Category Archives: Cameras

Cameras, Still photography, Technical, Techniques

China to launch 1st 3D TV channel in 2012

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Sony 3D TV on display at CES 2011. Taken with ...
Image via Wikipedia

Television rules the nation: China goes 3D | 3D Media Revolution Blog | 3D Video Player & 3D Video Converter.

I decided this week that I will start shooting 3D video.

I have had an interest in 3D going back to the 1980s, when I visited an exhibit on holography. I read a couple of books on holography but alas, holography was not something I was in a position to pursue.

I recently came across one of those lenticular-based 3D images on the cover of a product and that got me reading about 3D technology once again. After some tests using a single camera to shoot some 3D video of static objects, I found myself hooked! I now plan to get a 2nd camera so I can shoot true stereographic video.  (But do not expect to see much here for as much as 1 to 2 months as I have too many other things to deal with before I can get to creating great 3D videos worthy of posting!)

3D, other than in video games, seems to still be stuck in the pre-fad stage of a few experimenters. But this will change, and soon. First, Youtube is providing very good support for 3D – once a properly formatted 3D video is uploaded, Youtube offers to present the video in all of the popular 3D formats – have it your way! Second, Peter Jackson’s movie version of The Hobbit will start to come out in about one year. The Hobbit is being filmed in 3D and I suspect will greatly propel interest in 3D forward.

3D TV will take a long time to arrive, though, because so many people have only just acquired an HDTV and are not in a hurry to rush out and purchase a new 3D HDTV. Over time, as more and more 3D TVs are in use, then 3D content will become more popular. May as well start shooting 3D now as the originals shot today and can be converted to any desired format in the future!

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Cameras

Amazon selling the Lumix GH-2, with lens, for $795

Amazon selling the Lumix GH-2 for $795 – that is not a misprint and that includes the kit lens.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-GH2-Interchangeable-Free-Angle-14-42mm/dp/B0043VE27Y/?tag=rumors0a-20

A major firmware upgrade is coming shortly, as well, and will add several new features.

I have this camera and love it.

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Cameras

How many clicks will your camera shutter last?

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How many shutter clicks can your camera handle before the shutter stops working correctly? Well, it depends on the camera, whether it uses electronic or mechanical shutter, and whether it is a consumer or pro camera.

This is an issue especially now that many photographers are shooting time lapse videos using their DSLR. A 100 second video clip might use 3,000 clicks of the shutter!

There is actual data that can estimate how many clicks you’ll get before needing to replace the shutter.

Professional cameras may make it to the low millions of clicks, but the lower end cameras may wear out before 100k clicks. Page down to see the estimated shutter life.

http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/canon_eos5dmkii.htm
http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/canon_eos450d.htm

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Cameras

A Good Videographer Keeps a Camcorder Dry

A Good Videographer Keeps a Camcorder Dry | Video News.

Heh. I nearly destroyed my Canon XH A1 due to rain. I had a commercially made rain cover on the camera, but it had a faulty design that enabled water to dribble in through roughly the top dead center of the bag. I was set up to film a parade in Western Washington, but nearly 1 1/2 inches of rain fell in about an hour before the parade and left the cover saturated – and leaking.

Water entered through the video playback controls at the top of the camera and dribbled internally down into the back of the camera. Several circuit boards had to be replaced. (I had a back up camera with me so the event was not lost – but this experience was an expensive one.)

If you do go out in the rain, use two layers of plastic bags, securely taped and tied off, as needed, to enclose the entire camera. Preferably avoid using your camera in the rain – if you need to shoot in the rain, use an inexpensive video camera. The costs of repair to the XH A1 were more than the costs of a good quality low end consumer camcorder.

I am doubtful that I would use a high end camera in the rain, again.

If you do need professional repair service for your Canon or Sony gear, I recommend VideoOneRepair.