Get your DSLR Filmmaking game on with these new camera tools from Edelkrone

Following on from the success of their SliderPlus system, Edelkrone have today announced several new products to assist in your film making efforts.

With the new RigONE, FocusONE, StandPLUS, JibPLUS and Povie, their equipment line up offers a very formidable solution that could satisfy many filmmakers.

RigONE – Camera Rig

While camera rig systems are certainly nothing new, there are one or two very interesting features contained within the RigONE which seem specifically aimed at “run and gun” shooters recording handheld.

Notably, top top can be removed, allowing the bottom to fold out and be braced on the user’s belt, providing increased stability and a little relief on your arms for handheld shots.  The brace can also be extended for taller users.

The whole unit seems to pack up fairly small for throwing into a backpack, and industry standard 15mm rails can be screwed in below the camera to allow attachment for matte boxes and follow focus systems.

The RigONE is priced at €349.99+VAT, and will be shipping from late May, 2016.

FocusONE – Follow Focus System

Speaking of follow focus systems, the FocusONE follow focus slides onto industry standard 15mm rails, so it can be used with rigs other than the RigONE.

The FocusONE is designed for use with 0.8 mod lenses, but also includes “straps” to wrap around other lenses with teeth that match those on the follow focus unit itself, allowing it to work with a wide variety of lenses.

The FocusONE is priced at €174.99+VAT and ships from mid May, 2016.

StandPLUS – Not a Tripod

While, functionally, it may serve the purpose of a tripod for many users in the studio, the StandPLUS offers some rather unique advantages.

The first is the size this thing packs down to.  While it may be a bit bulkier than your average small travel tripod, it certainly seems to offer a more efficient use of space than my big clucky Libec video tripod.

The built in handle can be used to either carry the folded unit, with or without the camera attached, or to manipulate the position of the camera when the stand is extended.

What sticks out to me the most with this camera support system is that it basically has a built in dolly.  Assuming you have a nice flat surface on which to work your camera, three wheels allow you to smoothly truck or dolly your camera across the floor.

Prices and availability for the StandPLUS are currently unavailable, but I might have to pick one of these up myself when they’re out.

JibPLUS – Mini-jib smart add-on

If the StandPLUS isn’t quite tall enough for your needs, perhaps you’ve been looking into getting a jib.  Maybe you already own one, but want a little more control over your camera when using it.

Well, this is where the JibPLUS steps in, and I’m going to let the video speak for itself first.

The JibPLUS is made up of four pieces.

• Controller – The controller sits at the hands of the jib operator, and a field monitor can be attached to see what your camera sees.
• Sensor Module – Positioned between your tripod and the base of the mini-jib, this feeds data back to the system regarding the jib’s horizontal rotation.
• 2-Axis Head – This controls the vertical and horizontal rotation of your camera to ensure smooth tracking.
• Focus Motor – The motorized focus motor attaches to the 2-Axis head and your lens to ensure that your tracked subjects stay in focus throughout the shot.

Between them, the system adds a range of very cool technology to your jib system, including a remote controlled head which can lock targets and track subjects, to have your camera automatically follow them while you’re moving jib.

As well as the ability to track and follow this subject, a motorised follow focus system helps to ensure that your subject is in focus during this process.

While the demonstrations illustrated in the video above are obviously CG, if it works as well in real life, it’s certain to be a very useful system.

Prices and availability for the JibPLUS are currently unknown.

Povie – Turn your cellphone into a bodycam

While I’m not sure it could replace a GoPro in a full on action scenario, the Povie seems to be a useful option to give you a quick and easy bodycam with the camera that’s always with you in your pocket.

The camera can support up to about 8oz/236g (for comparison, the iPhone 6S Plus weights about 6oz/172g), and uses magnets, along with a metal plate stuck to the back of your phone to ensure a good hold.

The thing that strikes me as  the Povie’s fatal flaw is the mechanism which attaches the phone to the holder.  Presumably one would not want to stick a metal plate over the front of their phone, which means that the front is always facing outwards.  As a consequence, you’d only be able to use your phone’s front camera, unless you happened to want a lot of very underexposed footage of your chest.

Hopefully, there is another option, so that we can utilise rear cameras without covering half of our display by sticking a metal plate to it.

The Povie is priced at €25.99+VAT, and will be shipping from late May, 2016.