Canon firmware upgrades for 4K

Canon has announced several firmware upgrades for its EOS C500 and EOS C300 Digital Cinema Cameras, DP-V3010 4K reference display and Cinema Raw Development software, most of which will better integrate acquisition and management of 4K footage into every workflow situation (except the C300 of course, which doesn’t do 4K).

Principal amongst them is support for the recently defined ITU BT.2020 colour space for Ultra HD production. This will be most noticeable on the 30-inch DP-V3010 4K professional reference display. The BT.2020 input signals will be mapped to the native colour space of the DP-V3010 for output, to ensure that images are displayed with the widest possible colour gamut and the greatest possible accuracy. Of course, BT.2020 support starts with the camera, so the C500 will be able to create it too.

Canon XF200 + XF205 launched

Canon’s new XF205 and XF200 compact video cameras fit into the XF range between the existing XF100/XF105 and XF300/XF305, although as the XF200 models each have a single slightly-bigger-than one-third-inch CMOS sensor, they are nearer the 100/105 than the 300/305.

Canon CN-E35mm lens for 4K

This is the new CN-E35mm lens which has been developed in response to strong demand from Cinema EOS users, and has a compact design that promises fast performance, which Canon believes makes it ideal for shooting in challenging low-light conditions. 

The CN-E35mm T1.5 L F prime lens takes Canon’s range of EF Cinema primes to a total of six lenses. 

The 35mm lens is designed for 4K production. So will go nicely with the Canon EOS-1D C with full frame coverage, and is colour matched to others in the range, as well as featuring the same form factor and uniform markings, making it easy to switch between lenses when on a shoot. 

It is expected to be available from December.

Canon's 4K - EOS-1D C now EBU Tier 1 approved

Canon’s 4K DSLR camera, the EOS-1D C, has become the first DSLR to meet the EBU Tech 3335 requirements that show it can deliver an image of high enough quality for top-end broadcast production. If you are interested in the tests the camera had to pass here's the link to the EBU doc.

The camera is based on the EOS-1D X, but is designed for video-supporting in-camera 4K (4,096x2,160) recording with 4:2:2 colour sampling.

IBC 2013

Yes, It's September - it must be IBC.

Hopefully there will be some new and interesting bits of kit at the exhibition.

But, there are still a lot of boxes to unpack on the Canon stand.

Plus, you have to remember which bit goes where...

Final Tweaks to the Canon stand at IBC

More soon...

Atomos: Ninja comes clean on DSLRs - sharpens new Samurai Blade

Many users, particularly of DSLRs, might find the new lower price of the Atomos Ninja-2 (HDMI input) recorder appealing, as it can now take clean HDMI feeds from a lot more DSLRs, including the Canon 5D MkIII – thanks to a firmware update from Canon (Atomos also worked with Canon to develop start/stop trigger and timecode over HDMI).

The Ninja-2 now costs $695, and comes with a redesigned docking station, battery, AC mains adaptor, single battery charger and shims for Canon and Nikon batteries.

Atomos also launched the new Samurai Blade at NAB, with higher quality screen for monitoring, and reduced the price of the existing Samurai. For full details, and more Atomos NAB news, go to the main UrbanFoxTV technology blog.

Canon announces new XA25, XA20 + Legria HF G30 camcorders

Canon is expanding its semi-pro/high-end consumer handheld video camera range with three new compact models. Two new professional X-series models, XA25 and XA20, combine an all-new imaging system with professional audio and WiFi connections in a compact, lightweight (1.1kg/2.6lbs) package that fits in the palm of a hand.

The new Legria HF G30 (also known as the Vixia HF G30 in the US) has the same imaging system, but without the XLRs and is aimed at enthusiast videographers, such as hobbyists or film students.