Sony has just started shipping their new F5 and F55 cameras, so I thought the timing was perfect for an At the Bench video. The cameras are so packed full of features that I opted for two 15-minute videos to cover the camera system. The first video goes over the F55's form, function and IO capabilities, while the second covers its menu system, various recording modes and output options.

Whenever a new camera is released, accessory manufacturers scramble to make the various plates and supports we all crave to build out our kits. Every camera's shape is a little different, but in the end we always want to get the cameras to integrate in similar ways.

These days a camera is only as good as its last firmware update. Sony recently announced the release of v1.1 firmware for the PMW-200, and one of the most exciting new features is the addition of auto back focus adjustment to the camera.

Blackmagic Design has done a great job making DaVinci Resolve 9 both full-featured color grading software and a dailies generation tool. Even more impressive is that they offer a free version called Resolve 9 Lite.

At least once or twice a week I'm asked by clients if Super-16 lenses can be used with the Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera. It's understandable that they ask; the camera is an interesting and affordable new option but the sensor size is unique. Plus, many people have excellent S-16 glass gathering dust on the shelf. Marrying the two would be convenient and cost-effective.

On November 20, AbelCine held the first event in its new EXPO series: Filters for Digital Cinema. Tiffen, Schneider Optics, and Formatt participated and scores of clients attended or watched via Livestream. One of the more significant discussions was on the topic of IR pollution control.

Recently, Alphatron released firmware version 0.5 for their Alphatron EVF electronic viewfinder.

Canon has paired its recently released lightweight cine zoom, the CN-E 30-105 T2.8, with the closely matching CN-E 15.5-47 T2.8 Cinema Zoom. Like its sister, the 15.5-47 weighs just 4.85 lbs. Both lenses also share a 300-degree rotation on the focus scale for many precise marks, 11-blade irises, 114mm front diameters for fitting to common matteboxes, and 105mm front filter threads for use when a mattebox is not an option.

Kessler Crane is surely a household name to many of us in this industry and AbelCine is happy to announce that we are now an official reseller of Kessler products! What does this mean for you? Well, most importantly, you can come in to our locations in New York or Burbank and actually put your hands on the gear.