Canon and Sony News, Deals, and What's New at The-Digital-Picture.com
Topaz Labs CEO Eric Yang Introduces Video AI 5
Mon, 13 May 2024 15:19:00 EDT

From Eric Yang, CEO, Topaz Labs:

"Video AI 5 is here—I can't wait for you to experience it."

The newest version of Video AI 5 is here, and I'm very excited for you to experience it. With improved AI model quality, a better user interface, and more integrations for professional editing workflows, it's the best Video AI to date—one we’re incredibly excited about.

We've always believed that technology should enhance your work, not replace it. So, we're using artificial intelligence to improve what you already do without altering its core essence.

From major film studios working on today's biggest movies to upscaling content for massive installations unlike anything else in the world—with Video AI, people everywhere are creating amazing things.

We can't wait to see what you'll make next.

Cinema-grade. AI-powered. Built for creatives everywhere.

Check out the sample footage and get Video AI 5 at Topaz Labs.

Announced: SanDisk 4TB and 8TB (16TB Coming) Desk Drive SSD USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External Drive, Introductory Sale – Save Up to $100.00
Mon, 13 May 2024 09:40:18 EDT

The new SanDisk 4TB and 8TB Desk Drive SSDs are on sale and in stock at B&H.

From Western Digital:

Western Digital Now Offers a Fast, Powerful 8TB Desktop SSD to Help Creators Unlock the Potential of Their Digital Content

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) has expanded its SanDisk portfolio with the new 8TB* SanDisk® Desk Drive, its highest capacity yet on an external desktop solid state drive (SSD). Featuring the speed and reliability of an SSD, this new class of drives gives content creators and business professionals an easy way to back up and access their high-resolution photos, videos and files quickly in a single, convenient location. From photo and video pros to tech enthusiasts, there are a growing number of digital creators generating massive amounts of content who need flexible high-capacity storage solutions to do more, faster.

“As digital content creation continues to soar, there is an increasing need for high-performing and high-capacity storage solutions to help manage and preserve it. Expanding our SSD portfolio is the first step in offering creators backup solutions that deliver the speed and flexibility they need to unlock their creativity,” says Susan Park, Vice President, Consumer Solutions, Western Digital. “By next year, we expect to double the capacity of the SanDisk Desk Drive from 8TB to 16TB on a single desktop SSD.”

The SanDisk Desk Drive key features include:

  • Capacity – 4TB and 8TB capacities* for photo and video collections, CAD files or 3D renders, large AI-generated files, music libraries, important documents, and more.
  • Performance – Faster content access, for even the heaviest files like 8K videos, with read speeds up to 1,000 MB/s1 – up to 4x faster than a desktop HDD3.
  • Backup – Quickly back up photos, videos, and files with SSD speeds using Apple Time Machine or make backups automatic with the included downloadable Acronis® True Image™ for Western Digital backup software2.
  • Design – The compact, modern style, recognized as a 2024 Red Dot Design Award recipient4, maximizes desk space and feels natural in any professional or home setting.
  • Compatibility – Works with Windows® or macOS out of the box with exFAT formatting, using the included USB Type-CTM cable.

Featuring a three-year limited warranty5, the 4TB* SanDisk Desk Drive (U.S. MSRP $379.99) and 8TB* SanDisk Desk Drive (U.S. MSRP $699.99) are available now for purchase at the Western Digital Store and authorized SanDisk retailers, e-tailers, and distributors.

Again, the new SanDisk 4TB and 8TB Desk Drive SSDs are on sale and in stock at B&H.

* 1TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user capacity less.

1 Up to 1000 MB/s read speeds. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions, and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.

2 Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.

3 Based on internal testing against the 8TB WD My Book desktop HDD.

4 The “Red Dot” is an award recognizing high design quality. The international “Red Dot” jury awards the seal of quality to products that feature outstanding design.

5 See www.sandisk.com/wug.

In Today's B&H Deal Zone: Syrp Genie II, Synology DiskStation, Manfrotto, More!
Mon, 13 May 2024 00:01:00 EDT

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on:

  • Syrp Genie II Motorized Pan/Tilt Head – only $494.88 after $1,500.00 instant savings
  • Samsung S24A600NWN 24" 16:9 75Hz QHD IPS Monitor – only $139.99 after $210.00 instant savings
  • Synology DiskStation DS1821+ 8-Bay NAS Enclosure – only $849.99 after $150.00 instant savings
  • Synology 32TB DiskStation DS1821+ 8-Bay NAS Enclosure Kit with Synology NAS Drives (4 x 8TB) – only $1,563.95 after $256.00 instant savings
  • Synology 48TB DiskStation DS1821+ 8-Bay NAS Enclosure Kit with Synology NAS Drives (4 x 12TB) – only $1,799.95 after $320.00 instant savings
  • Synology 64TB DiskStation DS1821+ 8-Bay NAS Enclosure Kit with Synology NAS Drives (4 x 16TB) – only $1,937.95 after $342.00 instant savings
  • Manfrotto Chicago Backpack 30 (Small, Dark Gray) – only $67.88 after $160.00 instant savings
  • & more!

See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Worth browsing: Deals of the Week at B&H.

Nextorage Introduces CFexpress Type A Memory Cards, Review
Sun, 12 May 2024 21:00:00 EDT

I've been using Nextorage's CFexpress Type A cards for a few months, trusting them for my most important shoots, including the total solar eclipse and my daughter's university graduation.

Review: Nextorage CFexpress Type A Memory Card

From Nextorage:

CFexpress™ Type A Memory Card NX-A1PRO Series/NX-A1SE Series Now on Sale Nextorage Corporation

(President: Katsuyuki Honda; Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) announces the release of the NX-A1PRO and NX-A1SE series of CFexpress Type A memory cards on 9th May 2024 at Amazon.com.

NX-A1PRO Series

  • NX-A1SE1920G Best-in-class read and write speeds of up to 950 MB/s and 950 MB/s, respectively [1] [2]
  • Minimum continuous write speed of 850 MB/s for high-speed continuous shooting [1] [2]
  • Stable high-speed continuous shooting and movie recording with our unique low power consumption technology
  • VPG400 compatible

NX-A1SE Series

  • Best-in-class read up to 950 MB/s[1], write up to 950 MB/s[1]
  • High-capacity lineup for long time video recording
  • VPG200 compatible

In the photographic and imaging industry, where camera performance continues to evolve and image quality and resolution continue to increase, we are launching the CFexpress Type A memory cards to meet the needs for recording video and still images at the highest image quality.

Expands its product portfolio for professional imaging with the addition of CFexpress Type A memory cards to its existing SD memory card and CFexpress Type B memory card products. We are expanding our product lineup for consumers to meet the photographic needs of more customers.

The NX-A1PRO series is a CFexpress Type A memory card for professional users who handle high-speed continuous shooting and high bit-rate video.

Best-in-class write/read speeds.

The maximum transfer rate of 950 MB/s for both write and read, the highest level in its class, and the minimum continuous write speed of 850 MB/s are achieved. [1] [3] The number of consecutive shots possible during high-speed continuous shooting has been increased, and the buffer memory release time has been shortened. This reduces the number of missed shots at the desired moment.

Dynamic Auto Power Save, a unique low-power consumption technology that stabilizes video recording.

Nextorage's unique power saving technology, "Dynamic Auto Power Save," reduces power consumption by up to 88% compared to the case without.[1]

In addition to reducing power consumption during video recording, thermal throttling* is also suppressed by reducing the temperature rise of the card itself. (*Thermal throttling: a control function that attenuates the transfer rate to prevent thermal runaway)

This enables stable video recording.

It also reduces the camera's battery consumption, which contributes to extending the available shooting time.[1]

VPG400 compliant, as required for professional video shooting.

All capacities comply with the Video Performance Guarantee VPG400 (minimum guaranteed continuous write speed: 400 MB/s). It has the specifications required for professional video recording.

Abundant lineup of capacities for various applications

80 GB/160 GB capacity lineup for high-speed continuous shooting of still images and VPG200 for video shooting requiring.

High capacity 320 GB/640 GB available.

The CFexpress Type A is now available to professional users who have not yet used the CFexpress Type A. We want our customers to experience the performance of our 40GB capacity at an affordable price.

The NX-A1SE series is a CFexpress Type A memory card for video creators who shoot long, high-quality videos.

Best-in-class write/read speeds.

Achieves a class-leading maximum write/read transfer rate of 950 MB/s. [1] Reduces data transfer time after shooting.

High-capacity lineup for long-time video recording

The high-capacity lineup of 480 GB,960 GB and 1,920 GB supports long-time movie recording, and is ideal for switching from SD cards, as it dramatically improves shooting time and data transfer speeds compared to SDXC UHS-II memory cards.

VPG200 compliant for stable, high quality video recording

All capacities comply with the Video Performance Guarantee VPG200 (guaranteed minimum continuous write speed: 200 MB/s). It has the specifications required for professional video recording.

Durability[3]

Both the NX-A1PRO and NX-A1SE series are durable and come with a 5-year warranty in accordance with CompactFlash Association regulations.

Heat resistance: -10 °C to 70 °C (guaranteed operating temperature)

Shock resistance (EIA-364-27A compliant)

X-ray resistant (ISO7816-1 compliant)

UV resistant (ISO7816-1 compliant)

Magnetic resistance (based on Nextorage's own testing)

Electrostatic resistance (conforms to IEC 61000-4-2)

Sales Price and Sales Information

NXA1PRO & A1SE series will be available at the Amazon.com Nextorage store, from May, 2024

Selling price

NX-A1PRO Series

NX-A1PRO640G $749.99
NX-A1PRO320G $439.99
NX-A1PRO160G $229.99
NX-A1PRO80G $164.99
NX-A1PRO40G $89.99

NX-A1SE series

NX-A1SE1920G $899.99
NX-A1SE960G $499.99
NX-A1SE480GB $199.99

Orders

Nextorage CFexpress Type A Memory Cards are available at Amazon.

Note:

[1] Capacity is shown as 1 trillion bytes equals 1 TB and 1 billion bytes equals 1 GB. Actual usable space will be less than indicated due to the system file area.

[2] Data speed under our specified conditions. Speeds may vary depending on measurement conditions.

[3] All durability values are based on Nextorage test conditions. IEC degree of protection IP6X: Proven to be totally impervious to dust.

IEC degree of protection IP5X: Proven to be impervious to dust to the extent that it can cause harm.

IEC degree of protection IPX8: No water ingress after 72 hours of submersion in tap water at room temperature at a depth of 5 m.

IEC degree of protection IPX7: No water ingress after 30 minutes of temporary submersion in tap water at room temperature at a constant depth of 1 m. Insertion and extraction resistance: The UHS-I connector has passed 10,000 insertion and extraction tests. Insertion/withdrawal resistance: Has passed 10,000 times insertion/withdrawal test with UHS-I connector.

X-ray/UV resistance: Complies with ISO7816-1 international standard.

Electrostatic discharge resistance: ±15kV in an air discharge has been verified in accordance with IEC61000-4-2 specified by IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). 2,500 gauss is equivalent to about 30,000 times stronger than the electromagnetic field emitted by a typical microwave oven. Design, specifications and prices are subject to change without notice.

In Stock: Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 and 24-50mm F2.8 G Lenses
Sun, 12 May 2024 16:48:50 EDT
In Today's B&H Deal Zone: Lexar, Lowepro, Kensington, Godox, More!
Thu, 09 May 2024 00:01:00 EDT

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on:

  • Lexar 512GB Professional CFexpress Type B Card GOLD Series – only $159.99 after $230.00 instant savings
  • Lexar 2TB Professional CFexpress Type B Card GOLD Series – only $379.99 after $150.00 instant savings
  • Lowepro Truckee BP 250 (Black, 18L) – only $69.95 after $50.00 instant savings
  • Kensington SD4839P Triple Video Docking Station (Black) – only $49.99 after $190.00 instant savings
  • Godox UL60 Silent LED Video Light – only $174.00 after $125.00 instant savings
  • & more!

See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Canon USA Refurbished Camera and Lens Inventory Refresh, Some Items on Sale
Wed, 08 May 2024 12:26:40 EDT

Canon USA just refreshed the refurbished camera and refurbished lens inventory. Some items are on sale. Take a moment to browse what is avaialble.

New From Apple: iPad Pro M4 and Air M2, More
Tue, 07 May 2024 16:43:38 EDT
Where the Sheep Take You in Denali National Park
Tue, 07 May 2024 14:57:56 EDT

A good reason to pursue many wildlife species is that you get to go where they live. That is the case with dall sheep, and few animals have a more stunning daily view.

On this day, fall was offically a couple of weeks away, but the Denali National Park tundra was aflame in color, and the mountains were loaded with snow.

While climbing to the sheep, I couldn't help pausing to capture this scene. The strong-textured dark foreground ridgeline, red huckleberries in mottled sunlight in the valley, high contrast snowy mountains in the distance, and straight dark cloud putting a cap on the scene seemed a composition worthy of a photo.

The ability to capture this composition is an example of the advantage of a 100-something mm telephoto zoom lens vs. a 200-600mm, 200-800mm, or similar option.


A larger version of this image is available here.

 
Camera and Lens Settings
167mm  f/11.0  1/80s
ISO 100
8192 x 5464px
In Today's B&H Deal Zone: Pgytech OneMo Backpack & Shoulder Bag (Olivine Camo, 25L) – Only $119.95 (Save $100.00), Just Arriving Used: Sony FE 300mm F2.8, Much More
Tue, 07 May 2024 08:58:16 EDT

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on:

  • Pgytech OneMo Backpack & Shoulder Bag (Olivine Camo, 25L) – only $119.95 after $100.00 instant savings
  • Vertiv PST5-500MT120 8-Outlet UPS – only $47.99 after $20.00 instant savings
  • Datacolor SpyderCHECKR Color Chart and Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras – only $89.00 after $50.00 instant savings
  • Syrp Magic Carpet Medium Track Kit with Carriage and End Caps (39") – only $199.88 after $215.00 instant savings
  • & more!

See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Worth browsing: Mother's Day Specials National Photo Month Deals at B&H.

Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department:

CategoryWhat Just Arrived
Canon EOS CamerasR5, R7
Canon RF Lenses18-150, 50 F1.8, Adapter
Sony Alpha Camerasa7R V, a7C R, a7S III, a7C II, a7 IV, a6700 kit
Sony FE Lenses24-70 F2.8 II, 70-200 F4 II, 70-200 F2.8 II, 200-600, 50 F1.2, 300mm F2.8
Really Right StuffReally Right Stuff PG-02 FG (Fluid Gimbal) Pano-Gimbal Head, Ascend-14 Long Tripod with Integrated Ball Head, BH-30, MC-LS Universal L-Bracket
Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens Image Quality Test Results
Mon, 06 May 2024 09:00:00 EDT

Image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results, along with specs and standard product images, are now available on the Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens page.

This is the Tamron lens coming to the RF mount later this year. The full review is coming soon.

Here is a relevant comparison: Compared to the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

Support this site by ordering the Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

Rent the Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens from Lensrentals.

Many Canon Products Added to the Amazon Prime Card Bonus Offer
Mon, 06 May 2024 10:33:34 EDT

The Amazon Prime Card Bonus is live (through May 31st), and many Canon mirrorless cameras and lenses (and at least 1 flash, the EL-5) are included in the 15% category. In addition, many Canon items were just added to the 10% category.

This savings is on top of any Canon instant savings available.

Don't have an Amazon Prime Card? Get one here.

Sony Launches Instant Savings Progam and Doubles Warranty
Mon, 06 May 2024 10:25:29 EDT

From Sony:

Enjoy An Additional One-Year Warranty On New Sony Purchases + New Sony Camera, Lens, and Accessories Promotions

Sony is excited to announce that Sony customers can enjoy an additional one-year extended limited warranty on their purchases, doubling the existing warranty period to a total of two years, by just registering their product. This offer applies to products purchased between May 1, 2024, and September 30, 2024. Customers are simply required to register their product within 30 days of purchase via Sony Product Registration and provide an image of the purchase receipt from an authorized Sony retailer.

In tandem with the extended warranty, Sony is launching a series of promotions that are now live. A few highlights of the promotions include:

  • Alpha 7R V: $400 off
  • Alpha 7 IV: $200 off
  • $100 off each for the 16-35mm G, 90mm F.2.8 Macro G OSS, 50mm F1.2 G Master, 35mm F1.4 G Master, ZV-1, and ZV-1 II.
  • Sony microphones, and memory cards.

Get Sony at B&H.

In Today's B&H Deal Zone: Apple 14" MacBook Pro – Only $1,599.00 (Save $400.00), Mother's Day Specials, More!
Mon, 06 May 2024 08:44:30 EDT

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on:

  • Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M2 Pro | 16-Core GPU | 16GB | 512GB SSD | Space Gray) – only $1,599.00 after $400.00 instant savings
  • SmallHD INDIE 5 Touchscreen On-Camera Monitor – only $799.00 after $500.00 instant savings
  • Magnus VT-4000 Tripod System with Fluid Head – only $99.99 after $100.00 instant savings. Add-on a Magnus DWF-2 Universal Tripod Dolly for just $39.95 (reg $54.95).
  • Angler 865BLED Sparta Bicolor LED Light – only $140.00 after $59.00 instant savings
  • Silicon Power 1TB PX10 USB-C 3.2 Portable SSD (Black or Pink) – only $69.99 after $24.00 instant savings
  • & more!

See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Worth browsing: Mother's Day Specials National Photo Month Deals at B&H.

Dall Sheep Ram Stepping Up, Denali National Park
Sat, 04 May 2024 21:15:00 EDT

This ram is the king of the mountain.

When composing an animal, I like to leave extra space in the direction the animal's body is pointed toward and extra space in the direction the animal's head is facing. In other words, the animal's body should be coming into the frame vs. exiting, and the animal's head should be looking into the frame vs. out of the frame. Usually, this strategy provides a visual balance.

Sometimes, the body and head point in opposite directions, and in that case, a centered animal may be the optimal choice. Another scenario calling for a centered animal is when it is directly facing and approaching the camera (or the opposite), providing symmetry that balances well in the center of the frame.

The ram's raised right-front leg adds a sense of movement, giving this frame an advantage over the many others captured during this encounter.


A larger version of this image is available here.

 
Camera and Lens Settings
159mm  f/5.0  1/500s
ISO 100
8192 x 5464px
Just Arriving Used Gear at B&H: R5, R6, R7, R10, RF 100-500, Alpha 9 III, FE 16-35 II, 24-70 II, 600mm F4, More!
Sat, 04 May 2024 09:54:33 EDT

Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department. Be the first to check out when B&H opens at tonight at 9:15 PM ET to score these deals:

CategoryWhat Just Arrived
Canon EOS CamerasR5, R5 kit, R6, R7, R10 kit
Canon RF Lenses15-30, 18-150, 100-500
Sony Alpha Camerasa9 III, a7R V, a7 IV, ZV-E1, a7C II
Sony FE Lenses16-35 F2.8 II, 24-70 F2.8 II, 200-600, 600mm F4
Canon RF 10-20mm F4 L IS STM Lens In Stock at Adorama
Sat, 04 May 2024 08:54:47 EDT
In Today's B&H Deal Zone: Lowepro FreeLine Backpack 350 AW – Only $99.88 (Save $150.00), Popular Gear In Stock in the Canon and Sony Used Inventory
Fri, 03 May 2024 09:46:03 EDT

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on the Lowepro FreeLine Backpack 350 AW (Heather Gray) – only $99.88 after $150.00 instant savings.

See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Worth browsing: Deals of the Week at B&H.

The B&H Used Department has recently added some popular cameras and lenses:

CategoryWhat Just Arrived
Canon EOS CamerasR5 C, R7 kit
Canon RF Lenses15-35, 18-45, 24-50, 24-105 F4, 100-400, 55-210, 50 F1.2, 600 F11, 800 F11, Adapters
Sony Alpha Camerasa1, a7R V, a9 II, a7S III, a7C R, a7 IV, ZV-E1, a7C II, a6700 kit
Sony FE Lenses12-24 F2.8, 16-35 F2.8 II, 70-200 F2.8 II, 100-400, 200-600, 14, 50 F1.2, 135 F1.8
Really Right StuffAscend-14 Compact, TVC-24L Versa Mk2, TVC-33 Mk2, BH-40
Canon Adds Six Filmmakers to Explorers of Light Program
Thu, 02 May 2024 11:00:00 EDT

From Canon USA:

Canon Adds Six Visionary Filmmakers to Explorers of Light Program to Inspire the Next Generation of Video Professionals

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 2, 2024 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced six filmmakers will join its celebrated Explorers of Light program, welcoming a new class of storytellers focused on the craft of cinematography.

For nearly three decades, the Explorers of Light program has brought together a roster of distinguished photographers to inspire, teach, and collaborate with visual artists and content creators of all skill levels. Explorers of Light past and present include multi-hyphenate creative professionals such as Academy Award®-winner Jimmy Chin (Free Solo, Meru) and Emmy® -winner Lauren Greenfield (Generation Wealth, The Queen of Versailles). With today’s addition of six new members dedicated to the art of motion, the program officially expands its scope beyond still photography to foster creativity among the global filmmaking community.

Canon’s newest Explorers of Light include cinematographers Christine Ng, Claudia Raschke, David Klein, ASC, and Shana Hagan, ASC, as well as directors Matthew Heineman and Rudy Valdez.

Brian Mahar, senior vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A., Inc., said, “For 30 years, the Explorers of Light program has been a platform for education and inspiration. Today, we are proud to widen the aperture on the craft of visual storytelling by welcoming a group of filmmakers known for their boundary-breaking cinematography and commitment to mentorship. Each of our newest members will add incredible value to the program and to the filmmaking community at large.”

The new class of award-winning Explorers of Light will join the 35 current members of the program to share their unique perspectives and decades of industry experience with aspiring creatives.

Meet Canon’s Newest Explorers of Light (EOLs):

Christine Ng, Cinematographer (Poker Face, ZIWE, Between the World and Me)

About Christine: Christine Ng is a Hong Kong-born, New York-raised cinematographer and a graduate from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her cinematography work spans commercials, music videos, documentaries and narrative. The first commercial she shot was filmed on a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon lenses and aired during Super Bowl XLVI. The first feature-length documentary Christine shot was the Emmy®-nominated and Critic’s Choice Award-winning Everything is Copy for HBO. Named a Rising Star of Cinematography by American Cinematographer in 2022, Christine’s work has screened at festivals worldwide including SXSW®, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Outfest®, LA Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, New York Film Festival, IFFBoston and many more. In addition, she shot the film adaptation for Ta-Nehisi Coates’s critically acclaimed Between The World and Me. She shot three episodes of Issa Rae’s latest show, Rap Sh!t and two seasons of Ziwe, a variety show produced by A24 for Showtime. Most recently, she shot four episodes of Rian Johnson’s TV series, Poker Face starring Natasha Lyonne for Peacock.

  • Top Gear Picks: RF50mm F1.2 L USM, RF100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM, RF28-70mm F2 L USM, RF70-200mm F2.8L IS USM, RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, vintage Canon K-35 Primes, the Canon 50mm f/0.95mm “Dream Lens,” and a 3D printed Totoro figurine.
  • Advice for Filmmakers: “Stay humble and true to yourself, always say yes to every opportunity when you’re starting out. You never know who you will meet and how that initial meeting will influence your career later.”
  • What it Means to be a Canon EOL: “It is such a prestigious honor to be included in the Explorers of Light program. I’ve always shot with Canon since I first discovered photography, so it is incredibly humbling to be recognized by the Canon team.”

Claudia Raschke, Cinematographer (Julia, My Name is Pauli Murray, RBG)

About Claudia: Claudia Raschke is a world-renowned cinematographer, best known for her ability to bring rich tones of the motion picture to a diverse spectrum in films, from purely commercial ventures, through feature-length documentaries, to lower budget works of art. Among her notable award-winning films are: Academy Award® -nominated and Emmy® -winning RBG, God is the Bigger Elvis; Academy Award® -short-listed Mad Hot Ballroom, Julia, Boys State; Peabody Award-winning Black Magic and My Name is Pauli Murray; Critics Choice Award-nominated Fauci and The House of Hammer, as well as documentary series’ for National Geographic®, Discovery, Showtime®, and CNN. Currently, Claudia is in production of an eight-part documentary series for the History Channel® to be released in 2025.

She is also a founding member of the NYC Kamera Kollektiv, a boutique agency for documentary and feature film cinematographers in New York City and a member of AMPAS.

  • Top Gear Picks: Canon Cinema EOS C500 Mark II, Cinema EOS C300 Mark III, CN-E 35mm T1.5 L F, CN-E 50mm T1.3 L F, CN-E 135mm T2.2 LF, CINE-SERVO 17-120mm T2.95-3.9, COMPACT-SERVO 18-80mm T4.4 EF, a spot meter and a small sketchbook.
  • Advice for Filmmakers: “Experiment as much as you can with the tech tools you have access to and create a playground to challenge yourself to think outside your limits. Be fierce and fearless.”
  • What it Means to be a Canon EOL: “It is a distinct privilege and honor to join the ranks of the Explorers of Light program. Canon cameras and optics have been my top creative tools for documentary filmmaking for many years. I consider it a great opportunity to learn from other EOL artists and to share my process as a cinematographer with the Explorers of Light community.”

David Klein, ASC, Cinematographer (The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Homeland)

About David: Cinematographer David Klein, ASC has spent over three decades perfecting his craft and captivating audiences with his visual storytelling.

His remarkable career includes lensing iconic indie film classics such as Clerks, Clerks II, Mallrats, Cop Out, Red State and Chasing Amy, with director Kevin Smith. In 2014 and 2016, Klein received Emmy® nominations for Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series for his work as the Director of Photography on Showtime®'s Emmy® winning series Homeland. He also served as the Director of Photography for HBO dramas’ True Blood and Deadwood: The Movie where he earned a third Emmy® nomination in 2019.

Most recently, David has been on the forefront of virtual production shooting cutting-edge episodes of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett for Disney+.

  • Top Gear Picks: EOS R5 C, CN-E 15.5-47mm T2.8 L SP, CN-E 30-105mm T2.8 LS, a set of Canon PL Cinema Primes, and a Suunto compass/inclinometer combo.
  • Advice for Filmmakers: “Never forget it’s our job as cinematographers to tell the story in a unique way, but it’s also to be invisible. To paraphrase Roger Deakins, if somebody sees something I’ve shot and says ‘that was beautiful cinematography’ before they talk about the story, we have failed.”
  • What it Means to be a Canon EOL: “Exploring light is quite literally what I do. On set and in pre-production, we’re always exploring new and unique ways to use light to tell stories differently. Canon is constantly pushing the envelope to deliver new ways to tell stories with tried and true tech, and it’s an honor to be named an Explorer of Light.”

Matthew Heineman, Director/Cinematographer (American Symphony, Retrograde, Cartel Land)

About Matthew: Matthew Heineman is an Academy Award®?-nominated, nine-time Emmy®?-winning, and two-time DGA Award winning-filmmaker. In 2019, he received a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First Time Feature Film Director from the Directors Guild of America for his narrative debut, A Private War — making Heineman and Martin Scorsese one of only two filmmakers ever nominated for both narrative and documentary DGA Awards. Heineman most recently directed American Symphony, which earned Academy Award®? and BAFTA nominations and won a PGA and two Critics' Choice Awards.

Heineman previously directed and produced Retrograde which was shortlisted for an Academy Award®?, won three Emmy®? awards, and was nominated for DGA and PGA Award. It also received a Producing Award from DOC NYC and was honored with the Edward R. Murrow Award for Feature Documentary. His previous film, The First Wave was also shortlisted for an Academy Award®? and won three Emmy®? awards, including Best Documentary. Heineman previously directed Cartel Land, which was nominated for an Academy Award®? and won three Emmy®? awards and a DGA Award; City of Ghosts, for which he won a DGA Award; and two seasons of the Emmy®?-winning docuseries The Trade. He also directed HBO’s Emmy®?-winning Tiger and The Boy From Medellin.

  • Top Gear Picks: Canon Cinema EOS C500 Mark II, RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM, RF24-70mm F2.8L IS USM, RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM, EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
  • Advice for Filmmakers: “When I was 21 years old, I heard documentarian Albert Maysles give a talk that would shape my view on filmmaking. He said, ‘If you end up with the film you started with, then you weren't listening along the way.’ Be open to the story changing. Don't be dogmatic. And this is something that I've held very close to my heart both in a macro sense (the films I choose to take on and how I find my way to them) and in a micro sense (within each shoot, shoot day, scene, lens change). Look around the frame at all times! I love embracing this type of unpredictability and adaptation inherent in making verité films. By doing so, my goal always is to try to humanize stories that often seem so far away or are relegated to stats or headlines.”
  • What it Means to be a Canon EOL: “I am honored and thrilled to be in the company of so many incredible artists whose work I admire, including my dear friend Jimmy Chin. From Cartel Land though my most recent documentary American Symphony (including 6 projects in between), I’ve used Canon equipment in every project. I’m excited to share my knowledge and skillset with other cinematographers and story tellers around the world.”

Rudy Valdez, Director/Cinematographer (Choir, Carlos, The Sentence)

About Rudy: Rudy Valdez, a two-time Emmy®-winning filmmaker, is known for his commitment to telling engaging stories that explore a variety of cultural, social, and political themes. Through his distinct cinematic approach, Valdez captures the essence of human emotions and experiences, earning him critical praise and recognition as an influential figure in the film industry. Notable works include the Emmy®-nominated The Sentence, which follows his sister's journey through the criminal justice system, and Translators, a touching exploration of Latino families through the perspectives of their young translators. Valdez's recent projects include directing the docuseries Choir for Disney+ and the acclaimed Carlos, a documentary tracing the life of music legend Carlos Santana.

As the founder of Bluff Road Films, Valdez is dedicated to amplifying meaningful stories while promoting diversity both in front of and behind the camera.

  • Top Gear Picks: Canon Cinema EOS C500 Mark II, EOS R5 C, CN-E 50mm T1.3 L F, CN-E 35mm T1.5 L F, and a monopod
  • Advice for Filmmakers: “Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. As much as you possibly can. Find out what works for you.”
  • What it Means to be a Canon EOL: “It is such a wonderful honor to be a Canon Explorer of Light. I was lucky enough to start my journey as a filmmaker around the same time that the Canon EOS 5D Mark II was introduced, allowing me an affordable camera that could produce the images as I saw them in my head.”

Shana Hagan, ASC, Cinematographer (Somebody Somewhere, Welcome to Flatch, The Kingmaker)

About Shana: Shana Hagan has shot Academy Award® and Emmy®-winning documentaries including the Academy Award®-winning Breathing Lessons, Academy Award®-nominated Walk Run Cha-Cha, Return to Space with Chai Vasarhelyi and Explorer of Light Jimmy Chin, The Kingmaker for director and Explorer of Light Lauren Greenfield, 63Up and Married in America with Michael Apted, The Conductor with Bernadette Wegenstein and twenty-one Sundance Film Festival selections, including Generation Wealth, Queen of Versailles, Taylor Swift: Miss Americana, and Shakespeare Behind Bars.

Shana’s scripted work includes projects with Paul Feig, Jenny Bicks and the Duplass Brothers, and the critically-acclaimed series Somebody Somewhere for HBO and Fox’s half hour docu-comedy Welcome to Flatch. She is a member of The American Society of Cinematographers, the DGA, AMPAS, ATAS, the ICG, the IDA and BAFTA.

Shana was the first woman to shoot on the hit reality series Survivor and was nominated for an Emmy® for her work on Survivor: China. She shot four seasons on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, was the Second Unit DP on Netflix’s Arrested Development, and has shot commercial spots for Disney, Electronic Arts, Kohl’s, the US Army, Kodak, Verizon and others.

Shana is also a U.S. State Department American Film Showcase Ambassador and has traveled globally to teach Master Class Workshops to young Ethiopian filmmakers. She enjoys mentoring students and has guest lectured at many film schools.

  • Top Gear Picks: Canon Cinema EOS C300 Mark III, Cinema EOS C70, EOS R5 C, RF14-35mm f/4 ISUSM, RF24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM, RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM and an old compass from the Girl Scouts.
  • Advice for Filmmakers: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you need help with something. Find a mentor. Also take some of your own footage and edit it. You’ll find out what’s working and what’s not working, and it will allow you to make adjustments next time you’re out in the field shooting. I can’t stress how important this process is for young DPs.”
  • What it Means to be a Canon EOL: “I’m so honored. Being an Explorer of Light reminds me to keep exploring the world through my camera, like I did as a kid, and to continue finding new and exciting ways to tell stories.”

For additional information, please visit: https://www.usa.canon.com/learning/inspiration/inspirational-stories-list/explorers-of-light

Topaz Labs Announces Photo AI 3.0 Now Available
Wed, 01 May 2024 16:32:00 EDT

Learn more about the just-introduced Photo AI 3.0 at Topaz.


rssfeedwidget.com