Amazing Giotto’s…revolutionising the tripod…with ‘AIR’

Giotto’s Unveils Entire Brand Re-launch – including revolutionary New Giotto’s  ‘Air’ range which has to be seen to be believed!

Unveiled at the Photography Show this year:  The BRAND NEW Giotto’s Air range of super lightweight and über compact travel tripods, together with updated products across the entire Giotto’s range. 

So, prepare for take off with the all-new super light and compact Giotto’s Air! 

Smashing the mold for camera tripods, the Giotto’s Air is set to raise the bar in the field of high quality travel tripods.  The astonishingly compact design features Giotto’s unique Y-shaped centre column and is perfectly portable – all tripods in the range have 4 section legs, so that they pack down as small as possible, ideal for popping in your suitcase or even airline carry-on luggage. Three models also feature Giotto’s innovative 3D centre column for macro and low level photography.

With four kits in the new Giotto’s Air range, two aluminium models and two carbon fibre, the tripods come with a free tripod case and 5 year Premier warranty.  Featuring collar leg locks for easy adjustment, and twin spirit levels to keep everything on the level, these new designs are set to revolutionize professional travel and tourist photographers expectations of portable lightweight tripods.

Air Kit 17:  YT9224/MH5310-665 – SRP £180

• Aluminium
• 4 section legs, only 41 cm when folded down
• 135cm max height
• Supports up to 4kg of equipment
• Weighs just 1.2kg
• MH5310-665 Ball Head with Arca style plate 

Air Kit 18: YT9354/MH5400-665 – SRP £234

• Aluminium
• 3D centre column
• 4 section legs, only 49 cm when folded down
• 150cm max height
• Supports up to 6kg of equipment
• Weighs just 1.5kg
• MH5400-665 B&S Head with Arca style plate, max load 6kg

Air Kit 19: YT8324/MH5310-665 – SRP £300

• Carbon Fibre material
• 3D centre column
• 4 section legs, only 46 cm when folded down
• 140cm max height
• Supports up to 4kg of equipment
• Weighs just 1.1kg
• MH5310-665 Ball Head with Arca style plate – max load 6kg

Air Kit 20: YT8354/MH5400-665 – SRP £334

• Carbon Fibre material
• 4 section legs, only 49 cm when folded down
• 150cm max height
• Supports up to 5kg of equipment
• Weighs just 1.2kg
• Detachable leg which doubles as monopod
• Built-in spiked feed for ultimate grip
• MH5400-665 B&S Head with Arca style plate, max load 6kg

All four Giotto’s Air models will be previewed at the show and will be available to try on the stand.

All change to Arca!

It’s all change on the Giotto’s heads too – with the entire Giotto’s product range now featuring the popular Arca style head & attachment plate.  This will enable onward compatibility with other Arca style accessories including grips, plates, straps and quick release systems.  

The Arca style system is recognised as the benchmark for fast interchangeable mounted systems.

The original Giotto’s tripod plates will still be available to purchase, for those who have invested in the previous design.

Giotto’s is on the case!  

Yes, it’s true – EVERY new Giotto’s tripod kit now comes with a high quality case included in the price.  Stylish and practical the Giotto’s case will keep your tripod safe and in tip-tip condition when stored away, or while on your travels. 

Silk Road turns Silhouette!

There’s a name change for the award winning Giotto’s Silk Road series – now called Silhouette and featuring 12 brand new kits.  The award winning Y-shaped centre column design continues to be one of the most popular in the range – including aluminium and carbon fibre models with a combination of weight capacities, 3-way heads & ball heads, a range of folding & packed heights and centre column options to suit every photographer. 

The Award Winning Vitruvian just got even better!

The Giotto’s Vitruvian tripods remain a versatile compact alternative with the distinctive upside down space saving ‘stow’ design – and these too are now available in 4 kit combinations. They will also feature the new Arca style heads and plates for ultimate onward compatibility.

New for Nature Lovers!

And last, but certainly not least, there are two brand new Giotto’s Nature Kits – designed specifically to meet the needs of nature photographers and wildlife watchers.  

With one aluminium option and one carbon fibre, these tripod and head kits come complete with a short column adaptor for low level or viewing of timid subjects, and spiked feet for ultimate grip.

Both feature the new Arca style 2-way heads, supporting up to 6kg of kit.

Priced at £200 (aluminium) and £300 for the carbon fibre options, more info will be available on these new kits later in 2014.

With over 20 kit options to choose from – please see the Giotto’s Range Overview document for an ‘at a glance’ reference guide on specifications and pricing.

For more information, please visit www.giottos-tripods.co.uk 

Additional Images:

Air Kit 17: YT9224/MH5310-665	Air Kit 18: YT9354/MH5400-665
Air Kit 19: YT8324/MH5310-665	Air Kit 20: YT8354/MH5400-665 – With detachable leg which doubles as monopod

Interview with Henri Cartier Bresson….Legend

Thought you guys might be interested in this interview of a legend…..Mr Bresson….

Amazing poloroid video from Walker Lukens..

Hi All,

Browsing the web I came across this amazing almost timelapse looking video created entirely from individual poloroid images….the music is great but the video is incredible…thought I would share…

Walker Lukens just released this incredibly meticulous stop-motion music video filmed around Central Park and Brooklyn using hundreds of vintage Polaroid pictures. The film was provided by a company called The Impossible Project, a group of former Polaroid employees in the Netherlands who saved the last Polaroid production plant from being shut down and now produce film for vintage cameras that would otherwise have been obsolete.

Tenba Expands Roadie Video Bag Series

New larger Roadie II video bags accommodate bigger cameras and Rigs

Tenba Expands Roadie Video Bag Series
 
New larger Roadie II video bags accommodate bigger cameras and Rigs

 Leading the way in carrying solutions for over 30 years, Tenbaannounces that it has expanded their popular Roadie II video bag series with two new larger sizes. The new Roadie Video Backpack and Roadie Shoulder Bag will be about 20 percent larger than the bags that were launched earlier this year. Both bags are designed to fit the latest digital camera / video systems, including DSLRs from Canon (5D Mark III, EOS-1D X) and Nikon (D4, D800), and larger gear from RED (Epic, Scarlet), Canon (C100/C300/C500) and Sony (FS100/FS700), along with a laptop and a full assortment of accessories.

The new larger sized bags include the same video-specific features as the existing Roadie Video bags, which are designed to meet the demands of image makers who switch between DSLR and full-size video camera systems. Features include monopod/shotgun mic pockets, quick-access audio compartments, padded integrated laptop storage, wide, unobstructed openings, oversized pockets for large batteries, hard drives and cables, and much more.

“After launching the first two Roadie Video Bags, we received many requests for larger sized bags that would fit bigger lenses, larger rigs and longer rails,” said Jan Lederman, President of MAC Group. “We worked with filmmakers to ensure the new bags would meet their specific size requirements.”

The larger Roadie II Video Backpack and Shoulder Bag will be available in January 2013. To find more information about Roadies, and to see a full video demonstration of all Tenba products, visit www.tenba.com .

Tenba® is a registered trademark of MAC Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Tenba
Tenba provides innovative carrying case solutions to passionate and professional photographers, and their full equipment arsenal. Tenba introduced the world to soft-sided, professional camera bags in 1977, and has been an innovation and quality leader in the decades since. With so many years of experience in bag development and construction, along with a unique level of closeness and – literally – daily connection to the professional imaging community, Tenba is truly dialed-in to both the real-world needs of its customers and the latest in design trends, materials and manufacturing. With its own, U.S.-based, dedicated “bag lab” product development center and manufacturing facilities, both domestic and abroad, Tenba’s resources and capabilities allow the company to create unique and exceptional carrying and transport solutions for serious shooters.

Tenba products are designed and marketed exclusively by MAC Group (www.MACGroupUS.com) in the USA, and sold by distributors around the world.

posted by Glyn Ridgers

Professional quality and flexibility for single shooters – Canon unveils the EOS C100

Canon adds to the Cinema EOS System with the launch of the new EOS C100 – a compact, versatile interchangeable-lens professional video camera designed for independent videographers. Based on the core performance of the acclaimed EOS C300, the new model combines impressive hardware specifications with a range of new automatic features – making it ideal for professionals who shoot without a crew, or EOS videographers entering the Cinema EOS System for the first time.

With Canon’s Super 35mm 8.3MP Bayer-filtered CMOS sensor at its core, the EOS C100 combines exceptional image quality with a design approximately 15% smaller than the advanced EOS C300. The camera’s powerful imaging system enables the same processing as three-chip RGB systems, delivering exceptional colour, wide dynamic range and proven low light performance, while extensive NLE support makes it suitable for a wide range of users and production purposes. With Canon’s EF mount users have immediate access to over 60 class-leading EF lenses, as well as the freedom to experiment with the company’s expanding EF Cinema Lens line-up.

First-class camera system
Designed to offer leading quality and portability, the EOS C100 features a specification designed around the needs of single operators. Its advanced imaging system utilises the widely-used AVCHD codec, with the CMOS sensor recording 1920×1080 (Full HD) resolution video to SD cards¹ at 24Mbps with 4:2:0 colour sampling – delivering sharp, vivid, professional-quality video. Uncompressed video can also be output directly to external recorders via an integrated HDMI terminal, complete with embedded timecode data.

Equipped to provide exceptional performance, the EOS C100 allows users to capture high quality images for a range of creative outputs. Support for 24/25/30p and 50/60i frame rates offers flexibility, and an ISO range of 320-20,000 provides extensive exposure control and low noise in all lighting conditions. A new Wide Dynamic Range gamma setting makes it possible to shoot in demanding, high contrast situations – achieving a dynamic range of up to 800% without the need for extensive colour grading in post-production. Additionally, Canon Log Gamma enables the capture of high quality video rich in exposure latitude and dynamic range, and ensures footage has a consistent look and feel when used alongside other Cinema EOS cameras in multi-camera shoots.

Easy operation for single users
As well as full manual control, the EOS C100 integrates a range of new automatic features to support independent operators such as documentary makers or news shooters. A new One Shot AF button enables users to instantly check focus, with the central image area automatically checked prior to recording. Push Auto Iris evaluates exposure and makes any required adjustments before shooting, while new Auto White Balance uses the power of Canon’s DIGIC DV III image processor to detect and balance colour information – allowing operators to focus on the story in front of them.

A new graphical user interface enables videographers to conveniently adjust standard camera settings using the LCD screen. Operators can fine-tune Gamma settings, with the camera displaying both ‘before’ and ‘after’ curves on-screen, while White Balance settings can be altered using the camera’s joystick lever, with a colour/plane graphic displaying the amount of compensation being applied in real time. Additionally, support for continuous, automatic focus and iris adjustment will be added by a firmware update in 2013, providing fast, smooth performance when used with specified models in Canon’s range of EF Stepper Motor (STM) lenses.

The EOS C100 also offers highly flexible storage, recording to two SD card slots. Users can record to both cards simultaneously with Double Slot Recording or use Relay Recording to automatically switch across memory cards when the one in use becomes full. In-camera down-conversion also allows operators to convert HD footage stored on one card to SD resolution on the other – ideal for operators who want to reduce the size or resolution of footage before transferring or web hosting.

Professional design, professional audio
The EOS C100 features the same modular concept made popular by the EOS C300. Engineered to provide mobility and durability, it features a robust build and lightweight construction ideal for use in a number of situations. Its magnesium alloy frame provides strength and rigidity while keeping weight to a minimum, allowing users to enjoy both versatility and comfort – even during all-day use.

A large, high quality 8.8cm (3.5”) Vari-angle LCD is situated on the rear of the camera body, which can be manoeuvred to offer easy access to a range of function buttons situated behind the display. An adjustable handgrip also offers DSLR-like ergonomics during handheld shooting, and can be removed altogether for shooting in tight spaces or as part of a multi-camera rig. The camera’s button layout also has been designed taking user feedback into account, with all recording buttons now featuring red markings for added convenience during shooting. Up to 15 assignable buttons also provide high levels of customisation, allowing each user to optimise camera operation to suit their own requirements.

The EOS C100 also offers professionally-optimised audio and connectivity, supporting the capture of Dolby Digital AC3 or 16-bit Linear PCM audio at 48 kHz – the high quality signal required for professional broadcast content. A stereo microphone is built into the camera’s detachable handle, alongside audio control dials and two XLR terminals which enable users to connect to external microphones and other sources. The camera also features a new lockable HDMI terminal that ensures cables remain securely attached to the input during shooting².

EF lenses and EF Cinema Lenses – power to create
As part of the EOS system, the EOS C100 is compatible with over 60 EF lenses and Canon’s EF Cinema Lens line-up, and complements a new duo of compact lightweight cine zoom lenses, the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S and CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S. Both new lenses offer outstanding mobility and quality, providing performance and value that makes them excellent options for independent professionals and production houses alike.

In addition, Canon’s hugely-popular EF lens series for DSLRs offers virtually unlimited creative freedom, with options to meet any budgetary requirement. The EF-S range comprises a selection of compact, lightweight zoom lenses that merge high image quality with affordable pricing, while the full-frame EF lens line-up offers outstanding quality and flexibility – utilising luxury, class-leading optics in a range of focal length options ranging from 8mm to 800mm. Since the launch of the EOS System in 1987 over 80 million EF lenses have been manufactured, a measure of the system’s unparalleled quality, popularity, and ability to meet the needs of all kinds of photography and video users.

Canon EOS C100 – key features :

8.3MP Super 35mm CMOS sensor; Full HD

High sensitivity, low noise

24Mbps AVCHD to SD cards

Automatic shooting functions

Interchangeable EF lenses

Canon Log Gamma

Compact, modular, lightweight

Professional audio

Seamless workflow integration

CPS video support

¹ SD, SDHC and SDXC card formats supported
² Compatible HDMI cable required#

by Glyn Ridgers

Médecins Sans Frontières

FILM FESTIVAL – CALL FOR ENTRIES

 Médecins Sans Frontières – Doctors Without Borders

Short Documentary & Photography Online Competition

 2 x Canon 5D camera packages will be awarded to the winning documentary and photography entries!

@radical.media is currently calling for entries for their Médecins Sans Frontières – Australia short documentary and photography competition.

Médecins Sans Frontières is the world’s leading independent organisation for medical humanitarian aid. Every day more than 24,000 Médecins Sans Frontières field staff provide assistance to people caught in crises around the world. In 1999 they were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work.

The Médecins Sans Frontières short documentary and photography competitions’ mission is to celebrate the cultures of the countries that they provide humanitarian aid in.

The subject matter of the films and photographs doesn’t need to be related directly to the work of Médecins Sans Frontières but needs to explore distinctive cultural aspects of each nation, such as art, music, environment and cuisine OR have a focus on the inspirations and aspirations of it’s people.

Competition entries should express unique points of view that empower people and their nations, and ultimately convey a message with a sense of hope.

The top 80 entries, will be selected by an industry judging panel, and showcased online for the month of October 2012.

The winning documentary and winning photograph will be chosen by our industry judging panel.  The winning filmmaker and photographer will both be awarded a Canon 5D camera package.  The prizes will be generously sponsored by @radical.media.

HOW TO ENTER

Filmmakers

Please upload short documentary entries to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_upload

Then email a password protected link to msf@radicalmedia.com.

Email subject heading for filmmakers should be MSF Film Entry.

Please include your contact details (name, address and phone number in your email).

Photographers

Please email your photographic entry to msf@radicalmedia.com.

File size should be 5MB’s or smaller.

We will accept up to 3 entries per photographer.

Email subject heading for photographers should be MSF Photograph Entry

Please include your contact details (name, address and phone number in your email).

Entry deadline:

Friday 14^th September 2012

Films that are selected for competition will be notified via email by September 25^th 2012.

ELIGIBILITY

Duration:

Preferred length for the documentary section is 30 minutes or less.  We will also accept 30 minute excerpts from feature documentaries or longer form projects.

Year of Production:

Documentary film and photograph entries may have been produced anytime between January 1971 (the year Médecins Sans Frontières began operating) and October 2012.

All dialogue based foreign language film entries should be sub-titled in English.

Entries may have been previously screened on television, websites or commercially in theatres.

Country of Origin (location of principle photography)

Films and photographs produced in the following countries are eligible for entry:

Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dijibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Krygyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Niger, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Pakistan, Papua New Guniea, Paraguay, Philippines, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

The producer warrants to @radical.media that they have obtained all the necessary permissions to enter this film and that the film does not infringe the rights, including copyright, of any third party.

AWARDS

Most Popular Documentary

The winning documentary will be chosen by our industry judging panel.

The winning filmmaker will be awarded a brand new Canon 5D camera package sponsored by @radical.media.

Most Outstanding Photograph

The winning photograph will be chosen by our industry judging panel.

The winning photographer will also be awarded a brand new Canon 5D camera package sponsored by @radical.media.

International courier costs for the Canon 5D packages will be covered by @radical.media.

Winners’ will be announced on October 31^st 2012. The judging panels’ decision will be final.

COPYRIGHT

All films and photographs will be credited with the creators’ name. Films and photographs will not be downloadable from the website or used in any additional mediums.

GRANT OF LICENSE

As between you and @radical.media, you will own all intellectual property related to your submission and shall retain ownership of such intellectual property. By submitting your entry, you grant @radical.media a non-exclusive, worldwide license for a 1 month period to use your film online.   The license shall commence on 1^st October 2012 and shall continue until October 31st, 2012.

LIABILITY

@radical.media and its associated and affiliated companies, its staff, representatives and agents shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or for any personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with any competition entries except for liability which cannot be excluded by law.The participant indemnifies @radical.media from and against any and all claims and demands made against @radical.media, its assignees and licensees, staff, representatives and agents in relation to the warranties and agreements by the participant contained in these terms and conditions.

Please email msf@radicalmedia.com for more information.

by Glyn Ridgers