News roundup: DJI, DCS, Blackmagic Design, Cineroid, SIGMA, Chimera and Maxon

This week we look at pretty much everything from a new entry-level drone to significant software updates and more.

Fly with the new DJI Mini 2 SE

• Sub-249 grams: An ultra-light, foldable drone that weighs less than a regulation friendly 249g
• DJI O2 Transmission technology: A maximum video transmission range of 10km with excellent anti-interference capabilities

• High-quality imaging: A 3-axis gimbal and 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that takes 12MP and photos shoots video at 2.7K HD
• Extended flight time: 31-minute maximum flight time

• Intuitive flight controls: One-tap takeoff and landing, stable hovering, return to home feature
• Intelligent features: QuickShots and Panorama deliver creative shooting possibilities
• Level 5 wind resistance: At a wind speed of 10.7 m/s, the aircraft can still hover steadily and keep images stable

Available starting 22 March at the DJI Store and authorized retailers. Price for DJI Mini 2 SE: £339/€389 and for DJI Mini 2 SE Fly More Combo £459/€529.

DCS launches the first wireless lens encoder for virtual production

Digital Camera Systems (DCS) has launched a new wireless lens encoder LDT-V2 for virtual production. This UK-based technology company creates accurate frame-by-frame capture and streaming of real-time lens metadata for VFX. Recent projects that used their technology include Elvis , Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Barbie), Murder Mystery 2, and many more. 

The LDT-V2 lens encoder supports industry-standard Virtual Production packages from Unreal Engine, disguise, Stage Precision and Aximmetry. Since capturing lens data is essential in virtual production, the LDT-V2 provides all the same functions as its predecessor, but also adds wireless functionality to stream lens data directly to the media player, enabling increased freedom of movement for camera operators.

The LDT-V2 real-time lens data streamer is available today for £8,000 /
$10,000, directly from DCS with worldwide shipping.

DaVinci Resolve 18.1.3 released

Blackmagic Design has released version 18.1.3 of its editing software DaVinci Resolve. Despite the minor update appelation, these release supports two new video formats and also bug fixes that might be very useful for its users.

This newest version adds support for DNx Uncompressed and Sony VENICE 2 film formats. Blackmagic Design also says it improves playback performance when the Text+ font opacity is set to zero. This helps users to work faster when creating titles or other text additions for their projects. The color picker can also now be used in the glow and highlight tools on the Fusion page, allowing users to easily customize color within the existing image. Lastly, when working with multiple monitors set to different resolutions the audio effect dialogs will now display in the correct scalings.

• Proxies of vertical clips will keep their aspect ratio
• When copying grades into compound nodes the keyframe alignment will be kept
• Addressed cache invalidation for changes to Fusion background media in.

• Addressed ARRIRAW decode issues on Mac systems with multiple GPUs.
• Addressed excessive memory usage with interlaced rendering.

• Addressed a possible crash when working with crossfades in Fairlight.

The DaVinci Resolve 18.1.3 update can be found here.

Cineroid announces Rollable LED RGBWW Light Panels Jupiter 500W and 1000W

Cineroid has two new Jupiter rollable LED panels, which makes them portable when it comes to travel. Their travel kit comes with a rollable panel, an aluminum frame, a softbox, a light controller box, cables, and a travel bag. The Jupiter 1000W has a light output of 24,000 lux at 1 meter, and the Jupiter 500w has an output of 12,000 lux at 1 meter. The 1000W version is 120x120cm and weighs 1.9kg and the 500w version is 120x63cm and weighs 0.9kg. These fixtures are powered and controlled with a breakout box, which features a color front panel display, push buttons, and dials for brightness and settings. Let's look at what features panels have:

• RGB full color with white color LED light
• Rollable LED Light Panel
• Flicker-Free
• CRI 95 / TLCI 98 or above
• 0-100% dimming
• Color temperature 2,700˚K~6,500˚K
• DMX 512 ready with Built-in DMX
• Custom effect / 6 Preset reserve
• USB 5V output / USB Firmware update

SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art comes out with a new lens esign

SIGMA has announced a new lens specifically designed for full-frame Sony E and L-mount cameras, the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art, which features a brand-new lens design optimized for mirrorless cameras. This new version is longer than its predecessor at 11.1cm/4.4″ compared to 9.9cm/3.93″, but also lighter at only 660g/23.3 oz versus 815g/1.23 lb. Like every SIGMA Art lens, the new DG DN Art lens is dust and splash-resistant and the front of the lens features water and oil-repellent coating.

The SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, with three aspherical lenses and 1 SLD glass element. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm/17.7″. The lens features a focus mode switch and a manual switch that enables filmmakers to de-click the aperture ring. According to SIGMA, inside the lens a High-response Linear Actuator focusing motor should provide “unprecedented high-speed, high-precision and quiet AF".  The 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art comes with a removable sun hood and 72mm front filter thread.

The new 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art will be available later this month for £850

Chimera releases new OctaPlus 5 for Creamsource Vortex8

Chimera Lighting has another NEW OctaPlus Lightbank, this time for the Creamsource Vortex8. This new Octa 5 for Vortex8 offers 5 feet of octagonal light.

• Kit includes Octa frame
• A variety of fabric grids are available

• Chimera’s proprietary textiles provide superior longevity
• Designed and handcrafted in Colorado, USA

Maxon One update includes new Maxon Capsules and Redshift updates

Maxon has updated its Maxon One software, including new Capsules, and also released an update to Redshift, its fully CPU/GPU-accelerated, biased 3D renderer.

The new collection of assets features two functional node-based modifiers, Dash Spline and Trim Spline. Dash Spline allows artists to create stylized and broken line effects, including length of dash and gap sizes, and variable dashes along a line, with auto or custom animation. Trim Spline lets artists animate segments of a spline for all types of variables and grow-on effects. Maxon has also added a collection of 21 Redshift-enabled fabric materials that capture the true texture, look and feel of curtains, cottons, silks and woven fabrics. The latest version of Redshift (3.5.13) includes Tile and Brick Shaders and Intel Denoiser for all DCCs and introduces a new Pavement Shader in Cinema 4D.

All updates are immediately available to subscribers via the Maxon App and the Maxon Website. Find out more here.