Shape
If you have ever been involved in filmmaking, chances are good that you’ve seen a matte box. You might have even wondered: What exactly do these contraptions do? Well, on top of being a cool-looking headpiece for your camera rig, matte boxes offer a variety of useful functions that can elevate the quality of your shooting experience and your captured imagery.
From manipulating light, adding creative flair to your visuals, and protecting
Well-known for its durable camera supports, accessories, and pro video parts, SHAPE has enhanced its product line further with a new line of professional tripod systems. The three new systems provide support for different rig sizes and include the SVT10K 3-stage aluminum tripod with 75mm fluid head that supports up to 22 lb;, the
SHAPE has long been known for its design, innovation, and quality machining, and its recent accessories for the Canon C70, RED KOMODO, and Sony FX3, FX6, and FX9 cameras continue in that tradition. As you consider your accessory purchases, from just a cage, up to fully kitted-out rigs, remember one of the great advantages is the lifetime warranty on all of SHAPE’s CNC-machined gear. Additionally, most of the components found in the rigs are designed to be used with multiple cameras, essentially since they’re universal components that you can
Off-camera battery mounts are popular among all types of users for situations where a direct mount isn’t available. Compact lights, for example, whether basic or professional, don’t have a direct mount for V-mount and Gold mount batteries, so clamp mounts provide a convenient solution.
Below we discuss some popular jaw clamps, C-clamps, crocodile clamps, belt clips, and actual belts, all relatively affordable, for mounting a high-capacity brick battery off a camera, light, or monitor.
Clamp mounts secure to a tripod leg or light stand to hold
One of the biggest challenges when shooting video on location, especially when you need to stay mobile for a long period of time, is how to keep all your gear powered without adding excessive weight to your rig. When I was out shooting long days handheld, there were many choices to keep the camera and accessories powered for a long shooting day. There’s a wide variety of mobile power options available; decisions on what to choose just depends on a few factors, such as what kind of rig you’re using, weight/portability limitations, and how much
No matter what your faith, today’s worship isn’t limited to rote liturgical responses—it’s about personal connections between you and a higher power and among fellow believers. Sharing that passion shouldn’t be limited to using static, fixed camera positions for your broadcasts, social media, website, or in-house displays. See how Canon’s array of digital cinema cameras can help you dynamically capture not just traditional house-of-worship services, but also field
The Canon EOS C500 Mark II cinema camera provides professional cinema video quality in a compact size, but it still requires portability and accessory options to live up to its truly powerful capabilities. To fulfill these needs, SHAPE has created numerous modular handheld and shoulder rig options for your C500 Mark II. Rig options include camera baseplates, shoulder mounts, 15mm rods, a top handle, a top plate, an EVF mount, handle and cable extensions, a follow focus, a shoulder
Digital Cinema cameras today are basically boxes with limited ergonomic capabilities, and the Sony PXW-FX9 follows this path. But not to worry—SHAPE has stepped up to fill the void. SHAPE has created a complete Pro Shoulder Rig Kit for the FX9, and this rig is loaded, missing only the kitchen sink and, perhaps, an eight-track
When you're a videographer on the move, portability is everything. Whether it's an outdoor action shoot, a multi-location shoot with interviews and b-roll, or a car video that requires riding around a track a few times, the key to building up your videographer kit is a combination of quality, portability, and preparedness. We are going to outline the basics for building your own on-the-go videography kit and suggest some useful products to help you get started.
Choosing a Primary Camera
Depending on your production requirements, the camera you
Although a sturdy tripod is the only solution for many applications, a mini tripod is sometimes all you need. Often, it’s the better option. Mini tripods, also known as tabletop or desktop tripods, are convenient solutions for travel, vlogging, small spaces, and locations where you need to be discreet, such as the Top of the Rock on the 4th of July (as per one of our customers). Depending on where you place a mini tripod, you can reach pretty much any height you need. But because they’re ultra-compact, they’re also useful for macro and ground-
Have you ever wondered: “how did they get that shot, where was the camera attached?” Or how did the cameraperson squeeze, strap, or balance themselves into that position? B&H offers a wide range of options for mounting your video camera for vehicle-based shots, raising your camera above the fray, and otherwise mounting your camera in innovative ways.
A staple of many police procedurals is the shot of the characters riding in the squad car, whether it be the cynical detective and the raring-to-go rookie, or a reveal of the jittery perp in
Getting the most out of your camera and lens often means having to go beyond the limitations of these basic, though very essential components. Regardless of your choice of camera systems, be it DSLR or mirrorless, there are many accessories designed to up your game as a photographer, and maybe even enhance your photographic experience.
If your camera system of choice is a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) from Panasonic or
Mirrorless cameras are small, light, and can get into spaces traditional cinema and ENG cameras just can't. However, mirrorless cameras are not meant to work on a film set all day long—it just isn't in their ergonomics. This is especially true if you are planning on handholding a camera all day, or working with accessories such as follow focus units, zoom motors, or external monitors.
Build Your Own or Pre-Made
You can build your own support rig, if you like. Head out to your machine shop and have at it. But, most likely, you lack the milling