Posted by Joey Nathan on 17th Dec 2019
Our Top 5 Products For 2019
With hindsight being 2020, we decide to take a look back at some of our favourite products of last year. From Sony cameras to TVlogic monitors, there has been an eclectic mix of new equipment for filmmakers & broadcasters. Below is our top 5 of new products to come out this year.
Hollyland Mars 400s
The newest member of the Hollyland family, the Mars 400s is a great low-budget wireless transmitter for filmmakers. SDI and HDMI compatible, it has a range of 400ft with low latency when transmitting. Thanks to the new Hollyview app, you can now pair up to 4 smart devices with the Mars 400s. This means you can follow the action on your smart phone or tablet, great for clients who would like to give live feedback.
TVlogic F7h Mark ii
Just before NAB 2019 TVlogic announced their latest two monitors – F7h mk ii & F-5A. Both are great devices, but our favourite is the F7h mk ii for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the 2nd gen F-7h comes with a staggering 3,600 nits max luminance. Perfect for working in bright daylight during outdoor sports events or on documentaries. Secondly, the UX is slick and intuitive. In our review of the F7H mk ii Sam Ardley praises the option to configure buttons and assign LUT presets. Overall, it is a great tool for DOPs looking for a clear and sharp image while filming.
Sony PXW-FX9
Probably the most anticipated release of the year, the Sony FX9 made big waves at IBC. The full-frame camera is the successor to Sony’s FS7 and comes with an impressive 6K sensor. The FX9 borrows a lot of popular features from other Sony products. This includes the AF algorithm from the Alpha series, Colour science from the Venice series and FS7’s usability. It also has the world’s first electronic variable ND filter for a full-frame sensor. With all this, the FX9 is one of the most jam-packed product releases of the year and bound to affect the filmmaking landscape of the future.
Fomex RollLite
Fomex released a new flexible LED light called RollLite. The strongest selling point for the RollLite is its versatility and durability in a variety of environments. It boasts great portability and is transportable to places chunkier lights can’t reach. They have a CRI rating of 98 and TLCI rating of 98 with a beam angle of 120°. The light panel is made up of individual 2700K LED units that are easily replaceable when damaged. Making it a very cost-effective light that doesn’t need to be completely replaced when partly damaged.
IDX Imicro-98
This year IDX brought out a new series of Imicro mini V-lock batteries. Currently, the range is made up of the Imicro-98 & Imicro-150. They are great high capacity batteries that are much smaller and lighter than the market standard. This makes them not only great for travel, but also means international filmmakers will not have to worry about carrying them on to planes. We are sure the Imicro series will become a go to for many filmmakers in the future!