Camera technology has rapidly stepped up its sophistication in recent years, especially in the field of PTZ cameras, so it can be daunting to figure out which equipment you need to build a PTZ environment for your event space, remote production, meeting room, or house of worship. PTZOptics excels in simplifying your search, providing a variety of cameras and controller options that are easy to set up and use, fitting into just about any production environment.
PTZ cameras are remotely controlled cameras that can robotically pan, tilt, and zoom
2022 was another banner year for vloggers. Not only did we see major releases from industry giants like GoPro and DJI, but big-name camera brands like Sony and Canon continued to wheel out and support their own vlog-specific cameras, making vlog content creation more accessible than ever. The abundance of viable products and uptick in accessibility is a welcomed shift to anyone curious about or eager to jump into vlogging, but with so many great options available, it can be hard to decide where to start. Fret not dear reader: we have some
With the holidays fast approaching you’re probably wondering, “What do I give to that student filmmaker about to embark on a career of moviemaking and content creation?” Fear not! I have compiled a list of gifts to cover the needs of your aspiring Spielberg, so you don’t have to.
There are many tools a budding cinema student may want to use. While many schools provide the big-ticket items such as cameras and lights, there are many other must-haves that often go overlooked. This list is going to focus on quantity so you can maximize your
Stuck in the old days of blogging with text? If you haven't been paying attention, everybody is vlogging now. Since a whole new generation is living their lives online through video streams, vlogs, TikToks, YouTubes, Twitches, and Snapchats, let's look at a few holiday gift options that can offer your favorite vlogger the best video gear.
While some kits are compact enough to take your home studio with you, some vloggers may want to keep their home kit setup and add an ultra-lightweight action kit for when they're out in the field for easy
Everyone knows a creator—everyone is a creator. Being a creator is easy these days, especially with so many different social media platforms available to share your work and interact with others. There are also those among us who get way into it and want their streams, TikToks, YouTube videos, or Instagram posts to be the best they can be. If you know someone like that and want to find them the perfect gift, we highly recommend checking out this list.
1. Smartphone Gimbal
With video becoming incredibly good on mobile devices, the ability to
Ahh, it’s the holidays. Time for warm clothes, good food, and figuring out what to get your relative or friend who has an affinity for filmmaking. Looking at film and video equipment from the outside is confusing. It’s sometimes even confusing to those of us who make a living with film and video, so I can’t imagine what every-day folk are thinking. I’m also not saying that you shouldn’t get them the lens replica
When you're a videographer on the move, portability is everything. Whether it's an outdoor action shoot, a multi-location shoot with interviews and b-roll, or a car video that requires riding around a track a few times, the key to building up your videographer kit is a combination of quality, portability, and preparedness. Honestly, it's not too different than the military, so you can't go wrong reading the Army Leadership Field Manual, as well.
Choosing a Primary Camera
Depending on your production requirements, the camera you choose needs to
Video is getting bigger and better every year, and I’m sure nearly everyone knows at least one aspiring filmmaker. I love filmmaking and photography, but the main problem I have with it is the amount of equipment one needs to get the job done. This can mean big, important pieces such as a camera or lights as well as tiny, essential accessories that make life a whole lot easier. If you are looking for something to gift your filmmaking friend or for some key components to upgrade your kit, check out the following.
1. Compact Lights
If there is
The best camera stabilizer helps you capture smooth, shake-free footage regardless of what you're shooting or where. To achieve this level of stabilization, a camera stabilizer often utilizes a combination of motion-detecting algorithms and brushless motors to counteract unwanted movements and smooth out your footage.
But how do you know which camera stabilizer is the best for you? Is a camera stabilizer's most critical spec its compatibility, its
In 2013, the world of mini drone cinematography and photography was in its infancy. I bought my first drone that year: the DJI Phantom 2. I had to add a GoPro to it if I wanted to capture video or photos. Flash forward a few years and drones capable of recording 4K video, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, auto-tracking, high resolution stills, and extended battery life started to appear on the market. Today, drones that fit in the palm of your hand can deliver high-end cinematic imagery and photos for a fraction of the cost of full-sized,
Shopping for a drone pilot this holiday season and not sure what to get them? Fear not. We put together this shopping list of must-have accessories for the drone-lover in your life. Enjoy!
Spare Parts
Piloting a drone can be as exciting as it is perilous. Trees, waterfalls, rocks: They’re fun to fly around, but a total bummer (and sometimes catastrophic) to fly into. To avoid a premature and possibly permanent grounding, be sure to keep plenty of spare parts handy, especially props and additional batteries. Depending on where I’m flying,
With its global market share now approaching eighty percent, DJI is the undisputed leader when it comes to consumer drones. However, despite widespread recognition and its dominant market standing, many consumers don’t realize DJI’s product line goes well beyond its unmanned flyers. For those understandably unaware individuals, we’ve put together this buying guide that covers several of DJI’s prominent categories, with exemplary products from each.
Drones
Despite
An LED light panel is among the most versatile tools a vlogger, indie filmmaker, or photographer can use. But how do you know which type of panel is right for your needs? Today, LED panels have more bells and whistles to choose from than ever before: a rainbow of colors, special effects, power options, and even strobe functionality. With so many features on the market, choosing a panel can quickly become a challenge. But worry not, I’m here to help.
In my work as a photographer and DP, I use a variety of LED panels—and not always the way they
Since we're living in a time of enhanced remote communication, let’s talk a bit about upgrading your video camera and streaming options to optimize your organization's message, and break down all the equipment you’ll need to visualize and automate your environment. One of the most efficient options for automating, consolidating, and broadcasting video to remote viewers is the PTZ camera.
The letters PTZ stand for “Pan, Tilt, Zoom,” which are the basic mechanical functions of these cameras. The acronym “PTZ” has now become synonymous with the
Every vlogger’s kit is built around a camera—but not all cameras are created equal. Everyone’s needs are different and no single camera can fulfill the needs of every vlogger on the Internet. For example, you may want to set up a camera on a table to record yourself reviewing a movie. Or you may want to go swimming off a coral reef and capture your adventure underwater. These are two very different scenarios, requiring two very different cameras. Ideally, you’ll want a camera that caters uniquely to your needs while remaining a one-stop-shop