PRO PERFORMERS
4. CAMERA: CANON XC15 £2098/$2199 www.canon.co.uk
Canon’s upgrade on the XC10 means this 4K UHD camcorder is a better all-round tool for pro moviemakers. Its 1.0-type CMOS sensor is now capable of capturing high-quality still images and low-noise 4K UHD video, supported by the inbuilt 10x optical zoom. It’s a variable aperture zoom, from f/2.8 at the wide end to f/5.6 at the long. Canon has also introduced XLR inputs into the camera, alongside the 3.5mm stereo mini jack, which gives more options for capturing high- end audio. The body is compact, weighing under 1kg and measuring 128x102 x122mm. Being easily transportable and durable in all kinds of environments means the XC15 is perfectly suited to travelling filmmakers who don’t want to stand out by using a large, pro camera.
5. STABILISER: DJI OSMO MOBILE II £129/$129 www.dji.com
One of the newest releases and most recent upgrades to DJI’s handheld smartphone gimbals is the Osmo Mobile II. With more and more people shooting from their smartphones and mobile camera quality only advancing, a stabilising device ups the quality. The Osmo Mobile II weighs only 485g with a maximum load of about half that. It’s unheard of to carry a camera and tripod for under 1kg, but this modern solution beats that. With a controllable range of ±160° pan and ±155° tilt, the gimbal can operate for around 15 hours, while only taking two hours to fully charge. Using built-in sensors and a brushless motor, its ActiveTrack system can follow any subject. And for pros looking to create dynamic videos, it features a new built-in zoom slider that allows you to operate the camera from the handle with a more fluid, cinematic movement, even replicating a dolly zoom. As well as panoramic and live streaming tools, the durable material of the gimbal means it can handle a bit of turbulence, pushing the Osmo Mobile II into one of the most useful pieces of travel kit out there.
6. AUDIO: RODE VIDEOMIC PRO £175/$229 www.rode.com
This fantastic microphone from Rode – an upgrade from the widely-used Videomic – provides top-end audio quality for a fraction of what you might expect to pay. Its new½in condenser capsule offers broadcast-quality audio and higher sensitivity with its frequency range of around 40Hz- 20kHz and supercardioid pattern minimising background noise. A clever Rycote Lyre-based shock mounting system isolates the capsule and electronics from the mount, ensuring less vibration and unwanted interference. It has a capacity of over 70 hours of use through a single 9V battery. With a standard-sized shoe mount for on-camera use and easy access to level settings, alongside its lightweight build and compact form, the Rode Videomic Pro targets on-the- move filmmakers, boasting ease of transport and portability.
127
SUMMER 2018 PRO MOVIEMAKER
Powered by FlippingBook