News
Create a DIY Z-Finder for Your T2i
As independent filmmakers, it is often easy to be swept away by the costs involved in getting the right hardware for the job. I’ve always enjoyed the DIY approach to re-purposing things (even more so when it relates to video production), so when I saw this video, it got me pretty pumped.
In this tip, The Frugal Filmmaker shares how to create a DIY z-finder for your T2i from household items, which will help significantly in cutting out reflections on your LCD screen, and focusing on what is really important – your final video.
It’s no Zacuto, but it also doesn’t cost $300+, so you can bet I’ll be trying this one out soon.
DIY Z-finder from the frugal filmmaker.
Final Cut Pro X Screenshots, Supports Native H264 Editing
Final Cut Pro X was announced at NAB last night, bringing a complete rewrite of the application from the ground up. While this news in itself is exciting, The Loop received some first screenshots from Apple, and might I say, they are quite intriguing.
Take a look at the image on the left and you’ll see a nice hero shot of the Final Cut Pro X application. But if you look closely, you’ll notice that in the file browser, there are a few video clips using the H.264 codec. This means no more converting footage for DSLR users.
You’ll also notice that audio is built right into the video track now, alleviating sync issues with a magnetic timeline.
Lastly, rendering is done in the background, so no more time spent waiting for your projects to complete. Don’t worry, editors; you still have After Effects to use as an excuse.
All in all, an exciting upgrade available in June from the Mac App Store for $299
No Comments | Final Cut Pro X Screenshots, Supports Native H264 Editing »
Freebies | H.264 Droplet
You’ve shot, edited and graded your masterpiece – now it’s time to share it with the world. However, if you try to export and upload it to youtube, you’ll get an error. Why?
Final Cut Pro exports your timeline using the same codec your footage was shot and edited in – usually, ProRes for Canon DSLR’s. However, these high quality edits can produce massive file sizes, much too large for viewing online. You need to compress your video.
Fortunately, if you have Final Cut Studio, then you also have Compressor, Apple’s excellent solution to solve all of your transcoding and conversion needs.
There’s a neat feature inside Compressor that lets you create a droplet – or, simply, a drag-and-drop script that enables you to perform sometimes complex automated tasks with a simple interaction.
I’ve created a droplet to convert a video exported from Final Cut to an HD video (1920×1080) using the H.264 compression codec. All you need to do is drag your video file on top of the script icon in your finder and Compressor will do the rest. Your newly converted file will appear in the same folder that your video is located. (Note: you must have Compressor installed for this droplet to work.)
More to come. Enjoy!
MOV to H264 Droplet (Mac only)
Canon Rebel T3i / EOS 600D Announced
Canon went on the record and officially announced the Rebel T3i / EOS 600D this morning. While many have speculated on the new features that Canon would bring to the newest model, the major improvement lies in the addition of an articulating 3-inch pop-out LCD. The screen is described as having a 1.04 million-dot resolution with a smudge-resistant and anti-reflection coatings, similar to the 60D, which are definitely welcomed additions. Still, I’m pretty underwhelmed by the differences in the T3i to T2i.
OS 600D – key features (starred features are shared by T2i):
- 18-megapixel CMOS sensor*
- Scene Intelligent Auto mode
- Full-HD EOS Movie*
- On-screen Feature Guide
- 3.7fps continuous shooting*
- Wide-area 9-point AF*
- 1,040k-dot vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0”) screen
- Basic+ and Creative Filters
- Built-in wireless flash control
- $799 (body only) vs T2i’s $687
If you’re deciding between the T2i or T3i for professional video use, the T3i’s vari-tilt screen is definitely a nice touch, but the lack of the Magic Lantern firmware still puts this camera behind the T2i for the time being. Do you this Magic Lantern will be developed for the T3i? Let us know in the comments.
Aquatica Offers Underwater Housing for T2i
Got a spare two grand? Aquatica seeks to help out all ye fellow T2i camerapeople by offering rock-solid underwater housing rated down to 300 feet. Constructed from a solid block of aluminum, this beast-of-a-case allows you to access all of the camera’s features while completely submerged, including all of the buttons, zoom, focus, LCD and flash. You can even swap out cards, batteries and lenses without putting your camera at risk. And hey, even if it is risky, you just spent $2,000 on waterproofing a camera that costs 250% more than the camera itself, so just go grab another T2i and call it even. Next time you are considering your gear for that underwater sci-fi script, it’s hard to say that this wouldn’t fit the bill.
Aquatica T2i Underwater Housing ($1998.95)
