Record iPhone Video With Stereo Sounds on the Fostex AR-4i Audio Interface for iPhone 4/4S

Repost from PASM Workshop

Check out this hot little gadget, the Fostex AR-4i Audio Interface for iPhone 4/4S (US$119.99) which enables you to record video with stereo sound or use it as a recording device using external mics or line in. Initial reviews indicated that it works pretty well with iPhone 4 but not the iPhone 4S as users reported that some statics are picked up with the iPhone 4S. Hope they can come up with an updated app to solve the problem. You can get it from B&H now and the link is here.

Source – B&H

Sony Alpha SLT-A77 Hands-on Review

Source – DigitalRevTV

Video Review – Sony DEV-5 2D/3D Digital Binoculars

The new models, DEV-3 and DEV-5, are ideal for nature/bird watching, they can record Full HD video with stereo sound at the touch of a button, and even add a 3D mode that records scenes as thrilling stereoscopic video footage for playback on most 3D HDTVs.  The new DEV-3 and DEV-5 digital recordable binoculars from Sony will be available in November 2011 for about $1400 and $2000.  Apart from the video review, you can find a write-up over at photoclubalpha. Press Release after the jump.

A Look at the Panasonic GH2 42Mbit AVCHD 1080/24p Video Hack

Vitality just released the first hack for the Panasonic GH2 which enables high bitrate AVCHD in 1080/24p cinema mode. Initial reviews on the hack from the guys over at EOSHD.com indicates that -

• Noise now has a lovely film like fine grain, much more organic and less electronic looking
• Noise smears far less detail
• Low light performance is just better all round
• Less compression appears to have helped with banding on gradated tones, looks closer to 10bit than 8bit!
• Significantly better than the high bitrate MJPEG mode especially in low light
• Colour seems improved, I am getting some beautifully rich tones out of it
• Detail has increased and is much more solid looking, even with heavy camera movement

Check out more in the video or this link for more on the hack and instructions to apply the hack.

Source – EOSHD.com

First published on PASM Workshop on 19 July 2011

Silent Film Director – Free for Limited Time

For those who love to shoot video on their iPhone, Silent Film Director gone free for the day to celebrate Marilyn’s birthday.  Grab it fast as time’s running out, link here.

VARIETY OF STYLES for your films
★ 20’s movie
★ 60’s home video (for the Hippie style videos)
★ 70’s home video
★ Black and White
★ Sepia
★ Vintage Sepia

Cheap Alternative to Video DSLR Rig / Stabilizer – Manfrotto ModoSteady 585

 

Press pic to hop over to ModoSteady 585's product page

 

Okay, you probably have a Sony NEX-5 like I do, or the new lines of DSLR capable of shooting Full HD video like the Sony A33, A55, Nikon D3100 or Canon EOS 550D and you like me are probably looking for some sort of stabilization accessories so to enable you to shoot smoother video.

Of course one can go the professional way with systems like Redrock Nano (US$387.50 and up), Steadicam Merlin (US$849), Zacuto Target Shooter (US$475) and the list goes on and on, but these close to professional steady systems do cost a fortune.  One alternative I found over the weekend, is this ModoSteady585 from Manfrotto launched way back in 2007, some three years ago.

Originally designed for small video camcorders, the ModoSteady 585 can carry loads up to 750g or 1.7lb and the newer line of video DSLR fits just right in.  The ModoSteady 585 cost around HK$790 (US$100) and it sure does the job albeit mixed reviews since it was introduced.  I tried it out with my Sony NEX-5 and it just fits perfectly although the quick release plate is bit wide for the slim body of the NEX5 where the circular plate sticks out on both the front and rear sides of the camera. There are tons of video on the ModoSteady 585 on YouTube, check it out for yourself and see if this works for you.  It works for me.

Some pics of the ModoSteady 585 after the jump.

First Look – Sony NEX-VG10 – World’s First Consumer Interchangeable Lens HD Camcorder

image from imaging-resource.com

Shortly after releasing their NEX line mirror-less camera, the NEX-3 and NEX-5, Sony announced the all new NEX-VG10, the world’s first consumer interchangeable lens HD camcorder which utilizes the same E-mount lens.  Like the NEX-3 and NEX-5, this camcorder can use the alpha lenses as well by using the alpha-mount adapter.  The NEX-VG10 will start shipping this September at just under US$2000.  For a complete preview, check out this article over at image-resource.com.

Thanks Maverick for the video link.  This baby is looking sweet.

Source – image-resource.com, imageinsider

Operation Guide – Panasonic Lumix GH1

For those who are interested in finding more about the camera, check out this online operation guide at the following link, http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/mpi/dsc/gh1/model_top.html.

For full download of the operating instructions, download it from this link,
http://media.dvinfo.net/media/panaso…gh1english.pdf.

Phooey Pics – Canon Announced New VIXIA Line of Camcorders, the HF11 and HG21

New post over at Phooey Pics on Canon Announced New VIXIA Line of Camcorders, the HF11 and HG21, hop over for the read, link here.

Nikon D700 Announced

Pic from Digital Photography Review

D700, the newest addition to the Nikon’s line of professional DSLR is finally announced.  It’s a twelve megapixel, full-frame (FX format) camera and it even comes with a built-in flash which is going to rival Canon 5D line.  This baby is going for around US$2500 and will be shipping this month.  Detailed hands-on preview up over at Digital Photography Review, link here.

Source – Digital Photography Review.

Video Preview – Sony Ericsson C905 8-megapixel Cameraphone

Question is, do we need a 8-megapixel camera on our phone…hmm…

Features per Sony’s press release here -

• Complete digital camera experience on a phone – true digital camera styling and an 8.1 megapixel camera with Xenon flash
• Outstanding picture quality – complete with face detection auto-focus, smart contrast and image stabilizer
• From baby’s first steps to an amazing sunset; store them all on the 2GB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2®) included
• The USB adaptor (CCR-70) provided in-box allows for easy transfer of your photos to-and-from your PC.
• View high-quality pictures on the phones impressive 2.4” scratch-resistant mineral glass display
• Share your memories – send your photos wirelessly from your phone to your TV via Wi-Fi™ (using DLNA), or connect with wires using the TV-Out Cable ITC-60, also announced today
• Upload photos to your own online blogsite or print your photos with fantastic resolution up to A3 size
• Much more than a camera phone – GPS-enabled for geo-tagging of photos and navigation support.

For full specs, check out Sony’s press release here. Tentative release date is fourth quarter this year.

Source – MegaWhatTV, Sony Ericsson

Sony Carl Zeiss 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM Portrait Shots

Following my previous post on the test portrait shots on the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM lens, I’ve been asked to post up some more test shots on my other lenses. Took some model shots in a studio over the weekend with the Sony Carl Zeiss 24-70mm F2.8ZA SSM and posting here for those interested. Click for larger image.

1/125sec, F8, ISO 100, Lens Focal Length 70mm

Photoshop Express Adds Flickr Integration & More

This just in from Adobe, seems like they finally got the Flickr integration working with their beta version of Photoshop Express. This was quick considering they just announced the new features last week, for the press release on 8 May from Adobe, click here.

Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM Portrait Shots

Finally got the chance to go out and shoot some portraits with the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM out that Chung Hom Kok today.  Weather a bit overcast but still managed to take some decent pics. Click the following pics for a larger pic.

1/400sec, F5.6, ISO 800, Lens Focal Length 300mm

1/320sec, F5.6, ISO 800, Lens Focal Length 300mm