Easyrig, the company that develops products which help camera operators to transfer most of the camera weight from shoulders to hips through their popular contraptions, introduced four new products at NAB 2018. Let’s have a look.  The Quick Release Camera Hook The quick release camera hook can securely hold the camera with little to zero setup time, by attaching and reattaching it on a ball joint. The quick release camera hook was tested to hold up to 115 kilo/255 pounds. Judging from the video, this product indeed justifies its name since it looks like the camera is released very quickly. Check out a very convincing (and funny) demonstration about the quick release camera hook tested by the “Pizza Man”: We just could not wait to show you one of the four "Top Secret" products that we will release at NAB..This is the Quick Release Camera Hook! .Under our stay at NAB we will release the other three products, stay tuned!.#easyrig #secret #nab #invention Posted by Easyrig on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 The quick release comes with a ball joint (3/8″ and 1/4″) to match your camera. The Gimbal Flex Vest for camerawomen The Gimbal Flex Vest was designed for female camera operators who want more support around the waist and chest. This vest allows further velcro adjustment on the top in order to help supporting and distributing the weight specifically tailored for women operators.  Line Guide for Serene The Line Guide facilitates shooting from the shoulders when using a Serene arm. The product forces the camera to go back towards the shoulders and make it easier to shoot from the shoulder.  The Line Guide can be mounted to an existing Serene arm using five included screws. Umbrella with Holder Simple as it sounds, this allows mounting of an umbrella to the upper arm on an Easyrig. On the Umbrella Holder there is also a 3/8″ and a 1/4″ thread hole to mount a battery or other accessories. Obviously, this device is made to help protect the operator against sun and rain. Prices and availability The exact prices are yet to be announced, but they’re estimated to be around $100- $150 for each accessory. The products will be available to ship within the next two weeks. We will update the post with product links once we get them.  Have you been using an Easyrig before?  Were you missing one of their new accessories before? Let us know in the comments section below! 

Nino caught up with Ted from Aputure at NAB 2018, to talk about the latest iteration of their incredibly popular 120d, the Aputure 120d Mark II. Retaining the key features that users have come to love about the original, the Aputure 120d Mark II keeps the same form factor and Bowens accessory mount. Based on user feedback, however, Aputure have made the 120d Mark II 30% brighter. The 120d Mark II now draws 140w of power (20w more than the original 120d) but the big increase in output, from what was already a punchy fixture, is great news. Also a major refinement is the ability to now make <10% fine adjustments to the dimmer. Talking of which, Aputure have now integrated the controller and ballast in to one unit, making a much neater setup. The new unified controller also features Neutirx locking ports for the included 6m, colour-coded, cables as well as the V-lock battery mount on the back and integrated wireless control. Finally, in response to user and rental houses requirements, the general sturdiness of the yoke on the 120d Mark II has been improved, meaning the mount and threads will stand up to heavier use, and the lock has been changed for a handbrake style lever, giving more rigidity. The new yoke can also now be underslung, giving users more options for locating and mounting the fixture. New Accessories Ted from Aputure also showed Nino their latest accessories for the 120d and 300d, including a new 32-sided light dome. Like the old 16-sided light dome, this is a great way to soften the hard output of the 120d and 300d, allowing for three stages of diffusion (half frost, full frost and ‘magic’ cloth) but now with a much more spherical shape to the light – perfect as a catch light in your talent’s eyes. Aputure say the new design allows the light dome to be set up in two seconds and broken down in four! In addition, a new filter tray holder allows for small amounts of gel to be used inside the dome, making it very easy to add CTB, CTO or any other type of gel. The new dome will be priced at $200 and will be available in “the next few months”. Oh, and there’s also a new mini dome, which has the same quick setup design and will have an RRP of $150. Not to be outshone, Chimera have also announced new light banks for the LS1 and LS1C which, along with some new barn doors and a Leko mount Aputure have also announced for the 120d and 300d, means there are now some really compelling modification options for Aputure’s popular LED lights. The Leko mount in particular, opens up a whole host of light shaping options, by giving users the ability to project and focus the output of the 120d and 300d, in 19, 26 or 36 degree spreads, using their different lens options. Users can also add slashes and other shapes using the integrated barn doors, as well as allowing the use of Gobos for creative patterns or logos to be projected. Aputure say the big thing is there is also absolutely no colour fringing when using the $400 Leko accessory, which is due to ship by “end of year”. If you are an owner of the original Aputure 120d, share with us your thoughts about this light in the comment section below. 

If you’re a traveling filmmaker, the new Manfrotto Befree Live tripod is well worth a closer look! At NAB 2018 we met Valentina from Manfrotto and she explains everything new about this carbon fiber version of the original Befree tripod. The Live version of the new Manftrotto Befree tripod sports a fluid head so it’s clearly aimed for travelling videographers. Although it’s super compact it can hold up to 4kg (8.8 lbs) and since its lages are made of carbon fibre the Manfrotto Befree is lightweight and sturdy. Manfrotto Befree Live Tripod We’ve already reported about the original Befree tripod here. Now, here at NAB 2018, Manfrotto has some news to share reagarding this lightweight and compact line of tripods. While the standard Befree comes with a ball head for still photography, the Live version is equipped with a tiny, yet pretty impressive, fluid head which can hold (and balance) cameras up to 4kg. All the basic features of a proper fluid head are there: a long plate for balancing the weight of the camera, a levelling column and adjustable dampening for both the pan and the tilt axis. The legs are now made of carbon fiber instead of alluminum. This makes the Manfrotto Befree even more lightweight in comparison to its predecessor. The legs fold up so that the head sits between them so the whole thing is only about 40 cm (15.7 inches) when folded up. Pricing and Availability The new Manfrotto Befree Live tripod, now in carbon fiber, is $349 and it will be available from the end of May this year. That’s about $100 more expensive than the aluminum version of the Befree Live, but the carbon fiber legs could be worth this premium if you’re looking for a really light and sturdy travel tripod. What do you think of this upgrade? Do you already use a Befree tripod on your tavels? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

ProGrade Digital is the first company to demonstrate the new CFexpress (CFx) 1.0 technology in 1TB capacity at NAB 2018. The new CFx Type B standard reaches Data Transfer speeds of 1,400MB/s in a same form factor as XQD cards. The company also introduced new high capacity CFast 2.0 and SDXC UHS-II cards. New CFexpress Technology CFexpress (CFx) is a new memory card standard promoted by the CompactFlash Association (CFA) as an evolution of the XQD standard. It is an outcome of the divided market of top-tier manufacturers, where some use the CFast standard, which is based on the older SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) interface and others (Sony and Nikon) use the XQD standard, based on a more advanced PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface. The initial CFx card form factor – known as Type B – is the first version of the new standard that will hit the market and conforms exactly to that of XQD.  Over time, other form factors within the CFx specification will likely include a Type A card (single lane) similar to SD, a Type C card (four lane) similar to storage modules from Codex and possibly an even larger Type D (eight lane) for very high capacity and performance. Compared to the older XQD standard, the CFx Type B form factor adds the second PCIe lane and the logical device interface capability of NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory express), leveraging the performance capabilities. There are several benefits to a CFx Type B card for use in digital imaging applications: Form Factor ideally suited for higher capacities needed in imaging applications – up-to 1TB with current NAND flash memory technology Physical size that is easy to handle – slightly larger than SD and slightly smaller than CFast or CompactFlash (29.6 x 38.5 x 3.8 mm) Performance capability capable of >1GB/sec transfer rates, through the use of two PCIe data lanes NVMe protocol support for optimized performance with flash memory in newer computing architectures Backward compatibility possible to XQD host platforms through upgrade of host operating system (firmware) At this year’s NAB show in Las Vegas ProGrade Digital demonstrated a CFx Type B 1TB card showing performance levels of more than twice that of CFast and more than four times that of SDXC UHS-II. The ProGrade Digital product’s read performance was demonstrated as being greater than 1,400MB/s with burst write speeds greater than 1,000MB/s. The demonstration also included thermal throttling – the ability to slow down the transfer rate of the card if temperatures within the card exceeds 70°C for a sustained period, which is a useful feature for video captures that require long sustained periods of writing to a card. ProGrade Digital also showed development in card reader technology utilizing a Thunderbolt 3 reader, which has the capability to reach transfer speeds of 40Gbits/s (5GB/s). As the CFexpress technology is new and not widely supported yet, there is no information on pricing or availability for these cards yet. New ProGrade Digital CFast 2.0 and SDXC UHS-II Cards Along with the new CFx standard, ProGrade Digital presented their new CFast 2.0 and SDXC UHS-II memory cards. The CFast 2.0 cards achieve speeds of up to 550MB/s and capacities of 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. The new SDXC UHS-II memory cards have two different classes. The lower-class cards feature speeds of up to 200MB/s and capacities of 64GB, 128GB and 256GB and are rated at V60 (Minimum write speed at 60MB/s). The higher class of SDXC UHS-II cards has read speeds of up to 250MB/s and sustained write speeds of 200MB/s, while being rated at V90 (Minimum write speed at 90MB/s). The company also presented a CFast & SD Dual Slot Workflow Reader that boasts with a USB 3.1 Gen. 2 transfer protocol. Memory Card Key Features Professional-level capacities for CFast 2.0 and SDXC UHS-II memory cards Optimized controllers specifically designed for use in professional-grade cameras Rigorous full-card testing with serialized tracking of key components and manufacturing data for highest quality control Component-level testing down to individual memory chips for optimal quality 3-year warranty Card Reader Key Features Dual slot reader for CFast 2.0 and SDXC UHS-II card formats USB 3.1 Gen. 2 transfer speed of up to 10Gb/s Supports concurrent full-speed flow of data from cards in each slot Portable and compact Includes two 18” connection cables: one for Type A to Type C and one for Type C to Type C Magnetized reader bottom firmly connects reader to laptop (using included metal mounting plate) 2-year warranty The new CFast 2.0 and SDXC UHS-II memory cards as well as the Card reader are available now, with pricing ranging from $55,- USD to $700,- USD. Check out all the different products buy links by using the links below. What do you expect from the new CFexpress standard? How long do you think will it take for the industry to fully adopt it? Let us know in the comments below.

US based Wooden Camera, member of Vitec Group, has released yet another useful product to their already impressive lineup: The Zip Focus. It’s a straightforward single rod follow focus for both, 15mm and 19mm rods. Ryan Schorman walks us through it and also explains their Push Button Rosettes and a brand new PL mount for the Canon C200. This new, one-sided follow focus is easy to attach, easy to align and has some handy extra features. It’s available for 15mm lightweight rods and for 15mm studio / 19mm rods. We’ve already covered the Push Button Rosettes in this article. Wooden Camera Zip Focus When travelling light, you don’t want to burden yourself with unnecessary extra bulk. Modularity and ease of use is key here. The Zip Focus is such a device. it’s pretty simple on first sight but it comes with some clever features while only taking very little room in your bag. The Zip Focus comes in two models, which are basically the same but with different mounting adapters. One version attaches to your 15mm lightweight support rods, the other to 19mm (or 15mm studio) rods. The 15mm lightweight version is the one you’ll most likely want, simply because a tiny single rod lightweight follow focus makes so much more sense on a lightweight rig instead of being attached to a giant 19mm studio camera package. But it’s still nice to see that the Zip Focus system cater for all your needs. The 15mm LW (left) and the 19mm model of the Zip Focus (right). The Zip Focus comes with two standard marking disks, a hard stop marking disk, a 0.8 gear with 35 tooth and a handy friction gear for photo lenses that don’t have gears on them. No need for extra clip-on gear belts, very neat! The 19mm model comes with an additional 15mm bushing to attach it to 15mm studio rods. The whole system is easy to use and pretty much self-explanatory, really. It attaches to your rod and offers two points of rotation. One on the rod itself and another one between the rod adapter and the gear box. With these adjustable joints you can easily align the unit to your given lens. The gear ratio is set to 1:1 and you can attach a whip or a crank to the Zip Focus, too. In order to work flawlessly with modern photo lenses (which do not offer hard stops) you should use the provided hard stop marking disk. Unlike other solutions on the market, the hard stops are not part of the Zip Focus itself, but of the dedicated marking disc. Pricing and Availability Both models of the Zip Focus are $499. The 15mm LWS version weighs 352g (0.78 lbs), the 19mm/15mm studio version weighs 368g (0.81 lbs). A set of 4 Push Button ARRi Rosettes (two left, two right). The Zip Focus is very compact, measuring only 101.6 x 88.9 x 127 mm ( 4 x 3.5 x 5 in) for the 15mm LWS version and 101.6 x 88.9 x 139.7 mm ( 4 x 3.5 x 5.5 in) for the 19mm/15mm studio version. Both models are available now. The push button ARRI rosettes come in left and right variants and you can purchase them individually, in a set of two (left, right) or set of four (2 left, 2 right). One rosette is $85, the set of two is $160 and the quadruplet is $299. Wooden Camera PL mount on a Canon C200. The PL modification Kit for the Canon C200 is $499. The whole process can be done at home, no need to send the camera in. Furthermore it’s reversible so your warrenty is not in danger here (but it can’t hurt to doublecheck with Canon). Links: Wooden Camera What do you think about this new compact follow focus? Let us know in the comments below!

The Force Pro from DJI is a movement control system designed for use with gimbals. Built with the DJI Ronin 2 and Ronin-S in mind the system also supports other non-DJI gimbal systems via SBUS. See below for a hands on video with the DJI Force Pro:    More information on the Force Pro and on the new DJI Master Wheels can be found HERE. DJI Force Pro Mount the Force Pro on a handlebar like this one or simply hold the device in your hand and you can control the roll, tilt and pan of the DJI Ronin 2 from up to 1.8 miles away (10 ms latency) using a dual 2.4G Hz and 5.8 GHz wireless transmission. Adjustment dials on the top and the left side allow you to control the speed of each axis. The handlebar configuration provides space for a monitor and wireless receiver and feels a little more natural to operate, versus simply holding the Force Pro in my opinion. You may also choose to control the Ronin 2 wirelessly with a thumb controller or on a tripod using the 1/4″-20 mounting threads (see right image). A built-in 4750 mAh battery provides about five hours of runtime and is rechargeable through a USB-C port or DC-IN port, so external cell phone battery packs could keep the unit charged in the field. It takes 2,5 hours to charge the unit to full, however, so keep that in mind. The Force Pro isn’t heavy and the intuitive menu isn’t tricky to navigate for a new user like myself. I couldn’t detect any delay while using the device in the Central Hall of NAB (a place filled with wireless interference). Product video below: Priced at $1,200, the Force Pro is more affordable versus other gimbal control solutions and it is available for pre-order now. DJI has already shown a willingness to turn the Ronin 2 into a platform to build upon and that makes it a useful device for owner/operators looking for a gimbal with long-term support and continued updates. 

Core SWX introduced their new battery packs – presented at NAB 2018: The universal and lightweight Powerbase EDGE and their first NiMH Gold Mount battery pack – the Hydracore 100. Core SWX, the US company specializing in power solutions for cameras have introduced a couple of new products at this year’s NAB. Among those innovations are the  universal Powerbase EDGE battery as well as their first NiMH brick battery pack, the Hydracore 100. Powerbase EDGE This interesting battery solution follows the path of its highly successful predecessor, the Powerbase 70, which has been introduced eight years ago. According to Core SWX the new Powerbase is packed with more features while being smaller than the original one. The capacity of the Lithium-ion Powerbase EDGE is 49Wh (14.8V DC, 3.3Ah) and it is keeping the versatility of offering two mounting options, while being 30% smaller than the Powerbase 70. Mounting is possible via V-Mount for cine cameras such as RED or Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini cameras, as well as the 1/4-20 screw mount for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, such as the Panasonic GH5. In addition, the Powerbase EDGE has 2 USBs and 2 Power-Taps (one of them being a SmartTap), as well as a runtime LCD for users to see the exact battery expectancy in minutes. It also features a quick release plate for fast detachment from the camera or rig. Powerbase EDGE Key Specs: Capacity: 49Wh (14.8V DC, 3.3Ah) Size: 5.1” x 3.6” x 1.55” (12.95 x 9.14 x 3.94 cm) Weight: 1.3lbs (0.59kg). Normal Runtime: approx. 8.25 hours (Sony A7 w/o accessories ) Max Continuous Load: 8A Hydracore 100 The Hydracore 100 is the first brick battery pack created by Core SWX that uses NiMH technology. The idea behind this product is to provide an unregulated, travel friendly battery solution. Being a Nickel-based pack and not Lithium, the Hydracore 100 doesn’t apply to the restrictive air shipping and travel guidelines, allowing users to carry multiple packs in their carry-on luggage. The Hydracore 100 is aimed at the traditional broadcast market and therefore has a Gold Mount, supporting up to a 10A load with 100Wh of power. Weighing  3.3lbs (1.5kg) and measuring 3.8″ x 5.87″ x 2.95″ (9.65 x 14.91 x 7.49 cm), the Hydracore 100 is 2lbs lighter and 20% smaller than most common batteries in the NiMH segment, according to Core SWX. The pack was designed to be fully compatible with Anton/Bauer chargers to ensure it will integrate into customers’ diverse battery fleets. This battery pack is equipped with a p-tap, USB, and runtime LCD. Hydracore 100 battery pack. Source: Core SWX There is no information on pricing or availability for these new power packs yet. Do you have experience with the older Powerbase 70? Do you like using some kind of external power source with a DSLR or mirrorless? Let us know in the comments below.

We’ve already covered the frshly announced Ikan PIVOT 3-axis gimbal in this article. Now, at NAB 2018 in Las Vegas we had the chance to take a closer look at it. Natalie Cheng from Ikan walked us through this little, yet powerful, gimbal. This little guy can hold (and operate) cameras with a weight of up to 8lbs (3,63kg)! Since that’s gonna be quite tough to hold, you can get order a additional dual handgrip as an accessory. Ikan PIVOT 3-Axis Gimbal The market for handheld 3-axis gimbal systems gets quite crowded these days. Manufacturers need to have some nice trick up their sleeves in order to attrackt potential customers. In Ikan’s case it is the high maximum payload of the Ikan PIVOT gimbal. It can hold up to 8lbs. As you can see in the vdeo above they’ve managed to operate a Canon C200 with it. Since this camera weights 3.2lbs (1,5 kg) you should be able to add a lens, a baseplate, some 15mm rods and even a wireless focus of some kind. Very neat! The gimbal itself comes as a classic gimbal-on-a-stick with an angled roll axis in order to preserve a plain view on the back of the camera. Since this gimbal is meant to be used with small mirrorless cameras as well as DSLRs and even bigger cameras, such as the Canon C200, this concept might get pretty fatiguing pretty quickly. In order to distribute the weight a little more evenly, you can get the optional DGH dual grip handle from Ikan. Ikan PIVOT gimgal with attached dual grip handle. This grip handle comes with two little feet which provide a safe stand for your whole gimbal setup. For controlling the device you can download an app from the app store or the Google play store. With this app you can adjust all settings, e.g. the motor controls, comfortably from your smartphone. Pricing and Availability The Ikan PIVOT is available now and it costs around $750. Natalie reports that they just ran out of inventory but more PIVOTs are heading their way already so these should be available really soon. This gimbal seems to be a very interesting device for indie filmmakers. A compact but very powerful handheld gimbal that even holds a camera in the league of a C200 or similarly sized camera? Pretty cool! Links: Ikancorp.com Do you think this could be a good addition to your gear bag? Share your thoughts in the comments below!