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Nikon has utilised all the benefits of the mirrorless camera configuration to design a remarkably compact and lightweight 400mm supertelephoto prime lens. The new Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S weighs in at just 1.16kg (without its tripod mount collar) and measures just over 234mm in length. This makes it quite manageable for handheld shooting. Nikon says its new 400mm is the lightest in its class, which is defined as a 400mm autofocus lenses with a maximum aperture of f/4.5 or slower, and you’d expect an f/2.8-speed model to be bigger. However, the excellent performance of the full-frame Nikon Z cameras at very high ISOs, f/4.5 isn’t really a restriction. With the tripod mounting collar fitted, the lens weighs 1.245 kilos. The ‘VR’ designation indicates that this lens has Nikon’s…

To its credit, Canon has been making sure there’s a selection of more affordable lenses in its RF mount full-frame mirrorless system rather than just premium-priced models. Now there’s another two RF mount lenses that won’t break the bank – the RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM and the RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM. The 24mm macro is compact and lightweight as well as affordable, and the big deal is its minimum focusing distance of 14cm which gives a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 (or half life size). The optical construction employs 11 elements in nine groups and includes on aspherical type and one with ultra low dispersion (UD) characteristics. It has Canon’s Super Spectra Coating multicoating to minimise ghosting and flare. The optical image stabilisation gives 5.5 stops of…

A video consists of a sequence of images, the speed of which is essential for successful work. The frames per second (fps) allow you to use different filming techniques and create individual atmospheres. In contrast to photography, other basic rules apply for setting up the optimal shutter speed. To get a smooth and flowing video result, you should set a value of the shutter speed that is twice as high as your chosen frame rate. If it is not set correctly, fast objects such as cars will be out of focus as the shutter speed influences the motion blur. Just like in photography, the brightness can now be controlled by the ISO value and aperture. If the shot turns out too bright, you can use tools like neutral density (ND)…

Different ratios affect the visual impact of your videos. Depending on which platform you are intending to post your videos on, you need to think about the aspect ratio. For example, on Instagram, it is recommended to post in a 4:5 ratio, whereas for YouTube, which is more often used on desktops and TV screens, a ratio of 16:9 is better. Consider this when shooting as not every format is supported, which can lead to lower-quality or compressed results.…

Film-maker Matt Norman wears many hats – from producer and director to writer and cinematographer, winning quite a number of accolades and awards over the last couple of decades across his varying disciplines. What drives Matt’s success is his passion to tell hard-hitting stories through the art of film and documentaries that pull back the curtain on human rights, social issues and mental health. Matt’s most acclaimed sports documentary, Salute, was voted by Red Bull as one of the Top Nine Sports Documentary Films of all time. A decade after its release, it continues to screen across the globe. “When my film Salute had its world premiere, I was invited to meet the Dalai Lama. It was incredible. I asked him, did you know that Yoda from Star Wars was…

The move to very compact, battery powered models with TTL auto flash control has blurred the lines between the traditional flash monobloc and the on camera speedlight. Swedish company Profoto has pioneered the development of ever smaller flash monoblocs and this continues with the new A2 which is very similar in size to a soft drinks can. Yet it can output up to 100 joules of flash power and has an LED modelling light. In comparison, Profoto’s A10 on-camera flash unit delivers up to 76 joules. It can also be fitted with range of light-shaping tools from Profoto’s Clic system, including softboxes, grids and gels. The more extensive OCF system of accessories can be used via an adapter ring. However, the Clic accessories use a magnetic ring for quick and…

As you’ll know from the new category in this year’s TIPA World Awards, cameras specifically designed for vlogging are now A Thing. In case you don’t know, vlogging is short for video blogging, which usually involves filming yourself making a presentation of some sort that’s designed to go online. These are low-budget productions and some are done with a smartphone, but a vlogging camera such as Cameras like Nikon’s new Z 30 and the Sony XV-10 offer the flexibility of interchangeable lenses, tilt adjustable monitor screens, more options for controlling focus and exposure, and better sound recording. In fact, Nikon is emphasising that the Z 30’s sensor is 14 times larger than one in most smartphones, which gives much more scope for using depth-of-field. Under the skin, the Z 30 is…

A camera that has both high-end photo and video capabilities has to be the obvious choice for professionals who want to start shooting movies as well as stills. The mirrorless revolution has given rise to a new class of camera known as hybrids. They’re called this because they have both high-end photo capabilities and pro-level video recording facilities. The vast majority of digital cameras can shoot video, but many only have the basics in terms of features and functionality. A true hybrid camera has similar video capabilities to a dedicated pro-level video camera but, importantly, it also has a full suite of photography features. This means that the one camera body can do both jobs and you don’t need to invest in two sets of lenses either. Many mirrorless camera…

The frame rate (or fps) allows you to work with different filming techniques to create unique visual styles. The standard setting for reproducing moments in real time is 24fps, which was used with film. This creates a realistic mood and delivers sound that matches the moving image. Video allows for a range of frame rates, with the standard speeds of 25fps or 30fps based on the frequencies of alternating current (AC) mains power (i.e. 50Hz and 60Hz respectively), which is roughly how the world’s electricity generation is divided up. This gave rise to the PAL (for much of Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand among others) and NTSC (the Americas and Japan) analog TV systems. Digital video is no longer tied to these conventions, but the analog-era frame rates…

Before you film a video, you need a plan. Be clear about how you want to tell your story using video. Technical and visual aspects need to be included and decided. A film composed of several scenes and shot in different locations brings up plenty of challenges. Mistakes often occur because a variety of factors influence the overall result of clips. Technical challenges may arise due to the use of different focal lengths or changing lighting conditions. Different camera movements are an important creative tool and will help convey your story to the audience. Use them to your advantage to create tension, dynamic or even calm atmospheres. In addition, these techniques allow for the generation of transitions between different scenes and should be well-considered. One of the most common mistakes…

Post-production is the key to storytelling. The moving image is combined with the sound and this combination conveys your story to the viewer. Through this interplay, emotional levels and connections to characters can be built. There are many editing programs online, including some excellent free ones, such as HitFilm Express or iMovie. However, if you want to invest in a paid editing program, Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve Studio are worth checking out. You will notice a difference in the quality of the video just by using basic tools in post-production. But don’t just focus on the visual factors of your video, the sound is just as important and needs to be considered. Voice-overs or subtitles can be added in post-production to complement your moving image. Once the editing…

Canon has released firmware upgrades for three of its EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera bodies. The most dramatic of these is Version V1.2.1 for the EOS R3 which enables it to shoot at up to 195fps with JPEG, HEIF or RAW capture at full resolution. Is this just getting silly or could you really need 195fps? There are, not surprisingly, some limitations to the new ‘Custom High Speed Continuous’ drive mode. The AF and AE are locked to the first frame and the burst length can only be up to 50 frames which, by our calculations, means it’ll all be over in a quarter of a second. However, you can vary the shooting speed between 30 and 195fps. Canon says the feature is designed for shooting short high-speed sequences, such…

Fujifilm has opened its first exclusive retail store in Australia, and it’s only the second one in the world after London (which opened in 2019). The Fujifilm House Of Photography is located right in the heart of Sydney’s CBD and includes a retail outlet selling all things Fujifilm, a photo printing facility, a fully-equipped in-house studio, a gallery space and The Boutique which is dedicated to the Fujifilm GFX digital medium format system. Fujifilm is calling its new House Of Photography an “experience centre” and an “interactive hub”, so it’s very much about photographers being able to see the full range of Fujifilm mirrorless cameras and Fujinon lenses all in one place, with the opportunity to try everything out before you buy. On hand are Fujifilm ‘X-Perts’ to answer all…

Video content is becoming increasingly important in the multimedia world and an integral feature of social media. Photography is a great medium, but more often these days, photographers are being asked to create additional videos. From a marketing point of view, a video is like gold. It can explain a product and illustrate different functions or facets more comprehensively than a still. Online users are used to scrolling through information – and a video can easily attract attention. In addition, telling a story can create an important connection between the customer and the moving image. It has been scientifically proven that video is more eye-catching than a still image, so it’s important that we recognise the potential of video, learn new skills and use them for your own purposes. The…

The choice of lenses and the range of focus is an important consideration in the creation of films. In contrast to photography, where technical settings such as the image frame or focus can be adjusted for a specific situation, you aren’t just capturing one moment. Unfortunately, this procedure is not possible when recording a video. Each scene is constantly changing and additional subjects are drawn in. Here, setting the right focus is challenging. If autofocus is used, it may not correspond to your shooting intentions. For example, the character may be out of focus because the camera suddenly focuses on an object in the background. Also, it can be distracting if the focus changes in the middle of the clip. Another reason for not using autofocus is that standard lenses…

1. Secure Your Camera. Wherever you want to shoot your video, make sure the camera is placed in a stable position. Depending on the camera movements you want to include, secure the camera on a tripod or a gimbal. 2. Select Your Settings Set the camera to manual exposure exposure and, if you’re using a DSLR, select the live-view mode. Choose your settings and keep in mind that, when shooting at 24 fps, the shutter speed should be at 1/50 second for the smoothest looking results. 3. Adjust The Variable ND filter Now the ND filter comes into action to bring your videographic image to a balanced and depth-rich level. Once you have attached it, you will notice the difference on the live view screen. 4. Manage Filter Settings To…

Many of us feel challenged photographically if its starts to rain or there’s a bit of a trek to reach a good location, but what if you had to film yourself jumping out of a helicopter… or free diving in freezing Icelandic waters… or surfing some of the world’s biggest waves? Long-term friends and adventure filmmakers Blake‘BT’ Thornton and Matt ‘Gilso’ Gilsenan – a lifeguard and a carpenter in their other lives – have spent the last nine years travelling to extreme locations in Iceland, Alaska, Tahiti, Canada, New Zealand and, of course, Australia to shoot an epic 90-minute documentary they’ve titled Chase That Feeling. “Once you get a taste for filming, it’s hard not to get obsessed with it. Then the obsession became an addiction.” The pair filmed over…