Kayell – Film, Video & Virtual reality

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro and SanDisk Pro-Blade Ecosystem

October 26, 2022March 4, 2023 by davidhague178181403, posted in Case Studies, Features, Reviews: Other (not under any other category), Today

Just over a week ago I reviewed the SanDisk Pro-Blade Ecosystem and discovered its minor quirks and an … ahhhm… omitted entry in the user notes.

But all in all, I thought the concept was a brilliant one, and still do.

Now, in my further playing investigations, I have discovered something else. I alluded to this in the original article, but only now managed to get around to testing it.

Will the SanDisk Pro-Blade Ecosystem work as an external SSD for a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro?

And the answer is yes, but again with a weird quirk.

I had formatted the drive for Windows as per the finally discovered documentation covering this area that is missing from the user notes (thank you Norman at SanDisk Tech for this – https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/30566 ), and connected the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro to the Transport unit containing the Mag (the actual drive).

And damn it, the camera would not see it in the installed media on the main screen in the LCD.

However going into the bowels of the camera’s OS, and the area covering storage, it DID see the drive as unformatted. So, in for a penny and in for a pound, I used the camera to again format the drive.

It took around 30 seconds for the 2TB and then lo! It was there, and I have a tasty 5 hours + of storage available.

Why it needed a camera format (both were set for NTFS) I have no idea, but what the hell, I don’t car, it worked and Windows can still the SanDisk when it is plugged in to the USB-C port.

Footnote: It is imperative in both cases you use the USB-C cable that comes with the SanDisk Pro-Blade Ecosystem. From my experience, other 3^rd party USB-C cables may not work, but your mileage of course may vary.

Image: The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro inside a SmallRig cage and the SanDisk Pro-Blade Ecosystem. If you are interested in the cage I reviewed it here and they are available for a wide range of cameras from the Videoguys.

The mounted light is an Aputure AL-M9 (reviewed here) available from Kayell.

Kayell Australia invites filmmakers to ‘illuminate’ their creativity

May 19, 2021May 19, 2021 by davidhague178181403, posted in Press Releases General

Aspiring filmmakers have the opportunity to unleash their creativity by producing a short film encompassing the theme ‘illuminate’ for the chance to win part of a prize pool valued at more than $50,000.

The Illuminate Filmmaking Challenge 2021 is a new initiative by Kayell Australia that invites entrants of all levels to produce a short film between one and four minutes with at least 70 percent of the footage shot on a DSLR, Mirrorless or higher quality camera. This allows film entries to incorporate up to 30 percent footage from smaller compact cameras, smartphones or drones if desired.

In addition to their feature film, entrants also need to provide a separate Behind the Scenes (BTS) video comprising up to five minutes of footage.

Event organiser, Robert Gatto – Managing Director, Kayell Australia, said the Illuminate Filmmaking Challenge aims to encourage enthusiasts of all levels to enter – from passionate amateurs to industry veterans.

“Australia has a flourishing filmmaking community and this is an opportunity for them to showcase their exceptional talents and abilities by capturing a visual story that incorporates the ‘illuminate’ theme.”

Mr Gatto said the judging criteria will focus on originality and creativity, quality of the cinematography, BTS film quality, and the products used to shoot the films.

Submissions for the Illuminate Filmmaking Challenge must have been completed after 1 January 2021

All participating films need to be produced as an MP4 file in no less than full HD resolution at widescreen 16:9 ratio with Stereo sound.

No credits, names or production company details are permitted in the films to enable judges to base their decisions independently on talent, creativity and ability.

Platinum sponsors for the event are Nikon, Aputure, SmallHD, Teradek, Wooden Camera, and Lacie. Gold sponsors for the event are Inovativ, Core SWX, Eizo, Deity and Sekonic.

1st Prize ($30,000 value) Nikon camera + lenses ($10,000) Lacie storage devices ($10,000) Teradek, SmallHD & Wooden Camera equipment ($5,000) Aputure LED lighting equipment & Deity microphones ($5,000)
2nd Prize ($10,000 value) Inovativ cart & accessories ($5,500) Core SWX batteries & chargers ($2,500) Sekonic cine colour meters ($2,000)
3rd Prize ($3,000 value) Eizo ColorEdge 4K monitor ($3,000) Social media viewers will also have the opportunity to be part of a prize pool valued at $7,000.

Entrants must be over the age of 18 years and be an Australian permanent resident for at least one year prior to the Illuminate Filmmaking Challenge closing date on 1 August 2021.

Full entry details + Terms and Conditions for the Illuminate Filmmaking Challenge 2021 can be found at: https://www.theportraitco.com.au/illuminate/

A Green Screen for < $20. Really? Yes, really

March 2, 2020March 3, 2020 by davidhague178181403, posted in Today, Tutorials

If I wanted a green screen that was portable and designed to be on site or in a studio, then I’d seriously look at something like the Westcott Chromakey Green Background available from Kayell in Sydney for around $300.

But if I only had $20 or so, and wasn’t too concerned about what it looked like, if it got torn or dirty was easily replaced and was for only the occasional use, then I might build one.

Like the one above.

You see, for around that $20 along with a trip to Bunnings and another to Spotlight, you can get the timber and woodscrews to make a frame and the green material to stretch over it.

As long as you then have a staple gun and staples (another $15) …

…and ideally a power drill to drill the holes and screw the screws into (borrow a neighbours if you don’t have one), you can make one.

This took Jacqui about an hour to build on Saturday afternoon (whilst I finished off a tutorial).

And it works like a charm…

If you want the specifics, the materials take off is:

3 pieces dressed pine 1.8 metres long – choice your width to suit the strength you need.
2 metres approx. of Apple Green Plain Top Pop 112 cm Poplin Fabric Apple
8 wood screws (length to match your timber depth)

This gives you a green screen approx 2.4 metres high and 1.1 metres wide that can be used either vertically or horizontally.

It weighs about a kilo and a half and fits in the back of our 2003 Suzuki Grande Vitara SUV …

…so can pretty much take it anywhere

(as long as new puppy Dougie the Dog is not in there too…)

PS: Of course, I am NOT saying this solution is anywhere need as good as a commercially available green screen such as the one I mention at the beginning of this article. In a professional environment there will be lighting issues, potential reflections etc with a piece of $3 green cloth.

But if you are in a spot, or on a very small budget for a student film, hobbyist first attempt etc, then this home made jobby should get you by.

As with anything else, we would always recommend getting the best you can afford (whether it be camcorder, mic, lights or green screen, and I am NOT suggesting this is an “always” substitute for a pro green screen, or worse, suggesting our friends at Kayell are overpriced!!

Apologies if anyone thought that.