Tuesday, June 8, 2010
July/August 2010
New Tools Of The Trade
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Touch UpMake your portraits look as flawless as possible with Imagenomic Portraiture 2. For Aperture 3 users, the plug-in is compatible with the latest version of the powerful workflow application. Portraiture 2 provides native 64-bit operation within Apple’s Snow Leopard operating system and is one of the first third-party image-processing plug-ins to be optimized for Apple’s latest 64-bit systems and software apps. Portraiture 2 features a powerful masking tool that selectively smoothes and removes skin flaws while preserving texture and other details. The upgrade is free for previous users. Estimated Street Price: $199. Contact: Imagenomic, (800) 554-8688, www.imagenomic.com.
Smooth MoveGet your camera into position quickly with the Induro PHQ 5-way panhead. Providing dual tilt, base and top plate rotation, the head offers full, repeatable indexing on five axes for maximum control and flexibility. Additional features include 360-degree rotational control on the base and head tilt axis; fully graduated scales allowing you to see and set the position of your tilts, pans and shifts; and five bubble levels. Collapsing control handles make packing and transport easy. Available in two sizes, each PHQ panhead includes a matching Arca-Swiss-compatible quick-release plate. Estimated Street Price: $315 (PHQ1); $395 (PHQ3). Contact: Induro, (914) 347-3300, www.indurogear.com.
Photo Messenger Keep your valuable equipment under the radar when traveling from one assignment to the next using the Domke Photo Courier. The camera bag looks like a traditional bike messenger bag to avoid calling attention to itself. The medium and large versions have a sleeve in front of the bag, under the front flap, for sliding in a laptop. Full-length Velcro® panels ensure that the bag stays closed. The panels have cover flaps, too, for silencing the Velcro® when you’re on a shoot that calls for quiet. Inserts and adjustable dividers hold your camera, lenses and accessories in place. The bag is available in high-quality cotton black canvas or brown Rugged Wear waxed canvas. Estimated Street Price: $139 to $254. Contact: Domke (Tiffen), (800) 645-2522, www.tiffen.com.
Power FlashGenerate plenty of power with the Multiblitz Profilux Plus flash system. The unit can be operated on the power grid or on location using PROPAC rechargeable battery power packs. The system can deliver more than 3,000 exposures on battery power alone. Two power pack variations are available, each providing energy for two units. When AC power-operated, the system’s True Multi Voltage technology covers the full range of 100-260V. This ensures consistent performance without any loss, even with grid-caused voltage fluctuation, and provides protection from voltage spikes. The Profilux Plus is available in 200Ws, 400Ws and 600Ws models. Estimated Street Price: Starts at $1,400. Contact: R.T.S. Inc., (631) 242-6801, www.rtsphoto.com.
Video Pro Services The Canon Professional Services Program is opening up its membership to filmmakers and videographers. The same three levels of membership apply—Silver, Gold and Platinum—with each level receiving better and more extensive service benefits. Fast service, equipment evaluation loans and other benefits to be rolled out in the coming months are available for new and existing members with qualifying video equipment. A complimentary Silver membership includes access to the CPS hotline and a 20% discount on repairs. The Gold level adds access to equipment evaluation loans and three-day turnaround on service items, plus a 30% service discount. Platinum gives priority access to equipment loans for two weeks, a 60% discount and backup equipment while your gear is serviced. Estimated Street Price: $100 annual fee (Gold); $500 (Platinum). Contact: Canon, (800) OK-CANON, www.usa.canon.com/cps.
Compact HeadPan your DSLR smoothly with the lightweight Giottos MH5011 3-way pan/tilt fluid head. Features include a built-in safety lock, quick-release system with a ¼-inch camera screw on the quick-release camera plate, two bubble levels and large-diameter rubber control handles. The MH5011 weighs 0.82 pounds, yet is capable of supporting up to 8.8 pounds. Height is 4.2 inches, and the base is equipped with a 3⁄8-inch threaded mounting hole for easily connecting most tripods. Estimated Street Price: $59. Contact: HP Marketing Corp., (800) 735-4373, www.hpmarketingcorp.com.
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