Sony FS100

Sony FS100

Budgets come in all shapes and sizes and we try to provide camera solutions to match!  The new Sony FS-100 delivers both on quality and on budget.  Either paired with a Sony “E-mount” kit lens or a set of Zeiss ZF primes this camera provides amazing images.  Our website can help you decide which options are best for you and provides pricing so you can plan your shoot budget.  The FS100 has the same 35mm APS sized sensor as the Sony F3.  It shoots AVCHD to SD Cards in a variety of popular formats.  It has a native ISO of 800 and the signal to noise ratio is very low even at higher ISO or gain setttings.  It has HDMI outputs and can be used with a Nanoflash for higher bitrate recording.  It also makes a great 2nd unit for those that choose to shoot the Sony F3.

Another 1st: The Arri Alexa comes to Central Ohio!

Another 1st:
The Arri Alexa comes to Central Ohio!

I have never seen an avalanche of cameras like the one I have witnessed this year.  At Ohio HD Video we have added 9 new cameras to the inventory since the beginning of the year! From the  Panasonic’s AF-100,  Sony’s new PMW F3 CineAlta, Sony  FS100 and now the cherry on the top the Arri ALEXA.  Once again Ohio HD Video is proud to bring the most relevant gear in our industry to our local market.  The Arri ALEXA is becoming the most widely accepted camera used to acquire high-end digital images for commercials and features.  In addition to it’s amazing image quality, we are most excited about it’s potential to streamline the post-production workflow.  The ALEXA has three main post paths: Shoot to Edit (ProRes), Uncompressed HD and Uncompressed RAW. Each has its virtues and each is well supported today.


Perhaps most compelling for our market is its ability to shoot to SXS cards using two slots internal to the camera.  ALEXA calls it a Shoot to Edit workflow, which in the language of ARRI means finished video already compiled into a codec that can be loaded directly into an edit system for post. Currently, ALEXA uses ProRes in both 422 and 444 varieties. In compression quality, it is second only to master-level formats such as HDCAM SR. ProRes is a native format for Apple’s Final Cut Pro and can now also be used natively on the latest version of Avid Media Composer.

ALEXA records ProRes onto Sony SxS cards, the same compact and reliable media Sony uses for its XDCAM EX cameras. A 32GB SxS Pro card can hold about 20 minutes of ProRes 422 or 15 minutes of ProRes 4444.  Recording in ProRes, ALEXA is a compact and self-contained camera. The SxS cards can move directly from the camera to an edit system, and post work can begin immediately with no capturing or recompression.  This can cut hours from your post workflow and make the ALEXA a very affordable option for your next shoot.  Call us to arrange a time when we can show you all that this impressive camera has to offer or check out the Arri ALEXA web resources to learn more.  You can also check out Andy Shipsides, Able Cine blog on an ALEXA/FCP workflow.

SONY F800 XDCam Optical Disc Camera at Ohio HD

SONY F800

XDCam Optical Disc: This 2/3" HD Cine Alta Camera is the perfect camera when you don't want to shoot to tape but need to archive footage!

Time-lapse

Time-lapse

Outdoor Solar Powered Time-lapse: One of the more challenging projects we had recently required us to place a camera outside on a roof for three weeks with no access to power.  After some searching we found a rig from Harbortronics which we now have available for rent.  The rig comes complete with a Canon Rebel XS, Digisnap Intervelometer, and large battery all contained inside a weatherproof housing with a solar panel on top for continuous charging.  The perfect way to get the impossible shot!

ENG Powered Zoom!

ENG Powered Zoom!

B4 to 35mm PL Adapter & Sony F3 viewfinder adapter: One of the big challenges we face today is trying to shoot "ENG Style" with all the new 35mm sensor cameras.  Sure these cameras make great images working off dollies, sliders and tripods, but it gets a little trickier when trying to follow live action and shooting off the shoulder.  One of the cooler items we picked up this year can help greatly with this.  It's an optical B4 2/3" lens to PL adapter which lets you make use of some great 2/3" HD lenses from Canon or Fujinon that have an integrated powered zoom motor.  This adapter only uses two stops of light and makes ENG shooting a breeze.  Viewfinders have also been a challenge in the brave new world of large sensor cameras.  One of the most popular of these cameras is the Sony F3.  Our latest adaptive solution will let you use a traditional Panasonic HD viewfinder with the F3 to ensure crisp focus and a more ergonomic way to work with the camera.

Fast, Lightweight Zooms!

Fast, Lightweight Zooms!

Angenieux Optimo DP: In a ongoing effort to bring great glass to our market we have added two new premium Angenieux lenses.  The first is the Optimo DP 16-42.  The Optimo DP 16-42 with an aperture of T2.8 is a lightweight and compact PL mount zoom lens and delivers the superior zoom optics, functionality and ergonomics that DP’s demand.  The Optimo DP 30-80 has an aperture of T2.8 and brings the very best of film to the new world of large format digital production.  These lenses compliment each other very well.

WiFi Video to your Ipad!

WiFi Video to your Ipad!

Teradek Cube Encoder/Decoder: Last year Ohio HD learned about the Teradek Cube and bought one to try.  At that point the technology was very new and we had to return it because the video latency was too long to be useful on set.  This year we gave the Teradek another try and it has proven to be amazing.  The Teradek is a box about the size of a deck of cards that mounts to the camera and connects to the SDI output.  It then encodes the signal and generates its own WiFi network.  In this configuration it can send a wireless signal to up to three Ipads with less than a 1/2 second delay.  It can also be setup to stream the video to clients in another part of the building or across the country.  We see all kinds of cool aplications for this device on the set.  The gaffer or the art director can have their own monitors for making quick lighting adjustments, and directors and clients are no longer stuck in video village.

Seasons Greetings from Ohio HD!

   Building a Full Service Rental in Central Ohio: Three years ago when we added the RED One to our inventory I was unaware that we were taking the first steps on a path to becoming the first full service camera rental house in central Ohio.  Today with much support from the local production community we are well on our way to providing that much needed resource right here in Columbus.  Our goal has been and will continue to be to bring the latest production gear into market and back it up with technical knowledge and educational support.  This year we added 14 new cameras to our inventory including the much-coveted Arri Alexa, Sony's F3, FS-100 and F800 XDCam optical disc camera. We were also proud to make Casey Hunter the full time rental equipment manager at Ohio HD Video & Cine this year.  For those those of you who have had the chance to work with Casey, either on the set or in our shop, it's easy to recognize his commitment to excellence.  Casey and I strive to make sure our gear is tested before each rental to ensure every shoot is free of costly technical issues and delays.

           This year we will continue to invest in new gear, so the tools you need to create top notch content for your clients is always well maintained and available close to home.  We will also continue our education and work with other members of the community to make sure there are trained resources in the market who know how to get the most out of these new technologies.  In addition the open house events we have had this past year, we are looking to develop hands-on workshops and bring in experts from other markets to gain from their experience.

          I would like to personally thank you for all of your support in the past.  We love hearing your feedback and we look forward to serving your camera, lensing, and technical needs in 2012 and beyond.

Scott Handel

Founder

Ohio HD Video & Cine

REDs and Epics and Scarlets Oh My!

RED Epic Arrives at Ohio HD and Scarlet is not far behind: The long wait is finally over!  For those of us who have been riding the RED roller coaster for the past few years, the last six months have been really exciting.  Last month we took delivery of our 1st Epic and so far it has been really exciting to see what this camera can do.  In addition to shooting 5K, we have been very impressed with the cameras ability to shoot 300 Frames Per Second in 2K.  The quality of the images is amazing and are only matched by the flexibility of what you can do with the raw footage in post.  For those of you that have been following RED from the start, you know Scarlet is a word that has had many meanings over the years.  On November of this year we finally learned what the Scarlet was really going to be, and I for one was surprised and delighted.  Positioned as an "Epic Lite"  the Scarlet will give producers access to many of REDs powerful tools at a more affordable budget.  It is our goal in the new year to get out of the office more and visit our clients in their spaces.  Let us know when we can bring the Epic, Scarlet or the Alexa to your facility for a test drive!