So many mics and choices… what to use when?

At some point in time, in your filmmaking journey, you are going to need a microphone. The problem lies in the question, which one? Shotgun mic, radio mic, highball or lav? On-camera or off-camera, handheld, on a boom – there are so many choices. So where to start? Well we...

Review: Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2021

It’s been nearly 2 years since we last looked at Corel VideoStudio and so the announcement last week of the release of a new version for 2021, called VideoStudio Ultimate 2021 (not surprisingly) is timely. It turns out there was a 2020 version, but sadly, for whatever reason (and I...

Review: Zhihyun Crane-M2 S

Gimbals are like, oh I dunno, dash cams. You don’t know you need one until you need one. And then when you have one, you wonder how you got by without it. I played with a few in my time, and I like the way they can increase your range...

Review: Zhiyun Crane M3 Gimbal

A week or so ago I looked at the new Zhiyun Crane M2S, designed for smaller cameras and smartphones. This time around it is the turn of the Zhiyun M3, and this is a more up-market version aimed at users of mirrorless cameras, action cameras and smartphones. Priced at around AUD$650...

DJI RS-3 Combo Gimbal Kit – First Looks Pt 1

DJI has never been shy when it comes to adding goodies into their Combo versions of products. And so it is with the RS-3 Combo. Not only do you get the base gimbal and quick release Arca-Swiss / Manfrotto plate with a grip that also contains the battery, also included...

DJI RS-3 Combo Gimbal Kit – First Looks Pt 2

I had fully intended this First Looks to be in only 2 parts, but as things transpired, it is turning into a 3-parter if not 4. The reasons why will become clear as you read on… Once you have the Ronin RS 3 gimbal assembled, the next step is to balance it...

Review: Fujifilm GFX 50SII

Holden and Ford. Mac and Windows. Big Mac and the Whopper. The world is full of products where there are camps on two sides of a fence. And so it is with cameras. Nikon and Canon. But thankfully as I have discovered, that is not where the story ends at...

Testimonial (sort of): Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro.

I’ve had my Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro for a little while now and got it down (mostly) off pat for the general everyday run-of-the-mill shooting I do. I am still learning of course and experimenting as I go. You never stop learning as they say. But knowing there is a...

Mini Review: Fujifilm X-S10 Compact Mirrorless

I have managed to have a bit of a play with the Fujifilm X-S10 over the last few weeks which has been fun. I was originally sent the camera as I works with the DJI Ronin RS3 and of course my Canon 5DS does not. There have been some issues...

Review: Canon PowerShot Pick

The Canon PowerShot Pick is an interesting beast. I’m not quite sure if I know what it is exactly, and I think it may have a bit of an identity crisis too. Is it a webcam? Or is it a security camera? Or is it a security camera masquerading as...