Welcome to our Cine Gear 2023 Special roundup of news, updates, and the latest product releases from the TV and film industry.

Cine Gear Expo has been one the most anticipated exhibitions this year with thousands of industry professionals heading out to the heart of Hollywood to celebrate the latest technologies, product releases, and advancements in the world of professional equipment for cinema production. This year's Cine Gear LA Expo was held at Paramount Studios over the weekend (June 1-4) and saw companies from all sides the spectrum announce exciting new products and updates for wide range of products and applications used in the production of motion pictures and TV / streaming narrative drama.

As a reminder, in our prior episode of News in 90: Cine Gear Expo 2023 Special, we covered the new ARRI CCM-1 camera control monitor for ALEXA 35 and ALEXA Mini LF, KinoFlo Mimik 120 for virtual productions, the latest Sony FR7 firmware v1.1 update, as well as the innovative CMotion Mainstation MST1 power solution and the GFM Turtle Base grip kit. And in this post we're expanding our Cine Gear coverage with new updates fro Aputure, Sony, Tiffen, and DZOFilm.

Aputure Electro Storm Series LED lights - the Aputure CS15 and XT26

Aputure are taking the LED lighting game to a whole new level with their new and powerful Electro Storm Series LED lights - the Aputure CS15 and XT26 models. In addition, the innovative lighting and accessories maker also announced new fresnel and spotlight attachments.

The Aputure Electro Storm CS15 is a powerful 1,500W high-output full-colour point-source LED fixture with ultra-high colour quality for professionals. It features dual accessory mounts, professional connectivity methods, high SSI color quality, and an IP65 dust & water-resistant construction. At 1,500W of intense power output, the Electro Storm CS15 is comparable to industry-standard 1.8K HMIs. The Electro Storm CS15 also supports the new electronic A-Mount in addition to the universal Bowens Mount bringing even more versatility and flexibility to your LED lighting arsenal. This dual-mount compatibility makes it possible for gaffers and cinematographers to use existing Bowens mount accessories in addition to new modifiers developed for the all-new electronic A-mount.

Designed for professionals, the new Aputure Electro Storm CS15 features advanced connectivity options, including Sidus Link app control, LumenRadio CRMX, Art-net & sACN via etherCON, and 16-bit DMX512.

The Aputure Electro Storm XT26 is the other new high-output LED announced at Cine Gear. The beast of an LED possesses a 2600W high-output from a single source LED with dynamic white CCT and tint control designed for professionals – featuring dual accessory mounts (Bowens and A-mount), professional connectivity methods, G/M tint control, advanced liquid-cooling technology, and an IP65 dust & water-resistant construction.

In addition to its immense 2,600W power output that can easily rival traditional tungsten and HMI fixtures, the Electro Storm XT26's latest generation dynamic white chipset also features green-magenta color correction with +/- .050dUV shift between 3,000K to 6,000K, while producing accurate colour throughout its 2,700K to 6,500K CCT range.

The new Aputure F14 Fresnel is a next generation accessory for the company - it is an electronic A-Mount Fresnel modifier with a large 14-inch diameter lens and a motorized 18 to 45 degrees spot-flood beam angle range. Designed for Aputure’s latest and newly announced high-output A-Mount point-source fixtures (the CS15 and XT26), the F14 Fresnel optimises and amplifies the light output, providing smooth, remote adjustment.

This modifier is built with a large 14-inch diameter Fresnel features a dual-lens optical design. Furthermore, just like other Aputure Fresnels, the F14 Fresnel provides enhanced accuracy and intensity for both the new CS15 and XT26. In addition, gaffers and cinematographers can additionally shape the light and reduce spill from the Fresnel using the included barn doors.

Also new for Cine Gear from Aputure is their new Spotlight Max. It is an advanced Bowens mount projection lens for high-output LEDs. Projection lenses are available in 19, 36, and 50 degrees lens options enabling the Spotlight Max to cover a wide range of light projection needs on set. Regardless of the purpose of shaping light, whether it be a perfectly rounded shape or a shaft of light created by using the built-in shutters, the Spotlight Max features precision optics give users extended options for precision light control.

Sony announced new high-performance, high-capacity M-Series CFexpress Type A memory cards

Sony announced two new high-capacity CFexpress Type A cards - the CEA-M1920T and CEA-960T, that conform to the CFexpress 2.0 and VPG200 and offer high 1920 GB and 960 GB capacities respectively. The VPG200 rating ensures fast and stable video recording without dropped frames, while the rugged design makes them resistant to bending and drop impact. Furthemore, the new cards also feature a dust and moisture sealing that ensures maximum reliability in harsh environment. These compact, high-performance memory cards are ideal for professional users who need high capacities and stress-free, reliable operation.

CEA-M1920T (1920 GB) and CEA-960T (960 GB) reliably shoot longer on location and have the highest available capacities in CFexpress Type A memory cards that comply to VPG standard anywhere in the world. For Sony FX6 and FX3 users, the VPG200 Video Performance Guarantee rating enables stable recording at 200 MB/s with no dropped frames for an extended period, even when recording XAVC S-I 4K footage and high bit rates.

Wooden Camera ELITE Accessory System for ALEXA 35

Wooden Camera has announced the ALEXA 35 Elite Accessory System, a modular cage system built for the ARRI ALEXA 35 cinema camera! This system makes it easy for camera operators to further customise their camera rig with accessories from ARRI, Wooden Camera, and third parties.

Designed for maximum configuration, the new Elite Accessory System makes it possible to scale your ALEXA 35 rig to suit your filming needs without any added hassle. The system incorporates Wooden Camera's new design language including the new Ultra Handle with colour rings, a 3-piece Top Plate, which is also highly configurable and compatible with ARRI and third party accessories. The ARCA Baseplate also brings front and rear mini-rod clamps further integrating with Wooden Camera's full set of ARCA-based solutions. Adding more flexibility are the Side Rails, with forward facing 3/8"-16 mounting points keeping a low profile.

Sony FX6 and VENICE 2 upcoming firmware updates

At Cine Gear, Sony also announced new firmware updates coming to their flagship VENICE 2 cinema camera and the Sony FX6, which has been extremely popular with solo shooters, production companies, and broadcasters. To be released this Summer, Sony FX6 Firmware Update V4.0 brings anamorphic de-squeeze support, Cine EI Quick, and autofocus in S&Q mode. Also coming this Summer, Sony VENICE 2 V2.1 improves the zoom to fit function when the sensor is in 3:2 aspect ratio. Sony VENICE 2 V3.0 is due for release early 2024 and will include a new frame line generator, enhanced high frame rate anamorphic modes and a new 33.333 variable FPS has been added for anti-flicker at 50Hz.

New Cine Zoom from DZOFilm for Super 35 digital cinema cameras and a Super-wide Cine Prime

At Cine Gear Expo 2023, innovative lens maker DZOFilm showed off for the first time their two newest lenses. The 12mm Vespid Prime (T2.8) will be the widest in the Vespid full-frame cine prime range, and will compliment further the 16mm and 21mm options giving DoPs an even wider field of view to compose epic-wide shots. The other new lens the company debut for the first time at the show was the DZOFilm 65-280 Tango Cine Zoom.

Coming in at slightly under 4 kg and a maximum aperture of T2.9 at the wide end, the new Tango Super35 Cine Zoom is due to arrive sometime in late Summer with pricing to be announced at a later date. The 65-280mm from DZOFilm will appeal to faster moving film productions looking to leverage the time savings offered onset by having the ability to get a wide range of shots without having to resort to swapping lenses. We will keep you updated as we get deeper into the Summer and we hear more from the manufacturer about their newest lenses.

Learn more about the new Aputure CS15 and XT26:

To see these great products in action, give us a call to arrange a demo on 0208 977 1222. If you want to learn more, head over to our website www.visuals.co.uk

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