when Nikon bought RED?</p>

The DJI Avata 360 Is Here and It Might Change How We Shoot Aerials Forever

Studio Setup

One Light Portrait Setup

24mm vs 85mm — Same Subject

Golden Hour

Building Our Cinema Rig

Editing Desk Tour 2026

RED Komodo

Repurpose Protein Powder Tins for Rigging Spares

Protect Your Lav Mics With 35mm Roll Canisters

2026 Design Trends

2026 Photography Trends

LittleJS 2025 Game Jam

Welcome to Lets Make Pixels

All the Cinema Cameras Released in 2024

March 2024 Mirrorless Camera Releases</h2>

August 2024 Mirrorless Camera Releases</h2>

October 2024 Mirrorless Camera Releases</h2>

November 2024 Mirrorless Camera Releases</h2>

Sirui Launching Aurora - Fast Full Frame Autofocus Lens

New Portkeys Portkeys BM5IV WR Monitor With Updated OS

How Good is the Sony A7SIII Advanced Image Stabilization Features

Davinci Micro Panel - Not Just for iPads?

Potentially Cheap Full Frame 2x Anamorphics are Coming

Why Now is the Time to Get a RED Komodo 6K

The Smallest & Lightest 100mm Macro Lens

Nikon Bought RED Cine

You Need this DoorBell Hack for Podcast Editing

Anamorphic zooms are now more affordable thanks to Laowa

Faking the Anamorphic Look Without Buying a Lens

The Insta360 Flow Should Be Your New Webcam Holder

Maximize Your Creativity with the Insta360 ONE RS: Tips and Advice

The ONE RS is Modular - This Makes it Almost Unique</h2> The Insta360 ONE RS has this really interesting modular design that lets you swap between the 4K wide-angle and 360-degree lenses quickly and easily. Currently the modules available are:</p>

Mastering the Insta360 App: Your New BFF 📱</h2> The Insta360 app is seriously a content creator's best friend. With the app, you can:</p>

Budget Cine Setup - Canon EOS-M & Sirui Anamorphic Lens

Don't Spend $2,000 Just on One Camera

The Best Cameras for Beginners to Create Vertical Videos

The Best Cameras for Beginners to Create Vertical Videos

How to Take Advantage of all the Cheap Panasonic Lumix S5s

Why You Should Buy a Second Hand Panasonic Lumix S5 Mark I

How to Get the Anamorphic Look on an iPhone

Why Should You Consider Anamorphic Lenses

Get the Canon R7 or R10 Camera as Your 1st Camera Now

Stuff to Rig Out Any Camera

6 FAQs For Sony A7iii Owners

Does the a7iii have a full-frame sensor?</h2> Yes, the Sony A7iii is a full-frame, mirrorless hybrid camera that shots both photos and videos. If there are any questions missing, please feel free to contact us and we will add it to the list.</p>

Does the a7iii shoot 8bit or 10bit video?</h2> Unfortunately not, this camera can only shoot 4K 8-bit footage. The newer Sony a7Siii and Sony a7iv shoot 10-bit 4K video. Whether or not 8bit or 10bit is important to you really depends on what you are shooting and what type of look do you need.</p>

When did the Sony a7iii come out?</h2> The camera was first announced in February 2018, and was available to purchase from April 2018.</p>

Why We Still Use the 20-60mm Kit Lens

Why We Bought a Z-Cam E2C

The Cinema Cube Form Factor</h2> We know we shouldn't care about it as much as we do, but we are suckers for cube cameras and this one is actually cute (yeah, we called a camera cute). It's form factor works well for us in the following situations:</p>

The Bang for Buck Specs</h2> Looking for a camera in the sub $1000 price point if a difficult ask. To find a cinema camera in the same price bracket is even harder. So when we saw this Z-Cam E2C second-hand online we just had to pounce. </p>

3 Months with the Panasonic Lumix S5

Everything You Need to Know About 85mm Lenses

The Price of 85mm Lens</h2> The main thing you can consider as the biggest advantage of 85mm lenses is the price, as for most lens manufacturers, this is one of the cheapest lenses they make, unless you go down to some really fast speeds.</p>

What We Expect</h2>
We honestly have no idea. If they launch a "proper camera" or a "cinema camera" or even a mirrorless camera of any description with interchangeable lenses - camera YouTube could breakdown. Remember when Nikon bought RED?</p>

Does the a7iii have a full-frame sensor?</h2>
Yes, the Sony A7iii is a full-frame, mirrorless hybrid camera that shots both photos and videos. If there are any questions missing, please feel free to contact us and we will add it to the list.</p>

Does the a7iii shoot 8bit or 10bit video?</h2>
Unfortunately not, this camera can only shoot 4K 8-bit footage. The newer Sony a7Siii and Sony a7iv shoot 10-bit 4K video. Whether or not 8bit or 10bit is important to you really depends on what you are shooting and what type of look do you need.</p>

When did the Sony a7iii come out?</h2>
The camera was first announced in February 2018, and was available to purchase from April 2018.</p>

The Price of 85mm Lens</h2>
The main thing you can consider as the biggest advantage of 85mm lenses is the price, as for most lens manufacturers, this is one of the cheapest lenses they make, unless you go down to some really fast speeds.</p>