NAB Day One Highlights

[Stephen Mick]

Ah, Las Vegas. It's like an old friend who you see once a year, and they always ask if they can borrow some money.

So, day one of NAB 2016 is in the books. In my travels today, I saw some familiar faces (Timur, Naso, Adams, etc.), and made a few new friends. Aside from the Belgian saison that I had after the show, here's what stood out...

Generally on the first day, I let everyone else crowd around the big-boy-booths. I tend to look for the outliers. The new. The little guys. The diamonds in the rough. Sure, I passed Canon, Sony, RED, and Panasonic. But what's really interesting to me is everything else.

Like Quasar Science...
http://www.quasarscience.com/

The company is owned and run by a couple of Hollywood gaffer-types, and they make high-CRI LED bulbs in tube and practical form. Many of their lights are bi-color switchable, and most are fully dimmable. They make a kit that will retrofit Kino Divas with high-output LED tubes. They also make full-size fluo-style tubes that can go in just about any fixture around. And their practicals are really amazing. Here are a few pics...




Next up, Think Tank Bags. (They used to be Think Tank Photo, but I guess they realized people like me were using their bags for video stuff, so they got wise.) Anyway, they're flat-out the best, most travel-friendly bags out there. I know, because if there's a bag out there, I've stuffed it full of camera crap. They've got a series of new, video-specific bags that are all flavors of cool. The "Video Rig" bags are designed to transport fully-rigged, ready-to-shoot cameras. The "Video Transport" series are carry-on-friendly, and are perfect for cramming an entire camera kit into a small, roll-able package. Finally, the "Video Workhorse" bags are more like your usual video camera bag, a "pull-it-out-and-start-shooting" kind of thing. Fill your eye holes with pictures...

 

[Stephen Mick]

I didn't get any pictures, but I did stop by the OSEE booth, and their monitors are amazing for the price. I know there was a group buy here (or over at BMCUser) a short while ago, and if you didn't get in on that, you'll probably wish you had. All of their monitors are 10-bit, and the 15.6" and 17" models I looked at today would be fine choices if you wanted a monitor that you could both use in the field and in the studio. Linky...
http://www.oseeamericas.com/monitors.html

Now, if you like batteries and chargers like I do (and hey...I know you do), check out PAGLink. They've got small, stackable batteries that are domestic AND international travel-friendly (as in, take as many as you want in carry-on), plus you can charge as many as 32 stacked on a single charger. They've also got a new, super-tiny travel charger that can still charge something like 8 stacked batteries at once. Finally, they've got a really sweet little multi-power module (about the thickness of a deck of cards) that snaps onto their batteries and gives you four D-Tap outputs, a Hirose power connector (I think) AND a USB port. More linky...
https://www.paguk.com/landing/PAGlink


Some of you probably know the name Benro as a maker of (let's be honest here) cheap photo tripods. But they also got the memo about video cameras being a thing, so they've got a whole host of really nice-looking (and nicely-built) tripods, sliders (with motion-control), and even a new jib. Their hi-hat has always been a favorite of mine, but now they've got a whole line of gear designed for video shooters worth checking out. Get some pics...

 

[Stephen Mick]

I used to use a light meter. Back when I was shooting on film, of course. You know...when we really, really needed them. Now, not so much. Or so I thought until I stopped at the Sekonic table to see two new pieces of gear. The first is the C-700 Spectrometer Color Meter. This lets you quickly measure CRI, color temperature, and color spectrum. But what's really cool is that it will look at your reading, and let you know exactly which gel you need to get your color temp where you want it. You can also store presets for certain fixtures you use often and might want to refer back to at some point.

Then I saw the Sekonic L-478D. It's a really nice little digital meter that has all sorts of cool features, and is perfect for dialing in your lighting ratios. Zebras and waveforms are great, but if you're lighting a scene and you want to KNOW that you're shooting at a 3:1 ratio, a meter is invaluable. Linkage...
http://www.sekonic.com/united-states/


Many of you know of GL Optics, the company who's made an industry out of re-housing still lenses for cinema use. Well, they've got some great new glass at NAB. They're showing a complete set of Leica-R lenses (from 19mm all they way up to 180mm) that have been rehoused into cinema-friendly goodness. They're not cheap, (hell, the lenses they're rehousing aren't cheap), but man do they look nice. And there's a set available for rental through www.rentcinemaglass.com. Eye candy...




Speaking of rentals...

Our friends at LensProToGo have two really cool new programs that you might be interested in. The first is their "Rewards" program, and it's exactly what it sounds like: a frequent flier club. Rent from them 7 times, and the 8th rental is FREE. (They'll average the value of your first 7 rentals, and that's what you get as credit for your 8th rental.) Plus, if you rent from them 10 times, you'll achieve Elite status, which gets you advance access to the latest gear. They have also partnered with Kessler Crane for a "try before you buy" program. Basically, if you rent a piece of Kessler gear from LPTG, and then decide you want to buy it, Kessler will apply your rental cost (up to 15% of the purchase price) towards purchasing that gear. It's a great way to try out something before making a commitment.

Oh, and use the code "NAB16" to get 15% off all LPTG rentals over $200. You're welcome.

 

[Stephen Mick]

More tomorrow in my Day 2 post.

 

[CSFilms]

I was trying to find more information about the Benro BV4 Pro / BV6 Pro models. Any chance you know what the difference is between the Pro versions and the normal versions currently available?

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

Good stuff Stephen, wish I could have come out, but seeing your reports is the next best thing to being there.

Best,

 

[wbrock001]

I've been in touch with quasar but do they have pricing and availability dates on the diva conversion? Also any word on Kinotehnik practilite 602? There have been talk about feautures but no one has made a practical video review showing their quality of light, beam on white or subject. Plus they are a bit pricey for less than 300W equivalent output at $967. But in past interviews Ionis has mentioned more powerful units coming. I'd love to know how briskly current 602 is selling...

oh yes and any word on craft camera, do they have a functional unit?

 

[Bassman2003]

Thanks for your posts! Looking forward to seeing more. Have another Saison, or maybe a Tripel Karmeliet if they have it. You are earning it.

 

[DLD]

Off other sites, there's a Brother eye-piece EVF that works much like Google Glass. If it's not too out of the way ...

As to having Saison, I am pretty sure it's not her real name.

 

[Paul F]

I used to use a light meter. Back when I was shooting on film, of course. You know...when we really, really needed them. Now, not so much. Or so I thought until I stopped at the Sekonic table to see two new pieces of gear. The first is the C-700 Spectrometer Color Meter. This lets you quickly measure CRI, color temperature, and color spectrum. But what's really cool is that it will look at your reading, and let you know exactly which gel you need to get your color temp where you want it. You can also store presets for certain fixtures you use often and might want to refer back to at some point.

The C-700 caught my eye as well. Its a nice tool. $1500.

 

[robfilms]

stephen-

helpful insights.

i look forward to day two.

put me down for buying you a drink.

please forward your paypal!

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions

 

[Guest]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[adaptation]

I was trying to find more information about the Benro BV4 Pro / BV6 Pro models. Any chance you know what the difference is between the Pro versions and the normal versions currently available?

Not at the NAB but i have the BV6 - BV 4 is lighter but holds less. Get the BV6 - that said, they are cheap tripods in the end, counter weight doesnt really work, legs are crap. Pan/Tilt is very fluid though if your looking to do those kind of moves.