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Following up the Angénieux Type EZ Series for S35 and larger image formats recently unveiled at IBC 2016, Angénieux is now announcing a new multi format 12x Optimo zoom lens for the high-end production market. Successor model to the industry reference Optimo 24-290 (and 28-340), the Optimo Ultra 12x is the ideal long-range zoom for high-end productions, including feature films, TV series, live stage, commercials, and music videos.

The lens features a totally new optical and mechanical design, offering high optical performance -- superb image quality, no ramping, minimal breathing, very short MOD -- and improved mechanical stability and serviceability. The Optimo Ultra 12x comes with the standard PL mount lens, and has a sub-mount system in order to be equipped with various mount options. Optically, users will appreciate its superb image quality along the full focal length range, minimal breathing and low distortion and its very close focus. Mechanically, the lens features precise and ergonomic focus ring with ability to swap easily the focus scale ring from meters to feet. It is designed for extreme shooting conditions with a better sealed optical area than its predecessor reducing dust inhale, and increasing a temperature range from -20 to +40°C. Thanks to the IRO (Interchangeable Rear Optics) technology the lens can be configured to cover three different formats: S35 (Ø31.1mm image circle), U35 (Ø34.6mm image circle) and FF/VV(Ø46.3mm image circle). It will be the perfect zoom lens for the new generations of high-end digital cameras!

Two packages will be available:
Standard Optimo Ultra 12x Package: Zoom S35 + U35 Kit
Full Optimo Ultra 12x Package: Zoom S35 + U35 Kit + FF/VV Kit

Also available a specially designed Carrying Handle and a Front Protective Glass. Optimo Extenders 1.4X and 2X can also fit the Optimo Ultra 12x.

Caldwell Photographic Inc. and Metabones announced the Speed Booster Q666, a.k.a. “The Devil’s Speed Booster”, exclusively for Pentax Q series cameras. With its 0.5x magnification and world-record f/0.666 maximum speed it is crazy wicked fast. So make a deal with the devil today and turn your Pentax Q with its back-illuminated sensor into a monster low-light machine unlike anything ever seen in photography. Attach an f/1.2 lens and stop down a little to see how Stanley Kubrick made do with f/0.7 for filming those famous candle-lit scenes in “Barry Lyndon”. Or open up all the way to f/0.666 and probe the darkness in a way that no photographer has ever been able to do until now.

With an advanced 6-element optical design, the Q666 packs lots of optical horsepower in a small package. Sharpness is excellent even at f/0.666, and is downright superb if you stop down to f/1.0. Distortion is very low, with a maximum value of, naturally, 0.666%. And thanks to the back-illuminated sensor used in Pentax Q cameras, the full f/0.666 maximum aperture can be utilized with minimal pixel vignetting effects commonly seen in other cameras used with high-speed lenses.

Like all Metabones Speed Boosters, the Speed Booster Q666 is optimized to fully account for the camera's filter stack located near the sensor surface. This is especially critical at the record-setting f/0.666 aperture now possible with the Q666. As a result, an enormous range of optics, from vintage film lenses to the latest digital designs, will function flawlessly when adapted to any Pentax Q camera. Planned lens mounts for the Speed Booster Q666 include a Pentax-K version and a Nikon F/G version with the most advanced Nikon G aperture adjustment mechanism in the industry.

The Speed Booster Q666 is available now for 489 USD ex. VAT/shipping.

RED published a Release Candidate version of the new DSMC 2 firmware for the new line of their cameras, incl. RED WEAPON 6K / 8K VV / 8K S35, EPIC-W, SCARLET-W, and RED RAVEN. The new build offers significant changes since previous build v6.4.24:

• Added WEAPON HELIUM 8K S35 Monochrome support
• Added Release Candidate splash screen
• Fixed battery percentage using Belt Clip with OMOD XLR module
• Fixed black frames in playback with Apple ProRes
• Fixed error applying various RED presets
• Fixed log file timestamp with UDF formatted media
• Fixed record hang with beep speaker enabled
• Fixed timelapse with Reduced Judder Preview enabled
• Changed calibration file naming convention
• Updated in-camera documentation

Firmware downloads:

• WEAPON FIRMWARE (6K CF, 8K S35, 8K VV, 8K VV ANA)
• WEAPON FIRMWARE (MAGNESIUM ONLY)
• RED EPIC-W FIRMWARE
• SCARLET-W FIRMWARE
• RED RAVEN FIRMWARE
  

This beta update adds support for single frame and half speed JKL control, along with improved video playback on the Fairlight page. In addition, tracks on the Fairlight page can now be moved up or down, there's a new audio codec column in the Media Pool, and new preferences for configuring the Fairlight Audio Accelerator, support for up to 8 faders on 3rd party audio control surfaces using HUI protocol on Mac and Windows. This update also features improved playback for Sony RAW and CinemaDNG clips, as well as general performance and stability improvements.

Tutorials in the new EDIUS Basics series describe basic functionality of the Grass Valley EDIUS Pro 8 and Workgroup NLE applications.