Highlight of 2009: DLSR & ‘Must Have’ Video Gear
Hey Folks, long time no post.
But as a year comes towards its end, the amount of work increases in an insane way. As a matter of fact, spare time gets rare and week ends become even more precious. That’s one of the reasons why this blog hasn’t been updated for a long time.
As a technological highlight for 2009, I’d definitely choose the video mode of the new DSLR cameras, such as the Canon 5D Mk. II & 7D. The amount of video equipment available at the moment is simply astounding. I’m very excited about what will follow in 2010.
If you own a DSLR and you’re into filming, then here is a quick list of equipment that you definitely should check out:
-Glide Track – a kind of handy dolly replacement that you can mount on one to two tripods
-nanoFlash – a Flash recorder with SDI & HDMI Inputs
-Redrock Micro DSLR Cinema Bundle - transform your DSLR into a professional video camera
-Z-Finder – an adaptor that you mount on the LCD screen of your DSLR and that turns it into an optical viewfinder
-ikan HD-Monitor – you’ll definitely feel more comfortable using a TFT LCD monitor mounted on your DSLR. The benefits of using such a monitor should be self explaining…
Mentioning this, I have to recommend you a post on Philip Blooms blog. Philip got the opportunity to test some DSLR gear on the Skywalker Ranch, as well as to watch his footage projected on the screen of George Lucas’ private theatre.
And this is the result – don’t miss the 1080P option:
You might also be interested in what George Lucas and Quentin Tarantino said about the results. Just follow the Link to Philip Blooms article:
Even though I unfortunately don’t own a DSLR, I’m still very interested in the capabilities of these cameras. I’ll definitely rent one as soon as I’ll get an opportunity 
But until then, I’ll have to keep photographing with my Sony DSC-H20 that I’ve just bought in October. Since I’ve made a job out of my hobbies, it is quite hard to find something new for relaxing and to get some distance from the daily business. For that purpose, I found out that photography might be something good – and it is. But since filming and photographing differ in many ways from each other, I preferred to start off with a rather small but powerful camera before spending loads of money onto a DSLR. Even though they don’t cost much these days, if you think about getting a DSLR, then always keep the additional gear in mind. Good quality has its price. You’ll not be happy to own a >500€ camera as long as you’ll be constrained on using a crappy tripod, missing a flash-light, filters, etc., just because you didn’t budget for it. This can, and will be very frustrating.
On the other hand, you’ll not be happy neither spending thousands of Euros just to find out that a DSLR doesn’t fit to your habits, or that you’re just not talented at photography. That’s the reason why I got myself a DSC-H20, which I can really recommend. 2010 is going to show me if I should think about affording a DSLR like the 5D Mk. II or the 7D.
Well, and to finish this post, here is my first source of inspiration for 2010, entitled “The Third & The Seventh” by Alex Roman, done with 3ds Max, Vray, After Effects and Premiere. Don’t miss the credits 
