What is Lux?

by Terry O'Rourke

Manufacturers seem to have a different way of defining the word lux. But what is it, and how can you compare your camcorder's "lux level" to that of others?

Lux is a pretty cool word; just saying lux sounds expensive. But, unlike diamonds where bigger is better, smaller is better in the world of lux and camcorders. Smaller lux rating = better camcorder. But not so fast; unlike the lux rating assigned to your camcorder, where smaller is better, the lens you mount to it comes from a world where bigger is better, as in "the bigger the glass, the bigger the aperture," which translates to...you guessed it...a smaller aperture number. That bigger glass with the big aperture and smaller aperture number means larger amounts of light gets in! Confused yet? Well, don't feel alone, because just a small amount of time ...Continue

Zacuto Z-Finder, Switronix DSLR-Pro and Ikan V5600

by Mark Holder

These three products both promise and deliver greater control over the image acquisition process and will be a welcome addition to the serious DSLR video producer's toolkit.

Any equipment that gives the video producer options and allows greater control over his or her shooting will surely be a welcome asset. Newer DSLRs are shooting some incredible video now, and we'll explore three items that strive to help the DSLR user that shoots video, too. Zacuto's new viewfinder for DSLR cameras, the Z-Finder, sports a large, comfortable, eyecup that keeps outside light from leaking in and 3x focusable magnification that brings the image up close and personal. It provides much-improved viewing over stock viewfinders, especially if you only have the LCD monitor ...Continue

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DSLRs That Shoot HD Video - A Different Kind of Camcorder

by Doug Dixon

Technology is converging - consumer digital cameras now shoot HD video and video camcorders shoot multi-megapixel photos. And the trend has continued into professional digital SLR cameras, which have evolved to add the ability to shoot HD video.

Sometimes called a video or HD DSLR, this idea was originally conceived as a way to help photojournalists expand their repertoire and has grown quickly to become attractive to videographers as well. With a video DSLR, you can carry one camera for shooting both photos and video, and shoot video unobtrusively and in difficult environments. The big bonus, however, is the glass - the ability to use the extensive collection of photographic lenses available for DSLR cameras, giving you amazing flexibility in controlling focal length and depth of field. Combined with high ISO ranges from image sensors much larger than typical camcorders, the result is great flexibility in shooting...Continue

Surprised by the Oscars? Academy Awards highs and lows

by videochick

Was it just me, or was anyone else surprised at the lack of statues taken away by Team Avatar? Avatar won only three Oscars: for visual effects (was there any doubt), and cinematography, as well as art direction. But somehow I expected more, and apparently, by all the buzz, so did a lot of other people. Some speculated that the Academy wanted to "show" Cameron that his highest-grossing movie of all times can be taken down by the least-expensive movie to ever be nominated - wrong. Some speculated that the Academy wanted to finally give the "Best Directing" award ...Continue

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