ARRI Rental’s exclusive DNA lenses will soon become available specifically for the Alexa LF full-frame format. The new DNA LF lenses, which are being introduced at the 2018 Camerimage festival of cinematography in Poland, will initially be available in a series of nine focal lengths, ranging from 21 mm to 135 mm. Prototypes have already been put to use with Alexa LF cameras on the TV dramas Killing Eve (season two) and Catherine the Great, and on the movie Ironbark.
As accomplished DoPs striving to do our best work, we can all achieve a lot more creatively if we insist less on perfect lenses. Veteran cinematographers have long understood that lenses have distinct personalities, with a very specific look and feel. In the same way an actor imparts his or her own interpretation on a film’s story, the camera lens contributes its own unique character and flare towards the most compelling visual story possible.
Like most everything else these days, microphone wind protection has become a complex subject. There are many variations of wind protection equipment now on the market and some of it costs more than the microphones themselves. Guidance may be necessary for television news reporters who work on their own in the field and need protection against strong wind, but don’t want to handle unwieldy gear.
Apogee has announced MetaRecorder Version 2.0, the first two-channel audio recording app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch to offer multi-take recording, tagging and file organization for any field recording scenario.
Cooke has added a 35 - 140mm zoom to its Anamorphic/i SF lens family. The SF (“Special Flair”) lenses have a specially developed coating that adds even more flare, in addition to the oval bokeh and other aberrations that are synonymous with the anamorphic look.
Sigma has announced pricing and availability of their 105mm T1.5 FF lens, joining the High Speed Prime family of full frame lenses. Compatible with full-frame camera sensors, the lens is optimized for ultra-high-resolution 6K / 8K productions.