AWARDS
GEAR OF THE YEAR
Innovation of the year Nanlux Evoke 900C
THE WINNERS
Launch of the year Nikon Z 8
SPECIAL AWARDS L ights, camera, action! That’s the old cliché, but everyone knows lighting and camera choice are an essential part of the moviemaking process. So For the innovation category, the win goes to the impressive Nanlux Evoke 900C hard COB light source. No doubt because it brings RGBLAC colours to a whole new
level, putting out an incredible 12,940 lux at 3m when set to 5600K, using a 45° reflector at a rated output of 940W. It is the first super-bright LED to adopt the advanced RGBLAC six-colour mixing system, adding lime, amber and cyan to the base of primary red, green and blue. CRI and TLCI are both rated at 96, so it remains accurate, too. Apart from CCT mode, the Evoke 900C has advanced HSI mode, RGBW mode, XY co-ordinates and GEL mode. Another DMX mode – RGB (No Dimmer) – has been developed for virtual production under DMX/RDM control, opening even more channels for colour calibration. The fixture also has 15 built-in special effects to simulate real-life situations, with all parameters adjustable through onboard control, the Nanlink app and DMX/RDM. Its power supply comes with a quick- release device and can be securely mounted on a light stand or truss using the included quick-release clamp. A 7.5m DC connection cable comes standard, but even longer ones are available. To keep such a powerful light cool, there’s a new generation of adjustable fan control system with four modes, including a smart mode, high speed, low speed and off for scenes where dialogue is crucial. In smart mode, it’s still quiet at under 25dBA. The light sticks with NL mount for light shapers and is compatible with other pro- level accessories including DoPchoice. For future firmware upgrades, the Evoke 900C comes with a USB port.
it is perhaps fitting that a large, powerful LED and small, yet high-resolution camera are the winning duo of the innovation and launch of the year categories. These are ideal for innovations that might not have had enough time to make the impact on the market that they deserve. But they should be celebrated for their new technology or how much of a splash the launch has made. In the case of the Nikon Z 8, it has become an instant smash hit. This is the best ever Nikon camera for hybrid shooters for whom filming is a significant part of their output. It’s incredible for stills and movies in a smaller, lighter and cheaper body than the flagship Nikon Z 9. Both use the same 46-megapixel, full-frame stacked sensor. That’s why it scoops our launch of the year win. The Z 8 has video Raw, which is simply stunning and gives Nikon an edge over other mirrorless cameras. But it also offers codec choices like ProRes 422 HQ in 4K up to 120p, for edit-ready footage. The sweet spot is 4K/60p in ProRes 422. This gives very natural colours, with smooth skin tones and good high-ISO performance. AF is powered by deep learning, and can recognise human eyes, faces, heads and upper bodies; animals’ eyes, heads and bodies; as well as cars, planes, trains and motorcycles. That AF also works in video, though we found more success with single-point AF than subject recognition. The touchscreen lets you ‘touch to focus’, which offers good performance too.
This single purchase might not cost the earth, but can make a world of difference to your films. Few image makers relish the hours spent in front of a computer screen getting colours right in the edit or grade. Matching tones and hues between cameras and lenses is one problem, that’s before considering different light sources, codecs and Log settings. Oft-overlooked is the colour accuracy of your screen and ambient light in the room you are editing. Datacolor’s Spyder X2 – our Editor’s Choice for innovation of the year – does not require a degree in colour science to understand. Plug it in your monitor, follow the on-screen instructions and you will be amazed that even the basic modes make a big difference to how footage looks. The Spyder X2 is fast, easy to use, has a USB-C connection and now works on high- brightness HDR displays, too. It takes the guesswork out of colour matching. EDITOR’S CHOICE: DATACOLOR SPYDER X2
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