NYC Film & Video Equipment Rentals
May 10, 2011
We expanded our stock of digital high-end camera by acquiring 4 Sony PMW F3!
It includes an Exmor™ Super 35 CMOS image sensor, PL lens mount, and SxS card for 1920 x 1080 full-HD recording. The PMW-F3 features future expandability, including RGB 4:4:4 baseband output with S-LOG gamma for external recording which means it can be used in an HDCAM-SR™ workflow. It also offers a 3D-LINK option, which allows two camcorders to be controlled simultaneously for 3D stereoscopic shooting.
Please check out Sony page for more detailed information about this great new addition to the PMW family here.
May 10, 2011
HandHeld Films is now the proud owner of an Alexa Plus!
We will write more on this very soon, but in the mean time, please feel free to check Arri’s page about it here.
March 18, 2011
We are happy to announce that we are hosting a hands-on workshop for the Cineped Wednesday March 23 from 4pm to 5:30pm. It is going to be held at our facility, 66 White Street, between Broadway and Church. Click here to see the map.
Charles Kim, the Man behind the Machine, will be present to demo a step-by-step installation and help the public get familiar with all the possibilities of the Cineped. Here is a short video of the Cineped in action, as an avant-goût of the event.
Please email me for more information or to RSVP at nina@handheldfilms.com.
We hope to see you there!
February 15, 2011 Leave a comment
Arri has just released their latest update for the Alexa camera that further ensures its prowess as a major player in the digital arena, version 3.0. That’s right, Alexa is only getting started, and this update is one for us cinephiles to get excited about.
The most noticeable upgrades to the system are function settings, particularly in three areas: playback, audio recording, and color processing. The first, playback, is now fully functional for all footage recorded via the SxS module. Arri’s clip library function allows users to scroll through their clips by name through the side screen, making choosing clips for playback effortless. Playback is functional for all record framerates, including overcranking, which makes for some lovely playback of slow motion shots.
Now on to Audio. The Alexa supports 5pin XLR stereo input which can be embedded on either the ProRes files or the external HD-SDI output footage. Conversely, audio can now be monitored through the 1/8″ stereo headphone jack on the camera.
Finally, the most significant update is in the realm of color processing. The Alexa now supports three separate Gamma output options for recording: Log C, Rec 709, and DCI P3. You can now output several color signals at once in case you want to record Log C on SxS cards, but watch your footage on a DCI compatible monitor! You can even record on both SxS card slots at once with different color processing. This function is an amazing inclusion for greater control of post production work flow.
Of course, Arri has also included other neat little functional changes that make the already easy to use camera even better. Here’s a collection of the other small changes:
EVF Smooth Mode: Tired of shuttering in your Viewfinder? Turn this function on to smooth out your EVF. (Works on up to 30fps and up to 180 degree shutter settings).
False Color: Now available through the EVF buttons, making for a quick go to when checking your exposures.
Frame Grabs: Use this to grab a still frame for storage on an SD card at any point during standby.
EI 3200: The camera’s sensitivity now supports a range from EI160 to EI3200.
Output Options: HD-SDI 3G is now supported via single link BNC for record onto an external recorder of a 4:2:2 signal at 48,50,59.94, and 60fps. 4:4:4 is still supported via dual link.
Variflag is now available for off speed recording devices.
Finally, Arri has included a function called ‘Tropical Temperature,’ a sensor adjusting option when shooting in humid areas with a potential for high condensation. This keeps the sensor at a temperature of 40 degrees celsius from its original 35 to help keep moisture from accumulating on the sensor.
All these new updates have made using the Alexa an even more enjoyable experience than before and solidifies the Alexa’s place as an industry leader.
February 10, 2011 Leave a comment
Yesterday was very exciting for us as we got to play with the latest version of the Cineped Slider! Charlie Kim, the mastermind behind the system came by the shop and kindly demo-ed his baby for us. With its light blue and gray intergalactic look the slider has a modern and fun touch, we were intrigued by what we dubbed the “robot” and were eager to see it in action.
The Cineped is composed of a base mounted on 4 precision wheels, 4 removable and adjustable legs, a telescopic post that can extend from 14”-22.5” and is topped by a large 3.5’ sliding plate which rotates 360°. It came in four cases and was built in about 10 minutes. We stared at the “robot” while Charlie expertly moved it around, combining dolly, tracking, arching and sliding moves with ease.
The combination of moves the operator can achieve is virtually endless as the sliding plate has a rotational capacity of 360° and 3.5 feet of sliding surface. When the 4 wheels are unlocked they permit a dolly line move on smooth surfaces. It does take a little bit of practice to master a compound movement such as a slide while panning with the fluid head or a rotation when tilting, as we quickly realized when we tried out the slider ourselves, but such is the art of operating! The system allows for a lot of creativity and we’re pretty sure our clients, as we did ourselves, will want to play with it until they feel comfortable.
We also tested the stability of the system, tried to tip it over when the camera and head were at the far edge of the slider and with the legs down on the floor but we couldn’t even get the Cineped to move.
In addition to the really fun moves, versatility and extreme stability of the system, we were impressed by the Cineped’s precision and craftsmanship.
All in all, we are really excited to get the Cineped Slider later this week and start to see how it evolves in the field.
Stay tuned as in the next few days, we’re going to post pictures and video of it.
HandHeld Team
The Low Mode Option
The Cineped Slider
Technical Data from the Cineped Official Website :
The Cineped comes in two packages: basic and full. Both packages come with a low mode option for floor action.
System Package:
*360° Rotational 3.5ft Camera Sliding Plate
*Automatic Positioning Telescopic Post
*Digital Remote Control Box
*Diamond Style Mobile Base
*24 Battery w/ Charger
*AC/DC Converter
*Low Mode Adapter
*Total Weight 123 lbs
*Camera Sliding Plate 38 lbs
*Telescopic Post 35 lbs
*Mobile Base 50 lbs
*3 Modular Design
*Simple to Pack, Carry & Transport
*Total Height w/ Camera 74.5”
*Basic 58” | Extend 16.5″
Movement Features:
*Dollying
*Tracking
*Pedestal
*Diagonal
*Arc & 360°
*Instant Camera Movement at a Certain Moment
*Compound Camera Movement
July 7, 2010 Leave a comment
Update: As of February 2011, we are the proud owner of 5 Arri Alexas. The camera is proving itself worth of Arri’s reputation of excellence in the industry, blending an extremely user-friendly interface, seamless workflow and state-of-the-art technology.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call to inquire about our prices, packages and new equipment.
The Hand Held Team
The Arri ALEXA has a 3.5K CMOS Imager which provides optimum oversampling for either a 2K or 1920 X 1080 HD image. Simultaneously records to Apple QuickTime/ProRes files, output uncompressed HD video or uncompressed ARRIRAW data to external recorders.
As the best recording media for the QuickTime/ProRes files, ARRI has chosen SxS cards because of their high data throughput. Two SxS cards fit into a module on the camera’s left side for convenient on-board recording and are hot-swappable.
July 7, 2010 Leave a comment
Sony F-35 4:4:4 / 4:2:2 HDCAM SR Camera• Super 35mm Single CCD Imager
• Full Resolution 1920 X 1080 RGB
• Select Frame Rate of 1 – 50 fps (4:4:4 or 4:2:2 Recording)
• Accepts 35mm PL Mount Lenses
• Integrated Camera System with SRW-1 Recorder
• 14-bit A/D converter and advanced DSP LSI
• Versatile gamma settings including unique S-LOG gamma curve
F-35 Accessories:
• SRW-1 HDCAM SR Video Recorder/SRPC-1 Processor
• AC Power Supply Unit for Sony F-35
• Anton Bauer Cine VCLX-CA Battery Blocks
• Astro 6″/Transvideo CineHD 6″/ Panasonic BT-LH900 8.4″ On Board Monitors
• Leader 5750 Waveform Monitor
Contact rentals for pricing.
July 7, 2010 Leave a comment
Combining the variable beam spread of a Fresnel with the light output of a PAR, the ARRIMAX uses a unique reflector concept for beam control that eliminates the need for spread lenses. The 580mm (22.8”) diameter, specular, flatted reflector can be adjusted to provide continuous focus from 15° – 50° and, since the ARRIMAX does not require a set of spread lenses, shadows are sharp and easily cut.
18,000W Single Ended lamps use a sturdier GX51 lamp base for which ARRI engineers have designed a special lampholder. This new lampholder alleviates mechanical stress from the lamp pins, which now serve only as an electrical connection. The lamp clamping mechanism is self-aligning and uses a rugged, recessed lamp lock handle. To ensure that crews can easily use 12,000W lamps or versions of 18K Single Ended lamps with G38 bases, the new lampholder accepts either lamp type with no modification or adjustment required.
