Pro Moviemaker September 2022 - Newsletter

AWARDS GEAR OF THE YEAR

ACCESSORIES From bags to lighting, memory cards, hard drives, monitors and software, these are the essential buys all filmmakers need.

Tube, Quasar Science Double Rainbow, Nanlite Pavotube II 15X, Godox TL60 RGB and NAM RGBW tube lights. The Aputure Accent B7c RGBWW bulb replaces household options to give a controlled practical light. The Airstar Neo is inflatable, while the Sumolight Sumolaser offers immense power. Rotolight Smartsoft goes on the front of an LED and provides electronically adjustable diffusion. In the memory card and hard drive class, Sony 160GB Tough CFexpress Type A has been joined by Delkin, Prograde Digital and Angelbird options. For the more common Type B CFexpress, shortlisted are Angelbird 512GB AV Pro SE, Lexar Professional Type B Diamond and Sandisk 128GB Extreme Pro CFexpress. Also shortlisted are PNY X-Pro 90 UHS-II SD, Samsung 512GB Pro Plus microSD and Sandisk 128GB Extreme Pro CFast 2.0. For external hard drives – both portable and desktop – there is no shortage of powerful products to be considered. Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield 2TB is a rugged drive

is a monitor designed to bring streaming to the masses. Blackmagic’s Video Assist 7in 12G HDR is a very capable unit and can be used for BRAW codecs. And check out the SmallHD Action 5, or new DJI High-Bright Remote Monitor that has wireless built-in, to receive a signal from the camera at a distance. Lighting is always critical and LEDs now dominate. Some are daylight, others bicolour, but many increasingly have RGBWW functionality – dial in any colour. Many can be controlled by DMX or even an app. Hard lights have had a huge resurgence, thanks to the latest COB technology. Most of these lights accept large modifiers, so you can create soft lighting when used with a softbox. In the light panels class, Rotolight’s Titan X1 is now joined by the smaller Neo 3 and AEOS 2. Other popular panels are the Aputure Nova P600c and Litepanels Gemini 2x1 Hard. For hard lights, the legendary Broncolor LED F160 continues to deliver. But the big news in COB tech has been the huge Aputure LS 1200d Pro and the Nanlite Forza 500. In the lighting innovation category, there are lots of products that have a huge impact on films. LED tube lights are really popular. Take a look at the Astera Titan

For bags and cases, if you want the ultimate protection, then Peli leads the way. The 1646 Air is one of the latest range of deeper cases that offers amazing protection at a lighter weight than some rivals. Another hard case option is the Manfrotto Pro Light Reloader Tough-55 Highlid. For a less cumbersome roller, the Shimoda DV, Think Tank Video Rig 18 and Camrade Travelmate 360 are built for filmmakers. Alternatively, some shoots call for a smaller bag that can be flung over your shoulder. Our shortlist – including the Peak Design Travel 45L backpack, Manfrotto Pro Light Flexloader L backpack and Think Tank Video Workhorse 19 – contains some great examples. On-camera monitors and monitor/recorders offer large screens, with features like waveforms and false colour to help get those shots right every time. Many can even unlock more quality from your camera, by allowing either a higher bit rate or for Raw files to be outputted – and some are compatible with cloud workflows or live streaming. The most popular is the five- inch Atomos Ninja V+, which can now be kitted up with accessories to make it a streaming device. The Atomos Shogun Connect is a larger, seven-inch version that has all the cloud and streaming tech built-in. And the new Atomos Zato Connect

OPEN AND SHUT CASE Lowepro bags and Nanlite tube lights are just some of the well-proven gear nominated in this year’s awards

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