The upcoming Rhino ROV is a sleek and portable motorised slider designed for the smartphone age, with a Pro version also aimed at DSLR users. Their Kickstarter campaign is now live with very affordable pledge levels. The concepts of “motorised” and “portable” don’t usually go very well together when it comes to sliders, but the new Rhino ROV aims to change this. Built around a sleek aluminium unibody design with an internal motor and battery, it brings professional features via a dedicated app. Rhino ROV and ROV Pro The Rhino ROV is being marketed for smartphone filmmaking on the go due its portability and surprisingly low cost of $229: at only 2lbs or around 1kg and a very small footprint, the ROV can easily be transported in a regular backpack. While most motorised sliders in the market make use of bulky external units that house the motor, controller or batteries, the Rhino ROV does away with all the excess – all necessary components are housed right inside the unibody aluminium housing/rail. Making use of a coreless DC motor, the ROV promises to be very quiet at low speeds, yet strong enough to carry a payload of up to 5lbs, or around 2.5kg. The Rhino ROV makes use of an internal built-in battery, which further helps reduce its overall size. While the lack of exchangeable batteries may seem like a disadvantage, the ROV uses a Li-Po battery that promises around 24 hours of power, or even up to 48 in time-lapse mode, so more than enough to get you through your shooting day on a single charge. The slider uses a low-profile iPhone mount with an integrated ball head, so you can angle your shot just right. In addition, the Rhino ROV makes use of the kind of folding, all-terrain feet found in other Rhino sliders, so you can easily go from tripod to ground level without needing to install extra supports. For a slightly higher price of $299, there is a Rhino ROV Pro version that also includes a ball head with quick release plate for use with a DSLR or mirrorless camera. The strong coreless motor comes in handy, as it is capable of pulling this kind of weight even at an incline thanks to its 5lbs payload capacity. Both models come in Everyday (8 inches) or Traveler (16 inches) lengths, or approximately 20cm and 40cm respectively. Rhino Storyteller and ROV Motion Apps To further streamline the smartphone-filmmaking experience, the Rhino Storyteller app gives you full manual control over camera settings such as focus, exposure, ISO and white balance. Additionally, it gives you the tools to fine-tune your slow-motion and time-lapse shots to get your desired results. Not only that, the Rhino Storyteller app also connects directly to the Rhino ROV, so you can both shoot and control the slider movement from a single device. The Storyteller app also includes a video NLE tool to easily edit your captured video using a vertical-style interface, making it easy and quick to work on your footage. Alternatively, if you’re using a DSLR or GoPro on the Pro version of the Rhino ROV, or simply want to use a different filmmaking app on your phone, you can still get full control of your slider with the ROV Motion app. Both apps are designed for iOS, with Android versions currently in the works. The Rhino ROV campaign is already live on Kickstarter with an expected delivery date around April 2018, so head over to look at their various pledge levels, including $229 for the ROV, $299 for the ROV Pro, and various other packages with extra accessories.  Could this be the portable slider you’ve been waiting for? Let us know in the comments below!

That age-old question: what gear should I get? In this episode of cinema5D essentials, I decided to answer this question once and for all, in a video as entertaining and educational as I could think of. Which Gear Should I get? For the last 9 years we’ve been constantly on a quest to find better gear to work with and make digital filmmaking easier and more affordable. As we like to work with the gear we test, my new Gear Guide is an attempt to share some of the experience I’ve had with the equipment along the way. Note that this gear guide reflects only Seb’s gear recommendations for the time being. The other authors of cinema5D will follow. Some of our regular readers will notice that the video is targeted at a broader audience looking for gear tips and recommendations. We receive requests for gear tips quite regularly but, even though we try to answer them individually, this can unfortunately be difficult sometimes due to our everyday workload. Gear Used in the Video The video should really speak for itself, so I will not go through the seven essential pieces of gear in this text. Instead, I would like to give you some background on the video production itself. Camera I used the Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K as it gave me beautiful, cinematic 4K rendering in a studio environment. I never use it outdoors, but in a studio environment there is no other affordable camera that’s so easy to use and gives such a pleasing picture. I went back and forth between camera and computer to check and implement my shots into the evolving editing timeline and it was an effortless process. Lens My lens of choice was the Zeiss CP.2 50mm Macro T/2.1. This is probably my favourite lens of all time and, although it’s bulky and expensive, whenever I put it on a camera I just love the image it gives me. Additionally, its macro design means I’m not as limited on how close I can get to an object. Bokeh and highlights are beautifully cinematic. Lights I mention the ALZO 3200 Low Noise in the video, which I used with the ALZO 36″ soft box. While it doesn’t have the best build quality, it is super affordable and is an extremely bright light with a great, clean white rendering. I used it as a key light for the top-shot gear photos and every single shot in the video. Due to its special design it is just a little inconvenient to use, but produces a relatively low fan noise. The second light I used was the Aputure Light Storm 120d. It has a lower output than the ALZO, but delivers good light color and is convenient to use. I used this one with a 24″ Westcott beauty dish, the best soft box I know albeit not the largest, which makes it perfect for a back light. I added two additional CTB gels to give me that blue back-light tone on my skin. The blue color in the video comes from a tiny light that will knock your socks off. The Luxli Viola 5″ is a very small LED that lets you dial in any color you like. It isn’t cheap, but it’s the perfect background color light and is super convenient to use. I have two of these, but only used one of them for the video. Tripod The Sachtler FSB-6 with quick legs was my tripod of choice. It’s getting on in years now and the FSB-8 would be a better option today, but it still gets the job done even though the URSA Mini is a bit on the heavy side. I hope you found this video and gear lists helpful. We have never had a proper gear guide on cinema5D, but I know we’re one of the websites where people regularly look for gear tips. With over 3600 articles on our site, it can be pretty hard to find stuff, so hopefully this gear guide will make things a bit easier. Let us know how you liked this episode of cinema5D essentials. And if you have gear tips of your own, why not share them with us and the rest of the world?

Photographers have been anticipating the Nikon D850 for a while. It’s the Japanese company’s next-generation full-frame DSLR that, according to its specs, will surely make photographers happy. Of course, nowadays no DSLR comes without a dedicated “movie mode” and Nikon promotes this quite self-confidently. But will the camera hold the promise of being a strong video shooting device? Let’s take a look. First off, let’s not forget that Nikon’s cameras are very popular among photographers and even among video shooters. The Nikon D800/D810 (predecessor to the new D850) was once one of the best options and delivered solid HD video files. Also, just looking at the specs of the D850, it seems like Nikon will not disappoint the brand’s fans. Nikon D850 Photo Specs Here are just some of its photo specs: 45.7-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor (very high resolution) No anti-aliasing filter Shoots 7 frames per second (9 frames with optional battery grip) Silent Shooting Mode 153-point AF system from Nikon D5 Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Affordable, considering it’s a pro camera (A little over $3,000) Get all the details in the full press release. Nikon D850 Video Specs And here’s the more interesting part for the readers of this website: Nikon’s first camera to offer full-frame 4K video Shoots 4K UHD at up to 30fps Up to 120fps in Full HD 8K Timelapse function (stores 8K images in a video sequence) For those photographers who record video during their photo shoots, full-frame 4K is certainly great news. For video shooters the specs seem up to speed with what we’ve seen delivered by other brands during the last two years, so there’s not much that is truly tempting, unless you have your mind set on the Nikon ecosystem. There is no mention of data-rate or the existence of a flat profile, let alone a dedicated Log Gamma. From the looks of it – and just like the latest Canon DSLRs – it seems like Nikon is not interested to capture the filmmaker’s imagination with this camera. Unfortunately, the following promotional video further supports the notion that “movie mode” has been primarily added to give photographers an option to record some video too: It would not be fair to judge any camera just by its specs and rather unconvincing promotional films. Besides, the promotional aspect has never been Nikon’s forte, but many people swear on the equipment they produce and rightfully so. Add to that that Nikon has surprised filmmakers with cameras like the D800/D810 before. So, in order to truly evaluate the video capabilities of the camera, let’s wait until we have tried and tested it ourselves. The Nikon D850 is available for pre-order now and expected to ship in September.

Buying quality lenses can get pretty expensive. The Zunow DWA-075 wide attachment for DSLR lenses offers a good cost-benefit ratio if you’re in need of a wide-angle lens, especially as it’s heavily-discounted over at B&H and CVP right now. landscape photograph credit: Vincent Guth | unsplash.com Zunow DWA-075 wide attachment Japanese company Zunow is known for manufacturing purpose-built optical adapters, mostly for wide-angle conversion (you can read all about their IBC 2016 lineup here). When dealing with optical elements, however, things can quickly get a little complicated, as not every piece of glass you put in front of an existing lens will perform the way you hoped for. Therefore, Zunow offers a whole range of different adapters, and each one comes with a compatibility chart. Most of the Zunow range of focal length adapters are made for mid-sized camcorders with fixed lenses, such as the Canon XF-300 and the like. The Zunow DWA-075, however, has been designed to work with DSLR lenses. For this reason, it seems to be a much better fit for more cinematic-looking work than other products in the Zunow catalogue. The Zunow DWA-075 offers 0.75x magnification, so it will give you roughly a 25% greater field of view on your chosen lens. As mentioned above, this wide-angle adapter comes with a compatibility chart of its own, as its 77mm filter thread makes it compatible only with lenses with this filter thread size. Compatibility The Zunow DWA-075 can be used with on of the following DSLR lenses: Canon: EF 17-40 F/4 L USM EF 24-70 F/2.8 L USM EF 24-105 F/4 L IS USM EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS USM Nikkor: AF-S 12-24 F/4 DX AF-S 17-55 F/2.8 DX AF-S 17-35 F/2.8 ED PC-E 24 F/3.5 ED PC-E Micro Nikkor 45 F/2.8 ED Tokina: AF 11-16 F/2.8 AT-X PRO DX AF 12-24 F/4 AT-X II PRO DX AF 12-24 F/4 AT-X PRO DX AF 16-50 F/2.8 AT-X 165 PRO DX I’m sure the Zunow DWA-075 adapter is compatible with other 77mm-threaded lenses, both prime or zoom, but this is the official list, which you can check for yourself here. Be warned, though: The Zunow DWA-075 does NOT offer zoom through capabilities! Pricing and Availability The Zunow DWA-075 is available now and is currently heavily-discounted over at B&H – you can get yours for $329 (original price: $629). European retailer CVP has some nice discounts, too. Another Zunow adapter on offer is the SWA-06, although – as explained above – this model is meant to be used with fixed-lens camcorders (see compatibility chart here). Links: zunow.tv What do you think? Is a wide-angle adapter a tool you you’d use for your work? The comments section is all yours!

The campaingn’s founder, Ryan Stout, claims that Arsenal is an intelligent camera assistant. The DSLR add-on helps you capture the perfect shot every time with the help of image analysis and machine learning. With the accompanying app for your smartphone you end up with an actual smart DSLR. Let’s have a look! Meet Arsenal There is a new gadget in town. Well, almost – but if you happen to be brave enough for another Kickstarter campaign, the Arsenal might be worth a closer look. The so-far very successful campaign is about to hit the home stretch and the product itself looks very promising: a tiny device which is connected 1) to your DSLR via USB and 2) to your smartphone wirelessly. The unit is programmed with thousands of images which are then compared to the current framing of your DSLR. It adjusts several settings accordingly in order to get the perfect shot, so all you have to do is frame your picture and the Arsenal will take care of the (technical) rest – just like an actual camera assistant. Too good to be true, right? Different Modes The Arsenal is capable of several shooting modes: HDR stacking, long exposures, focus stacking, you name it. The good thing is, you don’t have to think about it. All you have to do is let your creativity flow while Arsenal takes care of the technical execution. Here is a list of things the Arsenal algorithms process while striving for that perfect shot: Compares current scene with thousands of past images using a convolutional deep neural network (the same algorithm used in self driving cars) Optimizes settings based on 18 different factors Avoids settings that produce weak images on your specific camera and lens Uses image recognition to identify subject-specific needs (e.g. fast shutter for birds) Shows safe ranges for each setting based on situational constraints (e.g. vibration) Gives you the ability to change the settings you care about most Controlling the Arsenal is easy: just download the android or iOS app and you’re good to go. All the settings can be accessed and changed via the app, and you’ll get a live preview from your DSLR and a convenient viewer for the pictures you’ve already taken. And since we’re living in a social-media world, you can upload your hero shots straight from the app, of course. The most interesting feature for me personally is the ability to create fully-automated timelapses. Even the so-called holy grail (transition from day to night or vice versa) is supported. I’m very curious how well the Arsenal handles that tricky type of timelapse! Specifications, Pricing and Availability The Arsenal supports a whole range of DSLRs. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, they are all aboard. Check out this webpage and search for your DSLR make and model. The campaign is live until Thursday, June 22th 2017 4PM CEST. While writing this, the “Get Arsenal – Kickstarter Exclusive” tier is still available. That one will set you back $150. The estimated delivery date is January 2018. Just a word of warning: This is still a Kickstarter campaign, not a retail offer, so naturally there are risks. I had a few disappointing Kickstarter experiences myself, so be advised! If you love the thrill, go get one. If you want to play it safe, wait until the actual product is ready and check if it still pleases your needs. If so, go and get one for a slightly higher price. links: Kickstarter campaign | Website What do you think? Does this look like the gadget you were waiting for? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Just when you thought the design of the classic camera slider couldn’t be improved, an Austrian startup called Waterbird has developed a “multi slider” that can be changed from a line to a curved slider just by physically bending the device. The Waterbird Bendable Slider works very well in practice, and seems perfect for expanding beyond the types of slider shots we see so often these days.  Image: Waterbird Systems It’s a product clearly designed with time-lapse effects in mind and it comes with a motor, controller and battery pack for that very purpose. Motion is controlled by a phone or tablet though Bluetooth, and from our up-close view at NAB 2017, we could see that the movement along the length of the slider was smooth and the motion control worked very well. Once you bend the slider to a specific shape, it’s held in place by locks on each end. Once locked, the multi-slider keeps its shape as the camera travels along the rail and the whole system has enough weight to it that the camera move doesn’t threaten to topple the whole thing over. Image Credit: Waterbird Systems The slider will be available in 80cm, 120cm and 150cm lengths. No matter the length you choose, you’ll be able to pick the applicable camera timelapse cable that works for your brand. Your kit will also come with 3 pairs of legs, a soft case and a battery pack. Technical Highlights:  Configurable in Numerous Shapes Motion Controlled Speed & Acceleration Ramps Bluetooth Connectivity (iOS and Android) Camera Trigger Port For Manual Triggering Pricing and availability is yet to be determined, but we’ll update this post as soon as we know. What do you think of the Waterbird Bendable Slider? Would this be useful as part of your motion control kit? Comment below!

Nikon has just unveiled a new 4K-capable DX-format DSLR, the Nikon D7500, which inherits the processing and sensor tech from their crop-sensor flagship, the D500. It will be available for $1,249.95. The new 20.9-megapixel Nikon D7500 is the latest in their family of DX-format DSLR, the Nikon flavour of APS-C. It features several improvements over its predecessor, the Nikon D7200, the most important of which are its sensor and processor technology, which it has inherited from their crop-sensor flagship, the D500. The bump up to the EXPEED 5 image-processor on the Nikon D7500 translates in an overall enhancement in image quality with less noise, an ISO range from 100 to 51200, and improvements in its auto-focus capabilities. The recording buffer has also been increased, allowing you to shoot up to 100 JPGs or 50 14-bit lossless compressed Raw frames in 8 fps bursts. Nikon D7500 – Video Capabilities All this is very nice for stills shooters, but what about the camera’s video capabilities? First of all, the Nikon D7500 is capable of 4K UHD video, a first for a DSLR from this manufacturer in this price range, coming in at almost half of the $2,000 price tag of the D500. With Canon’s 4K camcorders such as the Canon XC15 or the XC10 also starting around the $2,000 neighbourhood, it will be interesting to see if this announcement by the competition will shake things up in Canon DSLR-land. The complete list of supported resolutions and frame rates is as follows: 4K UHD 3,840×2,160 / 30 fps 4K UHD 3,840×2,160 / 25 fps 4K UHD 3,840×2,160 / 24 fps Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps  Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 50 fps  Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 30 fps  Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 25 fps  Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 24 fps  HD 1,280×720 / 60 fps HD 1,280×720 / 50 fps Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively. In addition, the Nikon D7500 is also capable of recording in-camera 4K UHD time lapses, and also features electronic vibration reduction to help with hand-held camera shake. As is usually the case with cameras like these, video files are recorded to H.264 with a recording limit of 29m59s split across 4GB files, though the Nikon D7500 also allows you to choose to record to a .MOV or a .MP4 wrapper. Other useful video-related features are the inclusion of a stereo microphone, in addition to a 3.5mm microphone input and 3.5mm headphone output. The body also includes a Type C — or micro — HDMI output, and the camera supports both internal and external recording simultaneously. It also supports Nikon’s power aperture for stepless changes in f-stop, making it easy to smoothly compensate for changes in exposure when shooting video. Nikon D7500 – Input and Output ports From a video perspective, the Nikon D7500’s price tag of $1,249.95 may make it a weak competitor against similarly-priced yet better-specced 4K mirrorless cameras. However, its photo features should spark interest in those that already have invested heavily in the Nikon F-mount system, such as photographers looking to expand into 4K video production. The Nikon D7500 body will be available from next summer for $1,249.95, or for $1,749.95 with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens. For more information, check out Nikon’s press release. Are you a Nikon shooter looking to get started with 4K? What do you make of the new Nikon D7500? Let us know in the comments section below!

2016 is slowly but surely coming to an end and, despite opinions that the DSLR or Mirrorless camera market is dying due to the introduction of more affordable, large-sensor, dedicated video cameras, the market is blooming with new shiny alternatives. Just look at the FUJIFILM X-T2, the Olympus E-M1 MII  and the upcoming Panasonic GH5. The manufacturers behind all of those cameras like to emphasise the video capabilities they’ve built into their new creations, making it clear that it was not just an afterthoughts or accidental move, but rather an important add-on to their good to excellent photo equipment.  Personally, I love these type of cameras. They allow me to travel compact, avoid unnecessary customs declarations and delays, they attract less attention, are modestly priced for the most part, and can be very versatile when adding additional equipment. We can talk bits, bytes, codecs and resolutions all day long, but at the end of the day the video quality coming out of these small devices was simply unheard of until a few years ago, especially for the price. They also can and will suit most of the indie video productions many of us are doing. That said, there is generally that “hit and miss” aspect to most of these releases, both past and new, as they lack at times some essential features. Making the Dream DSLR or Mirrorless Camera Come True Here at cinema5D we participate in constant meetings with distinguished manufacturers, and we do our best to communicate and deliver an accurate picture of what we think is needed in order to make that “dream DSLR or Mirrorless camera”. This time, we’ve decided to approach our audience and ask the help of the community in order to define and fine tune what are those “essential features” we are looking for. Because we all work differently and have different approaches to filming, the answers are bound to be diverse, so in order not to keep the discussion concise, we decided to make a small list of features that we think might increase the functionality of cameras such as these. We ask you folks to kindly vote for those that will help you in your work as creative operators. Rest assured, we will be submitting the results of this poll directly to the manufacturers, including a link to this article so that your voices can be heard. Let’s see if we can help make the “dream DSLR or Mirrorless Camera” a reality!