Quasar has released a remote control application for their Rainbow 2, and Double Rainbow lights. The app gives you full 16-bit color control over the lights. The app is available for Apple users with iOS 15 or later.

You can find the app here.

If you’re looking for Quasar lights you can find a verity of them here.

Quasar Science Rainbow 2 Linear RGBX LED Lamp 2′ $500

Quasar Science Rainbow 2 Linear RGBX LED Lamp 4′ $750

Canon has reduced the price on their most popular high end cinema cameras.

The Canon C300 Mark III has had it’s price reduced from $10,999 to $8,999.

Likewise, the Canon C500 Mark II has received a huge price reduction from $15,999 to $10,999.

0% and 1.99% Lease Financing Promotions for both cameras are available through 3-31-23:

Canon C300 Mark III 0% 24 Months or 1.99% 36 Months, $1 Buyout

Canon C500 Mark III 0% 48 Months, 0% 24 Months, or 1.99% 36 Months, $1 Buyout

Apply Online: www.texasmediasystems.com/leasing

Additionally, Canon is offering a free battery, Canon LP-E6NH, with the purchase of a Canon R5C.

Combine your Sony FX3 purchase with a memory card(s) and get up to $200 off your order!

Sony 640GB CFexpress Type A Memory Card CEAG640T $1248 – $200 FX3 Bundle Rebate = [+$1,048.00]

Sony 320GB CFexpress Type A Memory Card CEAG320T $648 – $100 FX3 Bundle Rebate = [+$548.00]

Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card CEAG160T $398 -$50 Instant Rebate – $50 FX3 

Bundle Rebate = [+$298.00]

You can purchase a Sony FX3 here.

Canon recently announced a brand new firmware update for the Canon C70 camera. The update, which features a host of exciting upgrades, is releasing on Thursday December 8th, 2022.

Here’s what you can expect:

First off Eye Detection Auto Focus has been enabled for use during Slow and Fast Recording. This gives you access to the C70s incredibly accurate eye, face, and subject tracking while recording at high frame rates. They’ve also made the camera maintain key camera settings when switching between Slow and Fast Recording modes.

They’ve added a new recording mode: XF-AVC 4k Intraframe 60p. This gives you access to a lower bit rate high frame rate recording option. This codec records at 600Mbps.

XC Protocol has been enabled for C70 cameras. This allows you to control your C70s over a network connection, and gives you full remote control with the use of a Canon RC-IP100.

They’ve made a huge improvement for your post workflow by creating CMT 709 “Viewing Assistance.” This is a Rec 709 complaint preset for your Canon Log 2 or Canon Log 3 recordings. You can also use CMT 709 as a viewing LUT, if your colorist prefers the base log image.

Finally, they’ve unlocked full communication with Canon EF Flex-Zoom 45-135mm and Canon Cine-Servo 15-120mm lenses. The communication features include T-stop display, chromatic aberration correction, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, and Dual Pixel Focus Guide.

You can find the firmware update when it becomes available here: 

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/eos-c70#idReference%3Dadvisories

Canon released a new firmware version for their Canon EOS R3, R5, and R6 cameras today. Each  one got a whole host of new features.

Canon EOS R3

The R3 received a lot of new high frame rate features as well as some quality of life updates. Custom High Speed Continuous mode has the new Drive setting allowing you to 2 to 50 images continuously at around 30 to 195 fps. The High Frame Rate mode also gets an upgrade, allowing you to select FHD 239.76 fps/200.00 fps. Auto Focus gets new features revolving around the focus bracketing setting. The camera can now use depth compositing durning focus bracketing, and will allow the auto focus to work with the flash on. The rest of the new features are mostly output and cloud storage related. 

You can find a full list of changes here.

To download the update click on the link below and then navigate to the Drivers & Downloads tab, and select firmware: CANON EOS R3 FIRMWARE

To Purchase a new Canon EOS R3 click Here.

Canon EOS R5

The R5 gets some small changes that should help anyone using this camera to shoot video. Canon has added the “Auto Power Off Temp” setting allowing you to change the temperature that the camera shuts off at. When set to the “High” setting the camera will run hotter before turning off. This should give you a few more minutes out of video recording with the camera. Canon also enhanced the stabilization performance of “Movie Digital IS” when talking selfies or walking shots with a wide angle lens.

You can find a full list of changes Here.

To download the update click on the link below and then navigate to the Drivers & Downloads tab, and select firmware: CANON EOS R5 FRIMWARE

To purchase a new Canon EOS R5 click Here.

Canon EOS R6

The EOS R6 receives similar improvements to the “Movie Digital IS” stabilization performance, as well as the ability to convert multiple HEIF images into multiple JPEG images. Not a huge update for the EOS R6, but if you want a full list of the changes you can view them Here.

To download the update click on the link below and then navigate to the Drivers & Downloads tab, and select firmware: CANON EOS R6 FIRMWARE

To purchase a new Canon EOS R6 click Here.

Sony FX3 Firmware V2.00 is here, and they’ve taken an already incredibly flexible camera and added key features that expand it’s use case, and improve its workflow overall. You can find the Sony FX3 Firmware V2.00 here: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/interchangeable-lens-camcorders-ilme-series/ilme-fx3/software/00280262

Log

The most exciting addition is the new log shooting modes. These modes allow you to use a LUT to preview the final image while you’re shooting. There are 3 types of S-Log3 shooting modes: Cine EI, Cine EI Quick, and Flexible ISO. Cine EI and Cine EI Quick require the use of one of the base ISOs, but with the flexibility the S-Log3 affords you. Cine EI Quick seems to just select a base ISO for you. While Cine EI allows you to select the base ISO you want. Flexible ISO looks to just allow you to select whichever ISO you prefer while shooting.

Timecode

Timecode is now an included functionality of the camera. With the purchase of a USB to BNC adapter cable users now have access to built in timecode. A huge step up for making the FX3 a B cam to one of the other Sony FX series cameras. Tentacle Sync E mkII boxes with their light weight will be a great fit for the FX3.

Extras

They’ve also added a whole host of menu features that should make navigating much easier. Including, a new main menu for the camera with important settings one click away,  and a function menu that can be accessed by swiping up on the screen.

Sony included a few more notable updates. The auto focus now allows for smoother transitions from manual to auto focus especially using Sony G Master Lenses, a new standby movie screen that removes clutter from the view, and some post-production workflow improvements such as embedded LUTs and exposure metadata.

All told this update makes an already incredible camera even more feature rich, and a more attractive use case to professionals and hobbyists alike. 

For more information about the Sony FX3 look here: https://shop.texasmediasystems.com/sony-fx3-full-frame-cinema-camera.html

On Monday Canon announced two Cinema lens in their new Flex Zoom series. The first lenses in the series are the CN-E20-50mm T2.4 L F/FP wide-angle zoom lens and the CN-E45-135mm T2.4 L F/FP telephoto zoom lens. Both lenses are available in EF and PL mount.

With the introduction of these two new lenses Canon has managed to cover the entire focal range of their existing six cinema prime lenses with just zoom offerings. Canon’s new zoom lenses will offer greater efficiency for production workflows.

The Lenses feature Canon’s data transmission EF mount and are also compatible with /i Technology3 from Cooke Optics, allowing them to transmit metadata such as focus, zoom, aperture, and lens model to the camera itself.

The optical design of the lenses (including a large-aperture aspherical lens and an anomalous dispersion glass lens) are optimized to reduce the potential for color smudging and chromatic aberrations, which maintains high optical performance corner to corner even on 8K sensors. The lenses’ constant T2.4 aperture allows for proper exposure in natural light and darker environments.

Some more features of the Flex Zoom lenses:

• 8K Optical Performance with Canon Cinema EOS Color Science
• Constant T2.4 throughout the zoom range
• Designed for Full Frame Cameras
• Advanced Lens Metadata Support
• Available in EF Mount or Cooke/i Technology PL Mount Options
• Cinema Style Operability
• 11-blade iris for beautiful bokeh
• Available in 20-50mm and 45-135mm focal lengths

The Canon CN-E20-50mm T2.4 L F/FP wide-angle zoom lens and Canon CN-E45-135mm T2.4 L F/FP telephoto zoom lens are scheduled to be available in early June 2022 and early September 2022 respectively. Both lenses are set to be available in both EF mount and PL mount. Each lens is estimated to retail for $21,999.00.