Month: December 2020

TTArtisan 50mm F1.2 Lens for APS-C/M43 Cameras Released

Posted by Jeff Loch on in 50mm f/1.2, APS-C, Canon M Mount, FUJIFILM X-Mount, Gear News, Lenses, M 4/3, MFT Lens Mount, sony e mount, TTArtisan, TTArtisan 50mm F/1.2

Chinese lens manufacturer TTArtisan recently launched a new lens compatible with APS-C and Micro 4/3 cameras: the TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2. This entirely manual lens is available in Sony E-mount, Canon M-mount, FUJIFILM X-mount, and MFT lens mount. Let’s take a closer look!

TTArtisan is a young Chinese company that specialized in affordable photography lenses. At the moment, their lineup consists of an 11mm f/2.8, 21mm f/1.5, 35mm f/1.4, a 50mm f/1.4, and 50mm f/0.95 lenses for Leica M-Mount cameras. Some lenses like the 11mm f/2.8 are also available for Nikon Z, Canon RF, Leica L, and Sony E-Mount cameras.

The company recently introduced a new lens for APS-C and Micro 4/3 cameras, the TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2.

TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2
TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 lens. Image credit: TTArtisan

TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 features

The TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 is a compact (62mm x 60mm – w x h) and lightweight (336g) compatible with APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras. With a maximum aperture of f/1.2 – the aperture ring is not de-clicked – this entirely manual lens could be a nice addition to your kit for low light situations.

TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 chart

 

Image credit: TTArtisan

The lens design of this lens consists of seven elements in five groups. The minimum focusing distance is 50cm, and the front filter is 52mm to attach filters. The aperture diaphragm consists of 10 blades, which should give you a nice bokeh.

Price and availability

 The TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 is available now for $98 in Sony E-Mount, Canon M-Mount, FUJIFILM X-Mount, and Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Please note that the lens mount doesn’t seem to be user interchangeable.

With such an aggressive price tag, I don’t expect massive optical performances at the maximum f/1.2 aperture. Still, if you’re a fan of really shallow depth of field, this lens can have some character at an unbeatable price.

For more information, please visit TTArtisan’s website here.

What do you think about this new TTArtisan 50mm lens? What is your go-to 50mm lens? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!

Sony FX6 now Netflix Approved – Except Anamorphic Capture

Posted by Olaf von Voss on in 4K, Anamorphic, approval, camera production guide, Cameras, cine cam, cinema, full frame, Gear News, netflix, Sony FX6
Netflix has been pretty busy lately certifying new cameras for their “Netflix Original” label. The latest approved make and model is the Sony FX6. Let’s dive into the specifics of this latest approval. Hot on the heels of the certification of the Canon C70 and Panasonic BGH1 cams, the certification of the Sony FX6 marks a new game of sorts with affordable cine-cams making their way into high-end productions on Netflix. Not long ago a “broadcast quality” camera wasn’t something you would (or could) buy on your own, and we’re talking SD quality here.. interesting times, indeed!

Sony FX6 now Netflix approved

It’s almost too perfect: What’s between you and a gig with Netflix is not the price tag of your camera anymore. It’s just your personal network and creativity, really. It’s nice to see that affordable cams appear to deliver decent image quality that makes it onto the big stage.
Netflix Sony FX6 approval
Recommended settings for the Sony FX6. Image credit: Netflix
The one thing, this approval does not include is the anamorphic mode of the Sony FX6, since that mode just crops into the 4K sensor. And as a result, the recorded footage would not meet Netflix 4K standards anymore. But that’s it really, other than that you can grab an FX6 and off you go – creativity, some funding and lot’s of good people around you assumed. Here are the details of this latest Netflix approval:
Netflix Sony FX6 Approval
Recommended exposure values, high speed and RAW settings. Image credit: Netflix
Netflix Sony FX6 approval
Stick to that daily APR routine! Image credit: Netflix
As mentioned above, the anamorphic mode on the FX6 is not approved but other than that this is a pretty capable (and compact!) camera for documentary work or even as “A”-cam on bigger productions. If the choice of lenses and lighting is good, this little Sony is a more than decent choice I’d say. Where to get Sony FX6: Link Link: Netflix What do you think? Are you ready for your first Netflix show? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Blackmagic Design Micro Converters 3G for SDI / HDMI Available

Posted by Edwin on in 3G SDI, Accessories, bisirectional, Blackmagic Design, converter, Gear News, hdmi, micro converter, sdi, usb powered
The world’s smallest USB-powered broadcast quality micro converters just got a spec bump with 3G-SDI and retain a very affordable price tag. Converting from SDI to HDMI and vice versa is almost as common as attaching a lens adapter to a Sony camera these days. With the new Micro Converters 3G there is no reason not to have one of those little boxes in your kit – especially at this price point. Adding to the already impressive and reliable lineup of converters that are easy to use and don’t break the bank, Blackmagic Design added these three new models:
  • Micro Converter HDMI to SDI 3G
  • Micro Converter SDI to HDMI 3G
  • Micro Converter BiDirectional SDI/HDMI 3G
Blackmagic Micro Converter SDI to HDMI 3G
Blackmagic Micro Converter SDI to HDMI 3G. Source: Blackmagic Design

Build quality

The Converters have a solid housing with strong high quality connectors. The one-directional converters even allow you to actually connect two devices to one source, either before the conversion or after (depending on the model). Unfortunately these broadcast quality converters don’t offer any mounting points or threads so you will have to attach them with velcro or a clamp if you would like to mount them on your rig.

Features

Aside from converting signals at up to HD 1080p60, the Micro Converters also include SDI re-clocking for longer SDI cable lengths and HDMI Timecode support.
Supported HDMI and SDI Video Formats
Supported HDMI and SDI Video Formats. Source: Blackmagic Design
The Micro Converter BiDirectional even supports Camera Control so you can for example control your Pocket Cinema Camera with an ATEM SDI switcher with the BiDirectional Converter in between. You can make changes to the Converters’ settings with the help of “Blackmagic Converters Setup” Software for macOS and Windows.

Power

Power is delivered through USB-C so you will have to bring a power bank. Blackmagic Design also sells a USB-C power supply to plug in a wall socket for $35.
Power Options for Micro Converters 3G
Power Options for Micro Converters 3G. Source: Blackmagic Design
Pro-Tip: You can attach some velcro strips on the housing and attach a Blind Spot Power Junkie so you can use standard NP-F batteries to power the Micro Converters and your camera or accessories so you don’t have to worry about changing multiple batteries.

Price & Availability

The Micro Converters 3G are available now for $45 (HDMI to SDI 3G), $49 (SDI to HDMI 3G) and $65 (BiDirectional SDI/HDMI 3G). The Micro Converter Power Supply is available for $35. Where to buy: Link Do you already own a Micro Converter or are you planning on adding one of these to your kit? Do you have experience with the new 3G Blackmagic Converters or older models? Let us know in the comments below.

Meike 35mm T2.1 Full Frame Cine Prime Announced

Posted by Olaf von Voss on in affordable, APS-C, cine prime lens, fast, full frame, Gear News, Lenses, manual focus, Meike

Meike Global just announcd a new 35mm T2.1 cine prime lens for full frame sensors. It will be available in various lens mounts, including PL, E-Mount, Canon RF and EF-Mount and L-Mount.

The Meike 35mm T2.1 joins the already available Meike 50mm T2.1 and both lenses have some similarities in terms of the image circle (45mm) and also some other specifications.

The new 35mm T2.1 prime is the second one in a new line of fast cine prime lenses from Meike. It’s undoubtedly aimed at the budget-conscious filmmakers out there, but it seems to offer decent build quality and standard features that you would expect when buying a cine lens.

Meike 35mm T2.1
Meike 35mm T2.1. Image credit: Meike

Meike Roadmap

To get one thing out of the way here: Meike is indeed in the process of establishig a complete line of these cine primes: They actually released a roadmap of upcoming focal lengths which stretches well into 2021.

Meike 35mm Timeline

 

Meike roadmap of upcoming FF cine prime lenses. Image credit: Meike

In total, the complete set will cover 16mm T2.4, 24mm T2.1, 35mm T2.1, 50mm T2.1, 85mm T2.1, 105mm T2.1 and 135mm T2.1. However, if you want to purchase this lens set you need to wait until each and every lens trickled out ouf the factory over the course of almost 9 months from now.

Meike 35mm T2.1 full frame cine prime lens

The freshly released Meike 35mm T2.1 features everything you’d expect from a cine prime lens: 0.8 pitched gears, smooth iris, 330° focus rotation and a minimum focus distance of 33cm. The lens design, according to Meike, is a dedicated one and not just a rehoused version of an existing stills lens.

PL mount and EF mount

 

Image credit: Meike

The Meike 35mm T2.1 sports 14 elements in 9 groups, it features a 82mm filter thread and offers 11 iris blades for pleasing bokeh effects. The dimensions (ø x L) of the lens alter with different lens mounts, please refer to the list below :

  • PL: ø85 × 102.4mm
  • EF (Canon): ø85 × 110.5mm
  • RF (Canon): ø85 × 134.4mm
  • E (Sony): ø85 × 136.4mm
  • L (Panasonic): ø85 × 134.4mm

The weight of the lens ranges from 1107~1170g, depending on the lens mount. The field of view is 63.5° diagonally (FF) and 43.2° diagonally (APS-C crop).

Conclusion

If this lens is worth it, I don’t know. Since Meike seems to be in the process of establishing yet another line of affordable cine prime lenses here I sometimes wonder how many more different lenses we actually need for our daily camera work. There are so many different makes and models out there already but this business model obviously seems to be a lucrative one.

Meike 35mm

 

Meike 35mm in PL oder EF mount. Image credit: Meike

The Meike 35mm T2.1 sells for $958 and Meike offers a $40 discount on pre-orders placed before Jan 20th 2021. Shipping will start Jan 25th. For now, only the PL and the EF version are available for pre-order, the other mounts will follow a bit later.

Where to buy: Link

What do you think about this new offering by Meike? And what about cine primes in general? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Panasonic LUMIX BGH1 – Most Affordable Netflix Approved Camera Yet

Posted by Jakub Han on in bgh1, camera, Cameras, Gear News, Lumix, Micro Four Thirds, netflix, Netflix 4k Originals, Netflix Approved, Panasonic, panasonic lumix bgh1

Panasonic LUMIX BGH1 “box-style” camera is now approved for Netflix 4K Originals content. At around $1,998, this makes it the most affordable Netflix-approved camera at the moment. Could this be the new “crash-cam” for Netflix productions?

Netflix has a list of cameras that are approved to shoot Netflix 4K Originals content. The exact recommendation for these productions is that “90% of the total runtime of a final program should be captured on approved cameras. For non-fictional content, this threshold may be more flexible. Any exceptions must be discussed with the relevant Netflix project lead.”

The most recent addition is now the Panasonic LUMIX BGH1 which becomes the most affordable Netflix approved camera.

Panasonic LUMIX BGH1 is Netflix approved

LUMIX BGH1. Source: Panasonic

The LUMIX BGH1 is the seventh camera from Panasonic which has been approved by Netflix. It features the same Micro Four Thirds image sensor as the LUMIX GH5S. The whole thing is packaged in a Box-shaped body with a Micro Four Thirds lens mount that, just like the Z CAM cameras, requires an external viewfinder or monitor.

The BGH1 accepts the same batteries as the Panasonic EVA1 and it includes some useful features like dual native ISO, 3G-SDI output, and BNC Timecode input/output.

As with all approved cameras, Netflix has published a Camera Production Guide for the LUMIX BGH1. This guide summarizes the settings and best-practices for capture with the camera on Netflix 4k Originals.

The approved standard recording mode (23.98, 24, 25, or 29.97 fps) is the .MOV 422, 10-bit, ALL-I 400Mbps codec in DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) or UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution with V-Log L picture profile. When it comes to higher framerates, the approval only includes a workflow with an external recorder as the camera cannot record 4K 4:2:2 10-bit video internally with framerates higher than 30fps.

 

Camera Production Guide – LUMIX BGH1. Source: Netflix

For anamorphic production, the Academy 4:3 modes with a suitable anamorphic de-squeeze monitoring are approved:

  • 4K-A/60p/420/8-L
  • 4K-A/30p/422/10-I
  • 4K-A/24p/422/10-I

One of the reasons for the approval of this camera was probably also the included Timecode input/output via the BNC connector.

Price and availability

The Panasonic LUMIX BGH1 currently retails for $1,998 (around €1,720 plus VAT in Europe) and it is, therefore, the most affordable Netflix-approved camera at the moment. Could the BGH1 become the new “crash-cam” for Netflix productions?

Where to buy: Link

What do you think about the LUMIX BGH1? Did you get the chance to work with the camera already? Have you filmed content for Netflix 4K Originals before? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D Lens for Micro Four Thirds Announced

Posted by Jakub Han on in Gear News, laowa, Laowa 10mm, Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D, Lens, Lenses, m43, mft, Micro Four Thirds, ultra-wide lens, Venus lens, Venus Optics, zero-d
New Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D ultra-wide-angle lens from Venus Optics has been announced. Designed for Micro Four Thirds, this compact lens weighs only 125g (4.4oz), it includes a manual focus ring and automatic five-blade aperture. It supports EXIF metadata, focuses from a 12cm distance, and supports 46mm filters. The lens is available for around $399. The Chinese lens manufacturer Venus Optics expanded its line of Zero-D ultra-wide-angle lenses with a very compact Laowa 10mm f/2 for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount. Let’s take a short look at its features and specs.

Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D MFT Lens

Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D for MFT. Image credit: Richard Wong
First of all, this lens is very small and lightweight – it is 41mm (1.61”) long and 125g (4.4oz) in weight. This size makes it suitable for lightweight gimbal setups, vlogging, or aerial drone usage. The lens features a 46mm front filter thread. Laowa 10mm f/2 is designed for Micro Four Thirds sensors, so it offers 96° Angle of view (20mm full-frame focal length equivalent). Its design stems from the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D, but Venus Optics further refined the optical design resulting in a faster aperture.
Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D for MFT. Source: Laowa
Talking of the optical structure, the lens includes 11 elements in 7 groups. The maximum magnification is 0.15x and the minimum focusing distance is 12cm (4.72″). Zero-D in its name implies that there should not be any distortion of the lines at the edges of the image. There are five aperture blades in the lens.
MTF Chart and Optical Structure. Source: Laowa
The lens is equipped with a CPU chip and a motor. Users can control the aperture in-camera and record all the metadata in the EXIF. The focus magnifier will be triggered for easier focus while rotating the focus ring. Because of this, the lens does not even have a manual aperture ring. It only features a manual focus ring.
Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D for MFT. Image credit: Richard Wong

Price and Availability

The Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D for Micro Four Thirds is available now for around $399. What do you think about this new Laowa lens? Would it fit into your kit? What do you think abotu the future of Micro Four Thirds format? Let us know in the comments below the article.