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.

Today, Arri announced their new ALEXA XT (Xtended Technology) cameras, featuring in-camera recording of ARRIRAW up to 120fps. The SxS card module on the side of the ALEXA cameras is being replaced by an XR (Xtended Recording) recording module, which accepts new high performance Codex XR Capture Drive media.

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.

Creating custom scene files for cameras is an on-going tradition at AbelCine, and there have been quite a few requests from users of the Sony PMW-200. I created some looks for the PMW-200 based on a few of the most popular ones that we created for other cameras in the past.

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.

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.

Since the Canon EOS C300 and C500 share the same sensor and offer identical internal recording options (MXF), many folks have asked us if our C300 custom picture settings are compatible with the C500. After investigating, we've discovered that with a little bit of work, the picture profiles are interchangeable between cameras.

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.