Upcoming Adobe Premiere Pro Version for Apple M1 Macs to be 80% Faster

Posted by Jeff Loch on June 8, 2021 in Adobe, adobe premiere pro, Apple, apple m1, apple silicon, Gear News, nle, Performance Improvement, Software

Adobe has just published some benchmark results of its upcoming Adobe Premiere Pro software for Apple M1 Macs. Compared to similar Intel-based laptops, the 13-inch Apple M1 Macs proved to be close to 80% faster in editing, rendering, and transcoding tasks. Let’s take a closer look at what we could expect soon!

Adobe has just released a couple of new Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and After Effects update. Over the last couple of months, the company released Adobe Premiere Pro 15.0 and After Effects 18.0 with performance improvements. Aside from “traditional” releases, Adobe is putting a lot of work to support Apple M1 Macs, with a new Adobe Audition version specifically optimized. Also, since December 2020, Adobe Premiere Pro is in the Beta stage for M1 computers.

Adobe Premiere Pro for Apple M1 Macs

Adobe released a couple of Adobe Premiere Pro benchmarks comparing Apple M1 Macs to similar Intel laptops. More precisely, they used a 13-inch M1 Macbook Pro with 16Gb of RAM and 2TB of SSD and a 13-inch Intel Core i5 laptop with the same amounts of RAM/SSD. Also, both computers were connected to an Apple Pro Display XDR. According to Adobe, “the benchmarks were executed using Pfeiffer Consulting’s Methodology for Productivity Benchmarking, which has been fine-tuned over more than a decade and measures the time experienced operators take to execute specific tasks.” Below are their findings.

Every video editor out here could tell you that XAVC-S files (H.264 compression) are hard to edit/playback correctly, even with a powerful computer. Indeed, these files are not meant to be edited straight out of the camera. As you can see, these results seem promising! For example, the M1 Mac was over two times faster to encode a XAVC 4K25p clip to ProRes 422 than the Intel one. The same goes for XAVC import and playback performances. However, as Adobe mentions:

For features that rely heavily on GPU acceleration, however, an Intel Mac with a discreet, powerful GPU can still outperform the current generation of M1 Macs in some areas. There is little doubt that Apple will address this in the future as new generations of M1 Macs close any remaining gaps with new Apple Silicon-based Macs Adobe

Let’s hope that Adobe Premiere Pro for Apple M1 Macs will come out of the Beta stage soon so we can all run our tests and see how newer Apple computers can help content creators save time in the editing room. Did you already try Adobe Premiere Pro Beta on an Apple M1 Mac? What do you think about these benchmarks’ results? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!

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

Posted by Jeff Loch on December 22, 2020 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 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!

Kessler KillShock Mini – Stabilize Your Handheld Gimbal On The Road

Posted by Jeff Loch on November 27, 2019 in Car Mount Rig, GEAR, Isolator Plate, kessler, Killshock, KillShock Mini, Movement, Tripod & Mounting

Kessler has just released a new version of their popular isolator plate: the Kessler KillShock Mini. This shock absorber device is made for mounting handheld gimbals directly on your car – or any moving vehicle – and to absorb all the bumps of the road. Let’s take a closer look at it.

Kessler KillShock

In 2018, Kessler introduced the KillShock isolator plate to the market. If you are not familiar with what the Kessler KillShock is and what it is used for, it is two plates that are attached to wires. Then, you mount the KillShock on a moving vehicle, and you connect your camera/gimbal on top of it. The cables will absorb the bumps/cracks/shocks of the road and give you much smoother footage than a traditional car mount system.

The original Kessler KillShock. Image credit: Kessler

This type of rig is useful if you are trying to follow a fast-moving subject on a road (and even off-road). It will remove all the micro-vibrations from your moving shots. Otherwise, the Kessler KillShock is made to stabilize heavy camera setups and gimbals, like a MoVi Pro with a RED/ARRI camera and a cinema lens.

To make their product more versatile, Kessler just released a new version for smaller cameras and handheld gimbals: the Kessler KillShock Mini.

Image credit: Kessler

Kessler KillShock Mini

The Kessler KillShock Mini does the same thing as the original KillShock, except that it is made for smaller/lighter setups. At the bottom, there is an 8″ suction cup base so that you can mount it on a car, a bike, a boat, and so on. On top of the KillShock Mini, you can attach whatever handheld gimbal you have at your disposal, including the Ronin S, Moza Air, Movi M5, and Zhiyun-Tech gimbals. Also, you can mount your DSLR/Mirrorless and compact video cameras to the KillShock Mini directly.

The top plate of the Kessler KillShock Mini. Image credit: Kessler

On the bottom plate, there are four 1″ tether points for ratchet strap tie-downs. These tether points, combined with the holes to attach carabiner safety wires, ensure that the KillShock Mini won’t go anywhere once it is mounted on a vehicle. Also, there are four built-in handles to position the KillShock Mini wherever you want it quickly.

Image credit: Kessler

Pricing and Availability

The Kessler KillShock Mini is available now and retails for $699/736.98€. It comes with four Shock Module Blocks with Blue Light Duty shock modules pre-installed. You can buy optional Red Medium Duty Shock Module Blocks for heavier payloads, as well as a third cable per shock module via the Fine-Tuning Kit Add-On.

What do you think of the Kessler KillShock Mini? Do you often shoot with car-mounted camera setups? Let us know in the comments below!

This Week’s Top Deals for Filmmakers – Sony, Apple, FUJIFILM, Atomos and More

Posted by Jeff Loch on August 22, 2019 in Bags, Deal, deals for filmmakers, Deals of the Week, discount, Field Monitors, Fujifilm X-H1, GEAR, Gimbal Stabilization, lighting, News, offer, Sony A7II, special offer

Here is our weekly selection of new exciting deals for filmmakers available. We have selected the best offers of filmmaking gear from our partners’ online shops for this week – including the Sony Alpha a7 II, LED lights from Manfrotto and Rotolight, an Atomos Shogun Flame monitor/recorder, an Apple 21.5″ iMac and more. Watch out – The first deal within this week’s article expire in a couple of hours! I went through the current deals on our partners’ websites and have selected the best offers currently available which I think could be interesting for you. First, there are B&H offers listed for our readers based in North and South America, and then there are a couple of deals from our European partner CVP. By shopping at our partners’ stores, you are supporting cinema5D through our buy links, as we get a small affiliate commission when a purchase is completed. Now, let’s take a look at this week’s top deals for filmmakers:

B&H: Apple 21.5″ iMac with Retina 4K Display (Mid 2017) – $600 Discount

This Apple’s iMac all-in-one computer features a beautiful 21.5″ 4096 x 2304 IPS Retina 4K display. In terms of processing, there is a 3.0 GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB Hard Drive, and an AMD Radeon Pro 555 Graphics Card (2GB). In terms of connectivity, there are two 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 3 ports, four 5 Gb/s USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a UHS-II SDXC card slot. Watch out – This deal expires today, in just a couple of hours! Buy link: Apple 21.5″ iMac with Retina 4K Display (Mid 2017) ~~Was: $1,499.00~~ Now: $899.00 (Savings: $600.00)

B&H: Sony Alpha a7 II with 28-70mm Lens and Accessories – $600 Discount

Everything you need to start shooting is included in this kit: a Sony Alpha a7 II mirrorless camera with a 28-70mm F/3.5-5.6 OSS lens, a spare battery, a protective camera bag, and a 32Gb memory card. The Sony Alpha a7 II features a full-frame 24.3-megapixel sensor. Also, the sensor is 5-axis stabilized. It can shoot 1080P videos up to 60 frames per second. If you need to shoot in LOG, no problems, you can film in S-Log and S-Log2 gamma. The lens mount of the camera is an E-mount. So, it is compatible with any APS-C E-mount lenses (in APS-C crop mode) as well as all E-mount full-frame Zeiss and Sony G-series lenses. It’s an excellent entry-level camera if you are starting. Watch out – This deal expires on August 24 at 11:59 PM ET Buy link: Sony Alpha a7 II with 28-70mm Lens and Accessories. ~~Was: $1598.00~~ Now: $998.00 (Savings: $600)

B&H: FUJIFILM X-H1 with Battery Grip and Accessories – $300 Discount

The FUJIFILM X-H1 is a mirrorless camera that features a 24.3MP APS-C sensor. There is an in-body 5-axis image stabilization system, which can compensate for up to 5.5 stops of shutter speed. The FUJIFILM X-H1 can shoot DCI 4K videos at up to 24 frames per second with a solid 200 Mb/s bitrate internally. If you want to film in slow-motion, you can go up to 120 fps in 1080P. The kit comes with a 32Gb SD card and a protective camera bag. Buy link: FUJIFILM X-H1 with Battery Grip and Accessories. ~~Was: $1299.95~~ Now: $999.95 (Savings: $300)

B&H: Lowepro PhotoStream RL 150 Roller – $100 Discount

When it comes to travel with photo/video equipment safely, Lowepro roller bags are top-notch (and your back will thank you). The overall dimensions should fit almost all international carry-on regulations. The Lowepro PhotoStream RL 150 Roller can hold 1-2 professional DSLR camera bodies, and up to 8 different lenses. Also, you can entirely modify the interior layout to fit your gear and needs. A 15″ laptop can be stored in the dedicated hinged compartment for smooth airport security visits. There is a side tripod mount to carry a small/medium-sized tripod. Buy link: Lowepro PhotoStream RL 150 Roller. ~~Was: $269.95~~ Now: $169.95 (Savings: $100)

B&H: Atomos Shogun Flame – $300 Discount

The Atomos Shogun Flame is a powerful 7″1920 x 1200 on-camera recorder/monitor. The display is a 10-bit FRC panel that supports native display of HDR (log) footage as well as high brightness viewing of Rec. 709 footage. There are various 4K HDMI and 12G-SDI inputs/outputs ports, and it can even cross-convert your signal. It records onto 2.5″ SSDs using 10-bit, 4:2:2 Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHR codecs. Also, you can even record DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) raw video streams over SDI from select Sony and Canon cameras, encoding it as ProRes/DNxHR files. Buy link: Atomos Shogun Flame 7″ 4K HDMI/SDI Recording Monitor. ~~Was: $995.00~~ Now: $695.00 (Savings: $300)

CVP: Rotolight NEO 2 – 90€ Discount

The Rotolight NEO 2 is a nice little bi-color continuous LED light that doubles as an HSS Flash. It is lightweight and portable and can be mounted both on or off-camera. You can power it via 6 AA batteries, DC or D-tap. It also features a couple of CineSFX custom lighting effects (Lightning, Fire, TV, etc.) Buy link: Rotolight NEO 2. ~~Was: 273.13€~~ Now: 181.18€ (Savings: 91.95€)

CVP: Timecode Systems SyncBac PRO – 150€ Discount

If you need multiple GoPro cameras to stay in sync, look no further. The Timecode Systems SyncBac PRO attaches to the back of your GoPro and gives you access to perfect timecode synchronization. Buy link: Timecode Systems SyncBac PRO. ~~Was: 207.83€~~ Now: 58.05€ (Savings: 149.78€)

CVP: Gudsen MOZA Aircross Gimbal – 45€ Discount

The Gudsen MOZA AirCross gimbal is one of the most compact, ultra-lightweight and portable camera stabilization systems for DSLR and mirrorless cameras. It supports all cameras with a maximum payload of 1.8kg (3.96 lbs). The beautiful thing is that the base plate for mounting the camera is compatible with Manfrotto 501PL and Arca quick release plate. Buy link: Gudsen MOZA Aircross Gimbal. ~~Was: 290.43€~~ Now: 244.92€ (Savings: 45.52€)

CVP: Manfrotto Spectra 1×1 Daylight LED Panel – 295€ Discount (Ex-Showroom item)

If you are looking for an affordable 1×1 LED light, look no further! The Manfrotto Spectra 1×1 F is a 5600°K (daylight) panel with an output of around 1400 lux at 1m with a CRI over 90. Light is emitted with a beam angle of 50°. You can power it via an external 100-240V AC adapter (included) or by a V-Lock or AB battery (not included). You can dim it from 0 to 100% with no color shift, nor flickering. The Manfrotto Spectra 1×1 F is ultra-slim (only 5cm thick) and lightweight (1,36Kg). Buy link: Manfrotto Spectra 1×1 Daylight LED Panel. ~~Was: 490.75€~~ Now: 195.57€ (Savings: 295.18€)

CVP: Freefly MoVI M15 – 7830€ Discount (Ex-Showroom item)

The Freefly MoVI M15 is out for a few years now, but this impressive gimbal can still support 15 lbs/6.8kg, which means it can take from an ARRI Alexa M up to a Sony F55 with Cinema lenses. It is potent and super smooth. If you are not after the latest tech, this gimbal is a great deal! Buy link: Freefly MoVI M15. ~~Was: 10564.47€~~ Now: 2732.95€ (Savings: 7831.52€) What do you think of this week’s selection? Share with us if you know and like any of these products.

Z CAM E2 Cameras Firmware Update with ZRAW Capabilities

Posted by Jeff Loch on August 21, 2019 in News

Good news for Z CAM E2 camera owners: the team at Z CAM released a new firmware update that unleashes ZRAW capabilities for various E2 camera models. Let’s take a closer look at it!

Z CAM E2 – Firmware 0.88 Includes ZRAW

The team at Z CAM launched a new firmware (version 0.88) for their E2 and E2c cameras. This firmware – and future firmware versions – should also be compatible with the upcoming E2 S6/F6/F8 cameras that are expected to launch later this year. Here is the complete list of the new features of this 0.88 firmware version:

Addition of ZRAW (partial-debayer), supports up to 4096×2160@30fps initially. 4K 60fps will be supported later.
No proxy recording is allowed when ZRAW is selected. You have to use an iOS device or the HDMI output to record proxy files.
Monitor preview LUT, x33 cube format.
Pre-rolling.
Possibility to capture still images (JPEG only).
VFR fine control, one frame per step.
Native ISO toggle control.
Parade view.

They also improved and corrected some bugs:

Card formatting compatibility.
AWB always use a white priority in Z-Log2.
Performance optimization.
Bugs fixed: Time Code sync to an external device and other minor bug fixes.

It’s always nice to see a manufacturer bringing new functionalities and long-awaited features to a product. Otherwise, there would be very little information about this new RAW format. You can download this new firmware directly on Z CAM’s website.

ZRAW VideoSuite

At the moment, one of the only things we know is that any NLE does not support this new Z CAM RAW format. To play and convert ZRAW footage, you have to use Z CAM’s new ZRAW VideoSuite software. This software is available on Windows 10 only. Hopefully, a Mac version will come out soon. ZRAW VideoSuite allows you to output your files in either DNxHR, H.265 or uncompressed YUV in 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 color sampling (H.265 is 4:2:2 only). Also, various DeNoise levels are available, as well as some essential color grading tools. To me, having to use another piece of software – only Windows compatible – is a bummer. It reminds me of the early days of the Canon C200’s Cinema Raw Light. Usually, these “conversion” software are poorly optimized, and they take a lot of time to render your footage. It’s just another step in the post-production workflow that slows you down in the creative process. I hope that ZRAW will be supported by other NLEs soon. What do you think of this new firmware version and the addition of ZRAW? Let us know in the comments below!

Cartoni RED LOCK Tripod Announced – Lightweight Camera Support

Posted by Jeff Loch on August 20, 2019 in cartoni, IBC 2019, Master 25, Maxima 5.0, News, RED LOCK tripod, S200, Sport 200, The Latest, Tripod & Mounting, tripod head, Tripod legs

The Italian tripod manufacturer Cartoni has just announced four new products ahead of IBC 2019: two tripods and two tripod heads. Among these products, there is an exciting set of lightweight tripod legs: RED LOCK. This tripod for camera operators on the go weights only 6.5 lbs/ 3 kg but can support up to 132 lbs / 60 kg. Let’s take a closer look at these new products. Oh, and if you haven’t done so, please take a moment to watch our video which we visited the Cartoni family tripod factory facility and saw how their tripods are made.

Cartoni RED LOCK Tripod Legs

The latest addition in the Cartoni line of tripods is a lightweight set of sticks called the RED LOCK. With a weight of only 6.5 lbs / 3 kg, this aluminum tripod looks perfect for indie filmmakers and one-man-band shooters. But don’t let this two-stage tripod fool you, as it can support an incredible amount of weight, up to 132 lbs / 60 kg.

In terms of height, it measures 77 cm when fully folded. By pulling the two red levers, you can extend it to a maximum height of 153 cm / 60 inches. If you need to go low to the ground, you can quickly spread the legs thanks to the Smart Spreader and go as low as 50 cm / 19 inches. At the bottom of the tripod legs, there are integrated spike feet for shooting on uneven terrains. Also, the tripod comes with newly design rubber feet. There are no words on pricing from Cartoni except that it should be “surprisingly affordable” and will ship by the end of this year.

Cartoni MAXIMA 5.0

Amongst the new products, there is also a new 5.0 version of the famous MAXIMA tripod head. These MAXIMA Flat Mitchell / 150mm bowl base tripod heads are mostly used on feature films and high-end projects. The MAXIMA 5.0 features Cartoni’s patented counterbalance and can support a payload from 0 kg up to 50 kg.

The great thing with MAXIMA tripod heads compared to O’Connor ones, for example, is that all the controls are on the operator side (and the locks/knobs are silent). The rather long and sizeable sliding camera plate on top of the tripod head is compatible with ARRI, Sony, and O’Connor ones. The head comes with a telescopic pan bar and a short front pan bar. No words on pricing from Cartoni yet, but these MAXIMA tripod heads are usually aimed at rental houses as they are in the $10.000 range. The MAXIMA 5.0 will be available at the end of the year.

Cartoni Master 25 and S200

A much more affordable tripod head has also been announced, the Cartoni Master 25. This lightweight tripod head has a payload capacity of up to 30 kg / 66 lbs. It will be available in black & gold design and grey anodized aluminum. Finally, there is a new set of sticks aimed at sport and event shooters, the Cartoni Sport 200 tripod legs. It is made of aluminum, and the legs are angular, which should provide better sturdiness compared to standard tubes. The S200 weighs 10.5 kg / 23 lbs and can support every camera packages on the market with a payload capacity of up to 200 kg / 441 lbs. It accepts classic Mitchell flat base tripod heads. No words on pricing on any of these products, but they should ship by the end of the year. We will make sure to take a closer look at all of Cartoni’s new products during IBC 2019. What do you think of this new RED LOCK tripod legs? Have you ever used a Cartoni MAXIMA tripod head? Let us know in the comments down below!

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Author: Jeff Loch