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you produce. That’s certainly the case for camera-top monitors and monitor/recorders. These large screens offer handy features, like waveforms and false colour, to help nail exposure and frame exactly as you want. Many actually unlock more quality from the camera by allowing a higher bit rate or even Raw files to be outputted, and some are now connected devices for cloud workflow or live streaming. The most popular is the five-inch Atomos Ninja V+, which can be kitted up with accessories to make it a fully connected streaming device. And the Atomos Shogun Connect is a larger seven-inch version, with cloud and streaming tech built in. While the Atomos Zato Connect is a monitor designed to bring streaming to the masses at an affordable price. Blackmagic’s Video Assist 7in 12G HDR is a very capable unit that works for BRAW codecs. Take a look at the Desview R7S, SmallHD Action 5 or DJI High-Bright Remote Monitor with wireless onboard. One of the most important purchases that will immediately improve your work is to invest in lighting, where LED now rules the roost. Some are daylight, others bicolour, but evermore feature RGBWW functionality, so you can dial in any colour you like. Lots can be remotely controlled by an app.
Many filmmakers swear by LED panels to produce flattering light, but hard lights are seeing a huge resurgence – fuelled by the latest COB technology that seems to get more powerful all the time. Plenty of these are built to accept large modifiers, so give the best of both worlds – a hard, crisp light when needed, or gentle one when matched with a softbox. In the light panels class, Rotolight leads the tech drive again with its popular Titan X1, joined by smaller units in the shape of the new Neo 3 and AEOS 2 this year. Other popular panels you might wish to vote for include the Aputure Nova P600c and Litepanels Gemini 2x1 Hard – a soft light that can be made harder. For hard lights, it’s impossible to ignore the legendary Broncolor LED F160, by a brand that’s been a photographer favourite for decades. But the biggest news in COB lights is the huge, massively powerful Aputure LS 1200d Pro and Nanlite Forza 500. Both offer stunning “Hard lights have had a huge resurgence, fuelled by COB technology”
PANEL SHOW A large 2x1 LED light can make a massive difference to your films. This Litepanels Gemini Hard is one of the best
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