KitPlus | Articles

Keep memories safe at RWF

by Martin Bennet Issue 103 - July 2015 RWF World founders Gwynne Roberts and Sadie Wykeham have embarked on a 30-plus year mission with a single purpose: to tell the world about human rights violations through the eyes of its survivors. Through the course of their journey, these truth-seekers have informed the world of late 20th-century injustices...

Submitted by Martin Bennett

Published 01 August 2015

Sony PXW-FS7

by Alister Chapman Issue 94 - October 2014 At IBC Sony launched a new camera. In fact Sony launched several new cameras. This is nothing new, every year Sony launch cameras. But this year Sony really created quite a stir with one camera in particular, the Sony PXW-FS7. So what is it about the FS7 that is so special? Looking at the specs alone this...

Submitted by Alister Champman

Published 01 November 2014

Education: Live TV approaches to learning without a safe...

by Jennie RawlingIssue 81 - September 2013 Live broadcasting is the core business of the University of Portsmouth course, BSc (Hons) Television and Broadcasting, and they are now entering into their fifth successive year of weekly television output. Course leader and senior lecturer Charlie Watts is delighted with the developments so far, but there...

Submitted by Jennie Rawling

Published 01 October 2013

A very useful tool: Atomos Samurai reviewed

By Stephen J. BrandInternational cameraman Stephen J. Brand’s work takes him to some far-flung places. As well as work for BBC Channel 5, ITV and Channel 4, Stephen recently spent 6 weeks in the Middle East filming a wildlife commercial for Qatar TV using a Sony EX3 and an Atomos Samurai, which he describes as a ‘‘very useful little tool”. Here, he...

Submitted by Stephen J. Brand

Published 01 April 2013

Big Fish, Little Fish, Camera-Top-Box

Big Fish, Little Fish, Camera-Top-BoxFor whole swathes of people within the television industry the concept of digital production - and what we generally refer to as ‘going tapeless’ – is probably now considered slightly old hat. Broadcasters, engineers, camera people and other early adopters of technology are so au fait with digital production the...

Submitted by Will Strauss#

Published 01 July 2012

February is where its at

January is an overrated time of year to make new year’s resolutions. There's too much food, port and chocolate in the system to make wise decisions. February is where it's at. I've never really been one for goals, especially work related ones. At college, though we were encouraged to think more for ourselves, all our time was dictated by the exams...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 March 2012

Peli 1640 Review

It may or may not have become apparent that I love my tech. I use it, write about it, podcast about it. In fact I think I might even start shaking and suffering from mild withdrawal symptoms if I don't have a least one item of tech near me. That said, it's important that all my lovely techy cameras and other kit are well protected. I spend a lot of...

Submitted by Kieron Seth#

Published 01 November 2011

Panasonic AF101 review

In 2008 Canon released its latest stills camera the 5DMk2. Little did they know what they had released on the videographers world. This so called STILLS camera had a hidden talent, that of course of remarkably good 1080p video. The indie film makers went wild, no more did they have to bolt on large cumbersome depth of field adapters to their video...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 September 2011

Jack of all trades

So those following my column will know I’m Emma and currently in my first year working as a freelance production assistant. There’s been a few n00by mistakes but also some successes!The best thing about my job has to be the variety of clients I work with, and the variety of roles I can fulfil. This month I've been a second camera operator, producti...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 September 2011

Introducing Emma and her commentaries

My name’s Emma, and I am currently in my first year working as a freelance production assistant. In these commentaries I’ll be sharing with you what I get up to, the n00by mistakes I’ll inevitably make, but hopefully some successes!This month I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Tony Hawk Twitter Hunt. If only the life of a production assista...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 June 2011

Deja Vu

3D was everywhere at IBC with a choice of new products on offer for all parts of production. This makes 3D far more accessible as well as easier to produce. It was also clear that interested visitors to the show were no longer swayed by the initial ‘wow’ factor and were trying to see the more important things – notably the economic realities. In th...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 November 2010

Polecam Production Profile

I have been working in the film and television industry since 1989, starting as a news cameraman and editor at the Manitoba Television Network. MTN is a local independent television broadcaster in my home town of Winnipeg. In 1991 I joined the French television service of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as a sound man and advanced to EN...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 October 2010

Manfrotto 504HD tripod first hands on review

Well we’ve just got our grubby hands on the beautiful shiny new Manfrotto 504HD tripod system.... I believe this to be the replacement for the 503 head that we have many of and tend to use for cameras like the Sony EX1 and EX3 in our fleet. Couple of things straight from the box.. Its light – even though the legs are metal. Comes with the usual pad...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 September 2010

3D Diaries Part 2 Cameras and rigs

The idea of S-3D is not hard to grasp: one image for each eyeball. But making it work well enough to maintain the 3D illusion for the viewer is far from simple or straightforward. The fun starts with acquisition that breaks into two types of operation; live (no post production) and not live (with post). Shooting 3D requires acquiring two streams of...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 July 2010

B4 to EX3 adapter

It’s difficult to get excited about things like adapters but that’s exactly what I was when Mike Tapa of MTF Services sent me his latest creation for review and testing. The “Powered B4 to EX3 Adapter” lets you attach any 2/3” B4 mount lens to your EX3, maintaining full servo zoom, auto iris and VF info. This ability opens up a whole new world of f...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 June 2010