Sony today unveils the PXW-FX9, its first XDCAM camcorder featuring an advanced 6K² Full-Frame sensor and Fast Hybrid Auto Focus (AF) system. The new flagship camcorder offers content creators greater creative capabilities to capture stunning images that truly resonate with audiences. 

Building on the success of the PXW-FS7 and PXW-FS7M2, the FX9 uniquely combines high mobility with an advanced AF system, impressive bokeh and slow-motion capabilities thanks to its newly-developed sensor. The FX9 also inherits its colour science and Dual Base ISO 800/4000 from the VENICE digital motion picture camera and represents the ultimate tool of choice for documentaries, music videos, drama productions and all-round event shooting. 

The FX9 was designed in close collaboration with the creative community and is another example of Sony continuously evolving its proposition to innovate with the customer and market needs. The camcorder benefits from the versatility, portability and performance expected of an FS7 series “Run & Gun” style camcorder, while also offering High Dynamic Range and Full Frame shooting features.

“Today’s content creators require a camcorder that is agile, versatile and customisable to their specific creative needs, yet also offers superior performance and image quality. With the new FX9 we are striking the perfect balance between agility, ergonomics and powerful features, offering content creators the complete toolset to achieve their full artistic intention,” explained Norbert Paquet, Head of Product Management at Sony Professional Solutions Europe. “At Sony, we consistently listen to our customers and every product, solution or service we unveil has always been developed with their specific needs in mind. Our latest flagship camcorder is no different and we are excited to see how it will help content creators to go make tomorrow.”

Powerful features for creative content creators

The newly-developed 6K Full-Frame sensor offers wide dynamic range with high sensitivity, low noise and over 15 stops of latitude that can be recorded internally in 4K³ 4:2:2 10bit. Oversampling by the Full-Frame 6K sensor allows professionals to create high-quality 4K footage with impressive bokeh effects through shallow depth of field, while wide-angle shooting opens new possibilities for content creators to express their creativity. This means that every scene captured looks true-to-life whether it’s shot in broad day light or in the middle of the night. The camcorder can also capture content up to five times the slow-motion speed with FHD 120fps shooting.

With the same colour science and Dual Base ISO 800/4000 as the VENICE camera, the new sensor can also create softer and more alluring facial tones.

The enhanced Fast Hybrid AF system with customisable AF transition speeds and sensitivity settings also combines phase detection AF for fast, accurate subject tracking with contrast AF for exceptional focus accuracy. The dedicated 561-point phase-detection AF sensor covers approximately 94% in width and 96% in height of imaging area, allowing consistently accurate, responsive AF tracking, even with fast-moving subjects while maintaining shallow depth of field. 

Limitless creativity and flexibility

Inspired by the high mobility “Run & Gun” style approach from the FS7 series of camcorders, the FX9 offers content creators even greater flexibility thanks to Electronic Variable ND Filter. This allows more creative effects for content creators and instant exposure level changes depending on the filming environment – even when it’s moving from an inside space to outdoors or while filming in natural light conditions. By recording image stabilisation information and using it on the Catalyst Browse/Prepare⁴ option, content creators can capture incredibly stable visuals even in handheld mode. Sony is also working to encourage other third party none-linear editing tools to adopt this functionality.

The FX9 comes with a range of customisations and expansion features. These include compatibility with the new UWP-D series of wireless microphones via Multi Interface Shoe™ (MI Shoe) with digital audio interface, the XDCA-FX9 extension kit enabling 10bit S35 4K 120fps and 16bit RAW output⁵ compatibility with Sony BP-GL and BP-FL series batteries, D-Tap, RJ-45 interface and stable “Dual Link” streaming by using two carrier lines, as well as DWX slot-in type digital wireless receiver commonly used in broadcasting settings⁵. The FX9 will also be compatible with the newly launched E-mount lens FE C 16-35mm T3.1 G, which uniquely balances full manual operability for movie shooting and auto-control functions.

“Based on our ongoing conversations with customers, partners and the wider industry, we at Sony understand the needs of today’s creative storytellers – from the world’s top cinematographers, to documentary film makers, music video directors or broadcasters. What they all need is a flexible camera that allows them to tell their own unique story, no matter the environment they operate in. Our next-generation FX9 not only captures stunning visuals with life-like image quality, but it also offers advanced AF features and customisation options. This makes it the ultimate creative tool for modern content creators,” concludes Norbert Paquet. 

The FX9 will be available towards the end of 2019 and on display at the Sony stand (A10, Hall 13) at IBC 2019 from the 13^th – 17^th September. Cost body only £10,000

Lets have a closer look at the FX9 with Nino Leitner from Cinema 5D

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Masters of optical innovation, STC, expands their ground-breaking Clip Filter series, announcing a brand-new range of in-body filters for Panasonic LUMIX camera series.

STC’s latest announcement is certain to delight filmmakers and photographers alike as the new range is compatible with not only the Panasonic Lumix M4/3 camera system but also the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC) and the small-yet-perfectly-formed Z Cam E2 4K Cinema Camera. This, fifth-generation series from STC focuses on superior quality with its manufacture, producing imaging results that speak for themselves. With more than a decade of market-leading R&D leading to the series, the structure of these Clip Filters has been improved and optimised to perform better than ever. The Panasonic M43 Clip Filter is designed to sit on the front side of the shutter mechanism and as such, will not affect the Ibis anti-shake function and with its perfectly sealed structure, will also protect the camera’s sensor from dust.

The new Clip Filter Series for Panasonic LUMIX, Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC) and the Z Cam E2 4K Cinema Camera Includes:

• Sensor Protector Filter
• Neutral Density (ND) Filter: ND16 (4-stop) – ND64 (6-stop) – ND400        (9-stop) – ND1000 (10-stop). ND8 (3-stop) coming mid-October
• Infrared (IR) Filter: 590nm – 720nm – 850nm
• UV-IR Cut Filter: 625nm reduction 
• Astro Filter: Multispectra Multi-Band Interferometric Filter                                

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IBC the best video show in Europe will start on Friday the 13th September 2019.

For those lucky enough to attend the show this year we finally get to see the new JVC GY-HC500E a camcorder that has been a long time in production.

Why not head over to Hall 12 stand F31 and meet John Kelly and the JVC crew. Remember and ask him about the special deal that ships with this camcorder, tell him you read it first on HD Warrior.

For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions

Atomos is excited to announce co-development with Panasonic of RAW over HDMI from the brand new Lumix S1H to the Atomos Ninja V 4K HDR monitor-recorder. The RAW update will be available free on the Ninja V when released by Panasonic.

“We are very proud of continuing to develop new ground-breaking technology with a company of the caliber of Panasonic. We are both highly committed to the democratisation of filmmaking for creators, and the ability to transmit RAW over HDMI from the S1H to a Ninja V is a major leap forward in this endeavour,” said Jeromy Young, Atomos CEO.

As the world’s first full-frame mirrorless camera capable of 6K internal video, the Lumix S1H combines the quality of professional cinema-grade video cameras with the size and photo capability of a mirrorless, making it the perfect companion with the Ninja V.

“The leading brand of external monitor-recorders is definitely Atomos. Both companies have a very good relationship and we have been providing 4:2:2 10bit HDMI output recording for the Lumix GH series for years. We are very proud to be developing RAW output via HDMI with Atomos for the S1H,” said Panasonic at their launch event in LA.

Added Young: “Our advancements in screen technology now allows creators to accurately monitor RAW video in real-time as it would be viewed in the home or cinema for perfect preservation of creative intent. Our pristine custom Atomos HDR screens are second to none in colour accuracy and representation of brightness from RAW signals. When combined, these advantages create a dream workflow for filmmakers.”

The new Lumix S1H will be shown working with the Ninja V at the upcoming IBC show in Amsterdam from 13 September at the RAI Hall 11.D25, more information on the combination will be available during the show.

For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions

Is it a video or a stills camera and why are we getting so many variations of the same camera as the S1 was the “video version”

I have to say that the extra video features on the S1H make it very appealing and for once Panasonic has given us a tally lamp so you can see when the camera is in record mode, I do hope they bring this feature into the GH6.

The S1H is a 6K monster running at 25p (UK) with 4k 50p 10bit internal recording onto dual SD card slots. This is a welcome addition as my previously owned S1 had one SD card slot and one XQD card slot.

• Capture 6K/24p, 25p (3:2 aspect ratio), 5.9K/90p (16:9 aspect ratio), and 10-bit 50p 4K/C4K
• Includes an impressive 14+ stops of dynamic range
• Features a 24.2-megapixel full-frame imaging sensor
• Comes with V-Log/V-Gamut compatible with “VariCam” Look
• Users can enjoy unlimited recording time in all capture modes
• Offers Body I.S. (Image Stabiliser) for hand-held filming
• To accommodate continuous shooting a near-silent cooling fan has been developed
• 6K footage can be used to create high-res 4K videos or for cropping images to 4K
• Dual-Native ISO sensitivity
• L-Mount system has been integrated into the camera design for extra compatibility
• The camera body has a rugged magnesium alloy design delivering high-level professional reliability
• Dust, splash, and freeze-resistant down to -10 degrees
• Optical Low Pass Filter (OLPF) suppresses moire
• Incorporates large displays consisting of a rear monitor, live viewfinder as well as status LCD that offer high resolution and visibility
• Waveform Monitor and V-Log View Assist are available
• Users can choose from Relay Recording, Backup Recording, and Allocation Recording
• The durable shutter can last about 400,000 cycles and features an external Fast Flash Synchro
• Multiple customisable Fn buttons
• Double SD memory card slot
• Compatible with the 7.4-V 3,050mAh high-capacity battery for long recording times of up to 2 hours

I do love the newly designed swivel LCD for once a designer has remembered the HDMI port and given us an LCD that clears this port. (Please bring this design into the GH6).

At £3,599 you get a lot of camera for your money but the main thing that put me off the Panasonic S1 was the extra weight, the cost of lenses and no 4K 50p in full frame mode (Once again missing from the S1H). The biggest single item that lets this camera down is the autofocus in video mode.

Kriss from WEX has a great video on YouTube all about the new features.

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Selling second hand a Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 Canon fit Art lens with a Metabones Canon EF to Micro Four Thirds T Speed Booster XL 0.64x, both in full working order with original box for Sigma lens.

As usual why not email me with your offer to smallvideo@me.com, preferably bank transfer I will give you my bank details when we strike a deal.

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The Focal Easy Guide to Final Cut Pro X3rd edition
The newly revised third edition of Rick Young’s The Focal Easy Guide to Final Cut Pro X is the ultimate mentor for getting up and running with Apple’s professional editing software, regardless of your skill level. In this step-by-step, full-color guide, Rick clearly explains the key concepts and essential knowledge needed to edit your project from start to finish, providing clear, time-saving instructions on producing and outputting using Final Cut Pro X.
This new edition includes:

• A thorough introduction to Final Cut Pro X and the philosophy by which the software works
• Complete coverage of the post production process, including setup, importing and organizing media, editing, audio and output
• Additional sections on Multicam Editing, working with Proxies, effective Media Management, the Magnetic Timeline, Batch Share and Effects Production
• New chapters, covering in detail: Roles, Color Correction and the Touch Bar
• Instructions on encoding, distributing and archiving your completed projects
• And an accompanying eResource featuring downloadable video footage that you can edit with using the techniques covered in the book

Packed with tutorials and real-world examples, The Focal Easy Guide to Final Cut Pro X will take you through the ins and outs of the software and have you editing and outputting your movies in no time!
Now available:

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As Spock would say “fascinating”, all Hubble pictures start out black and white and are coloured during post production. This You Tube video explains..

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Finally the lens that we have been waiting for the Panasonic 10-25mm f1.7 has arrived.

I will give you a full assessment of this lens working mainly in video ASAP.

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I was only 9 years old when man first stepped on the moon and I loved everything to do with space. I had posters, books and an Airfix model of the Saturn 5 rocket and the LEM (Lunar Excursion Modul). NASA took the bold decision back in the 1960s that everything photographed in space would not be copyrighted because only a minority of people will ever get the chance to go into space and for that reason all photography was to become public domain, a great decision.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, Hasselblad proudly celebrates its role as the cameras chosen by NASA for space photography, and even more so, the cameras that documented the historical moment of the first humans on the Moon. In honour of this momentous occasion, Hasselblad launches the limited 907X Special Edition, which includes the 907X camera body and CFV II 50C digital back, both in matte black with commemorative “On the Moon Since 1969” anniversary text.

Considered one of the most iconic moments in history is the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the Moon – an event so extraordinary that saw the first humans step off our planet and onto another celestial body. Taken down to the lunar surface, attached to astronaut Armstrong’s chest, was a silver Hasselblad Data Camera (HDC) fitted with a Zeiss Biogon 60mm ƒ/5,6 lens and 70mm film magazine which had never actually been tested in space before. A second black Hasselblad Electric Camera (HEC) with a Zeiss Planar 80mm ƒ/2,8 lens was used to shoot from inside the Eagle lunar module. A third black HEC was used by astronaut Michael Collins aboard the Command Module Columbia in lunar orbit. Standing up against the intense temperatures and lack of gravity in space, the Hasselblad cameras captured this once in a lifetime moment flawlessly, letting the rest of Earth see what astronauts Aldrin and Armstrong experienced on the Moon. The resulting images taken with the HDC and HEC have not only provided scientific insight but have proven to be legendary marvels recognized the world over. It was the HEC used by Collins that was taken back to Earth, while the HDC and HEC used on the lunar surface and lunar module were left on the Moon to meet narrow weight margins for successful return. As far as we know, they’ve been on the Moon since 1969.

Hasselblad proudly celebrates being the camera that documented the historic Moon landing with the 907X Special Edition. The limited-edition kit includes the 907X camera body and CFV II 50C digital back, both in matte black, just as the HEC that made it back to Earth. On the digital back is the text “On the Moon Since 1969”, commemorating the HDC and HEC left behind on the lunar surface fifty years ago. Together, the 907X and CFV II 50C connect Hasselblad’s photographic history into one system.

Coupling the CFV II 50C with Hasselblad’s smallest medium format camera body ever, the 907X, creates a highly compact mirrorless digital camera. This combination offers a truly distinct photographic experience, including the classic waist-level shooting style of the V System enabled by the CFV II 50C’s tilt screen. With the 907X attached to the CFV II 50C, the photographer gains access to all the high-quality XCD Lenses, providing autofocus and electronic exposure control. Coupled with the XH Adapter, all HC/HCD Lenses can be used on the 907X, along with XPan and V System Lenses in electronic shutter mode with the XPan and XV Lens Adapters, respectively. In addition, the 907X enables compatibility with a wide range of third-party adapters and lenses in electronic shutter mode.

Reminiscent of the classic V System film magazine design, the modern CFV II 50C also works as a stand-alone digital back. Compatible with most V System cameras made from 1957 and onwards, the CFV II 50C can also be used on third party technical or view cameras. Price $7500

Key features of the 907X Special Edition include:

• Large medium format 50MP CMOS sensor
• Up to 14 stops of dynamic range
• Captures 16-bit RAW images and full resolution JPEGs
• High-resolution 3.0-inch 920K dot touch and tilt screen
• Smooth live view experience with a high frame rate of 60fps
• Focus peaking, enabling more accurate focusing (especially advantageous on the manual-focused V System cameras)
• Intuitive user interface with swipe and pinch touch controls
• Internal battery slot with the option to recharge in-camera via the USB-C port (same battery used on the X System)
• Dual UHS-II SD card slots
• Integrated Wi-Fi and USB-C connection
• Portable workflow with Phocus Mobile 2 support

For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions